Comfort

Rating:
Summary: A very emotional book!
Review: Comfort by Carolee Dean was a very emotional book! It felt like an emotional rollercoaster. I enjoyed reading this book for that reason. I was hooked from the beginning until the end! There are many tough decisions made throughout the novel which sets up all the emotional rollercoasters.
Kenny Willson must make many difficult choices for his age. With his dad getting out of prison after serving a long sentence for robbery and multiple DUI charges, everything turns for the worst. Kenny's mother being controlling and demanding doesn't make anything better either.
School and writing are Kenny's only outlets to being able to express him self in a way that he wants to. When a writing competition comes up, Kenny gets really happy because he will be able to leave his home town and to what he's good at. Even though he really wants to go, he knows in his head that his chances of going are slim, but he keeps hope alive.
Kenny desperately wants to escape Comfort, Texas and run away to Dallas where his grandpa lives. With all of his issues he's dealt with, Kenny has an extremely difficult time trying.
I really enjoyed reading this book, because just about every teenager goes through what Kenny went through in the book. Carolee Dean wrote this book in a way that allows anyone who reads it, feel what Kenny's going through. I would recommend this book to any teenager going thorough that phase in life, where you feel the need to escape and live life how you want to live it.

Rating:
Summary: Comfort from Within
Review: Comfort
Carolee Dean

" I ain't going down Mama/I ain't going down/you can pull me off the team/but you ain't taking my dreams/I ain't going down." Throughout the book Comfort, Kenny Wilson (the main character) finds himself and his life being taken over by his pushy momma and his alcoholic father you just go out of a prison for robbing a liquor store. One way is that he finds himself trying to escape Comfort, Texas the only way he can, writing. Told trough the eyes of this troubled 15 year old while in the background is his dysfunctional family, you learn that a way to escape isn't always actually leaving but to find a way to deal with your feelings, in Kenny's case, poetry. To find comfort in ones life, one must find and be comfortable with themselves. I loved the point-of-views in this story, the detailed descriptions, and how the whole story all tied together in the end.

In addition to the above, the detailed descriptions of the characters really get you hooked. The author, Carolee Dean, she uses a technique that allows you to go underneath the physical descriptions and go to a level where you feel like the character could be your next door neighbor. It's almost as though you expect their lives to keep going, even after the last chapter of the book has been turned. For instance: When Kenny is stumbling over his words and is so nervous for the competition, you can almost feel your own hands sweating as he finishes the last words. Also when he has this fierce desire to be with Cindy Blackwell, the towns prettiest girl, you know that feeling because everyone has had that feeling of wanting to be with another person, someone they can't have. In addition to that, when you see the way that Kenny and his Momma bicker, over the things they do, you know the depth of these characters is more then some shallow physical description. It's almost as though the author knew these people when writing because they are so real. While you read this book you are taken to a place where when the book ends, you feel the tears in your eyes stinging because you feel so much for these characters.

Next are the point-of-views in the story, so many, you don't know whom to feel badly for. First there is Kenny's mom, struggling to overcome a past where she was a nobody and had nothing going for her in life. A husband who got himself in jail and left her with two sons on her own. The emotions she feels throughout the book are taken out on her son; maybe it's because she has to feel she's better then someone, or maybe it's the feeling that she is going nowhere. In addition to that, there is Roy Wilson, Kenny's dad who just got out of jail and is trying to deal with an alcoholic addiction and trying to be the man in the family's life. He is like the missing puzzle piece, trying to find where he can fit into his life after being gone for so long he has to realize that life isn't the same. What about the little brother that has been tossed into a family where no one really has the confidence to walk out of this town and make something of themselves? Then there is Cindy Blackwell, the one person who people thought could make something of herself. That is until her boyfriend got her into some deep trouble that there is no way of getting out of. Or what about Cindy's younger sister Suzie, who is deeper then she looks and has more in common with Kenny then he will ever know. Last but not least there is Kenny Wilson, whom the book revolves around. He is trying to walk in the footsteps that are a little too big for him. When he has to come to terms with dealing with his dad and the rest of his abnormal family, he is faced with a true crossroad in his life.

