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Shades of Gray
Update - SHADES of GRAY is now a BestSeller on Amazon with tons of five-star reviews. Get your copy today.
"Debut novelist Andy Holloman speeds us on a journey with punch, twist, and emotional dilemmas straight from our worst fears. Shades of Gray is a colorful, rollicking ride from start to finish."
- Franz Wisner, New York Times bestselling author of "Honeymoon with My Brother" and "How the World Makes Love"
"Wow! Holloman delivers on a taut thriller that will keep you turning the pages far into the night. This book should be at the top of everyone's reading list for 2012"
- S. Burnham, PeakCityPublishing.com
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How far would you go to save your child's life? Could you break the law?
What if your travel business was suddenly in danger of going under because of 9/11?
A single father decides to partner up with woman from the opposite side of the tracks.
Can their partnership deliver the cash they BOTH desperately need?
Could they fall in love?
And will they survive to see the Summer of 2002?
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Start with "Breaking Bad", add dash of "Cops", and stir in a darker version of the "Love Boat" and you get all the right flavors for "Shades of Gray".
"Debut novelist Andy Holloman speeds us on a journey with punch, twist, and emotional dilemmas straight from our worst fears. Shades of Gray is a colorful, rollicking ride from start to finish."
- Franz Wisner, New York Times bestselling author of "Honeymoon with My Brother" and "How the World Makes Love"
"Wow! Holloman delivers on a taut thriller that will keep you turning the pages far into the night. This book should be at the top of everyone's reading list for 2012"
- S. Burnham, PeakCityPublishing.com
---------------------------------------------------
How far would you go to save your child's life? Could you break the law?
What if your travel business was suddenly in danger of going under because of 9/11?
A single father decides to partner up with woman from the opposite side of the tracks.
Can their partnership deliver the cash they BOTH desperately need?
Could they fall in love?
And will they survive to see the Summer of 2002?
------------------------------------------------
Start with "Breaking Bad", add dash of "Cops", and stir in a darker version of the "Love Boat" and you get all the right flavors for "Shades of Gray".
250 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2011
147 people are currently reading
1593 people want to read
About the author
Andy Holloman
2 books1,116 followersWriter Andy Holloman has been scribbling stories since a young age. (According to reliable sources.) "Shades of Gray" is his first published novel and grew out of his experiences as a travel agency owner many moons ago. He was fascinated with the true story of a client of the business that was murdered. Suspecting her line of work was drug smuggling, a story sprouted in his over-active imagination - How far would a desperate person go to save their child and their business.
His 2nd novel "When His Dreams Take Flight" was published in Oct. 2013 and is a Suspense/Thriller novel set in present day North Carolina.
He is the father of three and happily married for 25 years. A graduate of UNC-CH, he lives in the Raleigh, NC area and enjoys keeping his wife happy, supporting the real estate industry, and tennis. He loves the great outdoors in NC, is an avid reader, and a social media goofball. Most evenings, he can be found tapping on his well-worn keyboard as he "births" his next novel.
www.AndyHolloman.com Twitter @AndyHolloman
His 2nd novel "When His Dreams Take Flight" was published in Oct. 2013 and is a Suspense/Thriller novel set in present day North Carolina.
He is the father of three and happily married for 25 years. A graduate of UNC-CH, he lives in the Raleigh, NC area and enjoys keeping his wife happy, supporting the real estate industry, and tennis. He loves the great outdoors in NC, is an avid reader, and a social media goofball. Most evenings, he can be found tapping on his well-worn keyboard as he "births" his next novel.
www.AndyHolloman.com Twitter @AndyHolloman
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
December 13, 2011
Shades of Gray, the debut novel from Andy Holloman, examines the depths of a father’s love and the ramifications of desperate choices. John Manning and his daughter, Lucy, are driving home from a nice evening out when their car’s brakes malfunction. What initially seems like bad luck turns into a much darker story.
John hasn’t had it easy. When his wife leaves, his whole world revolves around Lucy. His successful business, a travel agency, is hit hard by the events of September 11, 2001. Then, he finds out his daughter has a rare kidney disease and will need a kidney transplant.
Desperation and fear drive John to extreme limits to save his daughter, especially after a fateful meeting with a former client, Wanda. Wanda loves her daughter and has found a way out of her own personal hell, a way paved with good intentions but criminal actions.
Every action draws the pair deeper into an intricate web of deceit and danger. The reader is compelled to turn each page, but not just to find out what happens next. There’s also an emotional connection to the characters. The twists and turns lead to an unexpected and heartbreaking conclusion.
Shades of a Gray is a must read for anyone who enjoys a captivating thrill ride with emotional investment.
Fun note: I’m from North Carolina, so I thoroughly enjoyed the NC references throughout.
Rating: A very enthusiastic 5 stars. Note: Since I was reading an ARC, the few editing issues I saw I assume will be taken care of (some notes were even evident pertaining to changes). The "very enthusiastic" part of this 5 stars includes those assumptions.
Disclaimer: I received this novel as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. A good review was not guaranteed or asked for. My opinions are my own.
John hasn’t had it easy. When his wife leaves, his whole world revolves around Lucy. His successful business, a travel agency, is hit hard by the events of September 11, 2001. Then, he finds out his daughter has a rare kidney disease and will need a kidney transplant.
Desperation and fear drive John to extreme limits to save his daughter, especially after a fateful meeting with a former client, Wanda. Wanda loves her daughter and has found a way out of her own personal hell, a way paved with good intentions but criminal actions.
Every action draws the pair deeper into an intricate web of deceit and danger. The reader is compelled to turn each page, but not just to find out what happens next. There’s also an emotional connection to the characters. The twists and turns lead to an unexpected and heartbreaking conclusion.
Shades of a Gray is a must read for anyone who enjoys a captivating thrill ride with emotional investment.
Fun note: I’m from North Carolina, so I thoroughly enjoyed the NC references throughout.
Rating: A very enthusiastic 5 stars. Note: Since I was reading an ARC, the few editing issues I saw I assume will be taken care of (some notes were even evident pertaining to changes). The "very enthusiastic" part of this 5 stars includes those assumptions.
Disclaimer: I received this novel as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. A good review was not guaranteed or asked for. My opinions are my own.
July 27, 2015
Shades of Gray is seemingly inspired by a true story. It deals with a travel agent and his daughter, and a drug dealer and her daughter. They get involved and difficulties arise.
The book starts strong, with clear characterization and simple, down to earth prose. In the early chapters, I was impressed. Unfortunately, the book bogs down after about the first third. What seemed at first to be simple writing drops into simplistic plotting. What seemed unaffected conversation turns into stilted dialogue.
