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A Wounded World
A story about living with the wounds that death can leave behind and healing those wounds with love. A boy hides from a world that hurt him, and a girl must learn how and what love is in order to help him realize there is life after death.
"A strange young man, indeed," said Shu, the old gardener who was really a doctor. "He's like that graveyard cat, who hunts mice amongst graves at night and occasionally ventures out into the bright light of the living world. But even then, he stays in the shadows, avoiding contact, forgetting that his natural place is with the living and not with the dead."
"Sí! La vida no debe rondan a los muertos."
The old man looked to his Hispanic friend and nodded. "My friend, Mr. Rosalis..."
"Ramirez!"
"...agrees, 'The living should not haunt the dead.' I fear bringing that boy to this place was a mistake."
"A strange young man, indeed," said Shu, the old gardener who was really a doctor. "He's like that graveyard cat, who hunts mice amongst graves at night and occasionally ventures out into the bright light of the living world. But even then, he stays in the shadows, avoiding contact, forgetting that his natural place is with the living and not with the dead."
"Sí! La vida no debe rondan a los muertos."
The old man looked to his Hispanic friend and nodded. "My friend, Mr. Rosalis..."
"Ramirez!"
"...agrees, 'The living should not haunt the dead.' I fear bringing that boy to this place was a mistake."
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 24, 2018
A Wounded World touches many emotional buttons: bullying, differences, privilege, cliques, disability, death and hope. Lots of hope. This book can be read by any age from junior high through senior citizen, which I am. At times, there's a mystical element to the story, a touch of time travel near the end that helps wrap the story up and wonderful writing. Anyone over 13 is or has been a teenager and the author deftly describes those feelings as a physically and emotionally damaged teen boy deals with tremendous loss, bullying, meanness, rejection and faces more loss from the death of his ailing grandmother who has raised him since he was nine. How he grows into self-acceptance and self-forgiveness entranced me and kept me up late reading. I highly recommend this book to all ages from junior high/middle school to advanced senior citizens!
December 17, 2019
4.5
“The world has wounded this boy terribly, Marsh, and he can’t forgive it. He’s angry and obstinate and fears nothing— even and especially me. I just can’t make this boy see and act for his own good. He hides from the world in that bloody garden and paints the moments of his life, ignoring his past and thereby rejecting his future.(…)” (p. 170).
What would you do if you lost it all in a terrible car crash and had to live with the haunting guilt that you weren’t able to do anything to save your loved ones from the cold hands of death? This is the story of Norman Albert Steves, the protagonist of the debut novel entitled A Wounded World, written by Crit Kincaid. Tormented by constant nightmares where the teen (who prefers to be called Normal) lives over and over again the terrifying last moments of his family’s life, the guilt and self-hatred, but also the acute feeling of loneliness that comes along with the pain and loss. Normal is stuck between his memories and his fears. If this wasn’t enough, the only relative the boy still has, Granny Rachel, who suffers from ALS, can’t take care of him anymore, due to her declining health. Thus, the teen is forced to face his greatest fears. How will this hypersensitive and talented boy cope with this world that always seems to hurt him and who will manage to bring him back into the light?
“He’s like that graveyard cat, who hunts mice amongst graves at night and occasionally ventures out into the bright light of the living world. But even then, he stays in the shadows, avoiding contact, forgetting that his natural place is with the living and not with the dead.” (p. 186)
I won’t give away more details because this is one of those books where you need to plunge into it without knowing too much about the story. What I can say is that I felt a deep connection with Normal because anyone who lost a loved one in their childhood can relate to this boy’s story along with the fear of being abandoned or losing the loved ones who are still alive. There’s also the fear of the past and the temptation to run away from it in order to suffer less. There are also other situations that made me relate to Normal. For example, he was bullied at school because he stuttered, while I was laughed at because I was visually impaired. The paranormal elements are amazing and to be honest, if it weren’t for them, I would have given this book a much lower rating.
A Wounded World is a paranormal young adult book I highly recommend to anyone, regardless of what genre you love to read because any reader will find closure and a different message, depending on each person's life experience. Young Adult books don’t usually appeal to me that much, but I’m impressed by how many themes and issues are intertwined and discussed in this book in a way that makes you pause and think about each one of them.
http://elitere.ro/a-wounded-world/
“The world has wounded this boy terribly, Marsh, and he can’t forgive it. He’s angry and obstinate and fears nothing— even and especially me. I just can’t make this boy see and act for his own good. He hides from the world in that bloody garden and paints the moments of his life, ignoring his past and thereby rejecting his future.(…)” (p. 170).
