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The Hour I First Believed

A Novel

By Wally Lamb

(14)

| Others | 9780060393496

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Critics

The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb - Review by Waterstone's Books Quarterly Online

A survivor of the 1999 Columbine shootings, Maureen remains haunted by the terror of that day, while her husband finds solace in exploring his family history. Wally Lamb tackles the infamous tragedy and its aftermath in this engrossing and passionate ... (read full critics)

wbqonline published on Wed, 29 Sep 2010

After Columbine

For those who may have forgotten him — it’s been 10 years since his last novel — Wally Lamb has wrapped his new book, “The Hour I First Believed,” in reminders. The dust jacket is filled with praise for the book’s predecessors, “She’s Come Undone” an ... (read full critics)

nytimes published on Fri, 17 Sep 2010

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1 Review

1 person find this helpful

When I realized that Wally Lamb had written another book after so many years, I was excited! Especially when the library informed me that I was the first to check it out. I've read Wally Lamb's other two novels, "She's Come Undone," and "I Know This Much is True," and I wasn't disappointed. I read b ... (continue)

When I realized that Wally Lamb had written another book after so many years, I was excited! Especially when the library informed me that I was the first to check it out. I've read Wally Lamb's other two novels, "She's Come Undone," and "I Know This Much is True," and I wasn't disappointed. I read both of them while I was working on my B.A. of English and he became one of my favorite writers. After years of waiting, I had pretty much given up on Lamb writing another book. Surprise !!
My first thought was: Wow, that's a monster! It wouldn't even fit in my purse :) lol. To the book...
There wasn't one dull moment throughout the book. The story line was nice with a variety of characters that were very well rounded. My favorite character was Lolly, even though she died half way through the book. I related to her more because she defied the norms of her time. Being a lesbian and raising her brother's child, while keeping a farm and a prison running.
Wally Lamb creates characters that the reader will miss once they are finished with the book.
The protagonist, Caleum Quirk, says that we are all stuck in a maze of sorts, that we get lost in. This is what the book is about. Columbine, the Iraqi war, post traumatic stress disorder, and just ordinary life. We all have our own mazes that are there for a purpose - and we must embrace our prison in order to find what we need. Another quote that is repeated quite frequently throughout the book is: In searching for what we want, we end up finding what we need.
Caleum Quirk wanted just an ordinary life - he discovered his family secrets that at first were shocking, but later on he realized that he needed to know these things, and in knowing them, he became more at peace.. (the conclusion, when he has his epiphany, and says, this was the hour I first believed.")
Maureen wanted her stress to go away from her experience of Columbine - she ended up going to prison for running over a boy while high from drugs she stole at the hospital she worked at. She needed to go to prison, because there, she found a way to heal herself through healing others in the prison hospice.
Obviously, Al found the mustang he wanted - and in doing so, he also found the woman that he had needed for so long :)
There are many characters that go on quests/journeys to find what they want, and end up getting what they need instead.
The book is wonderful. I would go on and on about just how superb it is, but then no one would probably read this :) The book is long and weighs at least 5 lbs, but it's definitely worth reading. I got more out of this book than I've received in the past 5 books I've read. And not only is this book a good read, but it has something to offer each reader.
Thank you, Wally Lamb for such a wonderful book !!

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April Moran said on Jan 17, 2009 | Add your feedback