The Wrecked, Blessed Body of Shelton LaFleur [Large Print]

Very good character development - all your questions are answered at the end

This is my favorite of the three books I've read by Mr Brown. Shelton Lafleur comes to life on the pages of this book and you will never forget him. I have read the book three times and get something new each time. This is a must read for everyone.

This was one of those books I picked up in the library because it just happened to be there and it had an unusual title. It took me a while to get into it. At first I thought I wouldn't finish it, but the next thing I knew, I couldn't put it down. Shelton LaFleur's young life is tragic. He is a black child being reared by a white mother, who is ill. The circumstances of his birth and how he became part of this woman's family is heart-rending and misguided (let alone illegal). At age eight, he wanders away from home one night, gets lost, climbs a tree for a better view, and falls. He ends up being taken to a home for orphaned boys, where he not only has to deal with his permanent injuries, but physical and psychological abuse, as well. His life becomes a torment. Eventually a family takes him in, but what a family it turns out to be. In spite of the painful circumstances of his childhood, and maybe because of them, LaFleur grows up to be a successful painter. Though some of his work is enigmatic and dark, he finds an audience as he matures. The story is written from the vantage point of the old man he's become. It's been eight months since I read this book, and I still think about it. That's a book worth reading! Carolyn Rowe Hill

I finished reading this for about the fourth time a few months ago. For Christmas, I bought a box of these -- 50 -- to give to friends. I am very, very popular this year. The editorial reviews on this book just scratch the surface. It is an absolutely compelling story, the characters actually live alongside you, the writing is music and the message is profound. It's as "worthwhile" as Thomas Wolfe, and as engaging as a great beach read. The only down side to this book is that it makes a lot of other stuff seem disappointing by comparison.

I completely disagree with the previous reviewer and with Kirkus. Maybe some of the plot is implausible, but that isn't really important. This author has touched deeply into things about human nature. And I loved the irony of the ending.