The ending is good, but it's not as moving as it could have been. There's a fair amount of deus ex machina going on, and the whole thing just sort floats in and out without much in the way of choices or action. Despite some pretty radical actions, there's little introspection or contemplation. Many of the plot elements seem more outlined than complete.
It's a shame, because I really thought that the first part of the book had charm, and I was looking forward to a good read. I've given it three stars in deference to that first hope, and because the ending, if contrived, was still somewhat effective. Here's hoping Mr. Holloman's next book carries his strengths throughout the story.
The book starts strong, with clear characterization and simple, down to earth prose. In the early chapters, I was impressed. Unfortunately, the book bogs down after about the first third. What seemed at first to be simple writing drops into simplistic plotting. What seemed unaffected conversation turns into stilted dialogue.
The ending is good, but it's not as moving as it could have been. There's a fair amount of deus ex machina going on, and the whole thing just sort floats in and out without much in the way of choices or action. Despite some pretty radical actions, there's little introspection or contemplation. Many of the plot elements seem more outlined than complete.
It's a shame, because I really thought that the first part of the book had charm, and I was looking forward to a good read. I've given it three stars in deference to that first hope, and because the ending, if contrived, was still somewhat effective. Here's hoping Mr. Holloman's next book carries his strengths throughout the story.
December 12, 2011
When 9/11 wrecks the American tourist industry, John Manning looks for creative ways to keep his business afloat. Unfortunately John’s daughter needs expensive surgery. His creativity is strained as he faces mounting bills and decreasing numbers of customers. Meanwhile John’s brother grows more and more estranged, and a stranger, Wanda, is the only one to offer a way out.
Andy Holloman’s Shades of Gray tells the tale of a man driven over those lines we know we won’t cross till they loom unavoidably ahead. How far should a father go to save his daughter’s life? How far should a brother go to stay out of jail? And when does bending a rule turn into breaking it?
Ethical boundaries blend and bend in this novel which touches on race, relationships, loyalty, violence and more, all against a backdrop of a seemingly ordinary man and his sick child. If the man falls a little too easily, perhaps 9/11 can be blamed for that too. There’s an enduring hope despite the innate darkness of the material, and this novel is a complex tale of sad coincidence and determined direction in tragic circumstances.
Disclosure: I received a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Andy Holloman’s Shades of Gray tells the tale of a man driven over those lines we know we won’t cross till they loom unavoidably ahead. How far should a father go to save his daughter’s life? How far should a brother go to stay out of jail? And when does bending a rule turn into breaking it?
Ethical boundaries blend and bend in this novel which touches on race, relationships, loyalty, violence and more, all against a backdrop of a seemingly ordinary man and his sick child. If the man falls a little too easily, perhaps 9/11 can be blamed for that too. There’s an enduring hope despite the innate darkness of the material, and this novel is a complex tale of sad coincidence and determined direction in tragic circumstances.
Disclosure: I received a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
July 16, 2012
I got this book because it was written by the brother of one of the cast members of the L Word & she put out the recommendation on Twitter. After reading the synopsis, I looked forward to reading the story, but I quickly lost interest once I did start reading. The characters aren't overly likeable or interesting, and alot of the narrative is REPETITIVE. I had to give up on it after some weird dialogue between two brothers about "if you can't cast your fishng line out a certain number of yards then you're a girl & I'm going to cut off your dick & feed it to the fishes." That's just not my cup of brine...So...maybe someday there will be a movie & I'll find out how it ends...
January 21, 2012
I received this book for free in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
Mr Holloman caused me to get nothing done that I needed to on my days off due to the fact that I couldn't put this book down. FINALLY someone has written a book with a fresh story concept, characters you can't help but like and best of all, he did all this by omitting the "boring" that so many authors tend to let slip into their novels. This is a great book....check it out.
Mr Holloman caused me to get nothing done that I needed to on my days off due to the fact that I couldn't put this book down. FINALLY someone has written a book with a fresh story concept, characters you can't help but like and best of all, he did all this by omitting the "boring" that so many authors tend to let slip into their novels. This is a great book....check it out.
February 1, 2013
WOW! What a fantastic, well-written book!!!! I couldn't put it down. What emotions? Lord, I bawled like a baby more than once in this book, also got angry, was on edge several times. Absolutely loved it. I chewed my nails alot too...Not a good read, but a GREAT read!!! Loved the characters, loved the setting, Just a completely well written book!!!!!!!
January 20, 2012
What would you do if you were a single parent, and your child has a life threatening disease that requires a transplant surgery? Would you go to the end of the world to make sure your child was taken care of, even if the means to the end was by doing something illegal? What if you were always the type of person that believed things were either black or white, could you now allow yourself to believe that there are times when you have to walk the fine line, the Shades of Gray? And if you walk that fine line, will everything turn out the way you wanted it to be? Well these are the soul-searching questions that single parent John Manning had to deal with in Shades of Gray.
John Manning is a single parent to a six year-old daughter named Lucy. Life has had its ups and downs for John, but Lucy is his whole life. John owns a travel agency in Raleigh, NC, and since the 9/11 event, the travel industry has taken a major hit, money is not coming in and bills are piling up. To add to the stress of a failing business, John's daughter Lucy is diagnosed with a rare life threatening condition, Juvenile Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), and will need a kidney transplant. He doesn't care what the cost is, he wants the best medical attention for his little girl, the only problem is that due to non-payment, his company's group health insurance policy was cancelled. John submits the payment and the coverage is reinstated, but a change has been made to the major medical coverage, his daughter's medical condition will not be covered by the insurance company, and the kidney transplant will cost several hundred thousand dollars. What does he do now to cover the cost, he can't lose his little girl!
Wanda Johnson is also a single parent to a six-year-old daughter named Tonya. Just like John, Wanda has also had some ups and downs in her life, and the 9/11 event has caused her business to take a major hit as well. Wanda is a drug dealer, and the heightened security at the airports have all but ceased the drug operation that she belongs to in Durham, NC. She had been thinking about getting out of the drug business anyway, but she still needs to collect some more money before she can give her daughter a safer life on the West Coast like she has dreamed about.
John and Wanda's separate worlds collide and bring them together for one simple goal: to get money they both need to get what they want. Can a straight arrow guy who grew up believing everything is either black or white, walk the fine gray line that is Wanda's world? Will Wanda's drug-lord boss foil their plans and seek revenge for working his turf? Can John and Wanda walk away after they secure the money they need? These questions and so much more await you in Shades of Gray!
