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Loading... Interrupted: Life Beyond Words (edition 2012)by Rachel Coker VanyaDrum | Jan 26, 2014 |   In the beginning, it started out slow, and it kind of felt like the story won't ever get to develop. But, that was done with a purpose: getting to know Allie (Alcyone)'s background. Where she came from, what made her act the way she did after the tragedy in her life. We saw where she came from, we saw why it was hard for her to trust others and herself. And even though she absolutely infuriated me because of her stubbornness, her cold heart and bitchiness, I knew why she did and said everything. I knew why she couldn't accept being adopted, or loved, or trusted. I could understand her train of thought,I cried and laughed along with Allie and to me, that's important in a book. It was easy for me to live through her pain and to understand her sorrow. And I loved it when she finally got to grow up and see her mistakes and ask for forgiveness. That moment of grace was really captivating, and struck me real hard. The characters: *Alcyone - she was a frustrated child, who had to take care of her sick mother until the poor woman died. I have no idea how I would've coped with all the hardships if I were in her place, but for a 14-year old, she did quite well. Yeah, she was always grumpy, and held back her hurt and distrust, but what's there to expect? I was surprised that she actually got to grow up as a character. She got to understand her mistakes and to finally give into love. *Sam Carroll - he was a sweet boy. Too sweet really. I have no idea how he managed to ignore all the insults coming from Allie's mouth. She never appreciated him, never showed him any real care. She only shoved him away, and still her persisted. I loved that guy. He was honest and open hearted and he won me over from the moment he brought Allie the eggs. *Beatrice - That woman was so caring, so devoted and so unconditionally loving, I couldn't help but feel for her every time she got rejected by Allie. I would totally recommend this book to anyone who's going through a hardship and needs some strength from above. (  ) VanyaDrum | Jan 26, 2014 | Overall I enjoyed it, but didn’t love it and wouldn’t read it again. My full review, plus others, can be found here. (  ) amz310783 | Sep 7, 2012 | I think age disappears in writing, I really do. But I've never read a book where I felt so completely like I was 14 again. The incredible thing about Rachel Coker is not that she has such a good grasp on youth... she is a youth!! But that her writing is so seamlessly smooth!! She has skill and perspective that make this book very unique. On my copy there's a quote from Publisher's Weekly: "Coker is one to watch" and I have to agree 100%. Interrupted has a somber tone. The main character, Alcyone, faces some difficult circumstances and grows hard & bitter. Her friend, Sam, is a neat character. Both of them are complicated, multi-layered. I was pretty much in awe of all the supporting cast. They are alive and vibrant. The setting is beautiful and completely 1930 - 1940's. I could picture the lake, the ocean, the beach, the local hang-out. There was old-time chivalry, parties with dancing, cute polka dot dresses. In fact, "cute" describes the main feel of reading, rather like a (somber) flitting butterfly dancing along Ally's inner conflict. It feels weird to close the book and find myself in the present day. The pace of life and the values of the community were very refreshing. Ally's search for God and meaning was realistic, too. I would have liked more romance, maybe. And maybe a little less time-jumping, 'cause that pulled me out of the moment, away from my connection with Ally, and left me catching up. But that just brings me around full circle to the beginning - I was just transported over seventy years back in time, where I felt completely at home. So... Wow! My Rating: 3.5 - Worth the Time, Cute and better-than-cute. (  ) BurgandyIce | May 6, 2012 | Allies' mom, I am sorry to say, was a little crazy sometimes. Although it was sad when she died, part of me wanted to shed some tears for her but the other part was asking "why?" With Allie, I could understand some of the stuff that she was going through but other than that I found her a little rude. Every time that she was offered both love and support she would turn it down. I didn't see a point to that, I could understand with her background but it wasn't necessary. Sam was what made this book enjoyable. He always had a positive attitude and he just had that positive feeling around him that made him enjoyable. There were some rough spots in this book that didn't allow the sentences to fully flow. However, overall this book was one that I enjoyed for it being a different genre. I give this book 4 souls! ( ) ChayseBWB | Apr 12, 2012 | Published by: Zondervan Age Recommend: 14+ Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Raven