Vinegar Hill: 09/30/07

Vinegar Hill is one of the most disturbing books I've read this year. It follows the year or so of Ellen Grier living in her in-laws' home with her children and unemployed husband.

This uncomfortable time in this house uncovers long forgotten family sins and abuse committed in the name of God.

The experience of reading Vinegar Hill has left me split brained on how to review it. A. Manette Ansay wrote these scenes vividly, always managing to chose the right words to set the stage and to build the characters. But these characters are so despicable and Ellen is so slow to react that I come away hating the book but loving the author's story telling enough that I would read another book by Ansay in the future.

Comments (1) <

Comment #1: Friday, October, 5, 2007 at 19:01:57

Petunia

I haven't read this book yet, though it sits on the shelf. I have to be in the mood for disturbing. 1984 is one of my favorite novels and I would describe it the way you did Vinegar Hill. Extremely disturbing but exquisite writing.