Listen by Rene Gutteridge

Well, I haven't done one of these in a little while. Hope you enjoy the review.


About the book:
The sweet, fairy tale like town of Marlo is perfect. Voted best place to raise a family it seems nothing could upset this quaint city; until, it seems that someone is listening. Someone is posting private conversations online for all to see and read, word for word. People laugh and dismiss the writings until they read about themselves, spoken in situations, when no one thought any one was listening. It's friend against friend as careless comments and hurtful accusations turn the town upside down. The police scramble to catch whoever is doing this before people get hurt - or worst.

But what responsibility do the residents of Marlo have for the words they say when they think no one is listening.


My thoughts:
Rene acknowledges this to those whose lives have been forever altered by words. That alone is compelling enough to read this book.

This book was amazing!!! I mean, can I just say super thought provoking. This was an amazing one-of-a-kind book! And, if it means anything I was reading this as 2011 became 2012 and then finished the book one hour later.

First, before I get on with my thought I have to say, read the Acknowledgements and Prologue. This book is so beautiful and it becomes even more meaningful when you read both the Acknowledgements and Prologue.

The plot was excellent and thrilling. The characters had depth and growth throughout the book. The ending was unbelievable! Rene Gutteridge really has an amazing gift for writing, and not only is this book. It is amazing but very thought provoking.

The book follows a couple of different characters as the town of Marlo unfolds into chaos. Everyone is in a panic to stop whoever is posting their private conversations for all to see, yet at the same time everyone has become addicted to read other peoples conversations. In this book Rene brings up a thought provoking question; do the words we speak when no one is listening still have power or affect?

"but no human being can tame the tongue. It is restless evil, full of deadly poison. With is we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God." -James 3: 8 - 9

page number: 409
genre: Fiction / General
recommend for ages: 14 and up
bad stuff: There is of course very hurtful things people say. / One
character has memories of someone calling her a slut. / One character suspects
his son of looking at porn. / One scene {in the prologue} goes through
the thought process of someone committing suicide.
romance: None
recommendation: I'd give this 5 out of 5. Wonderful book!