What would you do if you lost it all in a terrible car crash and had to live with the haunting guilt that you weren’t able to do anything to save your loved ones from the cold hands of death? This is the story of Norman Albert Steves, the protagonist of the debut novel entitled A Wounded World, written by Crit Kincaid. Tormented by constant nightmares where the teen (who prefers to be called Normal) lives over and over again the terrifying last moments of his family’s life, the guilt and self-hatred, but also the acute feeling of loneliness that comes along with the pain and loss. Normal is stuck between his memories and his fears. If this wasn’t enough, the only relative the boy still has, Granny Rachel, who suffers from ALS, can’t take care of him anymore, due to her declining health. Thus, the teen is forced to face his greatest fears. How will this hypersensitive and talented boy cope with this world that always seems to hurt him and who will manage to bring him back into the light?
“He’s like that graveyard cat, who hunts mice amongst graves at night and occasionally ventures out into the bright light of the living world. But even then, he stays in the shadows, avoiding contact, forgetting that his natural place is with the living and not with the dead.” (p. 186)
I won’t give away more details because this is one of those books where you need to plunge into it without knowing too much about the story. What I can say is that I felt a deep connection with Normal because anyone who lost a loved one in their childhood can relate to this boy’s story along with the fear of being abandoned or losing the loved ones who are still alive. There’s also the fear of the past and the temptation to run away from it in order to suffer less. There are also other situations that made me relate to Normal. For example, he was bullied at school because he stuttered, while I was laughed at because I was visually impaired. The paranormal elements are amazing and to be honest, if it weren’t for them, I would have given this book a much lower rating.
A Wounded World is a paranormal young adult book I highly recommend to anyone, regardless of what genre you love to read because any reader will find closure and a different message, depending on each person's life experience. Young Adult books don’t usually appeal to me that much, but I’m impressed by how many themes and issues are intertwined and discussed in this book in a way that makes you pause and think about each one of them.
http://elitere.ro/a-wounded-world/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2017
“A Wounded World” was one of 5 books I got off Amazon. I’d just got a subscription for Kindle Unlimited and I knew I would want to read something while on the train north. I scrolled through my Kindle and clicked on this book at random – entirely unsure what to expect but I wasn’t holding my breath…
The first chapter gripped my attention in an uncommon way. I have not read many books where my interest is piqued so near the beginning but I found that I really did not want to put my kindle down. The Highland scenery went by…and I was still engrossed in this book.
As far as I’m concerned, a book that can elicit heightened emotions from me is a sign of good writing. At one point, I looked up from the ‘page’, needing to find the composure to carry on. My Mum notices, as she does, and moves forward to place her hand over mine.
“Don’t read it!” She says.
“No, I have to.” I stubbornly look back down to my kindle. “It’s so wonderful!”
The uplifting nature of the book, and the perceptions of life after death are utterly astounding for me.
On top of this, the characters were all well-developed – something I’m keen on. The teenage angst parts reminded me of why I chose to teach primary, but the author has portrayed secondary school very cleverly indeed, the comments on bullying almost breaking my heart. Being in Scotland, I don’t really understand the American system, but I reckon we have our fair share of these characters on this side of the water too!
As with all books, I try and find something that could be better…it’s just my nature I suppose! Aside from a couple of typos that are easily overlooked, I would do nothing to this book to change it.
What a profound insight into the world and human nature! I would highly recommend it!
The first chapter gripped my attention in an uncommon way. I have not read many books where my interest is piqued so near the beginning but I found that I really did not want to put my kindle down. The Highland scenery went by…and I was still engrossed in this book.
As far as I’m concerned, a book that can elicit heightened emotions from me is a sign of good writing. At one point, I looked up from the ‘page’, needing to find the composure to carry on. My Mum notices, as she does, and moves forward to place her hand over mine.
“Don’t read it!” She says.
“No, I have to.” I stubbornly look back down to my kindle. “It’s so wonderful!”
The uplifting nature of the book, and the perceptions of life after death are utterly astounding for me.
On top of this, the characters were all well-developed – something I’m keen on. The teenage angst parts reminded me of why I chose to teach primary, but the author has portrayed secondary school very cleverly indeed, the comments on bullying almost breaking my heart. Being in Scotland, I don’t really understand the American system, but I reckon we have our fair share of these characters on this side of the water too!
