Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams

Glimpse (Paula Wiseman Books)

by Carol Lynch Williams

In one moment
it is over.
In one moment
it is gone.

The morning grows
thin, grey
and our lives-
how they were-
have vanished.
Our lives have
changed

when I walk in
on Lizzie
my sister
holding a shotgun.

Twelve year old girl Hope's life is turned upside down when her older sister Lizzie becomes an elective mute and is institutionalized after trying to kill herself. Ever since their dad died Hope and Lizzie have relied on each other from a young age. Their mother is a reluctant and unreliable parent at best, who turns tricks to support the family. Throughout the course of this lyrical and heartbreaking narrative readers and Hope discover that the mother is prostituting Lizzie and it's up to Hope to bring the truth to light to save her sister.

With raw and haunting writing reminiscent of Ellen Hopkins and Elizabeth Scott, Carol Lynch Williams is a promising new YA voice.

Reviewed by sstaley on

2 of 5 stars

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I am not a huge fan of this writing style of verse. I did a lot of skimming, especially through the part where Hope is at her friend's party. I also know it shows the reality of some teens in horrible situations like this(I am not trying to say that things like this don't exist because I have friends who have lived through this kind of abuse), but I will not be recommending my 13 year read this for a LONG time. This is a very depressing book and you feel so sad for the sisters. I really liked Carol Lynch Williams last book, The Chosen One. I don't ever want to read this one again.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 23 March, 2011: Finished reading
  • 23 March, 2011: Reviewed