Review: A Very Beautiful and Satisfying Read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 6, 2014
I was blown away by the novel and especially the unique main character. Livvie has synesthesia, an unusual sensory condition where sound can make the person see colors, or seeing colors can make a person smell specific odors. She gets no sympathy from her mother, never measures up to her popular sister’s reputation, and just tries to fly under the radar at school. Only her two best friends support her, but they really prefer a follower to a leader, and Livvie fits that role nicely. Then her sister’s leukemia returns, her friends get boyfriends when Livvie needs them the most, and her life descends into chaos and misery.I adored Livvie from the beginning. She’s so good-hearted but has been raised in such a negative atmosphere that she’s too timid to go after the things she wants or even believe she deserves them. As the book progresses, the pressures on her are enormous, but through it all, she always thinks of others first. I read on, faster and faster, hoping that Livvie would somehow get the good life she deserves.Larkindale writes so well that everything happening to Livvie was believable and heart-wrenching. The novel is perfectly paced, and I wasn’t bored for a second. Every chapter had surprises in store. The love story was delightful. Livvie and Bianca’s relationship was realistic, slow to blossom, and very romantic.An Unstill Life is breathtakingly beautiful and emotionally riveting. I was so impressed and cannot wait to read more books by this stellar author!