Luke Millward is a man who does not know he is lost. His girlfriend loves him, his career is going well, and every night he falls asleep knowing th...
read full description
reviews
Oct 16, 2010
M. M. Sana
rated it: 
This book is written appropriately in short sentences that provide the reader with vivid images, considering that the main character in the book is a photographer. The author does a beautiful job organizing two timelines of his character's present grown-up life in Manhattan, NY as a photographer and his childhood in Texas.
Luke Millward sits in his studio appartment and obssessively watches the news as they show New Orleans under water... images that perhaps we all have seen in the n More...
Luke Millward sits in his studio appartment and obssessively watches the news as they show New Orleans under water... images that perhaps we all have seen in the n More...
Nov 22, 2008
Asia
rated it: 
A stirring relationship between a son and his father about love, forgiveness and the emotional connections with the past. Can Luke survive all these emotional burdens? What will he do with the knowledge he gains? Can he heal? Will he move forward?
The setting is New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I grew to love the city (I’ve never visited) from the descriptions in the book.
Written by an LDS author but without any clues to his religion therein othe More...
The setting is New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I grew to love the city (I’ve never visited) from the descriptions in the book.
Written by an LDS author but without any clues to his religion therein othe More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 18, 2011
Sharon
rated it:
This is the first book I've read by Jason Wright and I plan to read his others soon. Luke Millward is a son who's decided to find his father in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He heads to New Orleans with mixed feelings regarding his alcoholic father and their past relationship.
I loved the book and felt a personal connection because of issues I've had with persons in my life who have been addicted to alcohol. The myriad of feelings you are faced with as you each struggle with More...
I loved the book and felt a personal connection because of issues I've had with persons in my life who have been addicted to alcohol. The myriad of feelings you are faced with as you each struggle with More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 15, 2010
Heather the Hillbilly Banjo Queen
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 17, 2008
Lucy
rated it:
If ever a book was to get a "meh" rating, this would be it. Not bad but not necessarily good, Recovering Charles tells the story of a son who finds a way to forgive his alcoholic father by searching for him throughout the wake of Hurricane Katrina's devastation. Like most "meh" books, it has some highs and lows.
The highs would be the description of New Orleans. For the first time, I felt a deep sense of horror and urgency about saving that great city. Blame it on More...
The highs would be the description of New Orleans. For the first time, I felt a deep sense of horror and urgency about saving that great city. Blame it on More...
0 comments
like
(5 people liked it)
Oct 14, 2008
Lyn
rated it:
I truly appreciated a first-hand look at post-Katrina, New Orleans, without the biased, self-serving spin of the media or political figures. The story was charming and carried me along beautifully until the last chapter.
Wright spends the whole book weaving us into a very conflicted dysfunctional family. His main character has spent years trying to come to grips with his emotional baggage. Then, at the very height of all the drama, in a "pulled the rug out from under you" k More...
Wright spends the whole book weaving us into a very conflicted dysfunctional family. His main character has spent years trying to come to grips with his emotional baggage. Then, at the very height of all the drama, in a "pulled the rug out from under you" k More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Mar 13, 2009
Mommywest
rated it: 
This is Jason Wright's best-written book yet! He employs excellent interweaving of the present and past to create a story that engages you and teaches you something as well. The New Orleans portion of Hurricane Katrina is something I've struggled to understand better, and this book takes you THERE. I was walking the deserted, grimy streets; I was floating in a longboat among household items, family pictures, and corpses. It is not a gruesome or horrifying story, but you become very symptheti
More...
Nov 27, 2011
Cydnie
rated it:
I picked this book up on a clearance table because I liked the author. I really enjoyed it. Luke Millward is a New York photographer who receives a phone call regarding his long estranged father, Charles, following Hurricane Katrina. The story follows his journey to New Orleans in his somewhat feeble attempt to "recover" his father, and Luke's relationship with him.
Things I liked:
1- Well defined characters. Each one was unique and likeable. Jerome and his booming vo More...
Things I liked:
1- Well defined characters. Each one was unique and likeable. Jerome and his booming vo More...
Jan 14, 2011
Mimi
rated it:
I thought the author did a good job of moving the story in two directions: through the main character's memories of his past (specifically scenes with his parents) and through the events currently unfolding in the main character's life. I felt the transitions between the two were seamless, and that the episodes from the past were well placed, given at a time where you could digest them without them immediately being relevant in the current time. Does that make sense? :)
It was a hard r More...
It was a hard r More...
Dec 29, 2010
Cindi
rated it:
My new friend gave me a copy of Recovering Charles by Jason F. Wright for Christmas last week. So sweet. It was perfect to read during the small moments of free time during the holiday.
Luke Millward has discovered success as a free-lance photographer in New York City when he gets a call from a friend of his estranged father. He discovers that his father has been living and working as a musician in New Orleans and is missing following the Katrina disaster. Halfheartedly, Luke heads to More...
