The Raising (P.S.)

by Author Laura Kasischke

[ibeforem]

The Raising was an incredibly well-crafted novel. Kasischke takes us by the hand and pulls us through, bouncing from the time before the accident, to after, without ever confusing the reader about "when" we are. The pacing in the latter half of the novel is exquisite, and she really takes to heart the advice "Never take the reader where they want to go."

Plot-wise, it’s difficult to not feel sorry for some of the characters. Particularly, Shelly and Mira, whose lives are irrevocably changed by an event that had nothing to do with them. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The students are conflicted and confused and a little bit crazy, just like real college students. The entire conspiracy is a bit far-fetched, but the story is told so well that it doesn’t really matter how well it holds together in the end.

Kasischke is a new author for me, and I definitely would pick her up again.