Pitbull fights, teen romance, dysfunctional families, and the looming spectre of Hurricane Katrina all work together to keep the tension high in this pressure cooker of a novel. ( )

Gritty, real, painful, I have no complaints about the subject matter. The writing was often impressive and surprising. But the endless similes were sometimes effective and fresh, at others tiresome and ultimately made this a book, stylistically, for young readers. Perhaps the choice of 1st person narration of a 15 year old makes those similes realistic-- metaphors are harder. Most 15 year olds aren't masters of writing craft. Like some other commentators, I was a bit disappointed that I didn't learn more about the larger social context though again I attribute that to the narrative focal point of view. Of course Esch can't offer a more sophisticated analysis of her life in context. Yet I wondered: Where are the teachers at her school? Do they teach sex ed (I doubt it). Does she read anything besides Jason and Medea (though the book takes place over 12 days, so this is surely a snapshot of her reading experience)? Etc. I was impressed, especially with the theme of nature and humanity commingling. But I wasn't earth-shattered. ( )

A stunner of a novel. Rich imagery with an urgency that bears down along with the hurricane. Ward's ability to create an authentic character who so fully shares her internal world is impressive. I was so taken into Esch's world that after reading before bed one evening, I was awakened by some minor noise during the night and jumped up fully expecting to see a storm out my window.

(A caution to dog folks that there is a particularly vivid scene of dog fighting.) ( )

Incredible! This book tells a moving story encompassing a black Southern family during the period of hurricane Katrina. Jesmyn, creates a strong young black woman in the mai n character Esch, who is the only girl in a family of five. Esch was able to raise her younger brother Junior after her mother dies, with the help of his elder brother Randall and continues to help her brothers and father. Where there are rampant organized dog fights and a drunk father who neglects his family, Esch finds herself questioning nature, love and motherhood when she discovers she is pregnant for a man who does not love her and all in the background of a category five hurricane that grows and destroys everything in its path. In the end, Jesmyn Ward is able to piece together a beautiful story with a somewhat bitter-sweet ending. ( )

This book crushed me. Ward is a beautiful writer and I've loved all her books, but this one hurt so much. I think I should never read books with dogs in them. Whether anything happens to the dog or not, I spend the whole book waiting for it. ( )