The Fates Will Find Their Way by Hannah Pittard
Published by Ecco, an imprint of Harper Collins
On Halloween night, 16 year old Norah Lindell disappears. This disappearance colors the lives of the boys she left behind, her school mates, for years to come. Norah’s sister becomes suddenly tantalizing in the year following Norah’s disappearance, a product both of her own coming of age and of the boys’ fascination with all things Lindell. Even as the boys continue to grow into adulthood, they never stop thinking about Norah and what might have become of her. Of course, her fate might have been the tragic end of so many disappeared young women, violated and killed. But perhaps she left on purpose, and ended up creating a life out West. Then again, she might have traveled the world, ending up in the midst of the India in time for the bombings in Mumbai. The boys – and the reader – will never know, but that does not stop them from wondering, from imagining.
At well under 300 pages, The Fates Will Find Their Way is a slim volume that packs a huge punch. Pittard’s writing is not only lovely, but absolutely captivating. Interestingly, this is the second novel I read this year told in the first person plural (we, etc.). It is never completely clear in The Fates Will Find Their Way whether it is one boy speaking for the group, but I like to think that it is something akin to their collective memory. The boys were always more of a group than individuals, although individuals were often named. I never felt that I got a good handle on most of them as individuals, but as a group they had an amazingly strong identity that their weaker individual identities was not a stumbling block to enjoying the story.
There is so much to this little book that it is difficult to do it justice. Suffice it to say that I think you should read it. Highly recommended.
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Excellent review, Jen! I agree with what you said about the group voice being so strong. It was. I’m glad you loved this book just as much as I did!
This is one of the current books I’m most looking forward to reading. The story itself sounds interesting, but I also want to see how the first person plural voice will play its role.
I already caved on this one weeks ago. I bought it on my Kindle, and now will just wait until April 1st before I read it!
Fantastic review! I’ve added this book to my list. I think I would love this book.
I have seen a couple positive reviews of this book and it sounds like a worthwhile read. Great review!
One of my very most favorite reads this year. I loved this story.
I have every intention of not adding any more books to my reading list for the first part of this year and then I read a review like this and have to break down. This is going on my list today.
When first person plural is done well, it can be very powerful. This book sounds fantastic!
Great review — I’m so glad to see that you loved it. I checked it out from the library and can’t wait to start it.
I have heard only amazing things about this book! Great review!
I so want to read this one! I’ve heard so much about it!
Thanks for bringing this book to my attention. It sounds like a book I would enjoy.