Shades of Gray is a fast-paced, suspense thriller that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat! This story is so intriguing, I couldn't put the book down, I had to know what was going to happen next. The storyline is well written and so realistic, this could happen in any neighborhood, in any town USA. The characters were well developed, their individual stories and how their lives became intertwined added so much more depth to the overall story. This story took me on an emotional roller coaster ride, there was enough intrigue, suspense and even a bit of heartache, that left me spent at the end of the story! The story has so much to offer, it begs the reader to ponder what they would do if they found themselves in either John or Wanda's situation. The choices made are not always the right ones, but then again, life isn't just black and white ... there are always Shades of Gray in the mix. Kudos to Mr. Holloman on his first novel, this was a wonderful book that will leave suspense fans satisfied, and I look forward to reading more of his books!
Disclaimer: At the request of the author and Virtual Book Tour Cafe, an Adobe PDF version of this book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review and participation in the virtual book tour event.
Virtual Book Tour Event: On Friday, January 20, 2012, in association with Virtual Book Tour Cafe, Andy Holloman participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
John Manning is a single parent to a six year-old daughter named Lucy. Life has had its ups and downs for John, but Lucy is his whole life. John owns a travel agency in Raleigh, NC, and since the 9/11 event, the travel industry has taken a major hit, money is not coming in and bills are piling up. To add to the stress of a failing business, John's daughter Lucy is diagnosed with a rare life threatening condition, Juvenile Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), and will need a kidney transplant. He doesn't care what the cost is, he wants the best medical attention for his little girl, the only problem is that due to non-payment, his company's group health insurance policy was cancelled. John submits the payment and the coverage is reinstated, but a change has been made to the major medical coverage, his daughter's medical condition will not be covered by the insurance company, and the kidney transplant will cost several hundred thousand dollars. What does he do now to cover the cost, he can't lose his little girl!
Wanda Johnson is also a single parent to a six-year-old daughter named Tonya. Just like John, Wanda has also had some ups and downs in her life, and the 9/11 event has caused her business to take a major hit as well. Wanda is a drug dealer, and the heightened security at the airports have all but ceased the drug operation that she belongs to in Durham, NC. She had been thinking about getting out of the drug business anyway, but she still needs to collect some more money before she can give her daughter a safer life on the West Coast like she has dreamed about.
John and Wanda's separate worlds collide and bring them together for one simple goal: to get money they both need to get what they want. Can a straight arrow guy who grew up believing everything is either black or white, walk the fine gray line that is Wanda's world? Will Wanda's drug-lord boss foil their plans and seek revenge for working his turf? Can John and Wanda walk away after they secure the money they need? These questions and so much more await you in Shades of Gray!
Shades of Gray is a fast-paced, suspense thriller that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat! This story is so intriguing, I couldn't put the book down, I had to know what was going to happen next. The storyline is well written and so realistic, this could happen in any neighborhood, in any town USA. The characters were well developed, their individual stories and how their lives became intertwined added so much more depth to the overall story. This story took me on an emotional roller coaster ride, there was enough intrigue, suspense and even a bit of heartache, that left me spent at the end of the story! The story has so much to offer, it begs the reader to ponder what they would do if they found themselves in either John or Wanda's situation. The choices made are not always the right ones, but then again, life isn't just black and white ... there are always Shades of Gray in the mix. Kudos to Mr. Holloman on his first novel, this was a wonderful book that will leave suspense fans satisfied, and I look forward to reading more of his books!
Disclaimer: At the request of the author and Virtual Book Tour Cafe, an Adobe PDF version of this book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review and participation in the virtual book tour event.
Virtual Book Tour Event: On Friday, January 20, 2012, in association with Virtual Book Tour Cafe, Andy Holloman participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
May 10, 2012
John Manning is a devoted and loving single father who is compelled to make some difficult choices he could never have envisioned. Committed to his daughter and her well-being he is a man of deep moral conviction and sense of family. He is also committed to the success of his travel agency and when the economy takes a hit after the tragic events of Sept. 11th he desperately searches for a way to survive.
The character of John Manning is extremely well developed and relatable on all levels. He brings the story to life as his inner turmoil when facing his fears and the complexities in his life force him to make some extreme choices.
The cast of characters surrounding John are so multi-dimensional and realistic that I also felt their emotional upheaval throughout the book. The dialogue between the characters is fluid and believable which is a direct result of the fine writing in this book. The characters, as well as the moral struggles they face, are relevant and compelled me to examine my own decisions should I be faced with the same intense circumstances.
Shades Of Gray is a compelling story that will hold you captive as the drama and tension unfold. I recommend this book to all readers who want to be invested in a story that will lead you to a conclusion that is emotionally staggering.
The character of John Manning is extremely well developed and relatable on all levels. He brings the story to life as his inner turmoil when facing his fears and the complexities in his life force him to make some extreme choices.
The cast of characters surrounding John are so multi-dimensional and realistic that I also felt their emotional upheaval throughout the book. The dialogue between the characters is fluid and believable which is a direct result of the fine writing in this book. The characters, as well as the moral struggles they face, are relevant and compelled me to examine my own decisions should I be faced with the same intense circumstances.
Shades Of Gray is a compelling story that will hold you captive as the drama and tension unfold. I recommend this book to all readers who want to be invested in a story that will lead you to a conclusion that is emotionally staggering.
December 23, 2011
In the first chapter you are introduced to John and his daughter Lucy and then suddenly a car accident happens and the reader is quickly taken back in time. From the beginning I was intrigued as to how John and Lucy end up in a car with brakes that are not working.
Set in a city that is close to my heart for many reasons, I love reading books that are set in North Carolina, but to read about the behind the scenes of the drug scene was eye-opening and appalling. As the reader you start rooting for a drug dealer, I know its crazy, but it happens because you know that the money they make is needed for a family need (can't diverge, must read!) There are a few story lines going on and they all come together at the end where the reader becomes finally informed of all the details and you can't believe how all it all fits together.
Suspenseful and sad all at the same time which made for a great read for a reader who wants to be surprised with each turn of the page. I recommend this book to the reader who is looking for a read that can keep them guessing until the end.
Set in a city that is close to my heart for many reasons, I love reading books that are set in North Carolina, but to read about the behind the scenes of the drug scene was eye-opening and appalling. As the reader you start rooting for a drug dealer, I know its crazy, but it happens because you know that the money they make is needed for a family need (can't diverge, must read!) There are a few story lines going on and they all come together at the end where the reader becomes finally informed of all the details and you can't believe how all it all fits together.
Suspenseful and sad all at the same time which made for a great read for a reader who wants to be surprised with each turn of the page. I recommend this book to the reader who is looking for a read that can keep them guessing until the end.
