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Liz's Reviews > The One-in-a-Million Boy
The One-in-a-Million Boy
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by
I crept out of bed at 3:30 a.m. this morning to finish this book and I must have read the last sentence ten times with my heart in my throat. Back in bed next to the open window, I heard the slow beginning and then the full morning chorus of birds as the darkness receded through the woods. It gave me goosebumps. I realize that may sound cryptic but when you read the book – and you must read this book - you’ll know just what I’m talking about. This story could not possibly have ended more powerfully.
Monica Wood’s writing is delightful and endearingly quirky but her characters are the star of the show. She has created this brilliant boy, his father, and their mutual friend Ona as shining human beings, each on their own journey toward self realization. Their story reflects on all the things that one person can be for another and how family is not always formed through blood or by marriage. It’s a story of sorrow, regret, penance and absolution. It’s a story about love.
I’m going to say what other reviewers have already said and that’s this: if you haven’t yet read the blurb on the inside flap of this book, don’t do it. Just open it up and meet Ona, Belle, Quinn and the boy, and witness their extraordinary gifts.
Monica Wood’s writing is delightful and endearingly quirky but her characters are the star of the show. She has created this brilliant boy, his father, and their mutual friend Ona as shining human beings, each on their own journey toward self realization. Their story reflects on all the things that one person can be for another and how family is not always formed through blood or by marriage. It’s a story of sorrow, regret, penance and absolution. It’s a story about love.
I’m going to say what other reviewers have already said and that’s this: if you haven’t yet read the blurb on the inside flap of this book, don’t do it. Just open it up and meet Ona, Belle, Quinn and the boy, and witness their extraordinary gifts.
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Reading Progress
April 14, 2016
– Shelved
April 14, 2016
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 23, 2016
–
Started Reading
May 27, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-44 of 44 (44 new)
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Perry wrote: "Liz, a beautiful review. Charming and sunny, like Tupelo honey.
I've put this book on my TBR list."
Well thank you Perry! I really hope you enjoy it -- I'll be on the lookout for your review when you read it.
If you're reading at 3:30 in the morning, which I'm going to guess is not your norm, then this had to be a special book. Actually, I can tell that without having to ask :). Gorgeous review. I was hoping it would be a good book. Can't wait to pick it up for myself.
Ron wrote: "If you're reading at 3:30 in the morning, which I'm going to guess is not your norm, then this had to be a special book. Actually, I can tell that without having to ask :). Gorgeous review. I was h..."Thank you so much Ron! I think you'll like. Now please read it sooooon! :-)
Sweet review/ guess your catching up on some zzzz's now!
Jen wrote: "Sweet review/ guess your catching up on some zzzz's now!"Thanks, Jen. Yes I have been paying for it all day (so tired) and will hit the hay early tonight! :-)
Great review, Liz. I'm not sure I've heard a better endorsement than getting up at 3:30am!
Kelli wrote: "Great review, Liz. I'm not sure I've heard a better endorsement than getting up at 3:30am!"Thanks, Kelli! Lol, well you know... sometimes you can't sleep and can't stop thinking about those certain characters. ;-)
So excited to read your 5 star review of this book as I just received my call from the library that it has come in!!
Liz, you write such amazing reviews! I just have to read it, blurb unseen. :-)
Marilyn wrote: "So excited to read your 5 star review of this book as I just received my call from the library that it has come in!!"Exciting! Hope you like it Marilyn. It's one of those that sticks with you.
Glenna wrote: "Liz, you write such amazing reviews! I just have to read it, blurb unseen. :-)"Wow, thank you for your kind words Glenna! :-)
Liz, I am so touched my this review of my book. Thank you. Monica Wood
Wonderful review Liz.
Suzanne wrote: "Wonderful review Liz."Thank you, Suzanne!
Wonderful review.. Just going to start it now.. I won't read the flap.. :)
I really enjoyed your review! Moving this up on my list!
Karen wrote: "Wonderful review.. Just going to start it now.. I won't read the flap.. :)"Nice! I hope you enjoy it! :-)
Cheri wrote: "I really enjoyed your review! Moving this up on my list!"Thank you Cheri!
Weird I know I already "liked" this review when I commented on it the first time. Grrr! Anyway, still trying to get this one.
Kelli wrote: "Weird I know I already "liked" this review when I commented on it the first time. Grrr! Anyway, still trying to get this one."Ah yes, that's happened to me. I've had whole comments disappear too. Anyway, I really look forward to your thoughts on this book. :-)
Liz, your review captured the very essence of this beloved book I stayed up all night and finished the book at dawn and just read your review. Thank you for capturing it all and
Linda wrote: "Liz, your review captured the very essence of this beloved book I stayed up all night and finished the book at dawn and just read your review. Thank you for capturing it all and"Linda, I am so glad that you loved the book like I did. Honestly, thinking about that ending can still bring tears to my eyes! This book will stay with you for a while. Thank you for your comment!
You've convinced meThere will be a discussion of this book on BookBrowse starting May 3. Here is the BookBrowse Link:
https://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/...
