A Different Kind of Gone: A Novel

in every way, it surprised me at every turn, and there were many. Always in a good way, I was SO nervous that Norma was going to get into trouble for what she did, though in every possible way I thought she was right all along. She, and Jill, DID do the right thing, or tried to, even knowing the tremendous risk that posed. They, those two women showed the kind of strength, complexity and compassion that I wish the entire world would.This is an exceedingly intricate book, it brings out and highlights the exact issues women deal with on so many levels. The judgment of others, the self doubt, the not leaving an abusive man, the fear they live with. It deals with the truth that yes, in so many cases, if the abused woman who goes missing is young, blonde and pretty the case will get attention of a thousand suns, while the others, and they are legion, never get more than a poster or a paragraph. This isn’t a uniquely American situation either, it is itself its own kind of pandemic.Norma, despite her choices is an incredibly wise woman, with a good heart, and first hand experience at surviving abuse even though that meant losing her sons to an abusive father. That the reconciliation between them takes 20 years to begin resolving is a crying shame. Norma is practical, smart and has an incredibly strong moral compass, though she would herself argue against that idea. She did SO much for both Jill and Wanda, with absolutely nothing to gain personally but an almost certain knowledge she was doing the right thing. Which she was.I worried through most of the book about the same things Norma and Jill did, even Farley though I’d never do what he did. What is so clear in this book is that abusive behavior is learned not inborn, an abused child becomes an abusive man, almost always it is a man. What he suffered as a child, well most do not themselves become abusers, those that do wreak carnage until they are stopped. While I do not understand the reasoning women go through that causes them to accept it or return to it, I also know that’s there. It does not speak well of the human race that most women who are murdered are killed by an intimate partner. I have no idea how to break that seemingly endless chain, only a certainty that somehow we must. We’ll not be a civilization until we do.Great book, superbly written, so many points of view included, a tremendous read I am happy to give 5 stars too and I don’t do that readily, or often, but this marvelous story deserved it, deserves it. I hope it is one brick in the path we have to figure out and take to change these stories into never, or almost, headlines. And I hope it also brings attention to all those who are not young, blonde and pretty, they deserve that, every single one of them. And, these monsters, no matter how they got that way, deserve sentences long enough to prevent them from ever returning to society in condition to do it again. Because far too many do.

Technically, I’d give the book 3.5 stars but that’s not an option. I have mixed reviews because I felt some of the story lines wouldn’t really happen but then again, maybe our society has changed enough to let that happen, like the DA who turned a deaf ear or one of the lead characters completely walking away from her children or lying about finding one of the other main characters but I haven’t lived their story so I’m not sure how I would really handle the situation at hand.This is the story of a divorced woman who lives in a very small town as a bartender and volunteers on a search and rescue. She’s set in her ways, has a very simple life and is truly a black and white personality. Norma, who is out on a mission and finds the missing person, a young woman, Jill hiding in a cave. Jill has ran off from her boyfriend , Jake, because of abuse and life threats. Norma has to make the decision of not telling anyone she has found Jill and when she does, five years later, Jake, the boyfriend is charged with murder. Jill, now Cassie and Norma have to decide once again if she tells the truth and lets others know she’s alive.There are multiple side plots like her relationship with her kids (minor one), another woman by the name of Wanda marries Jake, and Jake attempts to kill Wanda which triggers the possible murder of Jill.Again, there were a few minor things I would have a hard time believing. Also, at times, there was too much ‘fluff’, too many specific details that didn’t help the book flow.All in all, I do think it would be a great book club read and I listened to it, which the reader did a nice job.

I thought this is a very fine book.I especially like the way the author places her main characters in such difficult situations that life throws at all of us and then sees them through these situations with so much compassion and love. Her characters are strong and they help us discover that we, also, are strong. She also chooses subjects that most of us like to ignore. She is one of my very favorite authors and I would like to thank her for writing her books.

Good story but how many times do you have to mention making and eating breakfast. Seems you were just filling in a word quota. Same with feeding the dogs and animals...mostly enjoyed it tho.

This book was raw, and tactile. As someone that has been in an abusive situation, I thought the author handled the topic with just the right balance of truth and grace. And I think she was able to do that bc of the personality she built in Norma. But I’m ahead of myself…I don’t want to spoil the book, but she developed these characters so beautifully to show the sort of stages one goes through in this situation. 1. I can love him enough to change him. 2. I can’t take this anymore but I don’t know how to get out. You could feel the desperation coming off the page. 3. A hardened heart, never trusting yourself or anyone else again. Never letting anyone in. And it was my fault? The author handled the guilt with such a light touch while still making it real to the reader. 5. Letting go. Allowing people in. Learning to trust again. Allowing yourself to smile again. The author helped the reader feel all these emotions along with the characters, and sometimes it wasn’t even through a monologue, bc Norma was a woman of few words, rather you could feel it through an expression or an action the author depicted so well.There was also the twist of what do you do when the right thing, isn’t always the right thing. An ethical dilemma. I have to say I flip flopped several times and I honestly don’t know which I would have done in the end. It was such a well developed story and I was so invested in these women. As I said, this is the first book I have read from this author and I will definitely keep reading her books. Do yourself a favor and read this book!

I enjoyed the book. An easy read good story not great but cute story. I'd recommend for a cute story but difficult topic.

this author only writes amazing, unique & thought provoking stories. This ones raw and exposes real issues while balancing the beauty that exists among the ugliness in the world

Absolutely loved this book. Read many of Catherine’s books from Pay It Forward and beyond, but this is one of my favourites. She really gets into the soul of her characters, really understanding how people get into certain situations and how they can move above and beyond their state in life with the help and kindness of others. Norma is a one of those slightly cynical women who’s seen it all, been there, done that, but underneath it all is a woman full of kindness. Her grumpiness is her way of covering up how she truly feels about others. She’s tough but kind. We need more Norma’s in our lives!

I don't know what motivated Ms Hyde to write this book, but it is a wonderful discussion about the effects of domestic violence woven into a great story of hope and love.The brutality of domestic violence is there but it doesn't jar. It is a timely reminder of how quickly things can go wrong in any relationship.Principally this is the story about two young women escaping domestic violence from the same man, who are befriended and mentored by a much older woman who is also a domestic violence survivor.Norma is an incredibly strong character. You won't forget her in a hurry. The way she talks, the way she does things are going to leave a very strong impression.Norma has built a defence barrier around herself. Her interactions with these two young women help her relax and let people in. How many DV survivors have these positive experiences I wonder.The whole issue of domestic violence is treated with great empathy and understanding in this book..it is not viewed in black and white. And it isn't just about women victims and survivors. Men also suffer and perpetuate the cycle.How people cope with DV both in their own personal lives and within the justice system is also a hot topic in this book. At one point a county DA says they have a legal system, not a justice system. The lengths one of the young survivors has to go to to protect herself is extraordinary. The bottom line is unless the perpetrator dies there is really no escaping him unless you take drastic measures.Full marks to Ms Hyde for writing this excellent novel. I loved her characterisation and I also loved the role animals played in the book. She obviously loves animals very much. Perhaps like Norma she loves animals more than people. We never know how much of an author is in a book.

Quite a good story with a difference but former too much unnecessary dialogue. However, a gentle read with a happy ending

I love your stories! So real. So relatable. They touch my soul.I feel so content, aware and refreshed after reading this book. Thank you!