Customer Reviews

Nothing but Ghosts

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nothing But Ghosts was absolutely beautiful. There was something so calming about this novel - I can't say that it was exciting necessarily; it is better described as engrossing.

The story unfolds so perfectly; I found the story to be compelling and engaging. There are two main plot lines in Ghosts: Katie's and that of the mysterious old woman Katie works for. Beth Kephart wove the two stories together perfectly to create just the right balance of past, present, and future.

I have never lost a parent, thank goodness, but I know many people my age that have. The closest experience that I can relate to losing a parent is losing my grandparents. Still, I could empathize with Katie's grief and confusion over the death of her mother; the disbelief that someone can be vibrant and full of life and then be gone forever. Even though my grandfather passed away a few months ago, I still forget that he is gone sometimes and when I remember and it hits me, I feel the pain of his loss all over again. I can only imagine that Katie, living in the house that she once shared with her mother, surrounded by her things, her room untouched, exactly the same as it was when she was living, and feeling distanced from her father, must feel. Kephart wrote this aspect of the novel particularly well.

I loved the mystery in this novel! Katie's quest to uncover the truth about the old woman who was a socialite in her youth, but has grown to be a recluse, was one of my favorite aspects of Nothing but Ghosts. I was amazed by the Kephart's skill as all the pieces of the puzzle slowly came together. I loved that I didn't figure out the secret until near the end of the novel, it is a bit anticlimatic when it is too easy to figure out the mystery. I love the fact that the mystery brings so many of the minor characters out of the background as well.

There is also a love story within Nothing but Ghosts. This aspect of the novel isn't really a main plot line, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. When I started the novel, I wasn't really sure that there would be a romantic plot line, so I was pleasantly surprised when one developed.

Nothing but Ghosts is an amazing novel and I will definitely be reading Kephart's other novels! Ghosts is a novel that I need to have a copy of on my bookshelf!

After the death of her mother, Katie takes a summer gardening job at the estate of town recluse Miss Martine who hasn't been seen outside since she was 16. Katie herself is burdened with grief, but she has to wonder what kind of tragedy would make you voluntarily disappear from life. With the help of two brothers and a glamorous librarian, Katie begins to decode the mystery and gain the strength to go on.

I admit, ever since the death of my own mother when I was 19, I tend to shy away from books where the mother is recently deceased or dying. I'm just always afraid they'll be too depressing, too sad to handle. But Beth has done a beautiful thing here - she takes us to the truth of what it's like to deal with loss (the too-big house that feels empty, the withdrawing from friends, the keeping busy to dull the pain) and then lets her characters (and her readers) find comfort and a renewed sense of purpose.

The story elements, the well-drawn characters (Katie's father, chic Ms. McDermott, and estate caretaker Old Olson were favorites), and spare, lyrical writing all contribute to making this a genuinely affecting reading experience. In fact, as far as books about grief go, I'd rate it up there with Kate DiCamillo's THE TIGER RISING.

There are so many wonderful things to say about NOTHING BUT GHOSTS, but I think Ms. Kephart's writing is truly stellar and it is what makes this book extra-special. I have not read any of Ms. Kephart's other books, but if they are anything like this one, I certainly plan to in the very near future. As much as I appreciated her writing style, I wasn't totally surprised by how beautiful and honest her writing is because I am a regular follower of her blog. Although I must say that reading an entire novel was a different kind of treat for me. I am just so grateful that I could spend an entire afternoon reading this book and appreciating Ms. Kephart's gorgeous prose.

Another thing that I really enjoyed about NOTHING BUT GHOSTS were the characters that Ms. Kephart created in this story, especially Katie. I absolutely loved Katie's voice and found her to be such a very real young woman. My heart absolutely went out to Katie because she lost her mom at a time when she needed her the most -- those difficult teen years. I also found it incredibly painful to see that she isolated herself from her best friends as part of her grieving process. As I read this novel, I desperately wanted Katie to find some happiness in her life. I so wanted her to be able to come to some kind of understanding about her mother's death (and even her mother's life.)

I also really liked how there was an almost mystery aspect to this novel. While Katie's father was trying to unravel the meaning behind a painting that he was working on, Katie was attempting to figure out the mystery behind a reclusive woman. With the help of a very hip librarian (whom I absolutely loved) and Katie's co-worker and potential boyfriend, Katie eventually figures out the secrets behind the mysterious woman. As Katie learns the painful truth about this woman's life, she also discovers valuable things about herself and the ghosts in her life.

I just can't express how terrific NOTHING BUT GHOSTS is. I think if you have ever dealt with loss on any level, then you will appreciate this story. Ms. Kephart's writing is just amazing, and there is also no doubt in my mind that you will fall in love with Katie and the other characters in this story. It truly is one of my favorite books of the year!

