Two women running away from their marriages collide on a foggy highway, killing one of them. The survivor, Isabelle, is left to pick up the pieces, not only of her own life, but of the lives of the devastated husband and fragile son that the other woman, April, has left behind. Together, they try to solve the mystery of where April was running to, and why. As these three lives intersect, the book asks, How well do we really know those we love—and how do we forgive the unforgivable?
Pictures of You
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Bookmarks Magazine
The Boston Globe describes Pictures of You “as part literary mystery, part domestic drama, and part psychological examination,” and, indeed, the novel kept most critics on their toes the entire time. A novel of loss, redemption, forgiveness, and self-discovery, the intertwining stories grapple not only with the tragedy but also with the mystery of April’s hasty departure from her family. Reviewers commented that what could have been a maudlin, predictable storyline instead becomes fresh with Leavitt’s direct, unsentimental writing; her you-are-here details; and her fully convincing characters. Readers who enjoy both fine storytelling and writing will be sure to savor this novel.
From Booklist
In Leavitt’s (Girls in Trouble, 2005) compelling new novel, a car crash provides the catalyst for an examination of how well we know the people we love. April and Isabelle, both fleeing their marriages, collide on a foggy, deserted stretch of road. Only Isabelle survives, and though blameless, she is haunted by guilt. In search of healing, she finds herself drawn to Charlie and Sam, April’s grief-stricken husband and son. Complicated relationships develop, and Leavitt thoughtfully handles friendship and romance in scenes of emotional resonance. She understands the ache of loss, the elusiveness of forgiveness, and the triteness of words like “closure.” An expert storyteller, Leavitt alternates perspective among her three leading characters, providing insight into the thoughts, secrets, and dreams that they withhold from each other. Whether these individuals will arrive at happiness separately or together is the question that drives the narrative, and the reader, forward as Leavitt teases suspense out of the greatest mystery of all—the workings of the human heart. --Patty Wetli
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Caroline Leavitt's Pictures of You is a story of love--love lost, love wished for, love misunderstood. It's about grief, and regret and forgiveness. Most of all, her mastery lies in her ability to reveal the deep, hidden emotional life of her characters (young Sam, his father, their mother who dies in a car crash, and the woman who doesn't die in the crash). As a reader, you will feel privileged to witness their struggles, and will take these people on as your own. Beautifully rendered.
110 of 128 people found the following review helpful
By reader
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't want to give it away, but this is a absolute show-stopper of a novel with insights into the human condition that defy any attempts to put it down. i bought it for my Kindle i-Phone app and promptly spent the next six hours inhaling every word. my GOD. and you know how you slow down when a great read starts to come to an end. i did that. uh huh. love story, thriller, paranormal and yet relevant to our times, and it al seemed so effortless, as though i were watching a film. this masterful novel breaks your heart amd yet lifts you -- all told, it reminds me of a blend of Jodi Picoult, Stephen King and Elizabeth Berg, with a dash of what can only be termed Leavitt-y. funny, amazing, strange and beautiful, and now I see VANITY FAIR has named it as a hot read for Jan 2011. I'll say. I'm recommending this one to everyone I know who asks, "What should I read next?" LORD HAVE MERCY Caroline Leavitt is on fire and please, don't let anyone put her out, because I need to know what is next, like i need her next book RIGHT. NOW. POY is just delicious and powerfully told -- these were real people to me. the mystery kept on and on and yet never felt strained or obtuse. more, more, more, more.
78 of 90 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a deeply satisfying read that shows the many facets of love. Examining the survivors of a fatal car crash, Leavitt explores grief, guilt, secrets, and disappointments in a cast of sympathetic characters who become so entangled, it's not clear to anyone what decisions are the right ones to make. I highly recommend this book, which feels like an easy read and yet works profoundly on the soul.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating story
The author developed this story in an interesting way and kept me reading. The emotions of the characters and the intertwining of their lives was fascinating. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Classy Grandma
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very entertaining - I couldn't put it down!
This book was exactly what I needed! I had just finished slogging through a beautifully written, but extremely dull Booker Prize nominee, and I was craving a book that would... Read more
Published 6 days ago by Suzanne Dobbins
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful book!
This book will captivate you and carry you along in a story that is so real and beautifully written you'll wish it didn't end. @carolineleavitt is a gem of a writer!
Published 8 days ago by Elizabeth Lipham
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
It was soothing and sweet. Took a couple chapters in to really get into the book. I love happy endings so I wasn't very happy with the end. But it was a good read.
Published 9 days ago by Desiree Vazquez
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing and Boring
I'm so annoyed that this became yet another book that I did not finish. I hate not finishing books, and this is like the third this year so far! Read more
Published 10 days ago by MirandaMowbray
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pictures of you
Good book, easy to read. I hope to read more of Caroline Leavitt's work. Put this on your summer reading list.
Published 15 days ago by renee azzopardi
5.0 out of 5 stars
A touching novel of human relationships
The main protagonist, April, a budding photographer, is fed up with her life and expectations and, leaving her home and son behind, attempts to flee to some more promising life. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Don G.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Book
It was ok. E sing along with pain and suffering from the bitter truth about the same time as walking around the same thing as walking
Published 1 month ago by Nicholas Rogers
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Story
I really enjoyed the story with all it's twists and turns. The characters were very capitvating and you could relate to them.
Published 1 month ago by enjoyreading4me
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bittersweet
This was sad! I thought it would be more fun, but everyone was so sad. As expected since the bulk of the book was over a short time period. Shame on Charlie for taking so long! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lynn
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