Customer Reviews

Talking to the Dead: A Novel

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Talking to the Dead is a page turner in the truest sense of the word. You'll forget to eat while you are reading this story! No joke! I read this book in two sittings. It was absolutely amazing. Talking to the Dead is making my best of 2009 fiction list for sure. The writing was so well done I'd never guess it was a debut novel. I loved how the author didn't hold back on any of the issues that the character Kate was dealing with. Plus, the ending made me smile and emit a satisfied sigh. I've read some other books dealing with pain and grief and none of them come close to being as good as this one. It almost reads like a suspense in that you find out a little bit more and a little bit more as the story moves along. More than once I found myself saying, "No way!" Yet it was totally believable. The way her mind dealt with the trauma, like when she watched that short video clip over and over was SO well done. I felt like I was Kate and I hurt right along with her. At the same time I rejoiced with her when things started turning around. The dialog was also done amazing as well. The honesty of the spiritual journey and the character's inner voice was fabulous. And for people who don't know much about mental health issues, I loved how accurate and true-to-life the story was. Clearly the author did her research in many areas. I can't say enough great things about this debut novel. If you don't buy any other books this year, get this one!

Grieving widow Kate Davis can't get her husband's voice out of her head. As she camps out on the living room floor and avoids going upstairs even if it means not showering for weeks, she begins to question her sanity. When Kevin's voice goes from comfortingly familiar to cruel, Kate determines to find out why he keeps showing up.

Kate's quest takes her from phsychiatrists, to group therapy, to a frightening attempted exorcism, and almost to the brink. A kind pastor with a passion for inner city youth offers a break from the mental chaos. But can Kate's mind handle the truth behind Kevin's unrelenting then suddenly absent voice?

Bonnie Groves does a beautiful job of weaving humor into Kate's journey through grief, difficult truths, and struggling to accept God's love. While the book delves into tough topics, the "I know someone just like that" characters and Kate's often hilareous observations keep the tone from getting too heavy. This could have easily been a depression story. Instead I had a hard time letting go of it for the night. In the end I wished I knew Kate so I could check in on how she was doing.

Kate Davis has just went through one of the most horrific experiences that anyone can go through...that is buring her husband. Kevin and Kate were married for five years. In that whole time, Kate loved Kevin. At times though it seemed like that was something not quite right about Kevin but nothing too serious enough to draw red flags for Kate.

Now that Kevin is gone, all Kate wants to do is be left alone. Kate may be depressed...what by sleeping on the floor, not shaving in weeks but she is not crazy...no matter how many conversations; she carries on with her dead husband. Kate's sister and mother try to help Kate get out of her slump. Kate acknowledges that she does need help but professional help, especially as she and Kevin have been commicating a lot. The counselor suggests Kate go to group therapy. There she meets Jack. Jack is a kind hearted soul.

Kate is starting to make progress. The only thng left for her to do, in order to move on with her life is that let Kevin go but will she be able to. Also how will Kate react when she learns her life with Kevin was built on lies?

This is the first novel I have read by this author. I thought Talking to the Dead was a very deep, thought-provoking story. This story reminded me of an updated version of the movie, The Sixth Sense but without the creepy elements. Bonnie Grove really gave her characters depth and diminsion. Kate started out kind of weak but as the story progressed you could see she grow into a strong woman. I got to know Kevin and what type of man he was, because Kate would flash back to the past and the present. I don't know if Bonnie's goal was to make me hate Kevin but if it was then she did her job. I couldn't stand Kevin and felt that Kate is better off without him. Talking to the Dead is a good read.

Talking to the Dead is one of the best books I've ever read. It deals with hard issues in a way that doesn't glaze over things that most CBA books shy away from. For the first time in a long, long time, I cared about a character enough to cry when she cried and rejoice when she overcame her problems. The writing makes you do that. There's absolutely nothing preachy in the book, yet it points the way to God 100% of the time. I absolutely recommend everyone should read this book! I'll be following Bonnie Grove from now on!

A terrific, thought-provoking book.

