Book: Tell The Wolves I'm Home
Author: Carol Rifka Brunt
Pages: 360
How Long it Took Me To Read: 2 days
Read On: Gorgeous paperback.
Plot Summary: 1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.
At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.
General Thoughts: I saw this book on Tumblr...the gorgeous cover probably has something to do with it. I saw it reblogged a bunch of times. Looked it up on GoodReads and liked the sound of it. Got my hands on it and read it in May. Loved it. Cried. Sobbed. Loved it!
Things I Liked:
1. The writing is lovely, beautiful, honest and really, really good!
2. I love books about sibling relationships. This book has two sets of siblings, June and her sister and her uncles Finn and her mother. Both set of siblings used to be incredibly close. Best friends and then life/situations get in the way and there is a gradual drifting off. Subtle but surely a distance creeps between the siblings. And each person thinks they know the reason why and each person has a different reason. I loved this, I love relationships that change overtime and the tenuous reasons behind them. I loved reading about both sets of siblings.
3. It's set in the 1980s! Enough said. I love the 80s and books set in it.
4. I enjoyed (maybe that's not the right word?) reading about the AIDS epidemic of the 80s and the prejudice and ignorance about the deadly disease.
5. The bond between June and Finn was just a treat to read about.
6. Finn and Toby....they broke my heart!
7. Toby....I LOVED him, more than June and more than Finn. He is pretty much my favourite thing about this book. God! He was just lovely.
8. There are lovely portions detailing June and Finn's New York adventures which was pretty fun.
Things I Didn't Like:
1. I wasn't the biggest fan of June.
2. June's inappropriate love for Finn and then Toby was just...a bit much. Finn was her uncle. And gay..her gay uncle...how can you be in love with him??!!!
Rating: 4.5/5
I loved this book, and you really should read it!
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