Back Before Dark [Mass Market Paperback]

Sharon Arms Doucet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2004

In Louisiana's Cajun bayou, Frannie Aldren Broussard has finally earned a welcome freedom. The children are grown and out of the house, and Frannie eagerly looks forward to pursuing her love of painting without family duties to distract her. Then she receives the news that her deeply private father has committed suicide. Unable to comprehend his rejection of life, Frannie angrily heads to Denver to arrange his burial - and begins an unexpected journey of healing.

Available only in Senior Lifestyles 4

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A powerful crystal of a book with a bright surface and hidden depths."
-- Robert Olen Butler --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Sharon Arms Doucet is the author of several Cajun-set children's books, including Alligator Sue and Apin Plays Possum: Trickster Tales from the Louisiana Bayou. Back Before Dark is her first novel for adults.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (January 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451211049
• ISBN-13: 978-0451211040
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,575,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful look at the aftermath of suicide on survivors., January 7, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back Before Dark (Mass Market Paperback)

Frannie met JP years ago at a New Orleans music festival and surprisingly married him not long afterward. The Colorado resident relocated to Bayou Country. Over half her life spent here, she and JP they raised two children.

After calling her father on his sixty-ninth birthday in which he sounded depressed, Frannie worries about him being alone. The next day she thinks something happened to him only to learn he committed suicide via carbon monoxide poisoning in his garage. Over the objections of her Los Angeles based brother, Frannie insists his body be buried in Tennessee where his sister still lives. As Frannie begins to uncover her dad's life to understand why he killed himself, she learns more about herself in the process, leaving JP to worry about their future together.

BACK BEFORE DARK is an insightful look at the aftermath of suicide on survivors. The various family members react to the death differently, but all are affected. Readers especially see Frannie's external spin turn quite introspective as if she wonders if that is all there is in life. Though somber, Frannie makes the tale not turn maudlin as she deals with what would bring her personal satisfaction in this fine character study.

Harriet Klausner

1.0 out of 5 stars Lacks depth and interest, March 14, 2010

By 

Sandie (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Back Before Dark (Mass Market Paperback)

I didn't enjoy this book. It lacks any kind of insight or depth into the main character's thoughts and emotions; none of it rings true. She is hopping around, half way engaging in activities, focusing on trite musings, and ultimately little is gained. The author spreads the story out over several improbable topics and by the time she gets to the convenient spiritual hallucinations, it's lame. The writing is unengaging. Skip it.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Serious Side, July 31, 2004

By 

M. Sundholm (WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back Before Dark (Mass Market Paperback)

At first glance, this novel appears to be simply Frannie's journey to rediscover the meaning of life after her father's suicide. However, there is so much more to this story. There is a huge supporting cast of characters that are vital to Frannie's discoveries.
When all is said and done, the story examines the effects of suicide on a family, a woman's need to have something of her own, the need for every individual to have a purpose and a little bit about how the misuse of uranium has negatively impacted our world, our soldiers and sacred historical places that could positively influence our future.
This is a great read!