In other words, they were probably predisposed to liking it, probably having read and enjoyed other books that display similar themes. With our colorful photos and the expressive texts of Katja Staring we managed to create a fun dahlia book. What I really struggled with while reading this book was the inclusion of random storylines as well as the excessive - and mostly pointless - details that made the book way longer than it needed to be.

After believing he was dead for years, she finally sent a letter to the family saying he moved to California. For instance, her rejection of the cult of positive thinking that so many cancer patients are encouraged to participate in. I thought there was some interesting stuff between the mother and the daughter, and very honest commentary when Dahlia was reflecting back on her childhood.Kristine has 14 years of breeding experience that she shares with the reader in an informal and intimate style. This novel is in many respects a coming of age story for Bucky Bleichert, who is at the center of the novel.

But by the novel’s end—hell, by its midpoint—we are given enough familial evidence to see that her present persona is not natural but crafted, unintentionally, by the spite and self-centred behaviour of her mother and brother (seriously, fuck Danny… arrogant, abusive piece of shit deserves to suffer with the knowledge that nothing in his life warrants his sister’s forgiveness). Bucky is shocked by this revelation, and in particular by the fact that Kay acted as go-between in the deal.There are so many extraordinary quotes and passages in this book, but my favourites all contain spoilers. Two years later, he is assigned to collect evidence surrounding the suicide of Eldridge Chambers, a former friend of Emmett.