Review: The Raising by Laura Kasischke

Summary: Last year Godwin Honors Hall was draped in black. The university was mourning the loss of one of its own: Nicole Werner, a blond, beautiful, straight-A sorority sister tragically killed in a car accident that left her boyfriend, who was driving, remarkably—some say suspiciously—unscathed.

Although a year has passed, as winter begins and the nights darken, obsession with Nicole and her death reignites: She was so pretty. So sweet-tempered. So innocent. Too young to die.

Unless she didn’t.

Because rumor has it that she’s back.

My Thoughts: I’m not sure what to say about this book except that it’s VERY good. I’m wary of saying too much, because I don’t want to spoil it – and there’s a lot that could be spoiled. I’m having a hard time finding the words for how I feel about the book. The plot is very intriguing, but also very disturbing. What the heck is wrong with these girls? I found myself thinking that many times as the story unfolded. Another thought I had toward the end is that I sure hope people realize that this is a work of fiction. Sorority life isn’t necessarily like it’s depicted in this book. (Yes, I was in a sorority in college. NO, there was no hazing. I am saying that truthfully. My sorority has nothing to hide.) I say all of that about my sorority, because I want to express disappointment in how sorority life is portrayed. But, I don’t know how things are in sororities other than my own. I’m sure there are some out there that still do hazing – and just call it something else, keeping it a huge secret. I guess I just worry that this will give more impressionable readers the wrong idea.

Anyway …

This book was fabulous, and I was able to completely dismiss my concerns regarding the depiction of sorority life while reading. I was mildly confused by the number of characters initially, but quickly was able to keep everyone straight. I was actually quite eager to find out how it all came together. Clearly every one of these people is important to the overall story, but I couldn’t see how they’d all come together until they actually were brought together. Their individual, but very much related, stories are like individual threads that are expertly woven together on the loom. The piece as a whole is amazing, and that much stronger, for each of the individual threads sewn in.

I would highly recommend this book to other readers. I especially think fans of Laura Lippman or Heather Gudenkauf will love this book.

My Rating: 5 stars

Source: Received as part of a blog tour promotion on TLC Book Tours.

Read It: Get your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

About the Author: Laura Kasischke teaches in the University of Michigan MFA program and the Residential College. She has published seven collections of poetry and seven novels including In A Perfect World. She lives with her family in Chelsea, Michigan.

Tour Info: For the main page for this blog tour, including more reviews of this book on other blogs, visit TLC’s post.

Challenges: Counts for 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 and the Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2011.

This review is part of Book Review Party Wednesday.

FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.