September 10, 2012
The title, Shades of Gray, was never more appropriate to a story as it is in Holloman’s tale of good versus evil, which shows how good people can get caught crossing a line that becomes blurred by crisis. Holloman grabs the reader right from the beginning with action but the humanness of his characters is what keeps you turning the page.
Having once been the owner of a travel agency, I related to the seamless way he wove in the workings of the agency and its relevance to the story.
I found it difficult to assign a genre to this story. It is a page turner, and it has some very suspenseful moments, but it’s also thought provoking like a good southern-lit novel. If you enjoy somewhat dark suspense novels that hit a chord of realism, you should definitely add Shades of Gray to your elibrary.
Having once been the owner of a travel agency, I related to the seamless way he wove in the workings of the agency and its relevance to the story.
I found it difficult to assign a genre to this story. It is a page turner, and it has some very suspenseful moments, but it’s also thought provoking like a good southern-lit novel. If you enjoy somewhat dark suspense novels that hit a chord of realism, you should definitely add Shades of Gray to your elibrary.
June 23, 2012
Shades of Gray by Andy Holloman
The story takes us on the journey of John Manning, devoted Father, coping with the realities of life and finding himself in the unpredictable world of drugs. Drawing on his own background, Andy delivers a thoughtful and at times heartbreaking thriller.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. I gave it five stars and I don't give out that rating lightly. You won't be disappointed!
The plot is easy to follow, and moves along at the perfect pace. This book made me think, laugh and even cry. If you only ever read one more book, make sure it's this one!
A movie in the making.....what's next for Andy Holloman?
The story takes us on the journey of John Manning, devoted Father, coping with the realities of life and finding himself in the unpredictable world of drugs. Drawing on his own background, Andy delivers a thoughtful and at times heartbreaking thriller.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. I gave it five stars and I don't give out that rating lightly. You won't be disappointed!
The plot is easy to follow, and moves along at the perfect pace. This book made me think, laugh and even cry. If you only ever read one more book, make sure it's this one!
A movie in the making.....what's next for Andy Holloman?
July 29, 2012
White business owner John, forms an unlikely partnership with black drug dealer, Wanda. The only thing they have in common are their six-year-old daughters, and a need for extra cash.
John's brother, Travis is a crooked cop, but dotes on John's little girl, Lucy.
The dangerous liaisons in this character-driven story can only lead to one conclusion--death.
This book is fast paced and well written. The author managed to make the characters human, and made me care what happened to them with a very imaginative but totally possible plot.
John's brother, Travis is a crooked cop, but dotes on John's little girl, Lucy.
The dangerous liaisons in this character-driven story can only lead to one conclusion--death.
This book is fast paced and well written. The author managed to make the characters human, and made me care what happened to them with a very imaginative but totally possible plot.
December 13, 2011
The novel starts towards the ending and then delves back into the events that led up to the scene of a car crash.
John Manning has had an accident, his young daughter Lucy's soft cries heard to his fast-fading consciousness. The scene is now set to deliver the proverbial path chosen; the one of good intentions and rightful reasonings.
Reading the subtext of the many and varied scenes, the reader will find that choices made against better judgement can only end differently than planned.
John Manning has had an accident, his young daughter Lucy's soft cries heard to his fast-fading consciousness. The scene is now set to deliver the proverbial path chosen; the one of good intentions and rightful reasonings.
Reading the subtext of the many and varied scenes, the reader will find that choices made against better judgement can only end differently than planned.
May 15, 2012
While I enjoyed the plot, I did not enjoy the read. I question giving away the climax at the beginning of the book, leaving the anti-climax all I had to look forward to. I also found there to be a lot of dialogue, which was often difficult to follow. I had to work back several times to make out who was doing the talking. I hope the author continues to write and takes this criticism as it is offered, constructively. I will read his next offering when it comes out.
June 21, 2012
Creepy, wonderful. Loved the book. Loved the writing. Hated that the first chapter was the book's own spoiler. If only this author had stayed chronological, I would have thought it was suspenseful, intriguing. Instead, giving us the ending at the beginning, it was merely a slow dribbling descent to an area we had already visited. A bit more fleshing out of secondary characters would have been nice, as well.
February 27, 2012
It took me some pages to get into the story but I finally did. It’s easy to read and has a surprising twist. I have to admit I was expecting drama but not this kind.
I don’t want to say much about the plot because I don’t want to spoil it to anyone.
Title did not make sense but once you’ve finished the book, it does.
I don’t want to say much about the plot because I don’t want to spoil it to anyone.
Title did not make sense but once you’ve finished the book, it does.
March 4, 2012
I loved reading the book SHADES OF GREY.
It's like seeing the story in your mind.
Everything that happent's in the book it feels like joyning the characters.So awesome.
And the beginning and the end are so WOW very touching
you never expact it to end it like that .Love it.
Shades of grey Is a book that I would recomment to everyone.
ANDY HOLLOMAN is a great AUTOR
It's like seeing the story in your mind.
Everything that happent's in the book it feels like joyning the characters.So awesome.
And the beginning and the end are so WOW very touching
you never expact it to end it like that .Love it.
Shades of grey Is a book that I would recomment to everyone.
ANDY HOLLOMAN is a great AUTOR
January 9, 2014
In theory this story should have been exciting, and the very ending wasn't too bad and I was able to get into it, but for most of the story I found the writing to be pretty flat. I did like the father/daughter relationship between John & Lucy.
August 4, 2012
People said they were reading Shades of Gray but this is not the one they were reading. I'm thinking this was better. Suspenseful and entertaining ...
September 28, 2014
TexasGyrl
Great read. It was really hard to put this book down even after the first chapter. It's one I'll never forget.
Great read. It was really hard to put this book down even after the first chapter. It's one I'll never forget.
April 26, 2015
The writing was good. I read the entire book but the end just devastated me. It was so emotional. It really isn't a book I'd normally read.
April 12, 2013
Lots of unexpected turns, so kept you reading.
August 13, 2013
l loved it
it was different and very easy to read.
it was different and very easy to read.
August 2, 2012
Ahoy Fellow Fathomers! Today in The Locker I introduce to you the latest book I read, Shades of Gray by Andy Holloman. Goodreads Andy Holloman(not to be confused with the other Grey book floating around out there)
After I read Andy Holloman’s Shades of Gray, I realized the feeling I had at the conclusion of the book reminded me of a long ago time in a high school class. A teacher proposed the Heinz Dilemma to us, in hopes of a spirited debate. If you are unfamiliar with the Heinz Dilemma, I’ll digress away from my review for a moment. Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of six stages of moral development is a modification and expansion of Jean Piaget’s simpler two stage theory. Kohlberg used the “Heinz Dilemma” short parable- if you will- as a way to explain each of his six theorized stages.
