Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.

"A coming of age story that follows the path of one teenager who's close relationship with her Uncle leads to a burgeoning friendship with his "special friend" Toby, after her Uncle's death."

3 Stars

Pros: It was interesting to have the setting be in the mid-late 80s when the AIDS epidemic was ravaging the Country and people didn't know how to react.

Cons: The relationship between June and Finn was a little odd at times/Greta was an obnoxious, self destructive beast through most of the book but aren't all teenagers?

Full Review:

Finn Elbus' dying wish is to paint a portrait of his two nieces, Greta, the talented, pretty, actress and June, the younger, insecure, awkward one. Finn is dying of AIDS, a sickness that the Country is currently attempting to wrap their heads around and most people think that it's being used as a weapon, that people are giving each other AIDS purposely and thus killing them. It shows how close minded people are and always will be.

With the death of her Uncle Finn, June is at a loss. She had a close relationship with him. He was her Godfather and they would spend hours together touring the city of New York. June loved her Uncle, in some ways that were a little creepy at times. But she feels what she feels. At Finn's funeral, there's a man there that Greta points out is the man that killed Finn. It's his "special friend" Toby. He leaves, once he's spotted but a few weeks after the funeral, June receives a tea pot that was Finn's and a note from Toby, asking if he'll meet her. All he wants is to get to know her.

It's a story that's bound to have a slightly sad ending, since Finn had AIDS, Toby has it too and it's already established to the reader that Toby will die. Their friendship at first is strained and awkward, June's not even sure why she goes to meet him. But after awhile, they do become friends. She keeps all of this a secret from her family, since her Mother is convinced that Toby killed Finn and hates the man. It all comes to a head of course and characters show their true selves.

Overall it was an okay read but, the character of June herself and her relationship with her Uncle was a little off putting. I understand, it's more or less supposed to be a coming of age story but, some parts were just a little too off for me. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. I'm glad I read it but as with a lot of books, I read it and I'm satisfied, no glowing review, no deep loathing, it was just a book that I read and that's about it.

Comments

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