Ship Sooner : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A Tremendous Tale
Review: Every few years I have the good fortune to read a truly remarkable book. Mary Sullivan's most recent novel, "Ship Sooner," fits the bill. This novel is an exceedingly well crafted example of deft storytelling. The refreshingly original idea behind the tale -- a girl possesses remarkable powers of hearing -- is subtly and evocatively developed, holding the reader's interest until the very last page. "Ship Sooner" is a tremendous book that will stand the test of time, not only for its great story line and original underlying idea but also for its intriguing exploration of relationships between people from the angle of an "ordinary" person with an extraordinary power of perception.

Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming and Heart Wrenching
Review: Everyone in a small Massachusetts town has secrets and they are all building up and beginning to make quite a racket in Ship's head.

When Ship was only two years old her father left, leaving her mother to take care of Ship and her older sister Helen. Her mom has a hard time talking about why he left.

Helen is going through teen angst and acting out all the time. Her mother's best friend Trudy is battling health problems and the fact that she's in love with the town priest.

Ship is stunned to have found out secrets about her sister while spying on her. And just when things are getting too disturbing for Ship to handle, her best friend Brian disappears. Ship's world begins to crumble all around her.

For a girl who can hear the flick of a lighter or the batting of an eye lash without being in the same room, suddenly she feels like she cannot hear enough. There are too many questions that need answering now. Ship Sooner sets out on a journey to find the truth and makes shocking discoveries on the way.

This is a heartwarming and heart wrenching story. Mary Sullivan will captivate readers with her lyrical prose and meticulous style. The residents of Herrington, Massachusetts that Sullivan has created are eccentric and well developed.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: I could not put this book down once I picked it up! It is a story of a bright innocent child who is uplifting and sweet. I was immediately intrigued by this child and wanted to follow on her journey of betrayal, discovery, and ultimately unconditional family love. This is a story not only of an exceptional character but of relationships within families and neighborhoods- how things change, twist, and turn yet home is most important. The discoveries that the main character Ship makes in her world bring back the true rawness of life. The book will not only remind you of adolescence but also question your current views of neighbors and choices. I would definately recommend reading this book!