I enjoyed this book much more than I had expected to. Although it was quite sad and indeed thoroughly depressing at times, it got me thinking about things I had never really dwelled on before. I've led a relatively sheltered life, without many of the horrors others face daily, and really have not thought very much about it. I guess you could say I have been selfish although not intentionally. This book has enabled me to look beyond my own life and attempt to see the suffering others in the world may be going though, to empathize with them, and to help them in my own little way wherever possible. This book was a part of my "Why Did I Not Read These Books" challenge. And I am so glad that I chose this one to be a part of this challenge. Jason F. Wright is a first time read for me and I have to say I was not disappointed in this book. I was kind of surprised to see some of the low ratings for this book because I found it to be a great read, very touching, very emotional.In this book we have a Luke who is a photo journalist and then we have Charles who is sax player. Charles can't deal with the loss of his wife and turns to alcohol and went off to live this empty life with calls back to his son to ask for money because he was tired, drunk and broke. Luke had no choice but to help his dad and then he would brush him off. Luke gets a call requesting his help in finding his father in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. I think the characters development was amazing in this book. So many to love in this story. I have to say I loved them all and it is hard to choose favorites. I have to say that Luke really touched me a lot along with Jez and Bela. Like I said very hard to choose. I think the author did so well with all of them, I felt like I knew them, like they were family.The imagery in the book was also amazing, even though some of the scenes were very vivid, and also very heart wrenching, it made those of us who were not in the direct line of Katrina's aftermath, feel all those horrors that those people had to endure. I could almost place myself in New Orleans right along with all of them. There was also a great plot twist in the story that I did not expect and it just added another dimension to the story.I would recommend this book to anyone. I find that it was very emotional and touching, and it was so very engaging. Another side to one of the worst of natural disasters this country has seen. If you get the chance to read it, please do.
What do You think about Recovering Charles (2008)?
Slow for the first half, gets better at the end. More meaning perhaps for the alienated.
—Lenobiaa
Interesting... Good, but not a must read.
—AudreyK913
