Title: May We Be Forgiven
Author: A.M. Homes
Pages: 480
Originally Published: 2012
Format I Read: Hardback
Publisher: Penguin
Rating: 
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I picked up this book because it is slated to contend in the 2013 Tournament of Books. I have to say that I never would have picked it up without the Tournament, but I am very glad that I did. Here’s the blurb (well, part of it):
Harold Silver has spent a lifetime watching his younger brother, George, a taller, smarter, and more successful high-flying TV executive, acquire a covetable wife, two kids, and a beautiful home in the suburbs of New York City. But Harry, a historian and Nixon scholar, also knows George has a murderous temper, and when George loses control the result is an act of violence so shocking that both brothers are hurled into entirely new lives in which they both must seek absolution.
Full disclosure? This book is what I would call quirky. Some of the characters and many of the initial plot points are out there. Comical. Exaggerated. This, as does anything quirky, gave me pause. But I can’t deny that I was interested in poor Harold. Some really crappy things happen to him. And, for a large portion of the book, he is largely acted upon. He blames others for his mistakes and misfortunes. He floats about, whining. But he grows! There is character development. And by the end, I was completely touched by Harold and the life he built from the ashes, if you will.
And yes, I did laugh a few times. And one or two times I rolled my eyes. But I rather think that is how life is sometimes. A.M. Homes captured a glimpse of reality for me in a beautiful way.
May We Be Forgiven, by A.M. Homes
Bonus Material – My Favorite Blurb
“I started this book in the a.m., finished in the p.m., and couldn’t sleep all night. Ms. Homes just gets better and better.” -Gary ShteyngartFor more on Mr. Shteyngart’s blurbs, check out this little documentary, with an appearance by A.M. Homes.
You can also find Ms. Homes at her website and on Twitter.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I generally like quirky so this sounds good to me.
It definitely fits the quirky bill!
Sigh. I could use a book like this right now… I think.
I would definitely be interested to hear what you think of it.
Way to keep going on this list! This book sounds.. interesting… anyway! :)
It’s slow going on the list, but I’m plugging away!