Extremely Thought-Provoking
Carla Buckley's first novel takes on some very timely subject matter, and it is clearly well-researched. I was impressed with the detailed and vivid portrayals of the many unexpected obstacles that arose as the days of the quarantine turned into weeks. This novel raises so many survival instinct issues (like family before all else) that I connected with at a very personal level. The novel's protagonist, Ann, was a very fully drawn, sympathetic, and fascinating character. I was completely engrossed in the plot and the interactions amongst Ann and her family members from the first chapter on.
Rated of 5
by Karen L. (Troy, IL)
The Things That Keep Us Here
Great story line with true to life characters. Fast paced read. The events that pull this family together and the survival skills necessary to make it through keep you wanting to read on. It had me reflecting on how I would react in the same situations. Terrific first novel and I will be looking for more from Carla Buckley in the future.
Rated of 5
by Dianne S. (Shelton, Connecticut)
Wonderful, Thrilling, Chilling a Delight to Read
This is a phenomenal debut thriller about what happens to one family when a virulent bird flu pandemic hits the USA. And it has the potential to kill about 50 our of every one hundred that it infects. And then that potential turns to reality.
This is the story of one broken family coming to grips of the reality that is America during an unseen and unprepared for worldwide emergency.
So far this year I've read about 250 books; this is the one that I will remember for years to come. I’ve just finished it and I want to grab it up and start rereading it. It was an utterly amazing book especially for a debut. The characters are so well written that I came to think of them as friends of mine. The plot was very well thought out, fast paced, chilling, thrilling and yet tender. This book preys on our deepest emotions and fears, it also makes us ask the really hard moral and ethical questions of ourselves. It makes us wonder if we could cope just half as well as the Brooks family does. If we would come out of something like this with our sanity even half as intact as they did.
Rated of 5
by Jane N. (Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey)
The Things that Keep Us Here
This is the story of how one family survives, and endures, a pandemic outbreak of avian flu in this country. It is the story of the choices that the main characters, Ann, Peter and Shaiza make and the consequences that those choices have. Ms Buckley has written a remarkable first novel. Her characters could be your next door neighbors. The plot line is simple but powerful. She asks and answers the question "what would you do to survive in a emergent situation". The book will remind the reader of Katrina and New Orleans and have us hoping that nothing like this ever happens in our country. I highly recommend this book. It is a thought provoking read that will stay with you for a long time after you finish the book.
Rated of 5
by Christine B. (St Paul, MN)
A Timely Story
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. With the H1N1 virus dominating our news, this certainly brought an interesting perspective to a possible pandemic. The many decisions this family had to make would surely develop into a dynamic exchange for book clubs! This family will expand your heart and thoughts. I would welcome reading another book by this author.
Rated of 5
by Vicky R. (Cumming, GA)
Engrossing story
I was pulled into this story from the beginning and the author kept me there until the end. I was able to connect with all of the characters and the chilling circumstances they were facing. Since this particular pandemic wasn't so unbelievable, it was easy to imagine myself in their situation. Many times throughout the book, I would ask myself, "what would I do?". This is an engrossing, easy read but highly entertaining ... and the subject matter is certainly not that far-fetched.
Rated of 5
by Patricia S. (Yankton, SD)
Riveting and chilling The Things That Keep Us Here is a riveting story of a splintered family coping with surviving a pandemic of the avian flu while dealing with memories of the events that split them apart. In Ann, the author has created a sympathetic yet flawed character who we feel for while at times being irritated by her constant fears. I reached the point in this book where I could not put it down, and finished it, exhausted but thoroughly satisfied, at 3:30 in the morning. This is an amazing first novel, and I hope for many more by this author. Five thumbs up for Carla Buckley.
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of 5
by MaryEllen Kavanaugh (Albany, NY)
