Book Review: Follow Me

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009

Book Review: Follow Me

Author: JoAnna Scott

Publisher: Little Brown/Hachette

ISBN: 978-0-316-05165-1

Website: Hachette Books

Type: Fiction

Pages: 400 Hardcover

Purchase: $16.49 @ Amazon.com (HERE)

The Story

“On a summer day in 1946, Sally Werner, the precocious daughter of hardscrabble Pennsylvania farmers, accepts her cousin Daniel’s invitation to ride his new motorcycle. Like so much of what follows in Sally’s life, it’s a decision driven by impulse and a thirst for adventure, a decision with dramatic and far-reaching consequences.

Soon Sally abandons her newborn baby and her home. Fueled in equal measures by her eternal optimism and her mercurial moods, she embarks on an odyssey of self-creation that spans six decades, the story of which she entrusts to only one person: her granddaughter and namesake. It’s an uncommon legacy that young Sally believes until her father – a man she has never known – enters her life and offers another story altogether, forcing her to uncover the truth of her grandmother’s secret history.”

(Above excerpt is from the back cover of Follow Me)

The Review

joanna_scott This story swept me away into Sally’s life and mind. The story flowed like the river that ties the characters of this saga. The writing engulfed me. This story is one that I will never forget and am deeply grateful to JoAnna Scott for writing.

Scott is the author of nine books. Of these nine books, one was a finalist for the Pulitizer Prize and two were finalists for the PEN/Faulkner Award. If these books are anything like Follow Me, I can certainly understand why. In my never-to-be-humble opinion, this book should be nominated, as well.

Follow Me is an epic tale of women and the hard choices that they are often faced with. This is the heartbreaking story of what happens to families when adversity infiltrates them. This is a memoir of love that was never meant to be lost, but was stolen from the lovers. This is a woman’s search for redemption for a life that she couldn’t possibly replace with other choices; the outcomes were destined and unavoidable. This is a tragic song of a man who lost what should have been his. All of this is told by a granddaughter who pieces together the remnants of fantasy with the pieces truth searching to be found.

I have, very rarely, been impacted to the point in a review in which I recommend a book to this degree. The book is being released on April 22nd. For the price of $16.49 for a hardcover edition of this book, I highly recommend that you pre-order this book from Amazon and be ready for a read that is certain to make your “Best of 2009 List.” It has certainly made my top ten! You’ll read it, review it, and write me and tell me… “Yep, you were right! It’s a great book.” I promise… no “I told you so’s!”

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale:”

Is there any doubt, whatsover, that I am going to rate this book a 10 OUT OF 10? Of course, not! I deserves it! I only wish our bookclub read hardcovers, because this will make A GREAT BOOK CLUB discussion.

My heartfelt thanks to Miriam and Hachette for this amazing read.

43 Comments

| Posted in Books Books Books

43 Responses

Kathy

March 24th, 2009 at 2:40 pm

Oh my gosh! I’m so excited to see that you loved it so much. I participating in the blog tour for this book on April 27. I can’t wait to read it now.
Deanna

March 24th, 2009 at 3:00 pm

Thanks for this review. This book sounds like a good read that I do not want to miss out on. I just put on my Amazon wishlist for a future read.
Molly

March 24th, 2009 at 4:45 pm

Ok — you convinced me!!
Amy @ My Friend Amy

March 24th, 2009 at 7:09 pm

Wow Sheri! I’m really looking forward to it now!
Rebecca

March 24th, 2009 at 8:24 pm

Sheri, this sounds like a great book! I am glad you enjoyed it so much.

By the way, I gave you an award! Be sure to come by and pick it up when you get a chance. http://imlostinbooks.blogspot.com/2009/03/thank-you-for-award.html
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)

March 25th, 2009 at 6:06 am

I am waiting on a copy of this book from Hatchette!
Darlene

March 25th, 2009 at 6:52 am

A 10-that’s awesome Sheri because I’ll be doing a blog tour for this one. I’ll be back to read your review after I read it.
Menagerie

March 25th, 2009 at 11:54 am

You can’t miss this one, Amy!
Menagerie

March 25th, 2009 at 11:54 am

I love your name!
Menagerie

March 25th, 2009 at 11:54 am

Kathy… you will love it!
Nicole

March 25th, 2009 at 3:18 pm

I’m going to be reading this book for a blog tour next month, so I am thrilled to hear that it is so good. I just skimmed your review for now, but will come back and read the whole thing once I am finished.
Lisamm

March 25th, 2009 at 5:31 pm

Wow, sounds excellent! Remember to mention it at book club when it comes out in paperback!
Fyrefly

March 25th, 2009 at 5:42 pm

This sounds great… plus the cover is gorgeous, and makes me want to read it just for that. Thanks for the tip!
Anna

March 26th, 2009 at 8:40 am

Wow, a perfect 10! Now I’m thrilled to be participating in the upcoming Early Birds tour. I can’t wait to read this one.
Ladytink_534

