I am going to make this one short and sweet. I have never read anything by David Baldacci before as the only books I saw by him seemed to be legal-type books which I don't read much of. But after seeing Wish You Well on the shelf at the local library, it sounded like a book I could not pass up. Because I really didn't know what I was in for, the first chapter or so didn't have me convinced, but once I got to about the third chapter I was totally captivated!! This was such a beautiful story! I can't even find the words worthy of describing it. The setting of this book is magical. I could picture it so clearly in my head, although I have never stepped foot in the state of Virginia or been on a mountain in my entire life. David Baldacci's writing is almost poetic the way it filled my head with the images of this place that I can only think of as being amazing. Then we have the characters. There were so many that I fell in love with that I couldn't begin to tell you my favorite. But, if I had to pick, it would probably be Louisa. Little Lou and Oz melted my heart, and you couldn't find a better friend than Diamond or more exceptional people than Eugene or Cotton. And Louisa was the perfect example of an beautiful human being. I wish I knew someone like her in my own life, as I would certainly be blessed to know them. They will not be forgotten anytime soon. There were many times I found that my eyes welled up while I was reading. To me this means that the book has reached me on such an emotional level that it has far surpassed any other book that I had thought was the best thing I had read before. I am quite sure that it will take me awhile to find another book that has this kind of impact on me. If you want a book that you will become emotionally attached to - this is that book. When I closed the back cover, this book had definitely accomplished what it set out to do - it made me feel. It grabbed my emotions and never let go. It made me smile but it also broke my heart. It made me feel the pain of loss, and the shame of cruelty. But along with this I felt joy and love. I have already recommended this book to many people. And now I am recommending it to all of you. If you only read ONE book this year, make it this one. You can thank me later.
Wish You Well.This is a book that made me cry, and pulled at my heart, but at the same time made me smile and really appreciate what I have before I loose it. The emotion in this book was powerfully written and motivating. It’s about an everyday family, everyday people who loose everything, but slowly learn to live in their new world and cope to the emotional turmoil that has happened upon, a young brother and sister.tI’m glad that I was encouraged to read this book, with this book’s setting being in the time of 1940 it was not a book I would have found and read on my own, and I really enjoyed reading about Lou and Oz. It was well written; the characters were deep and engaging, and so real you could almost see yourself in the lives and world that the words create.With their father dead and their mother in an unconscious state, the two children move away from their home in Brooklyn, New York into a beautifully described Virginia rural mountain town, to live with their grandmother, on a farm. Oz teaches you to hold on to your faith and always believe in your love, when Lou shows you that through any tragedy you must come through strong and keep living and loving what you are left with. You learn about the ups and downs of a young brother and sister who loose their world and move into a new one, so completely different, but fit in so naturally.
What do You think about Wish You Well (2007)?
(audio book version)This is one of those books that I end up liking, and am engaged at the end (there was a scratch on the CD during the final courtroom scene--aargh!). Then I come on Goodreads and read all the reviews and spoilers and realize that I'm sure no book critic because I didn't spot very many of the obvious flaws that others did. Okay, it was a little sappy, but I'm in a place in my life right now where I NEED a little hope and sunshine. I need "happily ever after." So yes, I admit I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the descriptive phrases more than most, and being a person who spent my youth "living on the land," a lot of it rang true and I loved that part. The scene with the wolves and the cougar was weird and disconnected from the story, and even though most of the loose ends were tied up in a neat bundle, we never find out what happened to George Davis, the evil villain (I hope he fell down a mine shaft). All in all, it was a fairly innocuous, enjoyable read, if you like happily ever after.
—Maria
My grandma gave me this book, so at first I was skeptical, but I started reading it anyway. The beginning was really good, but the bulk of the middle was slow. However, the last few chapters brought everything together, tied up loose ends, and made me cry. I love this book. I'm not a fan of historical fiction, but I loved this book so much that I didn't care what time period or location. If you like historical fiction, read it. If you don't like historical fiction, read it anyway.In the beginnin
—Karen
I am not a Baldacci fan...never read another of his books. But this is not characteristic of his legal thrillers. This is a beautiful story about 2 children learning what is really important in life...and it's NOT money. I've heard that in many places this is becoming required reading at the junior high/high school, level and it should be. It would be most impactful for this age. I loved it and will remember it long after I forget many of the other books I have read. I wish everyone would read this book. It's on the level of "To Kill a Mockingbird".
—Chris