As with all books, I try and find something that could be better…it’s just my nature I suppose! Aside from a couple of typos that are easily overlooked, I would do nothing to this book to change it.
What a profound insight into the world and human nature! I would highly recommend it!
March 6, 2017
This is a book I have a difficult time to review because there are so much things to say. It is a beautiful story about acceptance and keep living. It touches a lot of subject such as ALS, suicide and the death of your loved ones.
I have cried a lot reading it. Going from laugh to tears in a few seconds. And I still am teary eyed thinking of it.
"You always have choices. You make a choice with every beat of your heart, every breath you take. The trick is to have the courage to face the more important choices, and then learn to live and deal with the consequences - good or bad.
Definitely a book I would recommend.
I have cried a lot reading it. Going from laugh to tears in a few seconds. And I still am teary eyed thinking of it.
"You always have choices. You make a choice with every beat of your heart, every breath you take. The trick is to have the courage to face the more important choices, and then learn to live and deal with the consequences - good or bad.
Definitely a book I would recommend.
May 11, 2014
This is an inspirational book about loss, grieving, and healing.... very emotional. This is a stand alone book that could be a series. I would love to know what happens next. This is a very detailed book and I recommend it for any age, especially those whom have loved ones whom are critically ill or loved ones whom have passed. This story is about two main characters, but they are equally talked about so there is no confusion. I have experienced both of the main characters grief and I understood their feelings completely. There was so many parts that hit hard and I found myself actually crying, from the sadness but also the relief to read what I feel daily. I will not let my Adam be forgotten. As long as I remember he exists.
This is the story about Norman... whom goes by Normal. He is a very talented young artist that is living with his grandmother. Normal's grandmother is terminally ill, and they move into a community called River Gate. His grandmother will get the help she needs and he will have time to be a teenager. During his stay at the River Gate he meets several new people. But he is a loner so its hard for him to make friends. Well until Koren Shaw, whom is a beautiful, popular girl from school, whom helps him deal with his loss.
Favorite passages:
"The idea of his granny dying, leaving him, awakened the sense of loss and loneliness that he had lived with ever since the death of his family."
"The nausea returned with the unbearable feelings of loss and being alone."
"Home was the one person who loved him, his granny."
"Then, with a deep relaxing breath, he allowed his mind to escape into the white of the blank page and began to process the images he’d been storing in his head all morning."
"I've been sitting here, waiting for you to come up for air, for many a long minute now."
"You’re anything but normal. Very special, I think, and I thank you for listening."
"A wise man once wrote that one should not trust a silent man, for talking requires practice. Yet another wise man once wrote that a man, who talks much, thinks little. A strange and interesting paradox of wisdom."
"Better to live a short life with my love, than forever without."
"No one is truly dead unless they’re forgotten. I don’t want to be forgotten." <3
"She said that ‘your mind thinks it knows what you want, but your heart feels what you need. Follow your heart and you’ll never be unhappy.’"
"Yeah. But I was thinking just how lucky you were."
"Lucky?" she said, her voice rising with anger.
"That you had time to say good-bye." <3
"My mom once told me that hummingbirds were really fairies in bird disguises."
"Above the flowers, and all around the two of them, a dozen or more hummingbirds flew and hovered in an intense, erratic dance, while filling the air with their high-pitched music, and thrum of their almost invisible wings."
"That’s right. I was Norman’s first birthday present.”
“For my father,” he told himself and raised the ball into the air just as he had done when he was nine years old."
This is the story about Norman... whom goes by Normal. He is a very talented young artist that is living with his grandmother. Normal's grandmother is terminally ill, and they move into a community called River Gate. His grandmother will get the help she needs and he will have time to be a teenager. During his stay at the River Gate he meets several new people. But he is a loner so its hard for him to make friends. Well until Koren Shaw, whom is a beautiful, popular girl from school, whom helps him deal with his loss.
Favorite passages:
"The idea of his granny dying, leaving him, awakened the sense of loss and loneliness that he had lived with ever since the death of his family."
"The nausea returned with the unbearable feelings of loss and being alone."
"Home was the one person who loved him, his granny."
"Then, with a deep relaxing breath, he allowed his mind to escape into the white of the blank page and began to process the images he’d been storing in his head all morning."
"I've been sitting here, waiting for you to come up for air, for many a long minute now."