Kate Davis can't move forward after her husband's sudden death. She refuses to go upstairs to their bedroom. She finds even the most mundane, normal activities difficult, and soon finds herself sleeping in the living room, forgetting to shower and unable to sleep. The fact that Kevin keeps talking to her, doesn't help. As Kate tries to figure out why she hears Kevin's voice, she finds herself running from an attempted exorcism by a disturbed pastor, participating in an eclectic group therapy, visiting a psychiatrist's office, and finally, admitted to a mental hospital.

When she meets Jack, a non-traditional pastor of a grassroots church, she begins her return to finding her life again. But, when Kate discovers Kevin's hidden secret and confronts her own, buried memories, her tenuous hold on reality shatters.

As Kate struggles to confront her grief, she wonders if she will ever find the peace she desperately craves, and the ability to gain a second chance at life.

I enjoyed Kate's voice. I read the book in a day, I couldn't put it down! Bonnie Grove has captured grief, and takes you on an incredible journey as you walk through Kate's mind and life with her. As experiences unfold, you hurt for Kate and cheer for her at the same time.

The novel is Christian, but the focus is not at all preachy. In fact, any real mention of Christianity doesn't come until you're well into the story. The themes of betrayal and abortion are mature, but dealt with in a realistic manner.

An interesting, compelling story, and a terrific debut novel. I look forward to reading more from Bonnie.

Stunned, stunning, stuntabulous! Okay. The last was absolutely not a word, but Talking to the Dead a novel by Bonnie Grove is simply the kind of book that takes you places you never have been to before. Following Kate as she suffers the grief of her husband Kevin's death at such a young age is mesmerizing. Certainly, Kate's first response of quiet withdrawal makes perfect sense. How do you move on when the love of your life has died? But also how do you move on when there are pieces of your life that are also missing? Lastly, what do you do when you hear the voice of your dead husband clearly speaking to you?

The ride is amazing. I seriously did not know what direction Kate's story was going to take. Every detail and chapter led me closer to the conclusion, but I certainly was not sure of what that conclusion was. I LOVED THAT! I cannot tell you how often I have read a book and have completely figured out the ending. This doesn't always take away from a story, but it is sure nice to really be taken along for an adventurous ride. A ride that was sad, happy, frightening, thought provoking, and fully moving.

This is a book I thoroughly enjoyed with fresh characters from an author whose work I will now highly anticipate.

Talking to the Dead by Bonnie Grove is a vivid portrayal of a woman's journey through her grief and memories. One would think that this would be a complete downer of a book but it's not. The main character is kind of amusing in some of the things she does, says and thinks and there is a bit of a mystery surrounding this story that makes it a definite page turner. This book still haunts me with the emotions of grief felt, faced, and overcome.

Kate Davis is in her twenties and a widow. Not only a widow but a widow whose dead husband is still talking to her. Kate's husband died quite unexpectedly and it's left her a wreck. She just can't seem to move forward at all - she's not washing her hair, not eating, and there is no way she can sleep in their bedroom. Instead she is camped out on her living room floor. Kate thinks she may be going crazy hearing her husband's voice and the worst thing is that she can't remember a thing from before he died.

Finally Kate decides to seek help. She tries a variety of therapists; none of which are suited to her. Eventually she finds a psychiatrist who she at least seems to connect with and begins to take a look at what might be causing her to hear her husband's voice. It's definitely not a smooth journey as along the way hidden truths are uncovered that rock Kate to her core. People she thought she knew and trusted had betrayed her, including her dead husband Kevin.

Kate's journey to recovery takes her from going more than a little crazy at times which lands her in a mental institution all the way to meeting a man, Jack, who may be the key to helping her deal with her past. Jack is a pastor, although not really a traditional kind, who Kate meets while going to support meetings and with his quiet, easy manner, he starts to earn her trust and friendship.

The book flips back and forth from Kate in the present to flashbacks of Kate's memories and it's very well done. The author's portrayal of Kate instantly draws you in and holds you in the story. Kate is a character I think we can all relate to in some way especially those who have lost someone important to them. The novel chronicles her grief, anger and helplessness but also shows that life moves on one day at a time and each day gets a little bit easier until you feel you can finally breathe without your world falling apart.