Luke Millward has discovered success as a free-lance photographer in New York City when he gets a call from a friend of his estranged father. He discovers that his father has been living and working as a musician in New Orleans and is missing following the Katrina disaster. Halfheartedly, Luke heads to More...
May 04, 2010
Apzmarshl
rated it:
Wright is the author of 'Christmas Jars' and 'Wednesday Letters'. In 'Recovering Charles' Wright's main character, Luke Millward is a lost soul. He is a successful photographer that has little personal connection to anyone except his friend Jordan. Jordan and Luke met in college and have remained close, though Luke cannot bring himself to make Jordan his wife.
Hurricane Katrina hits the lower South. Luke discovers that his estranged, alcoholic father was lost in the fray. Luke has nev More...
Hurricane Katrina hits the lower South. Luke discovers that his estranged, alcoholic father was lost in the fray. Luke has nev More...
Jul 18, 2009
Taffy
rated it:
"Every life has a second verse" and Luke Millward's dad wanted him to see his as well as write a new one.
Hurricane Katrina brings changes to Luke's life he can't imagine. The images from the devastating hurricane alone make an impact on Luke. But to hear that his father is missing brings emotions he is not sure he can or wants to face. He loves his father because he is his father. But he doesn't respect him because he turns to alcohol and gambling to ease pain/guilt from his wife More...
Hurricane Katrina brings changes to Luke's life he can't imagine. The images from the devastating hurricane alone make an impact on Luke. But to hear that his father is missing brings emotions he is not sure he can or wants to face. He loves his father because he is his father. But he doesn't respect him because he turns to alcohol and gambling to ease pain/guilt from his wife More...
Apr 13, 2009
Mary
rated it:
Ok, we read this for our book club and while I appreciated a lot of what went on in this book there were a couple of things that bothered me. First the way they do things (I can't say a lot more or I'll start to spoil the book) is really upsetting! I also felt like his dad's friends were especially harsh to him. Yes I know he needed to work through forgiving his dad BUT it's not unreasonable the hesitation he feels towards their insistence that his dad has changed. Since his teenage years h
More...
Oct 30, 2008
Rebecca
rated it: 
I was asked to preview this book for our book club...otherwise I probably would have never picked it up. I wish I hadn't anyway. I would have actually given it two stars up until the "surprise twist" ending. Nobody in their right minds would have acted the way the characters in this story did. Also, I wonder if I were a victim/survivor of Katrina, or at least searching for a loved one who was, if this book would have offended me.
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Apr 22, 2010
Emily
rated it:
Recovering Charles by Jason F. Wright Book Review by Emily
When Luke Millward discovers that his estranged father was living in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit, he is hesitant to do anything about it. A stranger calls, saying that his father is missing, but Luke has little desire to help with the search.
His girlfriend and mentor convince him that it's the right thing to do, but, unconvinced, he takes his time to get down there.
While in New Orleans, Luke, More...
When Luke Millward discovers that his estranged father was living in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit, he is hesitant to do anything about it. A stranger calls, saying that his father is missing, but Luke has little desire to help with the search.
His girlfriend and mentor convince him that it's the right thing to do, but, unconvinced, he takes his time to get down there.
While in New Orleans, Luke, More...
Feb 12, 2009
Laura
rated it:
I read this book because the idea of second chances and forgiveness have been in the forefront of my mind of late. I enjoyed the commentary on forgiveness and how our own pride separates us from the joy and healing that forgiveness brings. The other side to forgiveness is when do we open our hearts back up to someone who has injured us over and over? No one pat answer for that. It is a hard call. Only God can help us with the timing, if our hearts are truly open to him and his will for us.
More...
More...
Mar 10, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it:
Written by a local author and of particular interest since it takes place in post-Katrina New Orleans, and we lived there for several years. The protagonist, Luke Millward, is a successful photographer who has seen some of the world's most awful places through the lens of a camera, but he can't sustain relationships and he has not spoken to his alcoholic father in over two years -- a man who had been a brilliant musician but who had spiraled downward into alcoholism when Luke was in college. Whe
More...
Jun 23, 2009
Lucinda
rated it:
Recovering Charles gave me much need emotional imagery for what occured in New Orleans. I was so bombarded by news footage of the political figures pointing fingers that I shut down where I should have been over come with emotion. The only attitudes the news covered were of those with hands out to get something not hands out to help others. This story, for me, helped me feel what a horrific aftermath the people of Katrina lived and in a sense are still living.
The story was well cr More...
The story was well cr More...
Jun 03, 2009
Jodi
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 07, 2009
Jenn
rated it:
I really enjoyed this story... the end surprised but made sense, I learned things about the Katrina aftermath that I didn't learn from the news coverage... I thought it was a beautifully written story with plenty of humor as well as insightful portrayals of human nature. I learned a little something about myself!