"You’re anything but normal. Very special, I think, and I thank you for listening."
"A wise man once wrote that one should not trust a silent man, for talking requires practice. Yet another wise man once wrote that a man, who talks much, thinks little. A strange and interesting paradox of wisdom."
"Better to live a short life with my love, than forever without."
"No one is truly dead unless they’re forgotten. I don’t want to be forgotten." <3
"She said that ‘your mind thinks it knows what you want, but your heart feels what you need. Follow your heart and you’ll never be unhappy.’"
"Yeah. But I was thinking just how lucky you were."
"Lucky?" she said, her voice rising with anger.
"That you had time to say good-bye." <3
"My mom once told me that hummingbirds were really fairies in bird disguises."
"Above the flowers, and all around the two of them, a dozen or more hummingbirds flew and hovered in an intense, erratic dance, while filling the air with their high-pitched music, and thrum of their almost invisible wings."
"That’s right. I was Norman’s first birthday present.”
“For my father,” he told himself and raised the ball into the air just as he had done when he was nine years old."
September 3, 2014
I opened my last book review by quipping that I should either start to read bad books or stop reading [insert name of author]. Shall we write Kincaid within the brackets?
"A Wounded World" is the story of Norman Albert Steves, who lost his parents and twin sister when he was nine. His only relative is his granny, who's stricken with ALS. He lives with her at a hospice for the terminally ill.
Norman Albert contracted his first and middle names into "Normal" because, according to him, Norman died when he was nine. But there's literary depth to the name "Normal," which I will let you discover for yourself. And, as you would expect, calling himself "Normal" and being a sensitive artist to boot makes life interesting for a high school kid.
As a writer, Crit Kincaid is a master of personality insights and scenic visuals; just look at how he describes Normal's relationships with others and his pictures. Moreover, from the way he describes water color techniques, pencil drawings strokes and Normal's plans to decorate a guitar, I suspect that Kincaid is no stranger to several of the fine arts. But this is not a story about art. Talking about Kincaid's excellent handling of Normal's art doesn't do credit to the author's masterfully describing his characters' feelings; and that's what the novel is all about: feelings.
"A Wounded World" is a sentimental masterpiece reminiscent of "A Death in the Family," "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Giants in the Earth." Kincaid will manhandle your emotions at every turn of a word and at every flashback. You sort of guess how a scene will play out, until it doesn't.
I read for pleasure at night. The first night I read half the novel. I then slowed down on purpose to savor Kincaid's artistry. I was glad I did. Give yourself a few nights to take in the pageantry, the colors, the action and the feelings. You'll be glad you did.
Also, this novel about a high school kid does not fit in the Young Adult genre, nor do I think the author intended it to. This is serious good stuff with only one blemish: it could use some editing for typos. But - you know? - this is such a great book that a few typos cannot possibly matter.
A word of caution to the author: I truly hope that Crit Kincaid is not another David Wroblewski; and that "A Wounded World" is not his "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle." Wroblewski's decision not to write another book was tragic for us readers. A similar decision by Kincaid would really piss me off.
Thanks, Crit, for the hours of reading pleasure with which you've regaled us.
"A Wounded World" is the story of Norman Albert Steves, who lost his parents and twin sister when he was nine. His only relative is his granny, who's stricken with ALS. He lives with her at a hospice for the terminally ill.
Norman Albert contracted his first and middle names into "Normal" because, according to him, Norman died when he was nine. But there's literary depth to the name "Normal," which I will let you discover for yourself. And, as you would expect, calling himself "Normal" and being a sensitive artist to boot makes life interesting for a high school kid.
As a writer, Crit Kincaid is a master of personality insights and scenic visuals; just look at how he describes Normal's relationships with others and his pictures. Moreover, from the way he describes water color techniques, pencil drawings strokes and Normal's plans to decorate a guitar, I suspect that Kincaid is no stranger to several of the fine arts. But this is not a story about art. Talking about Kincaid's excellent handling of Normal's art doesn't do credit to the author's masterfully describing his characters' feelings; and that's what the novel is all about: feelings.
"A Wounded World" is a sentimental masterpiece reminiscent of "A Death in the Family," "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Giants in the Earth." Kincaid will manhandle your emotions at every turn of a word and at every flashback. You sort of guess how a scene will play out, until it doesn't.
I read for pleasure at night. The first night I read half the novel. I then slowed down on purpose to savor Kincaid's artistry. I was glad I did. Give yourself a few nights to take in the pageantry, the colors, the action and the feelings. You'll be glad you did.