Heinz Steals the Drug
“In Europe, a woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was one drug that the doctors thought might save her. It was a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The drug was expensive to make, but the druggist was charging ten times what the drug cost him to make. He paid $200 for the radium and charged $2,000 for a small dose of the drug.
The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he could only get together about $ 1,000 which is half of what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said: "No, I discovered the drug and I'm going to make money from it." So Heinz got desperate and broke into the man's store to steal the drug-for his wife. Should the husband have done that?" (Kohlberg, 1963).…"
Kohlberg was not as interested in the answer as he was the reasoning each participant in the discussion gave following the story. At the time my teacher presented this exercise to my blossoming mind, this particular dilemma challenged my hyper-sensitive, small town morality and made me think twice about the concrete beliefs of right and wrong. Most situations in life are not black and white, but rather, shades of gray….hence how I tied the book to this psychological theory. Please, I encourage you to read more about he six stages, if this subject intrigues you. I personally find it fully fascinating and engaging. Kohlberg's Moral Dilemma and the Six Stages
Now, back to the review~Holloman pens a creative, heart-wrenching tale of a father forced to do the unthinkable in order to help his sick child, Lucy. This page turner raptly held my attention until the very end. The story shifts from a terrible auto accident, back to the details leading up to said accident. The introduction to the main protagonist, John, is thorough and sets up the pivotal relationship he has with his younger half-brother, Travis, - also a major character.
The author weaves the plotline together very well and introduces each player, explaining their role in the story. Holloman describes the geographic areas used in the story and inside details of the travel industry to further give the tale plausibility. Some of the specifics are so methodically explained- it made me wonder if Mr. Holloman has the inside on conducting illegal activity. (Just kidding, Andy~ smile.) As I read each page, I wondered how far I would challenge my own morality- for the sake of the "right" reasons.
As well as Holloman pens this manuscript, I did find some slight mistakes. A couple of which are more my personal preferences than may be largely held opinions. There is a name discrepancy with one very minor character, and a few grammatical errors which I chalked up to editing slips. Unfortunately, this occurs from time to time, and even in NY Times best-sellers I’ve read.
To me, it felt like Holloman rushed the last third of the book. Although he eventually covered the answers well enough, I would have liked to read the story unfold, and not “be told” what occurred to get from point a to b, c, and d, etc. He definitely possesses the talent as a creative tale-weaver, and I would have liked more of the particulars to develop as I read.
Toward the end, in one scene, Travis spends time with his niece, Lucy, and overuse of the endearment, “darling”, pushed me to the point I skipped through most of their few pages of interchange. I believe the continued use of “darling” is to emphasize Travis’s love for Lucy. However, Holloman explained it very well throughout and he really did not need to overstate it by a repetitive word usage.
Shades of Gray ends with hopefulness for John’s future, but, not in the way I expected. It is not a black and white happy ending- once again, shades of gray- and I felt sadness for John when I turned the final page. This book is light enough to be considered entertainment, yet, also compelled me to wince at times in anger, disappointment, and sorrow-all good indicators of successful fiction.
Considering everything, I give Shades of Gray Purchase Link four stars and I look forward to more books by Andy Holloman. If you want suspense, intrigue, and creativity, I believe you will enjoy his inaugural book.
After I read Andy Holloman’s Shades of Gray, I realized the feeling I had at the conclusion of the book reminded me of a long ago time in a high school class. A teacher proposed the Heinz Dilemma to us, in hopes of a spirited debate. If you are unfamiliar with the Heinz Dilemma, I’ll digress away from my review for a moment. Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of six stages of moral development is a modification and expansion of Jean Piaget’s simpler two stage theory. Kohlberg used the “Heinz Dilemma” short parable- if you will- as a way to explain each of his six theorized stages.
Heinz Steals the Drug
“In Europe, a woman was near death from a special kind of cancer. There was one drug that the doctors thought might save her. It was a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The drug was expensive to make, but the druggist was charging ten times what the drug cost him to make. He paid $200 for the radium and charged $2,000 for a small dose of the drug.
The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he could only get together about $ 1,000 which is half of what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said: "No, I discovered the drug and I'm going to make money from it." So Heinz got desperate and broke into the man's store to steal the drug-for his wife. Should the husband have done that?" (Kohlberg, 1963).…"
Kohlberg was not as interested in the answer as he was the reasoning each participant in the discussion gave following the story. At the time my teacher presented this exercise to my blossoming mind, this particular dilemma challenged my hyper-sensitive, small town morality and made me think twice about the concrete beliefs of right and wrong. Most situations in life are not black and white, but rather, shades of gray….hence how I tied the book to this psychological theory. Please, I encourage you to read more about he six stages, if this subject intrigues you. I personally find it fully fascinating and engaging. Kohlberg's Moral Dilemma and the Six Stages
Now, back to the review~Holloman pens a creative, heart-wrenching tale of a father forced to do the unthinkable in order to help his sick child, Lucy. This page turner raptly held my attention until the very end. The story shifts from a terrible auto accident, back to the details leading up to said accident. The introduction to the main protagonist, John, is thorough and sets up the pivotal relationship he has with his younger half-brother, Travis, - also a major character.
The author weaves the plotline together very well and introduces each player, explaining their role in the story. Holloman describes the geographic areas used in the story and inside details of the travel industry to further give the tale plausibility. Some of the specifics are so methodically explained- it made me wonder if Mr. Holloman has the inside on conducting illegal activity. (Just kidding, Andy~ smile.) As I read each page, I wondered how far I would challenge my own morality- for the sake of the "right" reasons.
As well as Holloman pens this manuscript, I did find some slight mistakes. A couple of which are more my personal preferences than may be largely held opinions. There is a name discrepancy with one very minor character, and a few grammatical errors which I chalked up to editing slips. Unfortunately, this occurs from time to time, and even in NY Times best-sellers I’ve read.
To me, it felt like Holloman rushed the last third of the book. Although he eventually covered the answers well enough, I would have liked to read the story unfold, and not “be told” what occurred to get from point a to b, c, and d, etc. He definitely possesses the talent as a creative tale-weaver, and I would have liked more of the particulars to develop as I read.
Toward the end, in one scene, Travis spends time with his niece, Lucy, and overuse of the endearment, “darling”, pushed me to the point I skipped through most of their few pages of interchange. I believe the continued use of “darling” is to emphasize Travis’s love for Lucy. However, Holloman explained it very well throughout and he really did not need to overstate it by a repetitive word usage.
