Last Rights: An Anthology

I enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover. The story line, character development and relationships explored in this book made it difficult to put down--you find yourself caring about the characters and feeling what they feel. This a must read for anyone looking for a change from the typical books being published today. You will find yourself sucked in from the beginning and sad when it is over, wondering what happens to the characters.

"Last Rites" is a compelling read with great character development. A family is forced to face what they consider terrible tragedy with the custody of a child. What unfolds is a series of unexpected events which allows the reader to believe that good and maybe even better things can come of what is considered unattainable. Keep up the writing Hugo!

I did something I rarely do when I read this book - I read all day because I couldn't put it down. In Last Rights, I was impressed with Lynne Hugo's ability to write so convincingly of Lexie/Detta's gradual shift from murderous rage towards her father to final acceptance. I could feel the weight of Cora's pain held up by the strength of her friendship with Jolene and her love for her remaining family. Ms. Hugo weaves it all together with such lyrical metaphors, "...as if they could roll their faiths together like a ball of yarn and the bigger and more colorful it grew, the bigger and prettier the protective afghan God would knit them." The second book, The Unspoken Years, resonated with me in particular. Anyone who shared their childhood with a difficult and erratic parent will understand Ruth and what it's like to grow up in fear, always waiting for the other shoe to drop. I was rooting for her on every page. Her ability, at last, to release herself from her mother's soul-sucking grip was very personal and incredibly satisfying.

Any woman who is lonely for her best female friend or who longs to have one, read this book. Lynne Hugo's finely observed rendering of the friendship between Cora and Jolene will make you taste the coffee cake they eat in tiny slices, (each slice always the last), until you run to drip your own cup of coffee. Their friendship will comfort you through riveting scenes of all-to-human behavior as Cora fights in court to keep her granddaughter from the girl's ne'r-do-well father. Last Rights is the story of a woman covering for an immature man, of a father protecting his teenage daughter from herself. It is a story of redemption, a celebration of the fragile ties that bind.

Lynne Hugo touches my heart with every book she writes. When I can picture the characters, feel their heartache as well as their joy, then I've found just the right book. She has that gift of inviting us in -- to fully enjoy a great read! Last Rights and The Unspoken Years are treasures.