published: 2012
pages: 368 (353 total reading because the rest is extra stuff)
eISBN: 978-0-8129-9292-2
read: 8/12-17/2017
rating: SO GOOD! the feels!!!
book: 26 of 29 for 2017
...and i thought how many small good things in the world might be resting on the shoulders of something terrible.
pg 233
1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.
At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.
At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.
MY THOUGHTS
this book!!!
the beauty in everyone collectively reading the same book is the interpretation that everyone sees in it.
and i can see why people liked this book and why they didn't.
why they thought Greta was suuuuuch a bitch but others excused her.
why they were mad at their mom and others forgave her (I'm in the middle on this one but actually, screw her).
I'm trying to find the right words to convey how this book made me feel.
I'm so glad that i picked it up. i feel like it did its job of getting me out of a funk (still not 100% recovered). i honestly believe i would have finished it like the very next day, except that for once, i had a busy Sunday.
I'm glad that i read this because while it is from a "child's" point of view, its very mature.
its not a love story, girl in school trying to find love kinda read. its a grown up read.
(it reminded me very much of this book!)
it deals with the subject of aids in the time of their appearance but it doesn't solely focus on that. for me it was more about June trying to find her place and what she means to people but also about 2 sisters that are trying to find their way back to each other.
and their mom...oi vey.
it's a perfect example on how children understand more than we give them credit for.
I'm just so fucking glad that this wasn't a YA novel with dumb high school love and just dumb shit. (don't get me wrong, i love that stuff but maybe i need a break from that).
I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
...but there were certain parts that i was kinda iffy about.
well, just the one. and that's about June and Finn....and that's all I'll say because i don't want to spoil it out here.
and her mom! UGH!!!!
what a B!......
ill leave you with some faves and then jump to the spoilers.
your brain and your heart decide what you were going to believe and that was that. whether you liked it or not."
pg 9
Being a romantic means you always see whats beautiful. whats good. you don't want to see the gritty truth of things. you believe everything will turn out right."
pg 128
everyone needs to think they have secrets.
pg 353
SPOILERS
are you suuure??
June's godfather, her mother's brother, Finn, dies of Aids.
in his passing, out comes Toby and he is hated by his mother because he is the reason that Finn passes and the reason Finn gave it all up.
except, since June didn't even know he existed because of her mother, she has to learn to care about and for him all on her own.
basically, Junes mom (i think her name was Danni) grew up with Finn all over army bases and she would take care of him because he was younger and together, they decided that they would live the art life and just create but at 17 he took off and traveled and did his own thing while she settled at home and married a tax accountant.....and ignored any attempt at communication that he made towards her.
he met Toby in jail because he signed up to teach art and from there they fell in love. Finn waited for Toby, together they lived in New York and Danni made him godfather to June hoping to rekindle something with him and keep him grounded.
(Toby was in jail because when he was younger, he was being bullied by some drunks guys and when he finally found footing to defend himself, he pushed one of the guys and he fell on the subway tracks that ended up costing him both his legs.)
when the news arrived that Finn had aids, it was easier for them to say that he got them from Toby when in reality it was the other way around. (June eventually finds out but no one ever does.) so that's another reason Danni hates him.
anyway, they build a friendship and in the end, He spends his last few hours on their couch even if Danni isn't for it.
Gretta, June's sister is the "good" daughter. she was advanced so when they moved to town, they skipped her a grade. all of her friends don't know that shes actually younger than they are and she's headed for Darthmouth.
the entire time shes a tooootal class bitch to June.
until the end when June can't be there for her because she's grounded so she sees Toby and then shit clicks in her head so in the end they're good.
June was grounded because Finn painted a portrait of them both and it was stored in a safe because of the value (Finn was a very well known painter whose art sold for lots) which they both "defaced" but of course only she got blamed because she has nothing else to do and Greta was never capable of such thing. (her mothers words. what a bitch!)
there's a bunch of other stuff in there but that's the gist of it all.
the only thing that bothered me was the love that June had for Finn. kinda inappropriate.
i think it could have been done with the love without taking it to that level...but other than that, it was a great read.
i'm just being super lazy and sleepy right now.
anyway, thanks for reading.
Love the reviews you have on this blog. I’m always looking for new books to read, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletethank you so much! :)
Deletethank you for reading!