Shades of Gray ends with hopefulness for John’s future, but, not in the way I expected. It is not a black and white happy ending- once again, shades of gray- and I felt sadness for John when I turned the final page. This book is light enough to be considered entertainment, yet, also compelled me to wince at times in anger, disappointment, and sorrow-all good indicators of successful fiction.
Considering everything, I give Shades of Gray Purchase Link four stars and I look forward to more books by Andy Holloman. If you want suspense, intrigue, and creativity, I believe you will enjoy his inaugural book.
January 18, 2012
John Manning is a single parent who finds out that his daughter, Lucy, needs a transplant which will be very costly. After the 9/11 attack his travel agency loses customers making it difficult for John to handle Lucy’s treatment. Through his own agency he meets Wanda and her daughter Tonya which leads to John’s involvement with drug dealing.
Shades of Gray is told from the point of view of more than one character and it’s amazing how their stories come together. John is a man with a good, clear heart. I love reading romance novels but all the male characters are the same: lean and somewhat ruthless. So I loved that John had gained some weight and how he attempts to date again after his wife left him and their daughter. John loves his daughter and is a great father. He has a brother, Travis, who seems like a good person but with some prejudice towards people of color. With issues with his weight, an agency that isn’t doing too well and a daughter who needs a transplant, John is struggling to solve his problems. He finally does the only thing that seems the like the solution, he decides to work with Wanda in selling drugs. Wanda has been living riskily traveling around the country transporting and selling drugs. She has a daughter that she loves and a working relationship with Jamel Scott who is in charge of all the drugs and money. Through these points of view we learn how ordinary people, especially a man with a good heart and always a supporter of the good side, become involved with illegal activity.
The story is wonderfully written with short, clear, and easy to understand sentences. I couldn’t stop reading it and would have finished much sooner if my classes hadn’t started last week. The topics of 9/11, financial and health troubles, and love are something that everyone can relate to. Readers will easily love the character of John and continuously wonder how everything turns out for him after his decision of doing something that we would not expect him to do. I am a great believer of what goes around comes around and I felt that that was a major component in the story. Therefore, the ending to me was not entirely cheerful, yet it left a sense of completeness and the feeling that some good was done. Very nicely done! I loved the story and I think that it successfully delivers very important messages and teaches lessons that could save us from so much pain and heartache. Shades of Gray is definitely worth reading and one that I would recommend to others.
Received free through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you!
Shades of Gray is told from the point of view of more than one character and it’s amazing how their stories come together. John is a man with a good, clear heart. I love reading romance novels but all the male characters are the same: lean and somewhat ruthless. So I loved that John had gained some weight and how he attempts to date again after his wife left him and their daughter. John loves his daughter and is a great father. He has a brother, Travis, who seems like a good person but with some prejudice towards people of color. With issues with his weight, an agency that isn’t doing too well and a daughter who needs a transplant, John is struggling to solve his problems. He finally does the only thing that seems the like the solution, he decides to work with Wanda in selling drugs. Wanda has been living riskily traveling around the country transporting and selling drugs. She has a daughter that she loves and a working relationship with Jamel Scott who is in charge of all the drugs and money. Through these points of view we learn how ordinary people, especially a man with a good heart and always a supporter of the good side, become involved with illegal activity.
The story is wonderfully written with short, clear, and easy to understand sentences. I couldn’t stop reading it and would have finished much sooner if my classes hadn’t started last week. The topics of 9/11, financial and health troubles, and love are something that everyone can relate to. Readers will easily love the character of John and continuously wonder how everything turns out for him after his decision of doing something that we would not expect him to do. I am a great believer of what goes around comes around and I felt that that was a major component in the story. Therefore, the ending to me was not entirely cheerful, yet it left a sense of completeness and the feeling that some good was done. Very nicely done! I loved the story and I think that it successfully delivers very important messages and teaches lessons that could save us from so much pain and heartache. Shades of Gray is definitely worth reading and one that I would recommend to others.
Received free through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you!
February 3, 2013
This is the type of story that I like, even if a person lives its entire life in a world of black and white, one small step towards light gray turns into a leap that ends up in dark gray. In his first novel Shades of Gray, Andy Holloman takes us into the lives of John, Wanda and Travis whose decisions take them little by little into situations where there is no way out.
The story begins in March 2002, when we are introduced to John and his 6 year-old daughter Lucy. The relationship between them is a loving one. As the two talk we learn that Lucy's mom is no longer in the picture and we are introduced to Wanda and her daughter Tonya.
Wanda is African-American and this fact leads to the topic of Uncle Travis, John's half-brother. Travis is a police officer with racist tendencies and a temper. John and Lucy spend a pleasent time at Chuck E Cheeses, when its time to go and they're on the road, something happens to the car and they crash.
The car crash scene is very hard to read, so real and haunting. Even writing about it is hard, you'll just have to read it.
All of the above happens in Chapter One! There are so many questions once the chapter ends. What happened to John and Lucy? What happened to the car? Was it accident or sabotage? Is there something going on between Wanda and John? I became engrossed in the story and devoured it in days!
The next chapter takes us back to 1975, where we have a sneak peak in the lives of young John, Wanda and Travis. Certain events in this period of their lives will forge the adults they will become. Then we fast-forward to July 2001 when the events that lead to the car crash began.
The characters are very believable, flawed and human. For example, Travis, he may be racist, a bad cop and temperamental, but he truly loves his family. Would he have turned out differently if his upbringing was different? In his current actions, we see his father's teachings. So maybe he really is not a bad person, only misguided? Or is that his true nature? Nothing is black or white, there are many Shades of Gray.
The scenes are very well researched and described. The plot mainly deals with drug trafficking, not only the illegal nature of it, but with the morals behind it. In a post 9-11 world, even drug traffickers and dealers need to be more creative if they are to keep in business.
The worst part once all is said and done is hindsight. What if they did this? What would have happened if they said that? What if...? What if...? But by then it's too late.
Magnificent first novel by Andy Holloman, I truly hope to see more from him!
The story begins in March 2002, when we are introduced to John and his 6 year-old daughter Lucy. The relationship between them is a loving one. As the two talk we learn that Lucy's mom is no longer in the picture and we are introduced to Wanda and her daughter Tonya.
Wanda is African-American and this fact leads to the topic of Uncle Travis, John's half-brother. Travis is a police officer with racist tendencies and a temper. John and Lucy spend a pleasent time at Chuck E Cheeses, when its time to go and they're on the road, something happens to the car and they crash.
The car crash scene is very hard to read, so real and haunting. Even writing about it is hard, you'll just have to read it.
