Genre: Women’s Fiction
Approximate word count: 60-65,000 words
Availability
Author:
A freelance writer, editor, proofreader, and former graphic designer, Boris is the author of two other novels, The Joke’s on Me and Drawing Breath. She lives with her husband in the Hudson Valley of New York.
For more, visit Boris’ website.
Description:
“When pneumonia lands Estelle Trager unconscious in the emergency room, it ruins everything for the stubborn 65-year-old woman. She'd been keeping a secret—a deadly secret—that she'd planned on taking to the grave. But now her son Adam and his wife, Liza, know about her tumors. Adam is outraged, but Estelle, who watched her mother and grandmother suffer from breast cancer in the days when no one dared speak its name, has no intention of putting her family or herself through the horrors of cancer treatment. Estelle decides there is only one solution: ask Liza, the 33-year-old daughter-in-law she once called a godless hippie raised by wolves, to kill her.”
Appraisal:
This is the second book I’ve read by Laurie Boris, and although the story and characters are much different, it struck me that the other book, Drawing Breath, had a character suffering from a serious disease too. This is a time-tested recipe to create conflict, one of the more important qualities a book needs to draw a reader in and make them care about what happens.
I would describe Don’t Tell Anyone as character driven. The main point-of-view character is Liza and the story revolves around how she, her husband Adam, their family, and friends deal with Liza’s mother-in-law, Estelle, after she is diagnosed with cancer. Not to mention how Estelle reacts and the chain-reaction among all concerned. It’s an interesting spotlight on the dynamics of relationships, both within families and between friends.
Format/Typo Issues:
My reading was based on a beta version. Unable to judge the final product in this area.
Reviewed by: BigAl
Rating: ***** Five stars
11 comments:
This is on my list to read! Great post.
Looks like a good read - this dilemma faces many of us with older parents in real life. Congratulations on your 5 stats, Laurie
A common dilemma!
Thank you all for dropping in and commenting.
Amy Vansant, I hope you enjoy it.
Mimi Barbour and Aurora Springer, all of Ms. Boris' books are insightful reads.
Congrats, Laurie! A fantastic review. Pinned & shared. :)
Thank you Linda Lee Williams, I appreciate all the sharing Books and Pals can get right now. :D And thank you for dropping in.
Thank you, Amy. I really appreciate the look!
Thank you, Mimi. This is a story close to my heart and something my own family had to deal with. I hope it can help a few people.
Thank you for stopping by, Aurora and Linda Lee. And thank you, B&P, for the reprise.
Another great book by Laurie Boris. Congratulation on a great review. Pinned, tweeted, shared the works!
Thanks for dropping in and commenting Ms. Boris! It's always a pleasure to see authors here.
Susan Tarr, thank you for commenting and sharing. It is really appreciated. :)
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