from Jen AlLee
The only thing worse than losing one son is losing two. In Leaving Yesterday, Kathryn Cushman delves into the mind of woman desperate to save the son she has left.
After the brutal murder of her youngest son, Alisa Stewart sees her eldest, Kurt, slip into a lifestyle ruled by his addiction. To Alisa, it's almost as though he died, too. But then Kurt calls home one day. He has turned his life around. He's gotten through rehab, is working hard, and gone back to college. So when evidence links Kurt with the murder of a drug dealer, Alisa doesn't want to face it. Her son isn't the man he used to be. He's worked so hard, he deserves a second chance, and Alisa is determined to give it to him at any cost.Cushman asks hard questions: Should a man be judged by his past deeds or by the road he's on? Is one life worth more than another? Is there ever any justification for deceit? As a mother, I could feel the pain and confusion Alisa was going through. In a desperate attempt to save her child, a mother might act in a way completely contrary to her character. Cushman examines not only Alisa's motivation, but also the aftermath of her decisions.
There are no easy answers in Leaving Yesterday. But there is hope. It's a compelling, hard-to-put-down story of one family's journey through grief and restoration.
VITAL STATISTICS
Leaving Yesterday
by Kathryn CushmanPaperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Bethany House (October 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0764203827
ISBN-13: 978-0764203824
WIN THE BOOK
If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of Leaving Yesterday, just leave a reply to this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on November 17th. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) Good luck!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher
for the purpose of reviewing. I am not a paid reviewer.
The opinions in this review are mine alone.
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20 comments:
Hey Jen! This sounds like another tear jerker. I read A Promise to Remember, and it was such a good book. I'm sure this one will be, too.
Hey Suzie! I didn't need a box of Kleenex, but I did tear up a couple of times as I read this. It's a very good book.
LEAVING YESTERDAY sounds like a very intense family drama. Losing a young child, especially in a violent manner. would be horrific. A mother would naturally become almost manic in her desire to protect her surviving children. I have great empathy for parents who invest their hearts and finances in raising a child to adulthood only to have that child be lost to addiction.
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Sounds like a tough emotional read. I prefer books like this, as they make you rethink your own life. Please enter me. Thank you.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
Thank you for the review, Jen. I have 4 children ranging in age from 11 to 30 and I can't imagine losing one of them. I know they'll die eventually as God calls them home ... I just can't imagine life without them at this point.
I have read Katie Cushman's previous 2 books....they were fabulous...Thank you for the opporutnity to read her latest novel.
karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a book I would totally enjoy reading. Please enter my name in your draw. Thanks. wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
Great review, Jen. The title is very telling, also. It brings to mind how blessed I am that I haven't had tragedy such as this in my life, though you hear of it time and time again. Another author to look for.
Nothing I like better than a story that moves readers to laughter or... in this case... tears.
Can't even imagine losing one child, let alone two. Whew. Deep stuff!
Now I'm doubly sorry I didn't stop in at B&N while I was errand-running earlier.
Wait... that wouldn't have done much good. I only just found out about this book...
Ack. Must the the fudge. hehehehe
Happy Saturday, y'all!
Loree
Please enter me in your giveaway!! Would love to read this book. Thanks!
esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com
This story sounds so thought-provoking. And sad! I'm like Anita...it's hard to let our kids go. Thanks for the review, Jen!
I enjoy thought-provoking works as well so have ANOTHER for the pile, which is toppling like an ivory tower!!!
Have a great weekend, all!
Patti
Leaving Yesterday sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.Have a great weekend. augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.
PLEASE PLEASE ENTER ME. I have been waiting to get this book. Great post. Have a great weekend.
tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com
Please enter me into the drawing for "Leaving Yesterday"
May God bless
mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net
Hello, lovely ladies! Yes, this book is moving and thought provoking. And extremely well written. Like many of you have said, I can't imagine the grief of losing a child, be it to death or to the grip of addiction. My heart goes out to those parents who do have to battle through such pain.
On a happy note, I pray you all have a fabulous Sunday :+}
I've been wanting to try Kathryn's books and appreciate the chance to win a copy of Leaving Yesterday. Thank you for the giveaway, Jennifer.
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
Enjoyed the review. This book sounds so heartwrenching. Please enter me. Thank you!
cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a good read. Please enter me.
CRead4(at)prodigy(dot)net
The winner of Leaving Yesterday is Karen K! Thanks to everybody who stopped by. Be blesseed :+}
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