To label this as a novel about loss is a gross misrepresentation that does Beth Kephart's latest no justice at all. To think of it as another grieving daughter story or an issues book takes so much away from this multi-layered narrative. Nothing But Ghosts is as much a mystery about the town in which Katie D'Amore lives, the woman she works for but has never seen nor spoken to, her father's genius and the painting he's restoring, and the blossoming of new relationships as it is a mystery of personal loss. As Katie remembers her mother's final days, their trip to Barcelona before she was diagnosed, her childhood, spending time with friends before she began ignoring them (avoiding their questions about her mother), she is evolving. Where many young adult novels lay aside the adult characters to focus solely on the teens, Kephart has created a father for Katie who is as 3-dimensional as the hand in front of your face. The buildings are characters too - the library, the D'Amores' home, Miss Martine's estate - they all live and breathe life into a story that cannot be laid to rest even after you've turned the last page. I urge you: pick up this book, enjoy it.

Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart
HarperTeen, 2009
278 pages
YA; Contemporary
4/5 stars

Source: I had seen several titles by Kephart around the blogosphere so recently I decided to see what titles my library had. They had four and after reading the summaries of each, I decided that this one sounded the most interesting and so I checked it out.

Review: I was intrigued by this book because of the mention of a mystery. I love mysteries and love trying to puzzle them out even though I usually can't. The main mystery in this book is about a reclusive lady known as Miss Martine who has been shut up in her house for fifty years for no reason anyone knows. But another mystery is about disappearing. Miss Martine of course is well hidden but Katie's mom died leaving behind a grieving husband and daughter and other sections link too.

I didn't feel much of a connection with any of the characters. Katie is the main character, a young girl working in Miss Martine's garden for the summer who becomes intrigued by the mystery and is still missing her mother desperately. She seemed okay but maybe because both of my parents are still living, I had trouble identifying with her. Then there was her father, an art restorer and amateur chef par excellence who was interesting to read about but sometimes seemed to disappear too. I think my favorite character was Ms. McDermott, a glamorous librarian who wears the most beautiful clothes and has a broken heart. She sounded cool but didn't make the biggest impression.

Overall: Quick, quiet, lyrical read but not a favorite.

Cover: I guess the coloring links to ghosts but I don't really like it (that's why I chose based on plot summary, not cover). I do love the font for "Ghosts" though-I love curlicues!

There aren't words that can properly express how wonderfully poetic this book was. Anyone who knows me, or reads my reviews, knows that I take the father daughter relationship portrayed in books *very* seriously. It is important to me to see it handled with dignity and understanding and compassion -- this doesn't mean, though, that it can't be real and that the relationship always has to be one of positivity -- so the fact that Kephart has written Katie and her father in the way she has made this a must read book in my eyes right out of the gate.

Add to the above the fact that the story is beautifully written and I'll say outright that a reader simply can't go wrong. From the moment we meet Katie we feel her emotions; she longs for her mother, loves her father, and wants desperately to find that equilibrium she once had before everything changed. What's great about the story is that we see her slowly even out. She's shaky at first but then inches her way to a place of solid footing. This is all due to Kephart's expertly written prose -- not too flowery but just flourished enough that the reader navigates through the nuances to feel the stability in Katie's life increase.

Further, the mystery that she and her friends work through ain't half bad either! It's filled with history and hidden clues and just the right amount of information to keep the reader guessing without giving everything away until just the right moment. Working the angles with Katie is a wonderfully eclectic group of friends, each of them different and compelling in their own right. An excellent mix of people who we learn just enough about to want more but not too much to overwhelm the story.

If you've not read a Kephart book (and this was my first folks) I strongly encourage you to start here, it is certainly worthy of your time and attention. I know I'll be picking up the copy of House of Dance that I have on my shelves sooner rather than later.

Katie's house is just too big now that her mom has passed away and her genius dad is distant and more focused on the paintings that he restores. She's also separated herself from many of her friends and has found herself very lonely.

The summer before her senior year of high school she decides that she needs a job. Katie soon finds herself working in the gardens of the local mystery woman, Miss Martine. Along with two handsome and goofy brothers, a chic librarian she becomes enthralled with the mystery behind Miss Martine and is determined to solve it.

There are secrets everywhere Katie turns. Behind locked doors, within old newspaper clippings, with the old man who works in the garden, and within old paintings. Beneath everything though, at the core of this mystery, is a love story. A love story within the mystery and one of Katie's own. As Katie discovers more and more about Miss Martine, Katie also finds out more and more about herself and comes to turn with many of the ghosts in her life.

