Customer Reviews

Shadow of a Doubt

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

 

 

I picked up this book after my sixteen year old nephew, who is a Goth, told me that he took a lot of tips from this YA novel, tips on how to dress, and what makeup to wear, and what attitudes to put on, to hide his own shyness and to make sense of a confusing adult world. The book relates the story of a young boy, Shadow, who has to deal with the trauma of losing a beloved older brother. It reminds me very much of the famous S E Hinton book, Rumble Fish, and to a lesser degree, THE OUTSIDERS, for all three books are about what happens when your adored older brother turns out to have feet of clay? in SHADOW OF A DOUBT (cute name), Shadow Thompson was just a tad when bro Daniel ran away from home, leaving his mom and dad desolate and depending on him for amusement, but being too grief-stricken really to attend to his needs, so he retreated into the wonderland of Goth, or maybe not retreated, perhaps "discovered his subject position" would be a better way to put it. He wears dark glasses, even indoors, so nobody can see his eyes and guess what his feelings are.

Daniel comes back at the beginning of the book-wanted for murder! I thought this was a little bit of overkill. Couldn't he have just come back period? Nothing else in the book would have changed. I notice that with the novels of Rottman. She always tosses in more than the book can really handle, or more than they need. There was the one book I remember about the girl who was in high school with her boyfriend who's more of a horndog than she can handle, and between that and her swimming career the book would have been quite full already, and then she had to have yet another plot about uncaring parents who saddle the poor girl with an older brother who has Downs syndrome (and still wants to swim). Too much!

But in SHADOW OF A DOUBT, young Shadow has to now cope with the law and wanting to protect his brother, rather like the Hinton novels. My own nephew adores the book and even said that he would consider joining the debating team, after reading this book. Well, he calls it the "forensics team" and it turns out he thought "forensics" is what it is on his favorite TV shows BONES and CSI, for his dearest wish is to grow up and have a job relating to dead bodies and murder, I think he'll be in for a surprise when he joins the debate team and there's no rotting flesh involved.

I would give Rottman's novel an A Plus for trying, but in the end it's not very involving. However I am over fifteen and perhaps young readers (its target audience) would ignore its lack of plausibility and instead groove on Shadow's fashion sense and growing love interest. Perhaps it will also restore teenager's interests in debating teams.

Being a middle school librarian I'm always searching for good books kids can relate to and enjoy reading, this is one. The personna of Shadow is what our gothic-type students portray, and yet, many times is a facade. The older brother returning after missing for 7 years shows the tender thread that holds all families together. His murder charge and the facts surrounding it, give a good idea as to how difficult it is to make it in the world alone and how quickly what you love can be taken from you. And, finally, Shadow realizing that he is capable of change - in clothes, in attitude, and in friendship - shows our students that change is always an option.

Though Shadow of a Doubt, by S. L. Rottman, will appeal to both male and female young adult readers on several levels, adults will also profit from reading this excellently written story about a 15 year old boy whose brother returns to the family after being gone for 8 years. The book deals with family dynamics and issues of trust. The main character dresses in black and we see the pre-judgment people have made expecting him to be like his brother who had made a reputation for himself in high school before his disappearance. There will be families who will be able to identify with the grief and sacrifices that go along with someone in the family facing incarceration. We can see the tension between the main character and his parents and understand what is going on, why the mother is so over-protective. We see the value of friendship and the hope of parents changing. We see the power of respect(...) there is the hope of a shadow of a doubt when the older brother goes to trial. There is also a little love interest. I read the book in one sitting (unusual for me). This book is on my highly recommend list.

Shadow of a Doubt is one of the best books I have ever read. Shadow hasn't heard from his brother ever since he ran away, 7 years ago. Now, his brother is back in the picture and Shadow isn't willing to forgive him, let alone deal with the crimes his brother has done. You will see Shadow unfold into a better person. I loved this book.

I'm not a teenager but I enjoyed this book. For me the narrator of the book has to be likeable or I lose interest. This story was told by Ernest/Shadow who was smart, wise beyond his years, and most of all interesting. Shadow learned that you can be judged by your appearance and the people you are closest too but that doesn't mean the judgment is necessarily correct we have to look closer to find the truth. I really loved this book I read more than half of it in one sitting and finished it the next morning. I'm generally a leisure reader but this book was an easy and compelling read.

In SHADOW OF A DOUBT, author S. L. Rottman tackles several issues superbly, weaving the plot and subplots into a multi-layered novel teens will love. While the main issue is family reconciliation, other subjects include alienation, friendship, and the stigma of having a relative in the criminal justice system.

The main character, Shadow, has had to deal with the absence of his older brother for nearly half his life. But when Daniel returns, the entire family's life is turned upside down. Their mom and dad have many questions but tread softly, not wanting to alienate their returned prodigal son. Shadow resents the warm welcome and the "molly-coddling" Daniels receives from them, particularly in light of the murder charge hanging over his head.

As the parents try to allow Daniel to come and go as he pleases as he waits for his trial, Shadow feels overprotected and resents his lack of freedom. He has joined the Debate Team at school and gradually finds a sense of belonging. But the questions linger about Daniel's guilt or innocence and tension builds in the home as the trial draws near. In the end, Shadow must confront his parents, his brother, and his own suspicions and fears in order to grow as an individual. This proves to be extremely challenging, making SHADOW OF A DOUBT an engaging read.

The characters are well-rounded, the dialogue quite realistic, and the raw emotions of a family in turmoil ring true. Rottman has accurately portrayed a family's pain as they cope with loss and recovery, two roads exceedingly difficult for parents and their children.

Recommended. Five stars.

Reviewed by: Mark Frye, author and reviewer

This books is about a boy Shadow, whose brother and best friend runs away when he was just a child. Now that he has been alone for quite sometime, it is a major shock when his brother Dan comes back home. His parents not only had to pick him up from jail but they have to take him to court for being accused of murder. Shadow is just a teenage boy and he is trying the best he can to make things in his life and his parent's lives good. Throughout the book Shadow learns of Dan's past and learns to feel for others. This is a great book! Read it!

When Daniel returns to the Thompson household after running away seven years previously at fifteen, Shadow's life is forced to radically change for the second time. Shadow, named because of the way he used to follow his brother around, has enough going on in his life as he begins High School, and things are further strained in the Thompson household by the fact that Daniel has been accused of murder. With Shadow, his mother and father, each reacting in different ways to Daniel's return Rottman vividly portrays the intense, and sometimes contradictory, emotional journey that the stress of Daniel's return causes on each of the four family members. Teenagers will be able to relate to Shadow's excellent narration. For a book that does an excellent job of examining an emotionally complex issue, readers might be frustrated with the ending, which too neatly resolves some conflicts while intentionally leaving other issues unresolved.