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GIVEAWAY: 5 copies of Testimony by Anita Shreve
September 2nd, 2010
Hi everyone, I have a great giveaway for you all! 5 copies of Testimony by Anita Shreve are up for grabs courtesy of Brianne at Hachette Book Group. Anita Shreve has been a long time favorite author of mine and I did read Testimony when it came and enjoyed it – I’m going to repost my review instead of the book description…
I’ve read a few of Anita Shreve’s novels and liked them. Testimony was no different. It’s a very powerful story that grabs your attention from the beginning and keeps you hooked to the end.
The beginning of the novel introduces us to a devastating videotape that involves two boys 18 years old, one boy 19 years old and a very young girl, aged 14. The tape shows them involved in very explicit sexual acts. They are all very clearly drunk. This tape ends up falling into the headmaster’s hands and he scrambles to keep it contained within the Academy’s walls. However, this doesn’t happen and from that point on everything spirals out of control.
The story is told in the form of testimony, hence the title of the book. This testimony comes from several different people from the man who sold alcohol to teens to the cafeteria staff and to those more intimately involved and finally on to those who committed the offense.
The boys involved all played on the school basketball team and were all very talented. They were to go on to college. They all came from decent enough homes. So this brings us to the question of how does this kind of thing happen? Is it something inherently wrong with the boys? Is it their upbringing? Or, was it instigated by the young girl as there will always be people who question this?
I felt of all the characters Silas truly felt disgusted with himself over what had happened. He couldn’t come to terms with it. His mother Anna and something she does is really a catalyst for all that happens. Not that anything could justify these horrendous acts but it really goes to show us how one act in a person’s life can have devastating effects on others and spiral into one disaster after another for so many others including themselves.
I found one section in the book that has stayed with me so I’d like to share it…
“A single action can cause a life to veer off in a direction it was never meant to go. Falling in love can do that, you think. And so can a wild party. You marvel at the way each has the power to forever alter an individual’s compass. And it is the knowing that such a thing can so easily happen, as you did not know before, not really, that has fundamentally changed you…” —page 277
The only complaint I would have with this novel is the way it was written in testimony. I didn’t feel as if I really got to connect with anyone enough. That being said it is a gripping story and I read it quickly. Again, the story does contain sexual content and difficult subject matter so for some that may not be appealing. (Originally posted October 2008)
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
As you can see I enjoyed the book and it has had really good reviews as well. You have a chance to enter to win 1 of 5 copies of Testimony by Anita Shreve that are available. To enter…
- For 1 entry leave me a comment with an email address to contact you.
- For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, let me know as the extra entry is yours as well.
- For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.
This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes- only 1 winner per household). I will draw for the winners on Sunday, Sept 26/10. Good luck to all!
© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (78)
Pleae enter me, have been trying to get this book to review, but always a bit late. So will now try to win a copy.
CMash
Mash1195(at)aol(dot)com
Am a google friend connect follower.
CMash
Mash1195(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds interesting…would like to win! Thanks for the opportunity.
littleone AT shaw DOT ca
GFC follower.
littleone AT shaw DOT ca
Not my usual genre, but every time I've read a review of this book, I've thought it sounded very interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow through Google Reader.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow via google!
behapppppppy(at)hotmail(dot)com
Please count me in, I would love to win and read Testimony! Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a GFC follower.
Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Darlene,
Anita Shreve is one of my favorite authors, so I'd love to win a copy!
lynda_s@pacbell.net
I love her books. I follow through google reader.
aploughery (at) yahoo(dot) com
+1, Please enter me. I'd love to read this.
+2, I'm an old GFC follower (BRN).
+3, I blogged, http://bit.ly/9CkqzC
Thanks,
tradingaddress at gmail dot com
Please enter me – thanks for the review and the giveaway
jgoffice (at) cox (dot) net
I also follow
jgoffice (at)cox(dot)net
I would really like to win this book by this author. I have yet a book by her and would like to start with this one.
cenya2 at hotmail dot com
I follow by google reader.
cenya2 at hotmail dot com
This one sounds really good. I would love to read it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I already am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
No need to enter me Dar, I have this one sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. It does sound really good.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
throw my hat in the ring please!!
follow you on Google Reader, if that counts
caitemaireAThotmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway!
im an old follower and i tweeted (http://twitter.com/vampficionada/status/22837153299)
total: 3 entries
jecca.0104@gmail.com
This book sounds really good. Please enter me.
mparke[at]mts[dot]net
I follow your blog via my Google Reader.
mparke[at]mts[dot]net
I'm a follower! Thanks for the giveaway!
Rachelhwallen@gmail.com
Sounds like a great read. Please include me.
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
I follow with Google Reader.
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
Thanks for the chance to win!!
areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com
I also follow!!
areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com
I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway!
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
I'm a follower.
Tweeted http://twitter.com/amandawk/status/22848266354
I've heard great things about this book and would love to enter. Thanks.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I am a follower.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
thanks for the giveaway!
krae991 at yahoo dot com
I'm a blogger follower.
krae991 at yahoo dot com
I posted this link on my right sidebar: http://www.thedoortowonderland.blogspot.com
krae991 at yahoo dot com
Please enter me.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
1. I follow your blog.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
2. I follow your blog.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
1. Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/22871915024
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
2. Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/22871915024
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
3. Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/22871915024
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I'm a long-time Anita Shreve fan!
JHS
Colloquium
jhsmail at comcast dot net
Google follower.
JHS
Colloquium
jhsmail at comcast dot net
Please enter me in this generous giveaway.
I am a follower.
I'll post this in my blog's sidebar.
I would love to read this!!
billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com
Wow, this sounds like a pretty powerful book. I like the excerpt. Please enter me in the giveaway.
ihappydance at gmail. com
I love Anita Shreve's books. I would love to win.
pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com
Interesting giveaway. thanks so much. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I would like to read this fascinating book. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com
Gotta have this. Am praying I would win. LOL
teh(dot)alice(at)gmail(dot)com
(+1) I'm already a follower…
(+1) I've also tweeted about this
Thanks, Dar!
I'd love to win a copy of this, thanks for the chance!
My e-mail is: estrella [dot] azul20 [at] gmail [dot] com
And I follow your blog through Google Reader.
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#1
Follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#2
Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis
http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/23115136023
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#1
Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis
http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/23115136023
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#2
Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis
http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/23115136023
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#3
Sounds like a good read—please enter me to win!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
Please enter me.
Thanks for the great contest and review.
RJB
loki304(at)tds(dot)net
I have read this book (and really enjoyed it) but would love to win a copy for my mom!
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com
I am a GFC follower.
candc320@gmail.com
I've read a couple of Shreve's books and enjoyed them so please enter me in. Love the new look of your blog btw!
samantha.1020@yahoo.com
I would love to win this.
I'm a follower.
headlessfowl at jteers dot net
I would love to read this — I am a big fan of Anita Shreve and am thinking of this for my Book Group. I do follow your blog — love it.
I've been wanting to read this. Thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I am already a follower.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Thanks for this giveaway!
allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com
Blog follower
allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway.
undermyappletree at gmail dot com
I'm a follower at google friend connect.
undermyappletree at gmail dot com
Posted giveaway on twitter:
http://twitter.com/UnderMyAppleTre/status/25133503573
undermyappletree at gmail dot com
Please enter me in this contest, I would love to read 'Testimony".
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I am a GFC follower of this blog.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I always enjoy Anita Shreve's novels. Would love to win this one.
safoga at gmail dot com
I follow your blog via GFC.
safoga at gmail dot com
Tweeted about this giveaway here: http://twitter.com/safoga/status/25540327296
safoga at gmail dot com