I have to start off by saying that Beth Kephart is one of my all-time favorite authors. That being said I always have high expectations when I sit down to read her books and this one was no exception. I loved how the author was able to subtly weave several different tiny stories into the general plot and had me so enchanted that it was impossible for me to close the book.

I loved how unique the plot was. It was a mystery, but was different than anything I had ever experienced. Like any mystery though it had all those heart pounding suspense moments and moments of despair. The characters came in an enhanced the story to no end. Katie was a great character who was extremely relatable and at time her curiosity created a sense of spontaneity that brought a smile to my face. The relationships that were created were very real and I just could not wait for them to unfold. All the characters were well developed and they were all so different that there was a great sense of diversity within the story.

Now this would not be a true Kephart novel if it did not have superior writing. Every sentence was truly brilliant and I loved the lyrical feel that was presented. All the grief and emotion within the story was so true, yet it was not overdone. She also created such an unexpected and amazing ending that perfectly suited the story that made me love her even more!

This was one of the best books of the year and was a spectacular prose that doesn't easily leave the reader's mind. I encourage you all to go and grab a copy and read it quickly, but not too quickly so that you don't have time to savor every perfect word.

This is a story about Katie and her attempt to dealing with the loss of her mother.

While working on the estate garden of Ms. Martine who has been a recluse and has not come out or shown her face to the outside world for more than 50 years. Katie feels there is a mystery to all this when she is assigned to a gazebo digging project in the Garden. As she struggles to find the mystery of Ms. Martine's disappearance, she also struggles with her own ghosts, the ones she has carried around since her mothers death.

So thats the basic plot. What I liked about the book? Well, the writing was brilliant. The author can write about grief and suffering so well that you can't help but feel for all the characters. Speaking of characters, I loved all of them, even the minor ones like Sammy, the 4 year old neighbors kid. I loved the setting of the story and I could almost feel like I was there among the lush greenery of the garden estate.

What I didn't like in the book? For one, I found it a little slow. Second, I think I'm the only one who has this problem but I think Katie finding out about Ms. Martine's history and secret was something that was none of her business in the first place. If someone who is still living has kept herself hidden and her past buried, there should be a perfectly good reason for it. Trying to find out about that secret was like not honoring that person's wishes. I really struggled with that part of the story.

Other than that, even though I liked the book, it was kind of forgettable for me. I'm not sure I would remember anything after a few months. But...as you might have seen around the blog-sphere, majority of the readers have loved this book.

I really wanted to love it too but it just wasn't meant to be.

I've been prolonging writing this review. I think it might be because I felt that this story fell a little flat for me. I'll be honest, it was slow, not too much of anything going on and just when you finally start getting acquainted with the characters, the story ends.

With that said, there were still some aspects of it that I did like. For instance, I loved Ms. Kephart's writing - it was captivating and lyrical. There were really two main threads in the story. Katie's grief for the loss of her mother and then the mystery surrounding Ms. Martine Everlast. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of it. It just felt too slow for me. The build-up was very slow moving and passive and in the end it just didn't hit the mark for me.

The first person narrative was believable. Katie's grief and sense of loss are palpable. It even brought a tear to my eye. I liked the gentle love story also interspersed within the story. And one last thing that I want to make mention of, I loved that the librarian had model looks with her fashionable clothes and killer heels.

All in all, I can see it's appeal, but sadly, it just didn't work for me.

I've actually never read anything by Beth Kephart before and after reading Nothing But Ghosts I totally feel bad about not doing so.

Nothing But Ghosts is a novel filled with the aftermath of loosing someone close to you ( the pain and regret) and how to get by while still keeping parts of that person in memory. I personally thought Beth dealt with the loss of Katie's mother excellently. Since, while you could feel Katie's sadness in Beth's writing it never felt like too much or too little. Also, I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the plot. It was fun to try to figure out why Miss Martine, Katie's employer and her small town's mysterious ex socialite, went into hiding. I was always trying to figure out the reasons why and they ended up being pretty close to what actually happened.

The characters in this novel where also amazing and they just jumped off the page from the start. As mentioned briefly above, I really enjoyed reading about Katie. Many girls and boys out there can relate to her feelings of loss, me being one of them. Plus, I loved how she was such a strong character; one that could overcome loss and still be okay. The additional characters were also cute and had their own unique personalities. One being Katie's dad. It was interesting to read about his job restoring paintings and to see how he dealt with the loss of his wife. Sammy Macker, was yet another creative add to the story, as was Ms. McDermott and Danny, who was such a sweet guy!

Beth Kephart's writing also won me over big time. I loved how it had this lyrical feeling and hooked you from the first chapter and didn't let you go till the ending. I really can't wait to read her future and past novels, since she has such a great talent.

Overall, I truly adored Nothing But Ghosts and suggest that you should definitely give it a try; it's just a beautiful novel.

Grade: A+