In particular, the story has the climax that leads to ending you were rooting for. It's like a mystery, all the little pieces that you really didn't understand throughout the story finally make sense in the end, even if it may leave you a little teary-eyed. Specifically the way that all the characters have a different life style that all ends up bringing a town together; yet they all have different endings. Some you find out, the rest are up to you. In my personal opinion, I feel that the way all the things come together in the end is really like life. You have all these different people put in different positions, yet they all have something in common, living life to its fullest. People are dealt their different cards, and they learn to play them just right.

I loved the great point-of-views, outstanding word descriptions and vocabulary, and a terrific ending that makes this an all around book. Comfort is a place where everyone needs to go, to find a place where they can believe in themselves, that will truly lead to comfort. Kenny goes on to see that people are really different underneath their looks. For instance: he gets to know Cindy's younger sister and find out how much they really are alike. He try's to understand his dad and all the mistakes he has made. He goes on to write, showing you his way out of the world, his true comfort place. Throughout the story you notice the struggle one kid goes through to make amends with life and understand the hidden qualities of this small town. The ending will leave you both teary-eyed and overwhelmed by what a powerful message a little novel can bring and how it impacts the way you look at life!

Rating:
Summary: Comfort from Within
Review: Comfort
Carolee Dean

" I ain't going down Mama/I ain't going down/you can pull me off the team/but you ain't taking my dreams/I ain't going down." Throughout the book Comfort, Kenny Wilson (the main character) finds himself and his life being taken over by his pushy momma and his alcoholic father you just go out of a prison for robbing a liquor store. One way is that he finds himself trying to escape Comfort, Texas the only way he can, writing. Told trough the eyes of this troubled 15 year old while in the background is his dysfunctional family, you learn that a way to escape isn't always actually leaving but to find a way to deal with your feelings, in Kenny's case, poetry. To find comfort in ones life, one must find and be comfortable with themselves. I loved the point-of-views in this story, the detailed descriptions, and how the whole story all tied together in the end.

In addition to the above, the detailed descriptions of the characters really get you hooked. The author, Carolee Dean, she uses a technique that allows you to go underneath the physical descriptions and go to a level where you feel like the character could be your next door neighbor. It's almost as though you expect their lives to keep going, even after the last chapter of the book has been turned. For instance: When Kenny is stumbling over his words and is so nervous for the competition, you can almost feel your own hands sweating as he finishes the last words. Also when he has this fierce desire to be with Cindy Blackwell, the towns prettiest girl, you know that feeling because everyone has had that feeling of wanting to be with another person, someone they can't have. In addition to that, when you see the way that Kenny and his Momma bicker, over the things they do, you know the depth of these characters is more then some shallow physical description. It's almost as though the author knew these people when writing because they are so real. While you read this book you are taken to a place where when the book ends, you feel the tears in your eyes stinging because you feel so much for these characters.

Next are the point-of-views in the story, so many, you don't know whom to feel badly for. First there is Kenny's mom, struggling to overcome a past where she was a nobody and had nothing going for her in life. A husband who got himself in jail and left her with two sons on her own. The emotions she feels throughout the book are taken out on her son; maybe it's because she has to feel she's better then someone, or maybe it's the feeling that she is going nowhere. In addition to that, there is Roy Wilson, Kenny's dad who just got out of jail and is trying to deal with an alcoholic addiction and trying to be the man in the family's life. He is like the missing puzzle piece, trying to find where he can fit into his life after being gone for so long he has to realize that life isn't the same. What about the little brother that has been tossed into a family where no one really has the confidence to walk out of this town and make something of themselves? Then there is Cindy Blackwell, the one person who people thought could make something of herself. That is until her boyfriend got her into some deep trouble that there is no way of getting out of. Or what about Cindy's younger sister Suzie, who is deeper then she looks and has more in common with Kenny then he will ever know. Last but not least there is Kenny Wilson, whom the book revolves around. He is trying to walk in the footsteps that are a little too big for him. When he has to come to terms with dealing with his dad and the rest of his abnormal family, he is faced with a true crossroad in his life.

