Frankly, if ever, nothing but the summary does not make you want to find out, I do not know how you're doing. I was hooked on. For cons, I'll be honest, the beginning of the book starts slowly, so do not expect to be hooked from the second page. We begin with the characters discover their adolescences but also younger through flashbacks. Ambrose, the fabulous, the perfect, one that all want to be ... and on the other hand, Fern, which itself was less spoiled, at least physically. Because it is damn beautiful, inwardly if not, it is just perfect, kind, always there for her cousin and best friend, Bailey, who suffers from degenerative disease. She helps in everyday life, sharing everything with him without seeing it as a sick person or a chore.
Time passes, each currency in its own way, but especially the events of September 11 happen and Ambrose decided to join the army, carrying her four best friends in the adventure with him. And it is from there that everything changes. In time a viewer, we will follow both Fern Ambrose, we'll live with it which will change his life forever in Iraq. But the hardest thing is after. The return. The eyes of others. The guilt.
I will not say more about the history. One because I do not like spoiler and secondly because even if I wanted to, I would not even know where to start so it will happen much, so one experiences emotions afterwards.
All I can say is that it's beautiful, it's sad, it's sweet and light as it is tragic and intense. I had the heart that capsized several times as I was almost physically sick face some events so they are unfair and shocking (for once, a book that makes me "really" sick is first and it leaves you imagine how I could be affected).
I loved Fern, madly, Ambrose, just as much, but bug, if there is one that touched me deep and gave me a memorable lesson in life, it's Bailey! This character is just beautiful, perfect. It should be the first to complain of his life, injustice and yet ... it is the first to enjoy every second, every little thing we do not even go back just for that and for all what he gives to others, what he does for them, whether they know it or not, I like it. Just for him, even if there was not anything else in history to hand, it would have instantly discover this book.
The style is impeccable, the touching characters and incredible sincerity. Pages turn so fast that it is a heart bursting to see that happen so fast in the end (though it's still 436 pages).
In short, huge, huge heart stroke. This book joins Aristotle & Dante directly in my top of the year, holding between them the lower steps of the podium. I liked everything in this book, even the dragging start really gives the basis for the continuation of the story of Ambrose, Fern and Bailey. A disturbing story and sometimes horrible but so gorgeous. Real emotional roller coaster. In short, READ IT!
