Returned Original/E by Jason Mott

Returned Original/E (The Returned, #1)

by Jason Mott

Lucille Hargrave's son has been dead for over forty years.

Now he's standing on her doorstep, still 8 years old. Still looking for her to welcome him with open arms.

This is the beginning of the Returned.

This is a new world where nothing - not even death - is certain

'With fine craftsmanship and a deep understanding of the human condition, Jason Mott has woven a tale that is in turns tragic and humorous and terrifying' Eowyn Ivey, Author of The Snow Child

'Fantastically readable'The Times

'Could be the next Lovely Bones' Entertainment Weekly

'Emotionally resonant' Essence

'Gripping' Shortlist

Reviewed by Lianne on

5 of 5 stars

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The Returned was a very interesting novel and raises some fascinating questions about what would you do if your loved ones came back. The questions that the people raised were very natural ones–are they real? if not, what are they?–and the reactions that different groups of people had felt very realistic, from the personal to the societal. I appreciated how the reader sees how the Returned affects people at the individual level through Harold and Lucille.

I enjoyed the author’s writing, it provided a wonderful sense of presence, like the reader is right there with the characters and experiencing what they’re going through, what they’re feeling.

The Returned is a meditation on death and the loss of our loved ones, the sense of pain, regret and emptiness that follows losing them but also one of love, about the time we had with those loved ones long gone. I highly recommend this novel, it was a fascinating read.

My complete review of the title was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2013/08/19/review-the-returned/

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 26 July, 2013: Finished reading
  • 26 July, 2013: Reviewed