A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) - Close Your Eyes

Chris Bohjalian has hit another one out of the ballpark with this one! He always finds a way to treat timely and controversial issues in such a way that the reader loves and identifies with his characters, is deeply engaged in the story line, and learns a great deal painlessly. The teen-age voice of his narrator rings true and tugs the heart strings. My only regret: I didn't buy the hard copy to pass along to my friends.

I really enjoyed this book by Chris Bohjalian. It is written from the viewpoint of a teen-aged girl who has suffered terrible tragedy and loss. I enjoyed the writing style which is just like a teenager would write: sometimes disjointed, sometimes jumping around, often brutally honest, never boring. I read it in two sittings. Definitely recommended for Bohjalian fans and for those new to this author.

Although I found this book to be very emotionally heavy I could not stop reading it. I became involved in the characters and the situation, all very believable. Once I realized the meaning of the title, I actually felt chills run up my spine. There are so many quiet comments on our society in this book.

Chris Bohjalian's latest novel is arguably his best. In the lead character of Emily Shepard he has created a heroine who manages to be sweet, tough, tragic, heroic, fragile, strong, brilliant and dopey all at once. And, her story set against a nuclear accident in New England, an accident her parents may have been responsible for, is well drawn and thoroughly engrossing.

It's a story very well told, with a heroine that won't leave you.

This latest book by Chris Bohjalian (one of my favorite authors) had me up way past my bedtime reading one more chapter, one more chapter, one more chapter! This book is suspenseful, interesting, happy, sad, insightful and everything else I look for in a book. Read it, you'll love it.

I have been completely absorbed in this book since the day I picked it up. I just finished reading now. I am exhausted from hearing the story. I realize this sounds silly, but I feel like I was in the story and it is finally over so I can truly rest. I lived in the Burlington area for a bit and the specific landmarks referenced here gave me chills. I know that this book had an impact on me, so much so that I will be thinking of it a lot before I move on to another book.

Such an authentic simple voice reveals a character with depth brought to life. Chris's people living in the margins push the envelope even further in this latest work of art. The facts and the fiction make this book a worthwhile read for any lover of literature. Kudos to Chris, his editors and publisher. Can't wait to see what's next.

I have read almost all of Chris Bohjalian's books. Some I don't like but most I do. This one falls into the Love category. Having lived on the Northeast Kingdom it is so easy to visualize the settings in this book. Very thought provoking. The main character is is very real and believable. Bohjalian makes her so believable. Highly recommend this book.

Totally disappointing story by this wonderful writer. I have read a lot of Chris bohjalian and usually can't put them down. I think if he had made this a short story I would not have been so bored by the last half of the book.

Very depressing subject and story, reader left hanging in the end as to what happened to the girl and her dog after radiation exposure, very downer story. I like Chris Bohjalian but this book I didn't like.

Chris Bohjalian has created a world that most of us never allow ourselves to think about even though we know that this world could become ours in an instant. Into this, he drops a sensitive, highly intelligent teenage girl. Emily is very believable. You cannot help loving her the minute she opens her unleashed mouth. Prepare to cry. But do meet Emily.

Bohjalian never fails to meet and exceed expectations. This is an author who deserves much more recognition than he receives. If you like the controversial novels of Jodi Picoult, you will love Chris Bohjalian. I look forward every summer to his latest novel. If you haven't read Bohjalian, try any of his works, and you'll become a fan.

I loved the way Chris Bohjalian portrayed the mail character by being her voice......It was wonderfully descriptive and engaging, all the way through. I will now want to read more of his books! Loved it!

Chris Bohjalian is an extraordinary talent. He is able to capture voices and tell a story in a way that very few writers can. That he has now done this consistently over a large number of books -- each of which focuses on different people, in different walks of life, and with different backgrounds -- is remarkable. I look forward to each of his new books and I am never disappointed.

Nice, entertaining but not great …… interesting to read how the author could see thru the eyes of a teenage girl and very good to realize again the terrible results of a nuclear accident - but for the rest: will not be on my mind for a long time !