Overall Rating
2
out of 5
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More...
Date: October 28, 2009
This review is for the
Print
format.
"Yes, this is a quick read... I feel like Van Meter has parts that are nice, but... he did not take enough time writing it. The book is too simple in its language, and does not explore class/race/socioeconomics in a way that is not offensive to the reader (no depth). His portrayal of Autry shows his inability to remove himself from his own class/ideals about people he cannot relate to. *P.S. the picture of him on the Fadar website with a girl is tasteless (the background is a graffitti riddled wall with the word '----' circled). This story could be better written if he would have taken the time."
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Overall Rating
4
out of 5
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A different approach to a murder mystery
Date: December 19, 2008
"As one who was personally close to the victim, I read Bluegrass not seeking to discover the "who" and "why", but more of the "what could have led to this?" I was not disappointed. Instead of just focusing on the facts of the case, Van Meter dove headlong into background and lives of all the principals. What you quickly discover is a cast of complicated young adults whose lives get intertwined by a series of events and situations, any one of which, if not occuring, might have changed the outcome and saved Katie's life. Because of this you will quickly wish that someone could have gotten to Katie - and all of the characters for that matter - and led them down a different life path.
"Bluegrass" is a quick read, with virtually no drag points to cause you to want to put it down. The story is told virtually from the mouths of those involved, instead of from reports of the incidents. This allows you to actually discover the lives of those involved, instead of just the incidents.
There is a warning: the language, especially in the verbatim quotes, can be very graphic. Because of this I would not recommend it for young teens, though I strongly believe the Katie Autry story should be told to every high school senior and at every university new student orientation.
I highly recommend it."
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