Today I am reviewing a brilliantly written story that will leave you broken-hearted. Bette Lee Crosby gives us a story that illustrates the turbulent life of a middle sister and how that life ended in a way that left a hole is everyone she touched. This is definitely a story that will stay with you for a few days after reading. For my full review keep reading after the book blurb.
Book Blurb:
Based on the realities of her own family, Crosby calls this a memoir of sorts. Traveling back to a time when the sisters were young enough to feel invincible and foolish enough to believe it would last forever, Crosby has bared her soul in a story of regrettable decisions and inevitable outcomes.
Blueberry Hill is a tale of family relationships, love and tragedy. It is a story that will touch your heart and stay with you long after you have closed the book.
Review:
Donna is Bette’s younger rebellious sister. She is the sister that isn’t afraid to do or say anything. With this confidence came an inner freedom that Bette envied but as time went by saw how destructive that freedom can be. Donna’s wild ways go from running away to marrying a man whom she loved but he was incapable of loving her back the way she deserved to finding out the hard way what cigarettes and alcohol can really do to a body. As strong as Donna was she couldn’t fight her addiction even with her zest for life. In the end Donna’s strong life withered away to a sad fate that if she had only chosen one different path would have allowed her to continue on with her exuberant life instead of leaving an emptiness with all those she touched.
This is an almost devastating story. As Donna’s life is painted in front of you your able to see the wonder that she was. Clearly she left a mark on all those she was around. But, with many who have similar personalities comes addiction. With Donna her addiction was cigarettes and alcohol. It is eventually what extinguished a bright life. It is a sad yet funny at times novel that shows how powerful love is and how devastating losing that love can be. Overall, this is a short novel but one that will leave an indelible mark on your soul.