In particular, the story has the climax that leads to ending you were rooting for. It's like a mystery, all the little pieces that you really didn't understand throughout the story finally make sense in the end, even if it may leave you a little teary-eyed. Specifically the way that all the characters have a different life style that all ends up bringing a town together; yet they all have different endings. Some you find out, the rest are up to you. In my personal opinion, I feel that the way all the things come together in the end is really like life. You have all these different people put in different positions, yet they all have something in common, living life to its fullest. People are dealt their different cards, and they learn to play them just right.

I loved the great point-of-views, outstanding word descriptions and vocabulary, and a terrific ending that makes this an all around book. Comfort is a place where everyone needs to go, to find a place where they can believe in themselves, that will truly lead to comfort. Kenny goes on to see that people are really different underneath their looks. For instance: he gets to know Cindy's younger sister and find out how much they really are alike. He try's to understand his dad and all the mistakes he has made. He goes on to write, showing you his way out of the world, his true comfort place. Throughout the story you notice the struggle one kid goes through to make amends with life and understand the hidden qualities of this small town. The ending will leave you both teary-eyed and overwhelmed by what a powerful message a little novel can bring and how it impacts the way you look at life!

Rating:
Summary: Loved This Book!
Review: From the very first lines, I was hooked. The writing is compelling, it just pulls you right in, and the storyline heartwrenching and dramatic. Kenny has a tough life, a controlling wacky mom who runs his life, an ex-con for a dad, but he holds on to his hopes and dreams and finds a way to escape and make a new life for himself. This is an incredible first novel by an author who's going places. Get this book today and settle in for a great read!

Rating:
Summary: I don't know...
Review: I haven't finished this book, I'll be honest. I can't really find any reason to finish it, if you think you can persuade me, please do. I really did give it an honest effort and got kind of far but I just don't feel it.
I wish I had saved my money and bought something else.
I'm not telling you that you wouldn't like it, but I think maybe you'd be better off borrowing it from someone who has it, borrowing it from a library, or at least read a chapter before you buy it because honestly I didn't and can't say I ever could say I was "hooked".
I don't know...the writing seems odd to me...it's nothing special I guess. The story is good, and maybe it gets better but I can be a book-snob and if it's not good from the beginning I don't bother.

Rating:
Summary: Page Turner!
Review: There are no words to describe how good this book was. It's a page turner that you never want to put down. It's a emotional book that pulls you in. It's about a struggling 15 year old boy named Kenny. His mother trys to control his life, and his father is an ex-con. Kennny gets fed up with his mom and desides to do somthing with his life. This is a must read and i hope u like it as much as i did.

Rating:
Summary: A very emotional book!
Review: This book is very "today". The author knows the Texas mileu and banter, dialogue is authentic. She builds suspense with a 15-year-old who is beset by problems both internal and external. An escape novel with a surprise ending. Characterization is very good. A good read for modern, tough teens.

Rating:
Summary: comfort
Review: This book is very "today". The author knows the Texas mileu and banter, dialogue is authentic. She builds suspense with a 15-year-old who is beset by problems both internal and external. An escape novel with a surprise ending. Characterization is very good. A good read for modern, tough teens.

Rating:
Summary: Comfort
Review: This is the typical story of a dsyfunctional family. Fifteen year old, Kenny Wilson will do anything to get out of Comfort, Texas. He hates it there. He hates the people, he hates his school, he hates everything. But, there are three things that stand in his. One-he needs to get enough money together to leave and survive. Two- he needs to convince Cindy Blackwell to go with him and three- he needs to escape his mother's grip on him. Plus, he has to deal with his feelings about his alcoholic father, who has just been released from prison for robbing a liquor store. The one thing that keeps him sane is his writing. He realizes what effect words have on him and he sees that it takes a boy to run and never face his fears but a true man will stay and face them head-on.