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 13, 2010
Julianne
rated it:
For me, this one seemed to unravel slowly. Our hero is living an uncomplicated life in New York City, but when Katrina hits New Orleans, he feels compelled to sit in front of the TV for hours on end watching all the coverage. Then a phone call calls his bluff. He is invited to go down to New Orleans and see the devastation for himself. Suddenly he is not so anxious to see it for real, up close and personal.
Through a series of flashbacks we learn of Luke's early life, his home, hi More...
Through a series of flashbacks we learn of Luke's early life, his home, hi More...
Jun 05, 2009
Blair
rated it:
By the same author that brought "The Wednesday Letters", comes another tale of forgiveness, this time regarding a son for his parents. Luke finds out that his estranged, alcoholic father was in New Orleans during Katrina and now his friends ask Luke to come look for him. Together they discover how Charles' life had changed in the last few months as they search for news of Charles' whereabouts.
I didn't think this was nearly as good as the Wednesday letters, but as I was la More...
I didn't think this was nearly as good as the Wednesday letters, but as I was la More...
Apr 20, 2010
Keri
rated it:
I couldn't decide whether to rate this book three stars or four, but after writing the review I had to make it four because I kept thinking about the great parts in it. Of course then I hit the wrong button and lost the review so I am starting all over. Here is a synopsis. You will have to read the book to get the rest of what I was going to say: I really enjoyed this quick read. Whether it was because of the relationship between a child and an estranged father that was recovered or because o
More...
Apr 21, 2009
Demere
rated it:
I loved this story! I have a much better understanding of Hurricane Katrina after reading this book. It was heartbreaking to read about the devastation, but it was also very touching to read about the many volunteers who went through so much in the recovery to help their fellowmen. We had a friend (a builder) who was suffering (and truly suffering)from terminal cancer when he went and volunteered during the recovery and clean-up. It was the only time I ever heard him speak in church, and it
More...
Mar 23, 2010
Nielson
rated it:
So I read this for book group this month. It was hard for me to get into it at the beginning, but as I read more I really got into it more. I liked that the author jumped between the present and the past so that we could understand Luke's life more. I thought his family situation was so sad....his mom being depressed and then his dad turning to alcohol after his death. The end was a tear-jearker for me. I was pretty mad that his friends lied to him about his dad being dead, but I guess I could u
More...
May 20, 2009
LeeAnn
rated it:
I was given this book as an incentive for joining a book club, and I settled in to read it today. The author also wrote The Wednesday Letters and Christmas Jars, which I have not read yet but have been intrigued by.
This book drew me in although I felt it dragged in places. At one point, I wondered where the author was going in some of the flashbacks but reminded myself that it probably pertained to the larger story. It did, but not smoothly. However, it left a much-larger imprint More...
This book drew me in although I felt it dragged in places. At one point, I wondered where the author was going in some of the flashbacks but reminded myself that it probably pertained to the larger story. It did, but not smoothly. However, it left a much-larger imprint More...
Jan 25, 2010
Sandy
rated it:
Heartbreaking and heart warming. Keep the kleenex nearby.
Luke Millward is a man who does not know he is lost. His girlfriend loves him; his career is going well; and every night he falls asleep knowing that his life is good and meaningful. Only when the past reveals its twisted smile in a phone call and the disconnected voice asks him to come find his father in post-Katrina New Orleans is Luke compelled to find out what kind of man he truly is. Recovering Charles is for every family More...
Luke Millward is a man who does not know he is lost. His girlfriend loves him; his career is going well; and every night he falls asleep knowing that his life is good and meaningful. Only when the past reveals its twisted smile in a phone call and the disconnected voice asks him to come find his father in post-Katrina New Orleans is Luke compelled to find out what kind of man he truly is. Recovering Charles is for every family More...
Feb 21, 2009
Holly
rated it:
Jason Wright is not a great literary writer and I think that at times he tries too hard to touch his readers. However, for the first time I really appreciated a first-hand look at post-Katrina New Orleans. I actually felt the horror of that disaster. Until now, I couldn't relate perhaps due to the over-saturation of the media. But personalizing the disaster did allow me to feel how much the individual citizens actually did lose in Katrina, even though those people were fictional.
Over More...
Over More...
Jan 12, 2010
Casey
rated it:
Not sure I liked how the story jumped from the current to the past. Though it was a bit confusing and kind of asked myself what am I to get from this(while reading the parts that jumped to the past), not sure. I did find myself knowing how the main character Luke, felt in regards to his parents and keeping as he termed it "A Break" from his alcoholic father. Yet, at the same time not sure how I feel about the book. Yeah, I cried, and felt sorrow for all those that lost friends, family,
More...
May 10, 2009
Wayne
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
