Book: A Map Of The Known World by Lisa Ann Sandell
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: April 2009
Summary:
Cora Bradley dreams of escape. Ever since her reckless older brother, Nate, died in a car crash, Cora has felt suffocated by her small town and high school. She seeks solace in drawing beautiful maps, envisioning herself in exotic locales. When Cora begins to fall for Damian, the handsome, brooding boy who was in the car with Nate the night he died, she uncovers her brother’s secret artistic life and realizes she had more in common with him than she ever imagined. With stunning lyricism, Sandell weaves a tale of one girl’s journey through the redemptive powers of art, friendship, and love.
Overall:
Cora Bradley is lost. Ever since her older brother Nate died she hasn’t known what to do with herself. Her family is falling apart and she can’t seem to relate to her only friend anymore.
Cora and her older brother Nate didn’t actually get along very well in his final years of life but now that he is gone it seems like he was the only thing holding their family together. Her father now drowns his problems in alcohol and her mother now spends all her time focusing on how to keep Cora out of trouble. That means strict rules and basically no life.
Cora doesn’t really mind at first, but then she starts to get to know Damian. Damian was in the car with her brother the night he died. She and her parents both blamed Damian for what happened to Nate, not knowing that Damian also secretly blamed himself. But what Cora doesn’t know and that Damian can show her, might heal some of the rifts in her family.
I fell in love with the book from the very first page. I had never read anything by Lisa Ann Sandell before this and I was just amazed. Sandell brilliantly portrays the grief, love, and hope in Cora’s heart. The details used in the book were amazing. Everything was so intricately linked and just seemed to flow off the page.
I kept turning the page wanting to know more but never wanting it to end. I would recommend this book to anybody, really. I can’t say that it wasn’t sad at parts but it was also such a hopeful read it leaves you feeling kind of happy and grateful for the beauty of life.
You can order A Map Of The Known World here.
It sounds really good. Great review!
Oh boy, do I want to read this book! I refuse to read the review because I fear spoilers, but I saw the picture and felt the need to state my jealousy :-p I did see the part about falling in love with it though which only makes me more excited!
btw, I nominated your blog for the Sisterhood award! Check it out 😀
This sounds like a book I would get into. I know how hard it is to hold a family together after the loss of a child.
I think the map making sounds interesting.
Thanks for the review.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
I couldn’t imagine losing a sibling.
Wow, you make it sound so great! I REALLY want to read this, sounds like my kind of read. 🙂
It sounds really good! I’ll have to check it out 🙂 Great Review.
I really want to read this book 🙂 It sounds like a great book!
I’m now a follower and I commented on your review
Also I added you to my sidebar under contests.
http://www.thebookcellarx.blogspot.com
:)Erica
thebookcellar@wi.rr.com
I’m glad you say it’s got that note of hopefullness in there. It’s hard for me to read a “sad” book.
Hey, love the background here, by the way!
I really enjoyed Lisa Ann Sandell’s Song of the Sparrow, so I’ve been looking forward to this one! I love her writing style. I’m glad it’s a hopeful book, because sad books need that too!
I wasnt sure if i wanted to read this book but since i usually agree with your reviews, i think i will try it out!!!
I really like this layout btw.
This book looks like a really good read. Even though it’s sad, I really want to read it. great review!
I love the cover for this book, it’s so pretty!
I love books that are page turners. Thanks for warning us it’s a sad one at times.
WOW! This would be a fantastic read! I would probably sit up all night reading it! Thanks jacquecurl1@gmail.com
I usually put off reading a book when I don’t want it to end 😉 Thanks for the review!
This sounds amazing! I can’t wait to read it. I loved Song of the Sparrow, which is a forgotten book among a lot of people I feel, and she deserves a ton of praise!
I never heard of this book, but I have to add it to my TBR list. Thanks!