Not in my library so bought a used copy from Amazon.Looking forward to it.
Celia wrote: "Not in my library so bought a used copy from Amazon.Looking forward to it."
Wonderful Celia! I have actually been meaning to recommend this book to you in particular, but I just never got around to doing it so I am glad to see you have added it. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it. And thank you for the discussion link!
Liz wrote: "Celia wrote: "Not in my library so bought a used copy from Amazon.Looking forward to it."
Wonderful Celia! I have actually been meaning to recommend this book to you in particular, but I just nev..."
I will definitely try to read it before May 3
I also got the audible today. It is the Deal of the Day
Thinking about you as I start The One-in-a-Million Boy. Picture this: I am holding a hard back copy while I listen to the audible on my Kindle that i was able to get for $3.00. I just finished Chapter 2. I have tears in my eyes. Thank you Liz
Celia wrote: "Thinking about you as I start The One-in-a-Million Boy. Picture this: I am holding a hard back copy while I listen to the audible on my Kindle that i was able to get for $3.00. I just finished Chap..."That sounds awesome, Celia! Isn't is something? I am glad you are enjoying it so far.
Liz, great review! Definitely about gifts !
Angela M wrote: "Liz, great review! Definitely about gifts !"Thanks, Angela! I can still tear up a little when I think about this book, it was really something special.
Liz.... I had that 'in the dark' experience too at the end.... tomorrow is the evening of Rosh Hashanah.... and I couldn't but wonder -- was it an accident that I read this book 'now'? In the same way I started thinking about how people are thrown together in such unusual circumstances... there are powerful messages that come through which can be so unexpectedly healing. Your review is beautiful!!!!
Elyse wrote: "Liz.... I had that 'in the dark' experience too at the end.... tomorrow is the evening of Rosh Hashanah.... and I couldn't but wonder -- was it an accident that I read this book 'now'? In the same ..."Thank you, Elyse! I completely agree with you about those powerful messages that we get in some books... those books are the very best kind. Reading has healed me many times over. :-)
Weird but I find this comment after I just finished this book literally 5 minutes ago and Elyse talks about Rosh Hashanah which I celebrate also !Would love to know what you mean Elyse!!
The ending was a bit confusing and very powerful and I want to make sure I understand it a bit deeper !
Oh, I now know exactly what you're talking about, Liz!!! What a wonderful way to cap off a reading experience and a fabulous little review.As soon as that final chapter started I was reading it with one hand clenched around my mouth in shock and awe. I think my servers at my local watering hole were a little concerned over how distressed I looked. Maybe not the best choice to have read the end of this one out in public,...
As you say, the characters and Woods' writing are extraordinary. The very best kind of book indeed.
Mike wrote: "Oh, I now know exactly what you're talking about, Liz!!! What a wonderful way to cap off a reading experience and a fabulous little review.As soon as that final chapter started i was was reading ..."
Mike, I don't know how I missed this comment earlier -- I'm so sorry for not replying sooner. Makes me so happy so hear that ou were moved by this book as I was, and especially by the ending.... I swear it can still make me tear up a little just thinking about it. Cheers to sharing the best books with reading friends!
What a lovely review! I absolutely loved this book.
Kim wrote: "What a lovely review! I absolutely loved this book."Thank you, Kim! I still think about this book, and especially the ending. I recommend it to everyone! :-)
Here's a moment of serendipity. I gave this book to my buddy, Jeff, on his 50th birthday exactly three years today. I never pushed or prodded to see if he had read it but it was earlier this year around March when Covid-19 began to really take stride that he found the time to do so and we had a wonderful but brief discussion about it although we never talked about what I think is the most important part - that final chapter. I'm sure we'll get to it eventually but I know he really appreciated being able to finally read it.
When I gave it too him I also showed him the reviews that Ron and yourself had written, Liz. I wanted to give him just a brief taste of the impact this one would have. I think I was successful in that regard.
The power of that last chapter hits me so hard every time I think about it and I couldn't agree more that this should be recommended to everyone.
It was a pleasure to re-read your review again, Liz. Hope you are well and staying safe in these troubled times. Take care!!!
Mike wrote: "Here's a moment of serendipity. I gave this book to my buddy, Jeff, on his 50th birthday exactly three years today. I never pushed or prodded to see if he had read it but it was earlier this year..."
Aw, Mike that is so nice - thank you!! I am so glad your friend got to read and enjoy it. I recommended this book to my sister in law earlier this year and she fell in love with it. After that it made its rounds to the rest of the family and we all loved talking about it. :-)
I hope you are doing great and staying safe as well, and getting lots of good reading time in!
Kelli wrote: "How have I still not read this?!"Oh Kelli, please do! I really think you would appreciate this one.
Liz wrote: "I recommended this book to my sister in law earlier this year and she fell in love with it. After that it made its rounds to the rest of the family and we all loved talking about it. :-)"That's absolutely wonderful to hear, Liz, and something I should do with my family as well. Just having a hard time parting with my copy lol.
Charming and sunny, like Tupelo honey.
I've put this book on my TBR list.