Reckless Driver

I fist read this book shortly after it was first published, and like few books published within my lifetime, I continue to read it every few years or so and each time take away something different. The story haunts me and calls me to reread it, searching for another level.The story takes place from the perspective of little Lana. At first her narrative is unfocused, but as she grows so does her perception of her surroundings and her family. This novel is a comment on smalltown life and tells of personally of the sad reality of children living in a fallen world.

I can't say how long it has been since I read a book that I could not put down! Lisa took me back into my own chilhood. I went through every emotion. It is simple, funny, haunting and most of all moving! I can't wait to read her next book!

This book is amazing. It deals with incredibly complex subjects, yet is so simple to read that one doesn't put it down! The author tells it like it is, very direct English, and then lets our mind do the rest. The story is really tragic; the heroine conquers like all children do - by coping, rather than by conquering. The book raised a big question in my mind - everyone appears to blame the father for the family's tragic existence, but the contribution of the mother - to me, appears no less than the father. Ruth, the mother, could have made a very positive influence on her husband's self esteem and outlook on life - but instead, she helps him deteriorate mentally and emotionally! Was her contribution as great, or even greater, to the family's plight than the father's tragic mistakes? One undercurrent of the book is the care of each family member for each other - consciously, it wasn't love; but unconsciously, each member cared a lot about other - each individual had many chances to simply walk away - but it just doesn't happen like that. Instead, each seems to assume "this is the way it is and must be", and each deals with the issues of their lives, and shares part of their life with the other members. Another undercurrent of the book is the sense of helplessness that these small town parents feel - both Ruth and her "old man"; and how this feeling destroyed their lives. They were so blind! Others in the town made much more of their lives with the same resources and environment. I obviously enjoyed reading this book.