Talking to the Dead is Bonnie Grove's first novel and it's beautifully written and I would absolutely read more of her work. This is a Christian novel which I always enjoy but this one would really suit anyone as this element is not pushed at all

Sometimes a book comes along that's so gripping and emotional that it leaves you wanting more and wishing you'd never opened the book, only so you can discover it once again. I never expected this book to say with me as it has.

In Talking to the Dead, Kate is a twenty-eight year old widow, her husband Kevin has just unexpectedly died and Kate can't seem to cope. She can't enter their bedroom and sleeps in the living room forgoing showering, eating, and life in general. Her family and friends are worried about her, but they'll be even more worried once they find out that Kevin is talking to her. Not only is Kevin talking to her, but it seems Kate has lost some of her memories. Soon though, Kevin stops talking and begins to shout at her... saying things to her he has never said before.

When an eccentric older lady named Maggie pays Kate a visit and tells her she needs help, Kate dismisses her, but eventually takes her advice. Kate soon realizes though, that not just anyone can help her. She pays a visit to a handful of people before settling on a psychiatrist with a bad toupee and a support group. After meeting with the support group, she meets Jack, a pastor of a small and unusual church set up in the community center.

Just as things are starting to look up for Kate, she discovers a sercret her husband has kept and the betrayal of the people closest to her. Now Kate realizes, things can -and have- gotten worse.

Before Kate can move on with her life she must come to terms with the loss of her husband and the bitter betrayal he caused along with one of her closest friends and family.

I love how this is a Christian novel that shows how real life is. Not everyone starts out with a solid, total faith in God. And not every pastor out there in the world follows God's word. We all stumble, fall, and in the end, we are not perfect. This isn't a book about perfect people, set in a perfect story line. Real issues are discussed with a bit of humor added to the mix that gives the novel a balance that provides a smile in the middle of heartache.

I think even those who are not Christian can enjoy this novel.

I want to say that this book is not for the faint of heart. But let me clarify.

I rated this book with 4 stars, saying that I liked it. I liked it, in that the story itself was good. It was well written, flowed well, and held my interest with the character development and drama. However, as far as the subjecdt matter, I didn't like it at all. It's basically about this woman who hears her husband's voice after he's dead, and seemingly starts to lose her mind. As the story develops, we find out more about his life, their marriage, his death, and frankly, the book was depressing. While I was sucked in, and wanted to keep reading it, it was almost akin to wanting to watch a car accident. You're drawn to the drama, just to see what happens next. Thankfully the book does end on a good note.

I'd be careful who I recommended this book to. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to someone who's recently lost a spouse, or relative. I'd say you almost need to be in a really good, strong place mentally before you pick up this book. But, maybe it was just my take on things...

Kate Davis has a bit of a problem. She's lost her husband, lost her short-term memory, and is hearing the voice of her dead beloved speaking to her. Before I go further I should clarify that Talking to the Dead isn't a supernatural-suspense storyline despite the fact that Kate is hearing from the dead, instead it falls into the contemporary women's fiction genre, with the story leaning towards psychological and emotional healing than it does any encounters with the spiritual world (apart from God of course.)

Mired in grief, Kate finds herself camped out on her living room floor, rarely eating, and even more rarely bathing. Supported by friends, family, and eventually group therapy and a psychiatrist, Kate slowly begins to recover her memories and in the process realizes that the man she has been so longing for was...well....a jerk.

It was a pleasure to read Bonnie Grove's work. In a story that could easily be emotionally suffocating, she manages to inject enough levity and humor (without sacrificing plausibility) to see readers through to the end. It's also rather thrilling to find that Grove is a fellow Canadian (no wonder the references to Wee Book Inn and Pigeon Lake!)

This debut novel is pitch-perfect and authentically captures the intense attachment of marriage, the grief following loss, and the bonds of community and grace of God that help move Grove's characters towards healing.