Also, this novel about a high school kid does not fit in the Young Adult genre, nor do I think the author intended it to. This is serious good stuff with only one blemish: it could use some editing for typos. But - you know? - this is such a great book that a few typos cannot possibly matter.
A word of caution to the author: I truly hope that Crit Kincaid is not another David Wroblewski; and that "A Wounded World" is not his "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle." Wroblewski's decision not to write another book was tragic for us readers. A similar decision by Kincaid would really piss me off.
Thanks, Crit, for the hours of reading pleasure with which you've regaled us.
May 13, 2014
It took all of one chapter for me to know that I was going to love this book. "Normal" is a young man(14 at the outset)who has to struggle to overcome much, both issues from his past and the resulting present. He's bright, extremely artistic, and, of course, viewed as different by his peers. Some of the depictions of his struggles at school were reminiscent of John Hughes films to a point, except that those films never penetrated much beyond the veneer of teen social strata. Normal is ostracized and marginalized by all but a few who come in contact with him. He is made to shoulder his burdens alone through much of the narrative, which is a tall order for any of us, although he does have a few staunch allies among the adults in his world. Further, the story brings home the point that all of us go through life in our own little bubbles, often ignoring those around us who are in need of a helping hand. It is so much simpler to just keep walking by than to stop and offer aid.
Ultimately, this is far more than a story of pain and loss. I became engrossed in the narrative and attained that infrequent experience of seeing the world through the protagonist's eyes; when the world around you fades away and you drift into the story. I lived through each of Normal's struggles with him and was anxious to see if he could triumph over them all. We are also given a little added mysticism, a peek into the afterlife, if you will, but I'd rather not go into further detail lest I give too much away. This is an excellent story, give it a try.
Ultimately, this is far more than a story of pain and loss. I became engrossed in the narrative and attained that infrequent experience of seeing the world through the protagonist's eyes; when the world around you fades away and you drift into the story. I lived through each of Normal's struggles with him and was anxious to see if he could triumph over them all. We are also given a little added mysticism, a peek into the afterlife, if you will, but I'd rather not go into further detail lest I give too much away. This is an excellent story, give it a try.
August 21, 2017
A Wounded World is the story of Normal's struggle to find his identity among so many tragedies, and I'm not ashamed to say that I was crying like a baby by the end of it.
The characters were flawed and dynamic, the settings were beautifully done, and deep emotions dripped from the pages. While these things are crucial, I think that my favorite thing about this book was how it taught me to embrace my past and look towards my future.
I haven't been through as many tragedies as Normal had, and I hope I never will, but I can relate to his search for an identity. Maybe that's why the book resonated with me on a personal level: in a way, I could see parts of myself in Normal, and if he can learn to face his demons and come out ahead, so can I.
My only real complaint is that the time jumps were a little disjointed, but they (and a few other small flaws that I noticed) don't detract from the story at all. Or maybe I was too absorbed to notice, which is entirely possible.
The characters were flawed and dynamic, the settings were beautifully done, and deep emotions dripped from the pages. While these things are crucial, I think that my favorite thing about this book was how it taught me to embrace my past and look towards my future.
I haven't been through as many tragedies as Normal had, and I hope I never will, but I can relate to his search for an identity. Maybe that's why the book resonated with me on a personal level: in a way, I could see parts of myself in Normal, and if he can learn to face his demons and come out ahead, so can I.
My only real complaint is that the time jumps were a little disjointed, but they (and a few other small flaws that I noticed) don't detract from the story at all. Or maybe I was too absorbed to notice, which is entirely possible.
July 20, 2016
I didn't have great expectations of this book, the blurb told me it wasn't "my kind of book" but I'd give it a go...and I was hooked. It's made me laugh, made me cry (boy has it made cry) but above all it has given me a sense of peace. Normal loses his family at a young age and this is the story of his journey out of darkness and grief. Many times I've wished I could put my arms around him, stand up for him, be there for him. Crit Kincaid has a simple way of writing complex thoughts. I urge everyone to read this book, have a box of tissues handy though, for the tears of sadness and joy you will shed.
February 18, 2015
This book is a must read from a literary genius. Mr. Kincaid, I bow down to your awesomeness.
Full review here: https://juliemlavoie.wordpress.com/20...
Full review here: https://juliemlavoie.wordpress.com/20...
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