I received a free copy of Painting Juliana from TLC Book Tours for my honest review.
About the Book:
• Publisher: Goldminds Publishing, LLC (May 20, 2014)
About the Author:
My Opinion:
Painting Juliana is a book out of my normal realm of reading genres and it forced me to stretch my reading muscles. I will write that I was pulled in by the writing almost from the very first page. Ms. Hunter has a way with a pen. I will also write that a good portion of the book took place somewhere over my head. I suspect that if I were to read it again I would be able to sort it all out but my reading schedule isn’t going to allow that right now.
We first meet Juliana as a scared 8 year old experiencing a nightmare – one that she has had many, many times. In fact she keeps a journal, marking a line for each time the nightmare comes to disturb her slumber. The story then moves forward in time to when Juliana is married with twins to a very disagreeable man. It’s only after he starts divorce proceedings in a truly spiteful way that the reader starts to learn more about Juliana’s life and how she came to be who she is.
In being forced to leave the comfortable life she has Juliana then goes back to confront her past and learn what the nightmare is all about and how she can make it stop and go forward. I have to admit That I didn’t see anything coming – the book is full of twists, turns and revelations that will make a reader’s head spin. The ending is a wild ride that leaves the reader just all wrung out. But, and yes, there is a but – so much of it was symbolic and as I mentioned above, happens in a place I just don’t understand I suspect I missed things and this made it hard for me to completely enjoy. When books happen over my head (like short stories which I won’t read any longer) I feel deflated and well, stupid. I don’t like when a book makes me feel stupid. I have too literal a mind for allegory. This is not the fault of the book, but rather the reader. It is, though, my review.
Rating:
4
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The Giveaway:
One lucky reader (US/Can) will win a copy of Painting Juliana. How do you win? It’s easy – just hop on the Rafflecopter. Good luck everyone!