Before You Know Kindness

Bohjalian's novel takes on a great deal in its pages: Family turmoil, infidelity, child-rearing, the legal system, drug use, and the body's ability to heal are a few of the challenges faced by the Setons. However, no issue is as complex or as explosive as that of animal rights. When animal-rights activist Spencer is accidentally injured by his brother-in-law's hunting rifle, the listener is exposed to a litany of modern trials and witnesses how a family copes with these problems. Susan Denaker is a skilled, capable reader, and the story is largely compelling. Some sections are slow to develop or quick to lecture, but overall the story is diverting. L.B.F. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

Starred review from June 15, 2005
Bohjalian's strengths are clearly evident here as he takes on the opposing viewpoints of deer hunting and vegetarianism/animal rights and entwines them inside the lives of an extended family. Using a New Hampshire summer vacation as his setting for a horrible accident that opens the book in graphic detail, he circles back, around, and forward to the months of anguish, debate, soul-searching, and recovery that follow. The political and moral views of each family member are pulled into a conflict that is made profoundly real and personal. The story may unwind more slowly than usual for the author, but Susan Denaker's reading is outstanding as she captures the clinical realities and the preteenage angst and confusion perfectly. Bohjalian's one oversight may be condensing the amount of therapy and recuperation for other dramatic priorities. Highly recommended. -Joyce Kessel, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo, NY

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.