My Review
Sixteen year old Sally Werner lives in rural Pennsylvania. It is the year 1946. She accepts a ride on the motorcycle of her cousin, Daniel, a decision that changes her life forever. The end up having intercourse, an act Sally didn’t consent to. She becomes pregnant, and is blamed for ruining Daniel’s life. Daniel is eager to marry Sally, Sally would rather die than marry him. Forty-eight hours after giving birth to their son, Sally leaves the child in the care of her family and runs away from a future that is not her own.
Her first encounter is with the Mason family. She accepts the role as housekeeper from seventy year old “Uncle Mason.” They build a relationship of trust of over the matter of two years that Sally works for him. However, while cleaning, Sally discovers a box that contains Mason’s entire life savings. She is no thief, yet she can’t get the money out of her mind. When her past catches up to her the local gossip begins spreading the details of Sally’s past, she must pack up and leave this family she’s grown to love. She goes to the box holding Uncle Mason’s money, only planning on taking a small amount, when Mason’s voice appears in the darkness, demanding that she take it all. Sally takes all the money, and once again runs away.
Thus begins Sally’s legacy of moving from town to town, running from her own past. She uses the Tuskagee River as a path to her future, stopping off at small towns in an attempt to settle. Each time her need to flee awakens, and Sally must pack up and move on. This continues after the birth of her daughter, Penelope, is born. She can’t seem to shake the guilt of abandoning her son. She sends letters home to her parents and includes a small amount of mone when she’s able. Yet it isn’t until almost two decades later that Sally begins to wonder what happened to her son. ..
FOLLOW ME details the lives of Sally, her daughter Penelope, and eventually her grandaughter and traces the lies created by her family to keep her in the dark about her son’s existence. Just how far will they go to keep Sally form learning the truth?
Although parts of FOLLOW ME seemed to drag a bit, it didn’t take long for me to become absorbed in the characters. The writing was powerful and descriptive. The characters were all well-rounded and seemed to share the same destiny, no matter how hard they tried to take control. I recommend FOLLOW ME to any reader that enjoys a detailed storyline with twists and turns that leaves you questioning until the very end.
About the Author
Joanna Scott is the author of nine books, including The Manikin, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; Various Antidotes and Arrogance, which were both finalists for the PEN/Faulkner Award; and the critically acclaimed Make Believe, Tourmaline, and Liberation. A recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Lannan Award, she lives with her family in upstate New York.
Giveaway
I have one copy of FOLLOW ME to give away. To be entered into the contest, comment on this post. To be entered twice, blog about it. For three entries, tweet about it (please include a link to your tweet in your comment). Contest is open to US and Canadian residents only. Winner will be announced on Friday, May 8th.
Thank you to Hachette for providing me with this review copy. Check out the other blogs participating in this tour:
http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/
http://www.writeforareader.blogspot.com/
http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com/
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/
http://thereviewfromhere.wordpress.com/
http://bookopolis.blogspot.com/
http://www.caribousmom.com/
http://www.frommipov.blogspot.com/
http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/
http://redladysreadingroom-redlady.blogspot.com/
http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/
http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/
http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com/
http://stephaniesbooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.acircleofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://bananas4books.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookthoughtsbylisa.blogspot.com/
http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com/
http://grumpydan.blogspot.com/
http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/
http://worducopia.blogspot.com/
http://cindysloveofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/
http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/
http://epicrat.blogspot.com/
http://www.anovelmenagerie.com/
http://danys-san.blogspot.com/
http://jennsbookshelf.blogspot.com/
http://tvandbookaddict.blogspot.com/
http://literarymenagerie.blogspot.com/
http://www.chikune.com/blog
http://book-chic.blogspot.com/
http://www.amberstults.com/
http://allisonsatticblog.blogspot.com/
http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com/
http://38thavedivareaders.blogspot.com/
http://linussblanket.typepad.com/
http://www.morbid-romantic.net/
http://kylees2009.blogspot.com/
http://www.savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/
http://exlibrisbb.blogspot.com/
http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/
http://www.xanga.com/bravehsgirl
http://purplg8r-somanybooks.blogspot.com/
http://burtonreview.blogspot.com/
http://donnasbookreviews.blogspot.com/
http://www.squidoo.com/readingstaycation
Tags:
blog tour,
Review
Hi Jenn.. great Blog Tour Post. I like “descriptive and Powerful.” Sometimes I have to re-read because I say.. “what just happened..” It is very indepth.
Don’t enter me. I enjoyed the character development in this book, too. I found Sally frustrating at times and then I realized she was doing the best she could with what she had.
I would like to be entered. Thank you!
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
Jenn, I’m glad you liked it. I’m in the middle with it, I liked it and some parts I didn’t. I did however like Sally. She seemed a normal person trying to make it through life except the part of leaving her son but she was young. She was a product of her environment.
Thanks, Jen! I loved the twists and turns too!
Don’t enter me, but wanted to say Thanks for the review.. I liked reading everyone else’s perspective. We all glean a little something different.
I’d love a chance to win, thanks Jenn!
mlb108[at]gmail[dot]com
This book looks good, thanks for the review!
lovejessicamarie [@] gmail [.] com
I’d love to read about Sally.
Thanks!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Please include me in the draw for this book!
Thanks
nancyrobster@gmail.com
Tweeted
greeeneyedwhwomhttp://jennsbookshelf.blogs… Win Book
Thanks
nancyrobster@gmail.com
Jenn, I would love a chance to win this book. I have been reading up on it now, and I am interested.
Thanks
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a great book. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net
No need to enter me; I’m just following the tour. Glad to hear you enjoyed the book. I found it slow, but the characters were interesting.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I’m liking this blog tour – please include me in your drawing.
Thanks,
Cheryl
megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com
Please sign me up for this drawing!
Thanks,
kherbrand at comcast dot net
Please enter me. mybookviews[at]gmail[dot]com
I blogged about your giveaway here:
http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/04/more-giveaways-than-you-can-shake-stick.html
Thank you again!
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
I tweeted your giveaway:
http://twitter.com/kellyblackwell/status/1636389544
Thanks!
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
What an intriguing sounds cast of characters and storylines! Pleased enter me in your fabulous giveaway prize drawing.
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
“Tweet!”
http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/1636446164.
Thanks for the chance to win this book.
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Great blog
This sounds so good! Please enter me.
I blogged about it here:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/04/giveaways-galore_26.html
Sounds like a wonderful book. I would love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I would love to read this. Thank you for the giveaway!
Carol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com
Fantastic! I blogged about it – http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com/2009/04/contest-list.html
ajourneyofbooks-at-gmail-dot-com
This books looks awesome! Please enter may name in your draw. Thanks!
I need a good book to read. This sounds like a very good read! thanks jacquecurl1@gmail.com
I’ve heard so many mixed comments about this book. I enjoyed your review because it was interesting and honest. I think I would like to give this book a try so please include me too. Thanks for your contest!
- I added this to my sidebar.
http://www.wrightysreads.blogspot.com
5wrights1[at]verizon[dot]net
Please enter me! Thanks.
booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com
I posted this contest on my sidebar at http://booksobsession.blogspot.com
booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to read this book!
This looks really good!
moonglo at gmail dot come
http://www.twitter.com/texaspixie
i really want to read this book.thanks
spellbound18@hotmail.com
Thanks for the recommendation!