All of the above happens in Chapter One! There are so many questions once the chapter ends. What happened to John and Lucy? What happened to the car? Was it accident or sabotage? Is there something going on between Wanda and John? I became engrossed in the story and devoured it in days!
The next chapter takes us back to 1975, where we have a sneak peak in the lives of young John, Wanda and Travis. Certain events in this period of their lives will forge the adults they will become. Then we fast-forward to July 2001 when the events that lead to the car crash began.
The characters are very believable, flawed and human. For example, Travis, he may be racist, a bad cop and temperamental, but he truly loves his family. Would he have turned out differently if his upbringing was different? In his current actions, we see his father's teachings. So maybe he really is not a bad person, only misguided? Or is that his true nature? Nothing is black or white, there are many Shades of Gray.
The scenes are very well researched and described. The plot mainly deals with drug trafficking, not only the illegal nature of it, but with the morals behind it. In a post 9-11 world, even drug traffickers and dealers need to be more creative if they are to keep in business.
The worst part once all is said and done is hindsight. What if they did this? What would have happened if they said that? What if...? What if...? But by then it's too late.
Magnificent first novel by Andy Holloman, I truly hope to see more from him!
January 22, 2013
The review was originally posted at Library Cat book blog.
When I started reading this book, at first I thought that was just one of those “Fifty Shades of Gray” books. The ones very similar to the very famous trilogy. Nothing prepared me for the emotional and thrilling story that followed. I can’t believe that it’s a debut novel.
It all started in March, 2002. A father and a daughter. A man who loves his daughter more than anything in the world. The girl’s mother has abandoned them, and the little one is in the search of Mom. Six-years-old Lucy is so lovely little girl, you must love her. The father has a friend, a woman, Wanda, with a daughter same age as his Lucy. One day they switched the cars, he took hers. John and Lucy had a car accident.
The whole story started years earlier. When his precious one was discovered terrible disease. And he couldn’t afford the therapy. His traveling business suffered because of 9/11. John was desperate.
Wanda earned her money smuggling drugs. Together with her boyfriend and her daughter, they traveled across the country hiding the drugs in her fake pregnant stomach.
Wanda owned John money. A lot of money. She was smuggling drugs on her trips. John discovered. So he made a plan. To save Lucy.
What would you do to save your child’s life? Would you break all your principles to save the one person that is most important to you?
Reading and reading I was hooked on the story. On one side, there is the love for the child, on the other, there is morality and there are principles. What comes first? There is no good or bad person in this story. John is a father who has principles, but when it comes to his daughter, smuggling drugs is not a problem at all. Wanda is smuggling drugs all her life, but when it comes to her daughter, she would confront the devil himself. Travis , John’s brother, is a dirty cop raised by a father racist. But, he loves his brother and niece more than anything in the world. There is no black and white world, there are many shades of gray between.
I really enjoyed reading this story, full of twists and turnovers. And nothing prepared me for the remarkable ending. Excellent story for a debut author.
When I started reading this book, at first I thought that was just one of those “Fifty Shades of Gray” books. The ones very similar to the very famous trilogy. Nothing prepared me for the emotional and thrilling story that followed. I can’t believe that it’s a debut novel.
It all started in March, 2002. A father and a daughter. A man who loves his daughter more than anything in the world. The girl’s mother has abandoned them, and the little one is in the search of Mom. Six-years-old Lucy is so lovely little girl, you must love her. The father has a friend, a woman, Wanda, with a daughter same age as his Lucy. One day they switched the cars, he took hers. John and Lucy had a car accident.
The whole story started years earlier. When his precious one was discovered terrible disease. And he couldn’t afford the therapy. His traveling business suffered because of 9/11. John was desperate.
Wanda earned her money smuggling drugs. Together with her boyfriend and her daughter, they traveled across the country hiding the drugs in her fake pregnant stomach.
Wanda owned John money. A lot of money. She was smuggling drugs on her trips. John discovered. So he made a plan. To save Lucy.
What would you do to save your child’s life? Would you break all your principles to save the one person that is most important to you?
Reading and reading I was hooked on the story. On one side, there is the love for the child, on the other, there is morality and there are principles. What comes first? There is no good or bad person in this story. John is a father who has principles, but when it comes to his daughter, smuggling drugs is not a problem at all. Wanda is smuggling drugs all her life, but when it comes to her daughter, she would confront the devil himself. Travis , John’s brother, is a dirty cop raised by a father racist. But, he loves his brother and niece more than anything in the world. There is no black and white world, there are many shades of gray between.
I really enjoyed reading this story, full of twists and turnovers. And nothing prepared me for the remarkable ending. Excellent story for a debut author.
March 29, 2013
A richly expansive adventure story:
This is a detailed and evenly-paced story that shows how desperation and urgency can lead a man to dark deeds. Highly detailed and precise in narrative delivery, we see a man on the precipice of despair willing to risk everything … and paying the worst possible price for crossing the line.
A devoted father, John, finds himself in extreme financial difficulty. With his business failing and his precious daughter in need of expensive medical care, John becomes involved in a drug smuggling operation with Wanda, a rough diamond who herself is trying also to look after her child in difficult circumstances. The events of 9/11 have stunted the trafficking of drugs, leaving Wanda struggling to provide for herself and child. The events of 9/11 have also left John’s travel agency business in dire straits, leaving him in the same predicament with his own daughter.
Already ‘partnered’ in a fashion with the sadistic Jamel, Wanda makes a hesitant working-relationship with John to bring drugs into the country and earn the money they both need. An uncommon relationship is formed, in which they both use their particular skills to make the business arrangement profitable.
John is driven by desperation, and reluctantly agrees to the complex plans he and Wanda form. But everything they do must be kept secret from Jamel, Wanda’s former business partner, if they are both to succeed – and stay in one piece!
This is a novel that gives us a vivid insight into the sordid operation of drug-trafficking… a novel which has either been well-researched or simply the product of a vivid imagination… and much kudos to the author for making me wonder which. It’s also a story of heartbreak, struggle, and how far a parent will go to protect its child.
I thoroughly enjoyed the gradual unveiling of this adventure, the tense particulars of each step of John and Wanda’s planning, and the shocks and twists which illuminate the plot line. This story sucks you into a seedy world, complete with its inherent dangers, and above all the frightening consequences. The most innocuous events early on in the book are tied up with a slamming twist at the end, in which the cruellest ironies are revealed. Recommended read.
This is a detailed and evenly-paced story that shows how desperation and urgency can lead a man to dark deeds. Highly detailed and precise in narrative delivery, we see a man on the precipice of despair willing to risk everything … and paying the worst possible price for crossing the line.
