Member Reviews
For some reason that I cannot pinpoint I could not click with this book. Maybe it was the writing style or the humour that was not resonating with me as much as I hoped for, I do not know. But it was a mediocre read for my taste in any case which is why I give this one a 2,5 star rating.
I chose this book because I lived in North Carolina for a while and it was a pleasure to read it and to be able to recognize some of the stuff that it's mentioned in the story. The book is very easy to read and it caught my attention from beginning to end. I was amazed on how the author managed to tell so many different stories in a way that they were all connected. I was very curious about how it would end and it didn't disappoint me. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and interesting read. I already plan to read it again.
Charming is what comes to mind. Charming is Salvador(Sally) Hinson who while attending the funeral of his long time partner finds he is the owner of a safety deposit box that may explain his partners sudden return of faith and religion. The two had worked the real estate market putting deals that made Sally a rich man but also a man ready for the next score. A plot of land behind an erasible old lady , with a granddaughter determined to win Survivor is just one one the plot points in this roller coaster ride of a story. The characters are rich and alive. Ordinary people looking to have an extraordinary experience not to mention a chance at millions. Livingston Carr the son of the man who owned the land always hoped the land would give his son the future he never had. Funny, charming, yes that’s what you have here. Happy reading
A disparate group of eccentrics and oddballs are all interested in a large parcel of land for various reasons. It has a 'six degrees of separation' theme going on as most of the characters have at least a passing awareness of the others but aren't aware that they all have designs on the same property. There's some sly satirical insights on greed, environmental issues, and a generation raised on reality T.V.
Third person narration switches effortlessly back and forty between the characters. The plot of Sunflower Dog is easy to follow with a few unexpected twists and whatnot.
There's a bit too much introspection by some characters that slows things down considerably in my view but that's just a personal preference (I generally prefer a more streamlined story) so some readers may enjoy it.
If I had to make a comparison to another author I would say that there is some slight crossover to Carl Hiaasen but with a far more subdued, less absurdist skew.
Bottom line: Liked it, didn't love it. I would read more books by the author.
***Thanks to NetGalley, SFK Press and author Kevin Winchester for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.