Dear Isabelle

by Jessica Swan

Book Overview

Just weeks after moving to Seattle as a freshman at the university, Isabelle's world of safety in Campion Tower vanishes. Everything starts to go wrong in the worst possible way for her after her... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1891799703
• ISBN13: 9781891799709
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Harbor House (GA)
• Length: 239 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A Beautiful, Heart-Wrenching Book: Don't Skip the Epilogue!!!

I loved this book! I can understand that some of the reviewers have qualms about this book not being a horror, because it's not. BUT, this is a fascinating, deep, emotionally-raw book. Isabelle was such an intriguing character. As I read along I felt like she was sharing her deepest, darkest hopes, dreams, and fears with me. And I loved the twist in the epilogue. I get the feeling that a lot of people skipped the epilogue and missed the biggest twist in the book. It was a little unconventional of Swan to choose the epilogue to reveal such a huge twist---but that's why I like her. She's original, unconventional, and authentic. If you already finished the book but skipped past the epilogue, pick the book back up and read it. You'll want to read the whole book again thinking to yourself---was I the one who was fooled all along by this magical, sweet, little book?

Great character study.

This was a great character study. The suspense and mystery builds to a very satisfying climax and surprise ending. High recommeded.

Memory, deconstructed.

With haunting streams of memory and consciousness embedded throughout the narrative, Jessica Swan takes a bold move as she turns the typical role of narration upside down by asking the question, "What happens when the narrator doesn't tell the truth?" Even the characters in "Dear Isabelle" flutter between reality and illusion, while the story itself hides patiently under a veil of memories. Some are true. And some are only remembered dreams. From beginning to end, this was a magnificent, captivating story. I felt that "Dear Isabelle" intimately exposes both the power and vulnerability of words themselves, while reconstructing our notions of what it means to 'read between the lines.' Literature students take note: You'll find plenty of delicious devices in this novel such as allusions, figurative language, visual imagery, and vibrant symbolism; so much so that this story demands a second (and third!) read, purely for pleasure and to quench any curiosities for missed clues, etc. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who loves a well-crafted, suspenseful story that changes and grows each time you read it. I enjoyed the writing just as much as I enjoyed all the twists and turns in this well-executed plot. Keep in mind that this story is very character driven, with many dark journeys into a psyche fraught with anguish and honest, raw emotions. Swan's style is intricate yet quite fluid and natural at the same time, which really pulls you into story right away and doesn't let go until the last page. I actually read this in one sitting (that kept me up until 3am under my covers with my booklight!) Also, since there is no "Search Inside" feature currently for this book, here's a short example of Swan's writing to give you a taste of her writing style: "Then all at once, a strange cloud drifted over the sun and turned the sky into night. As if it had always been night and would be forever. The turquoise waters around me followed suit and metamorphosed into blackened waves. The air had become thick and heavy and clung to my skin. Cold walls of water soon towered over me, like a shadow avenging his captivity, finally escaping his masters form." -(page 133, "Dear Isabelle")

a pure gem - moving and inspiring

This is a book out of the ordinary, a real gem! Swan has the rare talent to use beautiful language and powerful words that enthrall the reader from page one. For me it was an amazing experience to find this combined with a gripping story. I could easily connect with Isabelle, the main character, and found myself going with her through every page and emotion. This connection intensifies while the plot starts to accelerate rapidly into a pageturning thriller - skillfully weaving Isabelle's past and future into the present. Surprising, intense, beautiful and fascinating - and reminding us to look behind the obvious!

Loved It! What a Thriller.

You must read it! I can promise you will find yourself not wanting to put the book down. I couldnt wait to turn the page to see whats next. I was constantly fighting my wife over it. It was a race each night to see who was going to be able to read a chapter that night first. I should of bought two. Great Work JS. I look forward to another. DAR