Review: Labor Day
After his parents get divorced, Henry lives with his mother, Adele. Adele has become a little odd and rarely leaves the house. It’s Labor Day weekend, though, and thirteen year old Henry needs some things for school, so he and his mother head out to the local Pricemart. While they’re there, an injured man in a Pricemart shirt approaches Henry, needing some help. Adele and Henry end up taking Frank, the injured man, home with them. It turns out that Frank’s an escaped convict, who was serving time for murdering his wife and child.
Things aren’t always what they seem, though, and the three of them end up spending a wonderful Labor Day weekend together. One quote from Henry really struck me:
And the thought occurs to me that here is one of the best parts about his showing up. I am not responsible for making her happy anymore. That job can be his now. This leaves me free for other things. My own life, for instance.
I loved Labor Day by Joyce Maynard! The story is told from Henry’s point of view and I thought both he and Frank were fantastic characters. Adele’s a great character too – my heart just broke for her when I discovered why she’s become so withdrawn. This book doesn’t just have great character development, though – the storyline kept me absorbed from the very start. I was totally engrossed in the book because I needed to know what was going to happen next. Labor Day also gave me a lot to think about – I wondered how many children suffer because they feel responsible for their parents’ happiness. This book is about the power of love and family. Most of the action take places over the holiday weekend, but there is an epilogue of sorts that lets the reader know how the lives of the characters turn out. This is a book you don’t want to miss.
Here’s a video of Joyce Maynard talking about Labor Day:
I never really felt too interested in the book because of the title. It felt too American and as I don’t exactly celebrate Labor day I thought this book would be lost on me.
But…I see thats not the case. I’ll have to keep an eye out for this.
Kathy, nice review. I really liked this book – and still think about it.
“I wondered how many children suffer because they feel responsible for their parents’ happiness. ”
It probably happens quite often, sadly. I’m glad you loved this so much!
This was a quick read but very powerful. I love your review!
Looked at this one in the bookstore the other day – sounds interesting. I’ve never read anything by Joyce Maynard, although I’ve always been intrigued by her personal story. Nice review.
Thank you for the review about “Labor Day.” I have seen the title. This is the first chance I’ve had to really read what the book was about.
I would bet a large percentage of children with divorced parents feel that way. If left to my own senses, I usually avoid the heartbreaking, emotional reads, but will trust you on this one! There is usually much more to it than I give it credit!
So happy you loved this book as much as me. I thought it was terrific.
I have neen thinking about picking this one up for quite some time. It sounds like something I would like.
It’s so important for me to believe the characters.
Oh how I have been wanting to read this one. Thanks for the review Kathy.
I’m curious about why Adele became so withdrawn. This book is not on my list, but I’ve been reading/hearing such positive reviews that I might add it soon.
Sounds like a good book. I don’t currently have a copy of this one, but I’ll have to check out the library’s catalog!
The quote alone from Henry caught at me so I can imagine the rest of the story would keep me riveted. It sounds like a good mystery. I want to know more about all three characters.
The premise sounds very interesting. I may have to seek this one out too..
Great review! I loved Labor Day and I just know your review will entice a lot of new readers to pick it up.
I like Maynard and I know I’ll like this book. Your review just made me even more interested — the convict, the boy who feels responsible for his parent . . . sounds like an engrossing mix even without good character development.
I’ve heard so many good things about this book now!
Very interesting premise! I actually already have this book, but never really looked into what it was about. Probably because I have way too many books to possibly keep up with or ever get through!
I’ve read Maynard’s memoir about her relationship with Salinger (which I very much enjoyed), but haven’t read any of her fiction. This sounds like a very promising read. (Funny aside — before reading your review based on the title I thought it referred to a pregnancy).
I think I’d like this – so many of the books I read are from a woman’s perspective; this would be a nice change of pace.
This one sounds really good. Glad to see you liked it.
I see this one everywhere. I wrote it down and then added it to my Goodreads list yet it somehow gets buried and I forget about it. I wish there was a bit more time in the day so that I could get all these books read!
Nice review Kathy. This one is on my wishlist.
I loved this book—in fact, I enjoy all of Maynard’s work. I even have her first one and have reviewed it on one of my blogs.
Her most fascinating works are the memoirs, such as “At Home in the World” and “Looking Back,” the book she wrote at eighteen and which grew from an article she wrote for a magazine. (The New York Times).
Your review was awesome!! I loved this book for exactly the reasons you wrote about!
What a great review. I’ve seen this book around but the title just never grabbed me. Now that I’ve read your review, it sounds like a wonderful read!
I have read several good reviews of this book and think it sounds like a really involving and interesting story. Glad to know you liked it so much and great review! This is definitely one I will be picking up. Thanks!
thanks for the review- I’ve been eyeing Labor Day for a while now & appreciate your point of view! Glad you liked it so much!
This one sounds great! A very interesting premise indeed, and I love the passage you shared.
Glad you love the book! It does sound like a wonderful read. 🙂
Great review, Kathy, I am so glad you enjoyed it! I want to read it too.
Agreed!
“I wondered how many children suffer because they feel responsible for their parents’ happiness. ” – thought provoking question. Something that is sadly true!
I will keep and eye for this one! i have read good reviews of this one around, glad you liked it!
I’ve read such good things about this one. It’s on my list.
I tried to get this one through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers, but it didn’t happen. I’ll probably read it at some point anyway; glad you liked it, and thanks for the informative review!
Wow, great review. This one sounds terrific.
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by this author but this sounds like a good place to start.
We’ve been toying with reading this one for my face to face book club but a review I read a while back scared me off. Now I’m going to have to rethink that decision.
Interesting! I’m sure lots of children do suffer when their parents aren’t happy because so many take it personally but also feeling responsible for their happiness must be a pretty big burden
This sounds terrific. Thanks for the lovely review.