Before You Knew My Name - Book Review

 

Before You Knew My Name

Jacqueline Bublitz

  4.8 stars


 

 

 

 

Jacqueline Bublitz introduces us to Alice Lee and Ruby Jones, 2 women drawn together by the death and life of Alice. It is a beautifully written book that captures you with the poignancy of a short life, of choices made, and the connection between people (dead and alive).

A now wise Alice, slowly unwinds her story to the reader and to Ruby. From beyond the grave she brings her murderer and her survivors to an understanding that life is about learning, trust and love. With prose that is so haunting that you feel the loss of unwanted love, it will be difficult to put this book down.

'No one lives just one life. We start and finish our worlds many times over. And no matter how long or short a time we are here, I'm beginning to realize we all want more than we get.'

There are many other touching characters, lending a reminder of the heart wrenching catastrophes that can come our way but also that connection, friendship and love will always prevail.

'Sharing his good fortune and sound mind twice a month is his penance for making a living out of people's misery.'

No one wants to disappear, and Bublitz speaks to the sadness we should feel for the unsolved victims of crime. We want to be remembered for some act, no matter how large or small, and Alice Lee is our reminder.

'Only silence is large enough to hold her sorrow'...' Sometimes is is surrender, not struggle, that saves a life.'

This is a book not to be missed, it will break your heart but also give you hope that your deeds and intentions live long past your demise. 

Well done #JacquelineBublitz, thank you for your well-considered words. You have a new fan!

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #AtriaBooks for an early copy to review.

It's going to be hard to top this one. 



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