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wickedwitchofthewords's review
1.0
I should’ve checked the category section sooner. There was just too much talk of religion and God. I got tired of it all halfway through. Overwhelming. Everything was God this, Christ that. I think even God had enough of people being obsessed with him in this book.
The story itself was interesting up to when Jed & Brook got married, after that it was just intolerable. At least for me.
So, no. I didn’t enjoy the book. It wasn’t for me.
P. S. No offense to any religious people out there. I’m not saying believing in God or having a religion is wrong or anything. All I’m saying is that it was too much.
The story itself was interesting up to when Jed & Brook got married, after that it was just intolerable. At least for me.
So, no. I didn’t enjoy the book. It wasn’t for me.
P. S. No offense to any religious people out there. I’m not saying believing in God or having a religion is wrong or anything. All I’m saying is that it was too much.
saarahn's review against another edition
3.0
I received this novel through NetGalley.
I'm sure this would have made for a great novel, it was just the sheer intensity which stopped me from reading it and fully enjoying it. I suppose I am one of those individuals who read a book to escape from the worries of this world and to venture far into another realm, I may not appreciate the ideals fairy tales represent but indeed. I appreciate a good lesson taught. I felt this novel offered me little of that. I am hesitant to quit with this book so if time allows, I'd be willing to give it another chance and I'll happily edit this review when the time comes.
The three stars I awarded this were because of Brandon's attempt to keep the tale light hearted and almost sympathetic, through the.characters of Jed and Donnie. I understand that the issues regarding Brooke's life were hardly fun nor are the events of my own life nearly as painful: indeed it featured a deeply sensitive theme. Perhaps I have no such innate intellect or intuition to be able to deal with that.
Typically I'd never rate a book I've not completed, it was just that I thought it should be known that this is not for someone faint of heart Not that I consider myself so, just that I found myself ill fit for such a theme.
I'm sure this would have made for a great novel, it was just the sheer intensity which stopped me from reading it and fully enjoying it. I suppose I am one of those individuals who read a book to escape from the worries of this world and to venture far into another realm, I may not appreciate the ideals fairy tales represent but indeed. I appreciate a good lesson taught. I felt this novel offered me little of that. I am hesitant to quit with this book so if time allows, I'd be willing to give it another chance and I'll happily edit this review when the time comes.
The three stars I awarded this were because of Brandon's attempt to keep the tale light hearted and almost sympathetic, through the.characters of Jed and Donnie. I understand that the issues regarding Brooke's life were hardly fun nor are the events of my own life nearly as painful: indeed it featured a deeply sensitive theme. Perhaps I have no such innate intellect or intuition to be able to deal with that.
Typically I'd never rate a book I've not completed, it was just that I thought it should be known that this is not for someone faint of heart Not that I consider myself so, just that I found myself ill fit for such a theme.
kaje_harper's review
5.0
4.5 stars. I've read several books by Brandon Witt, and they have an interesting quality, where at first I feel a little detached, and distant from the narrative. At some point in the first couple of chapters I usually think that it's pretty good, but I'm not getting pulled into the characters and story. And then slowly, almost without noticing it, I get sucked into his characters' minds and lives. This one - The Shattered Door - was like that. It also shares other characteristics I'm coming to expect. There are revelations, and events, good, bad, and in between, that often work out more low-key than I expect, dodging melodrama but delivering emotion with a hit of realism. (Although this story delivers one not-low-key kick in the heart.)
"The Shattered Door" is about Brooke, a man who grew up with an alcoholic and emotionally-abusive mother, in a small Southern town. Brooke left home, studied to become a Youth Minister, but came to the realization that he was never going to pray his gay away. From that point on, we watch Brooke building a life that has purpose and meaning, figuring out whom to trust, rebuilding his relationship with God, and reconnecting with his past. There's a romantic relationship in here, but it is very rarely the main focus of the story. This is about making space in your heart for imperfect people, for a religion that matters but whose institutions may not make room for you, and about finding purpose and peace with things you cannot change. The small town Brooke returns to, and the church within it, are a big part of his growth and self-discovery, (again without huge melodrama), as a man who grew up expecting his faith to be central to his life.