Rating: 5 Blog Review For: GMTA "Interrupted: Life Beyond Words" by Rachel Coker was such a wonderful read to bewritten by a sixteen year old. The reading is very easy to understand and this read is for the younger person as well as the adult.. I believe you will really appreciate this read. There is a definite connection with God in this story that really helps to healing process of Alcyone (Allie) Everly. In this story there was a mixture of romance and history that happens around World War II during the 1940's. The authors connection with the characters in this story were very real...especially Allie and Sam Carroll. The story starts out with Allie taking care of you Mom.... then there is a death that will take her from a fourteen year old to eighteen... and life really changes for her causing her to lash out at others and withdrawing from anyone who offered love. Some of the characters that were wonderful in this read would be Charlie (her friend) and Irene (her sister... Beatrices' daughter) What happens and how Allie matures really comes into play. I will not give anything away .... you will have to read this wonderful read to find out what all happens to Allie. However, from this read you will find answers ...from Tennessee to Maine how does Allies' relationship with Sam present a change in her life? Why is poetry so important to Allie? And just who does Beatrice replied on to help this young troubled Allie? What was the secret that really was not a secret with Irene that Allie found out? You will find all this out and more from this good read. ( ) arlenadean | Mar 31, 2012 | Allie, or Alcyone, is an uptight 14 year old girl in the 1940's who really only loves her mother. When her mother is diagnosed with brain cancer and dies, Allie is sent to, ugh, Maine with her new adopted mother Beatrice. As a Mainer myself, the fact that it was set here did peak my interest. I was worried it would get dull, but that never happened. Coker told the story with such rich language and solid characters. Most of all, this book is about growing up. There is so much lovely character growth in Allie and she seems so real. This book has tear jerking parts and funny parts and I was truly impressed by Cokers debut novel. Downside is that I did find the main male, Sam, a bit too nice, which I guess is ok since Allie herself admits it. Also, *SPOILER* in the end when Allie finally converts to Christianity, I just felt like it all happened really fast. One day she's against it, the next she was pray away her sins. There was some build up but I felt that it was rushed at the end. All in all, I have to give the book a 4 and would recommend it to anyone who likes a story of growing up and needs a light read. This book was given to my by the publishers via NetGalley, thus this is my honest review of the work. ( ) Nanukana | Mar 12, 2012 | |
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In the beginning, it started out slow, and it kind of felt like the story won't ever get to develop. But, that was done with a purpose: getting to know Allie (Alcyone)'s background. Where she came from, what made her act the way she did after the tragedy in her life. We saw where she came from, we saw why it was hard for her to trust others and herself.
And even though she absolutely infuriated me because of her stubbornness, her cold heart and bitchiness, I knew why she did and said everything. I knew why she couldn't accept being adopted, or loved, or trusted. I could understand her train of thought,I cried and laughed along with Allie and to me, that's important in a book.
It was easy for me to live through her pain and to understand her sorrow. And I loved it when she finally got to grow up and see her mistakes and ask for forgiveness. That moment of grace was really captivating, and struck me real hard.
The characters:
*Alcyone - she was a frustrated child, who had to take care of her sick mother until the poor woman died. I have no idea how I would've coped with all the hardships if I were in her place, but for a 14-year old, she did quite well. Yeah, she was always grumpy, and held back her hurt and distrust, but what's there to expect? I was surprised that she actually got to grow up as a character. She got to understand her mistakes and to finally give into love.
*Sam Carroll - he was a sweet boy. Too sweet really. I have no idea how he managed to ignore all the insults coming from Allie's mouth. She never appreciated him, never showed him any real care. She only shoved him away, and still her persisted. I loved that guy. He was honest and open hearted and he won me over from the moment he brought Allie the eggs.
*Beatrice - That woman was so caring, so devoted and so unconditionally loving, I couldn't help but feel for her every time she got rejected by Allie.
I would totally recommend this book to anyone who's going through a hardship and needs some strength from above. (