A devoted father, John, finds himself in extreme financial difficulty. With his business failing and his precious daughter in need of expensive medical care, John becomes involved in a drug smuggling operation with Wanda, a rough diamond who herself is trying also to look after her child in difficult circumstances. The events of 9/11 have stunted the trafficking of drugs, leaving Wanda struggling to provide for herself and child. The events of 9/11 have also left John’s travel agency business in dire straits, leaving him in the same predicament with his own daughter.
Already ‘partnered’ in a fashion with the sadistic Jamel, Wanda makes a hesitant working-relationship with John to bring drugs into the country and earn the money they both need. An uncommon relationship is formed, in which they both use their particular skills to make the business arrangement profitable.
John is driven by desperation, and reluctantly agrees to the complex plans he and Wanda form. But everything they do must be kept secret from Jamel, Wanda’s former business partner, if they are both to succeed – and stay in one piece!
This is a novel that gives us a vivid insight into the sordid operation of drug-trafficking… a novel which has either been well-researched or simply the product of a vivid imagination… and much kudos to the author for making me wonder which. It’s also a story of heartbreak, struggle, and how far a parent will go to protect its child.
I thoroughly enjoyed the gradual unveiling of this adventure, the tense particulars of each step of John and Wanda’s planning, and the shocks and twists which illuminate the plot line. This story sucks you into a seedy world, complete with its inherent dangers, and above all the frightening consequences. The most innocuous events early on in the book are tied up with a slamming twist at the end, in which the cruellest ironies are revealed. Recommended read.
June 14, 2012
You might think I'm talking about the more famous 50 Shades of Gray in this review, but you would be wrong. Andy Holloman's book is a psychological thriller that probes the world of drug dealers, police detectives, and struggling single-parent families, and how all these might cross paths in a small city in America.
I was surprised I ended up liking the characters as much as I did in a story as rough as this. The only characters in the book who are truly innocent are the two 6-year-old girls who become friends, Tonya and Lucy. But I guess we are fascinated by people's weaknesses as much as anything else, and they are sure on display in the cast of adults in Shades of Gray.
There is a recurring theme of lying in this book that got under my skin. It goes without saying that criminals lie to the police, but in this story the police also get caught lying. As do the lawyers. Even the good characters lie to each other constantly. Here is the hero, John, explaining away another character's lying: "She said she lied about her divorce because it was the first thing that popped into her head." When John says this, it's not clear if he's telling the whole truth; we've already witnessed him lying numerous times.
The pervasiveness of the lying in Shades of Gray made me think about how people lie to protect each others' feelings, to protect themselves, to avoid incriminating themselves, and all sorts of other reasons. This book is a fascinating study of the disastrous consequences of dishonesty.
Those are just some thoughts I had after finishing the book. While reading it, I was totally caught up in it and had to know what was going to happen next. I was totally surprised by the ending, and then I realized it was the perfect ending. Read this book. I'm guessing it's probably one of the best books you'll read this summer.
I was surprised I ended up liking the characters as much as I did in a story as rough as this. The only characters in the book who are truly innocent are the two 6-year-old girls who become friends, Tonya and Lucy. But I guess we are fascinated by people's weaknesses as much as anything else, and they are sure on display in the cast of adults in Shades of Gray.
There is a recurring theme of lying in this book that got under my skin. It goes without saying that criminals lie to the police, but in this story the police also get caught lying. As do the lawyers. Even the good characters lie to each other constantly. Here is the hero, John, explaining away another character's lying: "She said she lied about her divorce because it was the first thing that popped into her head." When John says this, it's not clear if he's telling the whole truth; we've already witnessed him lying numerous times.
The pervasiveness of the lying in Shades of Gray made me think about how people lie to protect each others' feelings, to protect themselves, to avoid incriminating themselves, and all sorts of other reasons. This book is a fascinating study of the disastrous consequences of dishonesty.
Those are just some thoughts I had after finishing the book. While reading it, I was totally caught up in it and had to know what was going to happen next. I was totally surprised by the ending, and then I realized it was the perfect ending. Read this book. I'm guessing it's probably one of the best books you'll read this summer.
August 29, 2016
This was a slow-burner…I mean that in a good way, however. It ambled along at a steady pace, all the while holding my attention until the wow-I-never-expected-that ending, despite it linking back to the teasing prologue.
John’s travel business takes a nosedive after 9/ll when no one wants to get on a plane. He needs to stay afloat, and when his daughter, Lucy, his beautiful daughter, the light of his life, his sole reason for living, becomes ill with a life-threatening condition, he needs money for her treatment. Time to start calling in money owed to him and his business, in particular a substantial amount by Wanda Johnson, whose income is ‘earned’…let’s say rather dodgily. She convinces John that if they partnered up, she’d be able to pay him back and he’d have enough to take care of his daughter. A decent law-abiding man has a difficult decision to make. But without a viable business and therefore no income, he has no hope of helping Lucy. Desperate times call for desperate measures…
I enjoyed this despite a) the rather stilted dialogue—it lacked ease and naturalness…it was almost as if the characters were reading from a script and b) untidy editing. But the diversity of the two main characters was intriguing: it was hard to imagine how two people from very different backgrounds, with very different histories, were going to work. But they did…albeit dangerously.
I gather this is the author’s debut novel…started in 2003 and then shelved in 2006, before resurrecting it in 2011. A book with a rather ragged writing history which might have interrupted the flow somewhat, but a worthwhile read nonetheless.
John’s travel business takes a nosedive after 9/ll when no one wants to get on a plane. He needs to stay afloat, and when his daughter, Lucy, his beautiful daughter, the light of his life, his sole reason for living, becomes ill with a life-threatening condition, he needs money for her treatment. Time to start calling in money owed to him and his business, in particular a substantial amount by Wanda Johnson, whose income is ‘earned’…let’s say rather dodgily. She convinces John that if they partnered up, she’d be able to pay him back and he’d have enough to take care of his daughter. A decent law-abiding man has a difficult decision to make. But without a viable business and therefore no income, he has no hope of helping Lucy. Desperate times call for desperate measures…
I enjoyed this despite a) the rather stilted dialogue—it lacked ease and naturalness…it was almost as if the characters were reading from a script and b) untidy editing. But the diversity of the two main characters was intriguing: it was hard to imagine how two people from very different backgrounds, with very different histories, were going to work. But they did…albeit dangerously.
I gather this is the author’s debut novel…started in 2003 and then shelved in 2006, before resurrecting it in 2011. A book with a rather ragged writing history which might have interrupted the flow somewhat, but a worthwhile read nonetheless.
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