Review: Tell the Wolves I’m Home

Book Title/Author: Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Publication Date/Publisher: June 19, 2012/Random house Publishing Group
Series: No
Source and Format: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 3.75 stars

From Goodreads:

1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.

At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.

I remember hearing about this book before it was even released and being excited…but every time I read the summary it just didn’t make me feel like I needed to read it right away, Since that time, Tell the Wolves I’m Home has popped up on my radar quite a few more times, but I still didn’t feel like I NEEDED this book. I saw a review recently that made me feel like I finally needed to read it, and now I think I’ve waited too long.

I hype-monstered myself, I think. My expectations built and built, and I was not left the blubbering mess I had counted on being.

The writing, while gorgeous, didn’t speak to me in the way I had hoped. The story, while touching, is rife with relationships that border on creepy. June is a fantastic character, but I just couldn’t identify with her.

Tell the Wolves I’m Home takes place in 1987. This is one of the hardest time periods for me to read about, because I was alive but there is no way for me to have memories from this time. Thank to VH1, I understand the pop culture references and what life was generally like – and since my mom was a teenager in the 80’s it stayed her nostalgia era throughout my entire childhood.

I really wish I had just read this when it came out – I think I would have enjoyed it more without building it up for over a year.