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Lisa's Reviews > The Precious Jules
The Precious Jules
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In the summer of 1977 Hilary Jules is the mother of five children with a sixth on the way. Ella, the fourth child, suffered oxygen deprivation at birth and is sometimes aggressive and has many needs. Stone, Hilary's husband, makes the decision to place Ella in a home.
In the spring of 2009 Beechwood Institute is closing and all the residents need to be placed. Lynetta, Ella's caretaker, is granted guardianship and plans to move Ella to her doublewide near the ocean. And then Hilary throws a monkey wrench in the works. She decides that she wants Ella to come back home and live with her and Stone. The five siblings assemble at the family home to question this decision of their aging parents.
This family drama looks at the secrets the various family members harbor and the effect that sending Ella away has had on each member of the family. Nocher slowly reveals each piece of the jigsaw puzzle until the whole is assembled. She asks me to consider the moral and ethical implications of these situations. I am engaged enough that I want to see how the story and all of its facets resolve. Oh, and did I mention feelings of guilt . . .
On a cerebral level I can see the decisions made by each character and understand the reasoning behind them. I appreciate the questions Nocher is asking. On an emotional level there is a lot here that "should" touch me, yet for most of the read I feel distanced from these characters. Periodically there is a scene where I connect and I hope for more.
In the spring of 2009 Beechwood Institute is closing and all the residents need to be placed. Lynetta, Ella's caretaker, is granted guardianship and plans to move Ella to her doublewide near the ocean. And then Hilary throws a monkey wrench in the works. She decides that she wants Ella to come back home and live with her and Stone. The five siblings assemble at the family home to question this decision of their aging parents.
This family drama looks at the secrets the various family members harbor and the effect that sending Ella away has had on each member of the family. Nocher slowly reveals each piece of the jigsaw puzzle until the whole is assembled. She asks me to consider the moral and ethical implications of these situations. I am engaged enough that I want to see how the story and all of its facets resolve. Oh, and did I mention feelings of guilt . . .
On a cerebral level I can see the decisions made by each character and understand the reasoning behind them. I appreciate the questions Nocher is asking. On an emotional level there is a lot here that "should" touch me, yet for most of the read I feel distanced from these characters. Periodically there is a scene where I connect and I hope for more.
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Reading Progress
November 28, 2022
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Started Reading
November 28, 2022
– Shelved
December 1, 2022
– Shelved as:
2022
December 1, 2022
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Finished Reading
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Canadian Jen
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rated it 5 stars
Dec 02, 2022 04:53AM
I appreciate your thoughts too, Lisa. I think for me it hit me on a much more personal note as it happened in my family as well. But the guilty that's a heavy one for all to feel from and heal from. Terrific review!
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Jen wrote: "I appreciate your thoughts too, Lisa. I think for me it hit me on a much more personal note as it happened in my family as well. But the guilty that's a heavy one for all to feel from and heal from..."I live in Maryland. As a teen in the 1970's a group I belonged to regularly collected items for the residents of Rosewood, the institution that Beechwood is based on. As one who was frequently a part of the delivery team, I can say that Nocher sadly got her descriptions exactly right.
I can only imagine what it would be like to have to make this type of decision. It is hard enough not to second guess yourself over the minor ones.
And I think that the plot outline is well drawn here. The writing just didn't get under my skin
Well, hats off to Nocher for tackling a difficult subject. Too bad she didn't seem to have the knack for the telling detail that would really bring it to life.
Excellent and fair review, Lisa. It definitely sounds interesting! Is this nonfiction?
Left Coast Justin wrote: "Well, hats off to Nocher for tackling a difficult subject. Too bad she didn't seem to have the knack for the telling detail that would really bring it to life."Justin, I'm glad I read this work, and I would have preferred if it spoke to me on a more emotional level. Nocher really does ask the hard and important questions.
Jennifer wrote: "Excellent and fair review, Lisa. It definitely sounds interesting! Is this nonfiction?"Jennifer, it is fiction. I have not seen this subject tackled before and I really appreciate the outline of the story.
It sounds like a subject that the author Nocher has dealt with in some way, or hits close to home. Shame that it didn't come across as more engagingly felt, outside of the questions it brings.
Ron wrote: "It sounds like a subject that the author Nocher has dealt with in some way, or hits close to home. Shame that it didn't come across as more engagingly felt, outside of the questions it brings."It is a shame. I really wanted to love this book.
Great review, Lisa. Sounds interesting, but I'm sure I'd note that lack of connection you mention as well.
Candi wrote: "Great review, Lisa. Sounds interesting, but I'm sure I'd note that lack of connection you mention as well."I am notoriously picky about what I love v what I like when it comes to books. Despite this lack of connection I still found it a worthwhile read.
It does sound like a sad yet interesting concept or topic. I appreciate your candid thoughts. If you don’t completely connect to the writing, I can’t see how you’ll enjoy the read. Too bad.
Lori wrote: "It does sound like a sad yet interesting concept or topic. I appreciate your candid thoughts. If you don’t completely connect to the writing, I can’t see how you’ll enjoy the read. Too bad."Thanks Lori. I think that sometimes elusive connection is what we're all searching for in our reads. And when we find it, it's magic.
Great review, Lisa! We are such similar readers in this way. It's not enough just to be intellectually stimulated. We need our hearts ripped out too. Sounds like an intriguing premise, but that emotional detachment aspect would probably limit this book's success for me too.
That's helpful, Lisa, Thank you - I'm adding :)
James wrote: "Great review, Lisa! We are such similar readers in this way. It's not enough just to be intellectually stimulated. We need our hearts ripped out too. Sounds like an intriguing premise, but that e..."
James, it is so lovely to have you back and popping up here frequently! And yes, a deeper dive into each of the family members' psyches would have worked for me here.
Jennifer wrote: "That's helpful, Lisa, Thank you - I'm adding :)"Do let me know if/when you get to this one. There are a few things I'd love to chat about.
Great, I’d like that, Lisa :D
Jennifer wrote: "Great, I’d like that, Lisa :D"😊
Great review. Sorry you didn't enjoy this more.
Linda, they can't all be perfect, and sometimes good enough is okay.
Excellent review Lisa 💖
Margaret M - Apologies for taking time to respond. wrote: "Excellent review Lisa 💖"Thank you, Margaret. This one definitely caused me to think.
The subject matter of this one strikes close to home over here, and I also really respect the title (wink, wink), so I may give this one a try. I don't like feeling "distanced" from my reads, but I guess I'll choose to remain "cautiously optimistic!"xoxo
Julie wrote: "The subject matter of this one strikes close to home over here, and I also really respect the title (wink, wink), so I may give this one a try. I don't like feeling "distanced" from my reads, but I..."The outline of the story is excellent, and it may work better for you. I'll keep an eye out for when you get to it.