April 1st, 2009 at 10:49 am

I adore this cover! Whoa, 10/10? You must have really liked this one!
Debbie

April 4th, 2009 at 3:37 am

Wow – What a great review. It is hard that sometimes we as women have to make hard decisions that followe us for the rest of our lives. Thansk for the great review.
Debbie
Melissa

April 4th, 2009 at 4:02 am

Great review! This sounds like an incredible story. I’m a big fan of the cover, too!
NotNessie

April 4th, 2009 at 4:52 am

This sounds like a fantastic book. I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the great review!
Erika Lynn

April 4th, 2009 at 6:57 am

the mystery in this book sounds really interesting. great review!
Margay

April 4th, 2009 at 11:10 am

With a review like that, I have to check it out! I love stories that delve into the secret lives of families like this. Thanks for the great review. I guess I’ll have to “follow” you.
Margay
nomadreader

April 4th, 2009 at 11:23 am

I want to win!
DebbLou

April 4th, 2009 at 2:53 pm

I really would like to win this… 400 pages… that alone makes me want to read it… the story line sounds very interesting and will make me ponder and wonder about my own choices in life… thanks for the giveaway
Gwendolyn B.

April 5th, 2009 at 6:41 am

Wow. You like it! You really like it! And I’m sure I will, too. I’ve put it on my Wish List and I’ve marked my calendar for this upcoming blog tour. Thanks for spotlighting this book.
claire

April 5th, 2009 at 1:06 pm

Thank you for alerting me to this book, it sounds wonderful! I’m coveting it now.. really, truly. Thanks for the recommendation! I haven’t read Scott before but can’t wait to get my hands on this.
Valorie

April 5th, 2009 at 1:27 pm

People are so assumptive of the nature of a woman. When a woman abandons her family, it is seen with greater offense. At least, that is my ‘too many women’s studies’ classes viewpoint.
Sherry

April 5th, 2009 at 6:11 pm

Awesome review Sher. This is on my must read list now. thanks again.
Cheryl S.

April 6th, 2009 at 9:20 am

Wow! Thanks for the great review – this one definitely goes on the top of my “To Be Read” pile.

Cheryl
megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com
Kristi

April 6th, 2009 at 10:46 am

I want to know what is in that grandmother’s history! Plus, coming with such a high recommendation it is a must-read!
Kristina

April 6th, 2009 at 11:46 am

This really sounds good! I hope I win =)
Faith

April 6th, 2009 at 3:58 pm

Sounds like a great book. I certainly wouldn’t mind winning.
nfmgirl

April 7th, 2009 at 4:14 am

Wow! What a ringing endorsement! Now you’ve made me really want to read it!
Marie

April 7th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Excellent review! I’m intrigued as a result!
Melissa - Shhh I'm Reading

April 7th, 2009 at 12:38 pm

I love it when you find a book you just fall in love with. I would love to read it to see if it’s a 10 for me too.
Wrighty

April 7th, 2009 at 9:14 pm

I have heard the best things about this book! I’m so glad you liked it too and I can’t wait to read it. The idea of the secret family history is very enticing. I really want to know what it is. Thanks for sharing your guarantee!
amandasue

April 8th, 2009 at 6:51 am

Wow this book sounds really good. I love books where someone “uncovers” the truth about there family or themselves.
Marie Burton

April 8th, 2009 at 7:24 am

Wow.. a ten out of ten is an accomplishment!! I look forward to this book because of the fact that I AM WOMAN and all the females on my mom’s side of the family have had very hard decisions to make as well. They are all string and resilient in the face of hardship and I hope I can continue that legacy. I wish things weren’t so hard, but I digress..
Thanks for the review. Putting it on my TBR List!
Marie B
Teddy

April 11th, 2009 at 9:36 pm

Oh Sherri, this sounds wonderful! I think this is about the most excited I’ve seen you about a book for awhile. I am going now to enter your giveaway!
A Hazra

April 15th, 2009 at 3:19 am

Hey, you seem really enthusiastic and inspired by this book. I love books with strong female characters-women who make unconventional choices which define their lives and who they are. I’ll be entering in your giveaway as well:I’d love to win this book.
Trin

April 17th, 2009 at 11:15 pm

” The story flowed like the river that ties the characters of this saga.” Great line! I will be reading this book after your empowered review, whether I win it or I have to buy it I will have this book.
Jessica Marie

April 20th, 2009 at 12:54 am

I am so drawn to this cover and I’m excited because it sound like its actually a good book too!
Regina D

April 20th, 2009 at 5:52 am

wow great review, can’t wait to read it. thanks
Vasilly

April 20th, 2009 at 6:23 pm

That is a great review. Once read, it’ll be in my top ten? You don’t often read reviews that say that. I’m adding it to my list.
BookSpot

April 22nd, 2009 at 9:03 pm

Based on your review (and the summary) I’m definitely adding this to my ‘to read’ list….just as soon as my phone works again (it’s in my phone)