By: Carol Rifka Brunt
Synopsis
From the book dust jacket:
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 be herself only 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.
An emotionally charged coming-of-age novel, Tell the Wolves I’m Home is a tender story of love lost and found, an unforgettable portrait of the way compassion can make us whole again.
My Thoughts
I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed it well enough, but didn’t love it. I liked that the book tackled the subject of AIDS in the eighties, and I felt it was handled in a compassionate manner. I found the main characters to be believable, but I didn’t like most of them. Having an introverted non-conforming child myself, I understood June. However, her constant whining was a little off-putting. I was a little unnerved by her being “in love” with her uncle. I felt it would have been a better story had she simply adored him and been close to him as he was the only person who seemed to understand her. I didn’t like Greta. I thought she was mean and a bully. I also didn’t care for the mom. I found her to be selfish and homophobic, though she really does love her brother. I found this to be a realistic dynamic as I have seen this between two of my own family members. The dad was ok, but a little oblivious to what’s going on around him, which is sadly cliche. With all that being said, I did find the family dynamics to be mostly believable (except for the older sister trying to get the attention of the younger sister, typically it’s the other way). I really wanted to know more about Finn and Toby and their life. I liked Toby, but I didn’t like the way he approached a fourteen-year-old girl and asked her to meet with him in secret. I kind of understood it with the way June’s mom selfishly forced Finn to keep Toby a secret from the girls, and it was the eighties, but it came across as a little strange. Still, it would have been great to learn more about him. He was one of the more interesting characters.
What did you think of this one? Do you have some insights I missed?