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All the Numbers
by
Judy Merrill Larsen (Goodreads Author)
“How much do you love me?” Daniel asked his mother.
“I love you all the numbers.”
What begins as a sunny August afternoon on a bucolic lake turns into a tragedy when a Jet Ski swerves fatally close to shore. It’s a day Ellen Banks could never have prepared for, a day no mother should ever have to live through.
The moment her son James is killed, Ellen must face the unimagina...more
“I love you all the numbers.”
What begins as a sunny August afternoon on a bucolic lake turns into a tragedy when a Jet Ski swerves fatally close to shore. It’s a day Ellen Banks could never have prepared for, a day no mother should ever have to live through.
The moment her son James is killed, Ellen must face the unimagina...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
July 25th 2006
by Ballantine Books
(first published January 1st 2006)
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I freakin love this book. It is by far the best book I read in 2007. I have never actually cried as much as I did reading this book. The way Judy is able to relay the emotions of the characters is amazing, it makes you feel like you personally know these people.
I really liked this book, don't let the 3 stars make you think that I didn't. I think that my low(er) rating comes more from the fact that I've read 3 depressing books in a row and this one was more of the same. I need to read something cheery before I slip into a depression.
After I read the book, I read the little 'about the author' in the back and it said that she is an english teacher and that this is her first novel. For me, both of these things made absolute sense. The english teacher bit b...more
After I read the book, I read the little 'about the author' in the back and it said that she is an english teacher and that this is her first novel. For me, both of these things made absolute sense. The english teacher bit b...more
Update: I'm a little over halfway in this book but I've completely lost interest. Like I stated below, I felt for the death of the child because he reminded me of my brother when he was that age. Now that we are far enough removed from the accident that characters are moving on and they're starting to pursue legal action against the 17-year-old jet-skier, the author has completely dropped anything that I can relate to or care about.
At some point I'll go back and finish this book. Eventually.
Pre...more
At some point I'll go back and finish this book. Eventually.
Pre...more
This book is an emotion rollercoaster that tells the story about the death of child and how his mother copes with the loss. When I read the book jacket I thought this would be one that I would cry over (I love books like that!), I didn't shed one tear. While this book was good and kept my attention, it screamed Lifetime movie. The one thing I didn't like about the book was the constant flashbacks... instead of the dozens and dozens of memories of James, I wish the author would have stuck with th...more
This Book Should Come With a Warning
Reader, beware. All the Numbers, a well-written novel by author Judy Merrill Larsen, should be read with a note of caution. The author evokes such a sense of pure grief that one cannot help but experience the death of an 11-year old boy named James. I truly felt his mother's pain.
I bought this book after reading a review in the Lakeland Times newspaper, a twice weekly paper serving northern Wisconsin, where local lakes are enjoyed by vacationers, including swi...more
Reader, beware. All the Numbers, a well-written novel by author Judy Merrill Larsen, should be read with a note of caution. The author evokes such a sense of pure grief that one cannot help but experience the death of an 11-year old boy named James. I truly felt his mother's pain.
I bought this book after reading a review in the Lakeland Times newspaper, a twice weekly paper serving northern Wisconsin, where local lakes are enjoyed by vacationers, including swi...more
2 likes · like · see review
I actually had read this book twice, once before my son was born and again sometimes in January 2008 just because this book speaks volumes of a mother's love to her children. Although I should warn you to stock up on some Kleenex! It's a hard book to read, not because of the writing...the writing was beautiful, it's the topic. Every parents nightmare...to lose your child yet the topic was handled so realistically and tenderly. It also speaks about forgiveness & healing. Great great book!
I picked this up on the "3 for 2" table at Borders because I was drawn to the cover and the back definitely pulled me in (I am a sucker for a good tragic family drama). The book is so good I could not put it down. I cried many times... the way Judy Larsen is able to actually put into words the grief Ellen is experiencing is truly incredible. Her bitterness towards the parents receiving James' organs and her inner struggle with that decision seems painfully realistic. I found Ellen's support syst...more
I picked this one up after reading "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" and gave up after about 50 pages. I honestly cannot understand the great reviews. Neither the story or the characters grabbed me. I found Ellen to be one dimensional, the writing sophomoric and lacking in originality. Many of the scenes did not feel real - the younger son's shoe shopping expedition, the talk with Melanie at Union Terrace. She calls her sons "babe", her friend calls her "babe". And on and on ..... I thought that...more
Hmm. I liked the beginning---it grabs your emotions right from the start. I mean, as a mother, how would that feel? But then as the chapters progress, the story line doesn't. I found myself frustrated with the mom in the story and with the author herself. I wished she had gone a different route and wished it could have been more creative, more unique. I really wanted to like it.
