Review date: 10/12/2024
Author: Chris Whitaker
Title: We Begin at the End
This was such a consuming novel! Between the pages of this masterpiece lies such intricate prose I had to read and reread the majority of this novel in order to understand what exactly Mr. Whitaker was trying to say.
I thought at first the story was going to be about a young girl whose mother was caught in the throes of alcoholism, but that was only one tip to this iceberg of a sick family. Meaning, this book contained so much more that lurked right below the surface. Mr. Whitaker made believable the roles they each fell into because of the affliction of addiction. I understand personally how alcoholism can affect the dynamics of a family and this story had it all; from secrets to be kept, secrets to be shared and the wisdom to know the difference.
Rising from the ashes of their sorrow was a beautiful story of family and what one will do for theirs’.
Just a sample of Cris Whitaker’s prose I took note of from page 179. ‘I am high in the sky and Montana is a footnote, patchwork fields stitched by tractors like ants, people that bob like they are drowning in ordinary.’ That my friends is profound!
One thing I feel compelled to add. I wasn’t going to, but after having slept on it I believe I should. The ending. It just wasn’t big enough to wow me. Don’t get me wrong, it was good and I’m not sad I read it (took me 4 days) but I am sad that the ending didn’t have more of the champagne bottle pop I was hoping for.