I’ve read a couple of connected short story collections lately (News from Heaven and When it Happens to You). Though When She Was Gone is not a short story collection, it will appeal to those of you who appreciate short stories, because of the unique way the story is told.
Linsey disappears from her home at 26 Sycamore Street one late summer morning just days before she’s supposed to leave for college at Cornell. The people who live in the homes surrounding hers in the New Jersey neighborhood all have a story to tell. One or two saw her leave. One found the note she left after it fluttered away out of the mailbox. One heard her discussions with her boyfriend in the weeks leading up to her disappearance.
The different chapters are each told from the point of view of the neighbor in question, who each is also letting the reader into their own lives and secrets. The diverse points of view make each chapter a different discovery: some are elderly, some are children, some are other mothers, some are classmates. Gross deftly uses these narratives to move Linsey’s story forward (Why did she leave? Where did she go? Will she come back?) while also telling the own character’s story, and each ties in to the greater backdrop of suburban culture that is a prominent theme.
One of the things I love most about being a book reviewer is “discovering” new authors and following their career. Gwendolen Gross is one of those authors for me. When I was reviewing books early on, I reviewed her first novel The Other Mother, and then excitedly requested her second The Orphan Sister. When She Was Gone showed up on my doorstep as an unsolicited review copy, and once I realized Gross wrote it, it quickly moved to the top of my stack.
I’m happy to say that I have a copy to give to TWO of you (U.S. readers only). Just leave a comment if you’d like to be entered to win. We’ll announce the winner in our 3/27 giveaway column.The giveaway is closed.
The winner of Why Can’t I Be You is #14 Jessica T.
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pearl says
This book sounds wonderful and special. Thanks.
ellie says
I am interested in this intriguing story.
Angela E. says
This is my kind of read, thanks
Anne says
thanks for this post and feature. Fascinating.
Jenna Evans says
Sounds like something for the TBR list! I’d love to read it!
diane says
An enjoyable book.
Jennifer says
Diane–you won the book. Please reply to this comment (via email) with your shipping info.
Linda Kish says
This sounds like a very interesting story. One that I would love to read.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Jennifer says
You won this! Please reply to this email with your shipping info.
Beth C says
I want to find out where she went and why!
Chuck says
My wife would like to read this one.
Anita Yancey says
This book sounds very interesting. I really like that it is told from different points of view. Thanks for this chance to win it.
Lori D. says
Oh, this one sounds great.
Don says
Another good one.
Seaside Book Nook says
I absolutely love Gwendolen Gross and would be so excited to win her latest book. She is such a sweet person and amazing author!
Thanks for the great giveaway.
Jill at Seaside Book Nook
seasidebooknook at yahoo dot com
Garrett says
My girlfriend said that she want’s to read this book.
Jessica Tan says
Sounds good! Would love to win!
Suzy says
I want this book so badly! It looks soooooo great!
samantha w says
this book sounds really good
Kelly says
This book sounds great…I actually have it on my “most anticipated” list for 2013. Would love to win a copy!
Liz says
I’ve come back to this as I keep seeing nice reviews. Sounds good but may need a sunny day for reading if too intense.
Jennifer says
I don’t think it’s intense necessarily. It’s actually a pretty quiet observational sort of mystery.