Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The Raising by Laura Kasischke

Book Details
The Raising by Laura Kasischke
Paperback, 496 Pages
2011, Harper Perennial
ISBN: 0062004786

Synopsis
From Laura Kasischke, the critically acclaimed, bestselling author of In a Perfect World and The Life Before Her Eyes, comes a hypnotic mystery about one girl’s tragic death and the fallout that occurs on her closely-knit college campus. Part Stephen King, part Donna Tartt, and wholly unforgettable, Kasischke’s The Raising sets a new standard for hair-raising literary suspense.

Review
The Raising is one of those novels that defies explanation. It's a mix of psychological thriller, mystery, and even perhaps a bit of ghostly horror. It's confusing in a way that makes you all the more invested in finding the truth in amongst the layers. It's impossible to describe the plot without giving away any of the wonderfully shocking moments.

The clear theme of The Raising is death, on both a personal and theoretical level. Nicole's death is at the epicenter of the novel. It's the mystery, the drama, the character motivation for the majority of the book. Her death, which complicates the lives of many, is not as straightforward as it appears. Mira teaches a college seminar called Death, Dying and the Undead. The description of the seminar is fascinating. The information conveyed in these scenes is absolutely riveting.

The Raising is full of never-see-them-coming twists that are easily balanced by true emotion that occasionally borders on frantic. The book keeps you on your toes, giving you the feeling of knowing what will come next yet always proving you wrong. The Raising is a deeply chilling and constantly surprising book.

Rating

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