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alisonlaw's review against another edition
Listen to my interview with [a:Laura Lee Smith|3912697|Laura Lee Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1500663502p2/3912697.jpg] in Episode 21 of the Literary Atlanta podcast, released January 12, 2018.
mhoffrob's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoy a novel that takes me deep into the characters' lives and leaves me wondering about their futures. The Ice House is just such a book. We follow a few months of the life of Johnny, known as Ice to his employees, and his immediate family and coworkers. He and his wife own an ice factory in Florida. On the day lawyers will begin preparing for an OSHA investigation, the headache he awakes with turns out to be more of a health crisis than a simple headache. As he awaits a surgery, he seeks to reconcile with his adult son in Scotland, drawing in the neighbor's young adult son on his trip, as well as his ex-wife. Meanwhile his wife prepares for the OSHA hearing and manages their daily life back home. It doesn't sound like much, but I felt fully immersed in the emotions and thoughts of the novel's participants and felt their struggles and stresses, as well as their successes.
Highly recommend this literary gem, it is well written and thoroughly enjoyable. With thanks to the author, Laura Lee Smith, and the publisher, Grove Press.
Highly recommend this literary gem, it is well written and thoroughly enjoyable. With thanks to the author, Laura Lee Smith, and the publisher, Grove Press.
susiejo124's review against another edition
3.0
There were many plot lines that kept me engaged especially the realistic characters. I was less interested in the business intrigue. A satisfying read.
lucyp747d4's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book and found all of the characters interesting in their own way. I particularly liked Chemal for his funny comments and caring nature. This book tells a lovely story of struggle, family and love. I think it also makes you think about what family means and if you were faced with a potential death sentence what would you do? I like that all the characters have their own mini story running throughout and there are some light hearted moments mixed in with the serious times. All in all this was a good read :)
lindseycstraub's review against another edition
4.0
Johnny MacKinnon has just been told he has a brain tumor. He's also facing an OSHA lawsuit that could very well be the death blow to his struggling ice factory. His wife Pauline is literally running away from a midlife crisis by exercising and flirting with the corporate attorney assigned to represent the factory in the OSHA appeal. With two weeks to go until his brain surgery, Johnny must decide whether to reach out to his estranged son in Scotland. According to Johnny's ex wife, Corran is supposedly clean and has taken custody of his own infant daughter. Against doctor's orders, Johnny enlists his neighbor's loud-voiced, KISS-loving stepson to accompany him to Scotland for a last attempt at reconciliation with Corran.
castlelass's review against another edition
5.0
Adult contemporary fiction about forgiveness, courage, and redemption disguised as a family drama about a couple who owns an ice factory. Contains one of the most well-drawn set of characters in a book I’ve read this year. One of the secondary characters, Chemal, is among my all-time favorites. Even the dog had a unique personality.
The story revolves around the factory owners, who are currently facing impending brain surgery and business-ending OSHA fines. In addition, difficult family relationships abound, such as a father with dementia and an adult son recovering from heroin addiction. The author transports the reader to both Jacksonville, Florida, and Loch Linnhe, Scotland, through her articulate descriptions. The author’ writing style enables the plot to flow seamlessly, and her use of imagery brings the scenes to life. I highly recommended this book to those who enjoy well-drawn characters and stories of family relationships. Also recommended to book clubs and those who appreciate intelligent fiction.
I received an advance copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for a candid review. This book will be released December 5, 2017.
The story revolves around the factory owners, who are currently facing impending brain surgery and business-ending OSHA fines. In addition, difficult family relationships abound, such as a father with dementia and an adult son recovering from heroin addiction. The author transports the reader to both Jacksonville, Florida, and Loch Linnhe, Scotland, through her articulate descriptions. The author’ writing style enables the plot to flow seamlessly, and her use of imagery brings the scenes to life. I highly recommended this book to those who enjoy well-drawn characters and stories of family relationships. Also recommended to book clubs and those who appreciate intelligent fiction.
I received an advance copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for a candid review. This book will be released December 5, 2017.
sandytfrench's review against another edition
3.5
The Ice House by Laura Lee Smith
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⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 stars
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This was my Unseasonal Read for the Autumn #mixtapeathon
Johnny MacKinnon is on the verge of losing his ice factory following an industrial accident, and after a fainting spell, a tumour is found in his brain. Days away from his brain surgery, Johnny decides to take an impulsive trip back to his native Scotland to try and mend fences with his estranged son, Corran.
~~~~~
This is a decent family drama, following two storylines: one with Johnny in Scotland and the other in Florida with his wife Pauline, left behind, trying to keep their business afloat. I enjoyed the writing and thought the characters were well fleshed-out. It explores the destruction addiction can wreak on a family and how moving on and forgiveness can be difficult to attain for all involved.
There is a little mystery involving the industrial accident at the ice factory, which was very obvious and easy to solve, but thankfully not a major plot point.
The book kept me engaged and I read through it pretty quickly despite it being over 450 pages.
~~~~~
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⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 stars
~~~~~
This was my Unseasonal Read for the Autumn #mixtapeathon
Johnny MacKinnon is on the verge of losing his ice factory following an industrial accident, and after a fainting spell, a tumour is found in his brain. Days away from his brain surgery, Johnny decides to take an impulsive trip back to his native Scotland to try and mend fences with his estranged son, Corran.
~~~~~
This is a decent family drama, following two storylines: one with Johnny in Scotland and the other in Florida with his wife Pauline, left behind, trying to keep their business afloat. I enjoyed the writing and thought the characters were well fleshed-out. It explores the destruction addiction can wreak on a family and how moving on and forgiveness can be difficult to attain for all involved.
There is a little mystery involving the industrial accident at the ice factory, which was very obvious and easy to solve, but thankfully not a major plot point.
The book kept me engaged and I read through it pretty quickly despite it being over 450 pages.
~~~~~
lucyp747d4's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book and found all of the characters interesting in their own way. I particularly liked Chemal for his funny comments and caring nature. This book tells a lovely story of struggle, family and love. I think it also makes you think about what family means and if you were faced with a potential death sentence what would you do? I like that all the characters have their own mini story running throughout and there are some light hearted moments mixed in with the serious times. All in all this was a good read :)
bookphenomena_micky's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
THE ICE HOUSE centres on the character of Johnny and his son. Johnny was a quirky guy with everything falling apart at the seams, it was a read with richness and depth. Johnny had family problems, health problems and business problems. His son, Corran has had big, big addiction issues but he was now clean. In the face of Johnny’s looming health crisis these two come to an impasse and it made for great reading once we got there.
I found this quite a slow read to start but it did pick up pace as it got going. The story takes the reader from the US to Scotland, from hospitals to places of business. There is despair and forgiveness, frustration, understanding and restoration. This was an ultimately satisfying read.
THE ICE HOUSE centres on the character of Johnny and his son. Johnny was a quirky guy with everything falling apart at the seams, it was a read with richness and depth. Johnny had family problems, health problems and business problems. His son, Corran has had big, big addiction issues but he was now clean. In the face of Johnny’s looming health crisis these two come to an impasse and it made for great reading once we got there.
I found this quite a slow read to start but it did pick up pace as it got going. The story takes the reader from the US to Scotland, from hospitals to places of business. There is despair and forgiveness, frustration, understanding and restoration. This was an ultimately satisfying read.