Judy Merrill Larsen is a friend, and I knew from the subject matter of her book (a mother's grief at losing her child) that it wouldn't be an easy read. I finished it last night, and so much of the emotion of ALL THE NUMBERS has stuck with me. I can't think of much worse than losing a loved one, especially a child, and the novel tackles it head-on. We're first introduced to single mom Ellen and her sons, James and Daniel, as they're heading to a friend's lake house as they've done for the past 1...more
If you are a parent you must read this book. It is hard, and you will cry, but it is a wonderful read. Even if you aren't a parent you will enjoy this book, but I have to say that reading it as a young mother really allowed me to relate to the plot of the story. Ms. Larson tore my heart open and then pieced it back together again with this story.
Wow! I cried many times throughout this book, and I truly think I felt the death of Ellen's little boy on some level. I also think this truly struck a cord in my me, as a mother. I did smell my kids, memorize their appearance and remember to just take the time because time is precious. Amazing read from an unknown author!
I really, really wanted to like this book...probably because Larsen is a local author. It was a bit depressing, but that's not the reason for my two star rating. I just couldn't get 'into' the characters. I didn't care enough about them, I guess. I made myself finish it, though, hoping it would get better.
Aug 31, 2011
Pam
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Women Friends my age
Basically about the loss of a son and how a mother deals with the grief. Her character is written very real; her thoughts and what she wants to say but holds back; her anger at many things; her questioning of herself. There is some humor and some very descriptions of two brothers and the way they interact with each other.
It is rare for a book to bring me to tears or to impact me so much physically and emotionally. I couldn't stop thinking about this book for weeks. It impacted me so much that I can't even explain it. I FELT the book in a way that just amazed me. Wonderful book!
I think the story had its ups and downs. What had started as a catchy story that was pretty well written turned to a bit of a cliche story once the accident was described. Shortly after that moment it became somewhat boring, with an occasional highlight...
Jan 06, 2011
Dawn
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who loves family drama stories.
Recommended to Dawn by:
It caught my eye in the bookstore.
I really loved this book and I have added it to my list of books that made me cry my eyes out. The story just pulled me in and really made me feel for the characters. The author really made you feel this mother's heartbreak and played on every mother's worst fear, losing a child. For the most part, it is just a story of this mother's every day life without her child. It brought out all the feelings any mother would have; experiencing the first holiday without them, missing the sound of their lau...more
Sad...I think that I still have a tendency to read books about loss and this book is no exception. It is so powerful and so sad. I think that moms everywhere should read this book. Life can change in an instant... Peace, B.
I really wasn't sure if i wanted to read this book b/c i was afraid it would be way to sad for me but i am so glad i decided to go for it and read it. It was really well written and i couldnt wait to find out what would happen.
I think I would have given this book a higher rating if it wasn't so completely sad. The author pulled me deep into the sorrow experienced by the main character and for that I think she is a genius. I read when I walk my dogs down our country road and every single day I had tears streaming down my face.
Before you start reading this book, be sure to grab a box of tissues. This book isn't just about grief though, it is a book that helps teach us the power of forgiveness and the strength of letting go.
I thought that the ending was a little predictible and some of the characters were a little weak; however I think that this author is one to watch, and for a first book she did really well. I will be keeping her on my radar and looking for her new books.
I thought that the ending was a little predictible and some of the characters were a little weak; however I think that this author is one to watch, and for a first book she did really well. I will be keeping her on my radar and looking for her new books.
Sep 13, 2010
Stephanie
added it
Incredibly good book. Subject matter on par with Nicholas Sparks in sadness and victory, but much more attractively written. Felt as though watching whole process with intimate writing
This book made me cry, but probably more so b/c I have 2 sons, and couldn't help imagining losing one of them, and not so much b/c it was well written at all. It was very predictable and had too many cliches, which ruined an otherwise interesting story-line for me.
Very rarely do I not finish a book. this was one of those books. I didn't feel any emotions from the characters. Read more like an outline without the content.
This book made me bawl my eyes out (I don't know, maybe I was hormonal). Parts of the book were unnecessary "filler", but the main storyline was very touching.
Neighbors enjoy the summers at the lake; neighbors just like you and me. And then a tragic Jet Ski accident changes everything.
This was a beautiful, yet heartwrenching, story of a mother's loss and coming to terms with her new life. I was moved to tears on many occassions throughout the story. The novel had a nice ending which summed up the book well. I was thrown off by the love story tangled into the plot, and felt it was a little too much for me. I did like the story though, and I would reccommend it if you are looking for a good cryfest.
This book is great. Its so sad but so thrilling all at the same time. Losing a child is so hard on a parent.
Best book I have ever read!! Kept me interested and turning pages till it was done. Most amazing book yet!!
Aug 10, 2010
Dana
added it
Kinda forgetable at times but picks up easily. Made me cry at the end. Overall a pretty good read
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Judy Merrill Larsen taught high school English in Wisconsin and Missouri for fifteen years. Her debut novel All the Numbers was published in 2006; she is currently at work on her second novel. She currently lives in Kirkwood, MO with her husband and their five children."
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Feb 24, 2008 01:02pm