Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #645680 in Books
• Published on: 1993-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback

Customer Reviews

Bones is an amatuer effort by Hoffman
Before I begin this review, I have to say this book does stay on my bookshelf and I do re-read it - but only occasionally. This is because of the major flaws this book exhibits, mostly due to it being an early effort by Hoffman.

When Tom visits Arcadia it's only to find himself drawn to a beautiful stranger, Laura, who has returned home for her brothers' wedding. Tom's peculiar ability to see ghosts and talk with them, blossoms into even stranger powers as he meets the Chapel Hollow residents whose own powers and bloodlines have been mysteriously degenerating.

First, this is a light book that brings up some serious subjects. Because it doesn't deal with the serious subjects is why I always find myself - at the end - sadly dissatisfied. However, it was an early effort by Hoffman so don't let it put you off - seek her more recent books for more satisfaction of characters and plot.

For those that follow Hoffman's books, Tom is obviously an earlier incarnation of Edmond (Red Heart of Memories) and Maggie is an earlier Matt (again, Red Heart of Memories). Whereas we get some details and conclusion to Matt's issues of being raped by her father, we get nothing from Maggie's endstory. Nothing is resolved.

This starts off as a Romance-Light-Fantasy between Laura and Tom but we get to a Wham-Bam-Thank You Ma'am - and Laura finds herself married, pregnant and left behind by Tom while he flits around saving folks, casting nets, and basically trying to putter along with his newfound powers. As a romance it leaves me very disappointed. I know nothing more about Laura, who remains cardboard flat - or about Tom and what will happen to them in the future.

Maggie, who was picked up by Carroll, and raped by him, we find has some sort of unsettled past with her father (assuming it's incest and molestation), has offered herself to Eddie (but then later says a "hug would have been enough"), and offers herself to Tom as a bribe for him to keep her (declined). This girl is seriously screwed up! However, after one girl-fight with Carroll she offers him a melting hug that sexually arouses him and we are supposed to clap our hands and say "all better"? Maggies' story is one reason I do not give Binds' a high rating.

Now we come to Carroll who is turned into all he desires. That is pretty sick. It means he's a Pedophilic - attracted to 9 year old girls - but all that is swept under the carpet as he promises to change. Excuse me? I don't think this can all be blamed on poor teaching. We know a lot about pedophilia and those desires come from a pretty dark place, very deep within. Carroll's story, like Maggies - who he has abused sexually for 3 years - is left very unresolved.

I end the book with no real feeling for any of the Chapel Hollow people - Laura's parents, cousins, aunts and siblings all seem a pretty poor bunch of people and not anyone I would call a friend. It might have been best for the Thread to be Unbound and all of them to be exterminated. The Arcadia townfolk are far more interesting, especially Bert.

Like I wrote, I keep this book for a quick re-read - it's interesting though light. Seek Hoffman's other books for more in-depth tackling of serious subjects, better character studies and a real plot.

OUTSTANDING READ
I ran across "Silent Strength of Stones" by accident and enjoyed it so much I went searching and found "The thread that Binds the Bones". I have enjoyed both books greatly and have been anxiously awaiting continuations of these family tales, as both books sort of leave you in limbo with expectations of more great adventures of these characters and families to be explored in future books. Unfortunately, the author has not chosen to expand on these adventures; however you must try these 2 books if you can get your hand on them. I have read my copies several times and am sure they will get more use. Unfortunately none of Ms Hoffman's books have risen to the same level of these classics....

Very good
A really enjoyable novel; the best of her work that I've read. Here's hoping the forthcoming "A Stir of Bones" is a sequel.