In some ways it reminds me of one gay man's journey through the serenity prayer, with wrong done to him, and good fortune as well. Brooke has to learn when he can make a difference, what he must (or dares to) trust, and what he must find the serenity to let go, even when it cuts him deeply.
"The Shattered Door" is about Brooke, a man who grew up with an alcoholic and emotionally-abusive mother, in a small Southern town. Brooke left home, studied to become a Youth Minister, but came to the realization that he was never going to pray his gay away. From that point on, we watch Brooke building a life that has purpose and meaning, figuring out whom to trust, rebuilding his relationship with God, and reconnecting with his past. There's a romantic relationship in here, but it is very rarely the main focus of the story. This is about making space in your heart for imperfect people, for a religion that matters but whose institutions may not make room for you, and about finding purpose and peace with things you cannot change. The small town Brooke returns to, and the church within it, are a big part of his growth and self-discovery, (again without huge melodrama), as a man who grew up expecting his faith to be central to his life.
In some ways it reminds me of one gay man's journey through the serenity prayer, with wrong done to him, and good fortune as well. Brooke has to learn when he can make a difference, what he must (or dares to) trust, and what he must find the serenity to let go, even when it cuts him deeply.
the_novel_approach's review
5.0
Review: Boy, does Brandon Witt know how to pull on my heartstrings.
It took me a bit to put my thoughts together after listening to The Shattered Door because it affected me so much. I came into this book expecting a romance but once finished, realized this wasn’t a romance at all. It is a telling of Brooke’s life through trying times, heartache, and abuse. Brooke becoming comfortable with himself and who he is, and overcoming his past. Once I approached this book as not a romance but more fiction, it took on a whole new meaning to me. Yes, I did listen to this audiobook twice. My first reaction was more one of anger after the killing off of one of my favorite characters in the book.
After listening a second time, I have come to the conclusion that Witt wrote a gritty, true to life story of a man who could be my brother…your uncle…anyone. This could happen to ANYONE. Brooke proves that who we come from doesn’t define us. That we can pick our family and not deal with the evil that is our given family. Not everything works out in the end. Bad things happen to good people. It is how we survive these situations that will prove our worth. This was such a profound book for me, and I am honored to have reviewed it.
Narration: Andrew McFerrin NAILED it. This must have been a difficult book to narrate. I cried about five times listening to this. I can’t imagine that this story wouldn’t affect the hardest of hearts. McFerrin’s narration was perfect. I never questioned an emotion or character, and can’t wait to hear his next audiobook.
Reviewed by Amy for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/audio-review-the-shattered-door-by-brandon-witt-narrated-by-andrew-mcferrin/
It took me a bit to put my thoughts together after listening to The Shattered Door because it affected me so much. I came into this book expecting a romance but once finished, realized this wasn’t a romance at all. It is a telling of Brooke’s life through trying times, heartache, and abuse. Brooke becoming comfortable with himself and who he is, and overcoming his past. Once I approached this book as not a romance but more fiction, it took on a whole new meaning to me. Yes, I did listen to this audiobook twice. My first reaction was more one of anger after the killing off of one of my favorite characters in the book.
After listening a second time, I have come to the conclusion that Witt wrote a gritty, true to life story of a man who could be my brother…your uncle…anyone. This could happen to ANYONE. Brooke proves that who we come from doesn’t define us. That we can pick our family and not deal with the evil that is our given family. Not everything works out in the end. Bad things happen to good people. It is how we survive these situations that will prove our worth. This was such a profound book for me, and I am honored to have reviewed it.
Narration: Andrew McFerrin NAILED it. This must have been a difficult book to narrate. I cried about five times listening to this. I can’t imagine that this story wouldn’t affect the hardest of hearts. McFerrin’s narration was perfect. I never questioned an emotion or character, and can’t wait to hear his next audiobook.
Reviewed by Amy for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/audio-review-the-shattered-door-by-brandon-witt-narrated-by-andrew-mcferrin/
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