Reconstructing Amelia

By: Kimberly McCreight

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

When Kate, single mother and law firm partner, gets an urgent phone call summoning her to her daughter's exclusive private school, she's shocked. Amelia has been suspended for cheating, something that would be completely out of character for her over-achieving, well-behaved daughter.

Kate rushes to Grace Hall, but what she finds when she finally arrives is beyond comprehension. Her daughter is dead.

Despondent over having been caught cheating, Amelia has jumped from the school's roof in an act of impulsive suicide. At least that's the story Grace Hall and the police tell Kate. In a state of shock and overcome by grief, Kate tries to come to grips with this life-shattering news. Then she gets an anonymous text: Amelia didn't jump.

The moment she sees that message, Kate knows in her heart it's true. Clearly Amelia had secrets, and a life Kate knew nothing about. Wracked by guilt, Kate is determined to find out what those secrets were and who could have hated her daughter enough to kill. She searches through Amelia's emails, texts, and Facebook updates, piecing together the last troubled days of her daughter's life.

Reconstructing Amelia is a stunning debut pause-resistor that brilliantly explores the secret world of teenagers, their clandestine first loves, hidden friendships, and the dangerous cruelty that can spill over into acts of terrible betrayal.

©2013 Kimberly McCreight (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Thought Provoking

This book was recommended to me by a friend. I though, ok another psychological thriller but a few chapters in I could see I was wrong. I don't do spoilers so I will have to dance carefully to tell you what I loved about this book:

1) narration/voice. I really loved the voice of the book. Switching between mother and daughter really captivates. The narrator for the audible book did a wonderful job.

2) the book deals with a parent learning some things (no spoilers) about her child and we see the denial, grief and acceptance and one step further champion.

3) the book deals with two hot button topics which I can't say because I am not gonna spoil it and the description gives you no clue. Let's just say both are handled by after school specials and have support groups.

The book all in all was just really well constructed and thought out. The ending was good which made me happy as the last few books I've read just ended mid sentence so to speak.

Heartbreakingly poignant

A beautiful story told from multiple perspectives. I couldn't stop listening because I wanted to reach through the pages and stop the pain of a broken heart.

Did I Really Hear That??

The story is interesting, well written and it definitely kept my attention. I liked the narrator's voice, but she said "supposeBly," several times. I can't understand how that mispronunciation wasn't corrected....lol, a pet peeve of mine.

I’m without words

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read/listened to. Plain and simple.

Interesting & Enjoyable

Reconstructing Amelia was an enjoyable book with some a very interesting premise. The chapters go back and forth between the mother's point of view, and the daughter's narration from before her death. We as the readers do finally know the whole truth, but true to life, the mother can only hope to put together enough information to get the basic outline of what happened to her daughter.

I did read a review that compared this book to "Gone Girl", acting like this was the next big thing. While I did find it interesting and enjoyable, I personally would not compare it to Gone Girl. The stories are required to have very different tones since this is a mother/daughter that were close, and it lacks the dark wit and hard edges that made Gone Girl such a great summer read.

There are some issues with the recording towards the beginning; nothing that hinders your ability to hear any words spoken, just a jump in sound quality a few times from an almost echo-y sound to a more dull and muted tone; it made me wonder if anyone listened to the recording before releasing it. It was like bad splicing. Still, this was only a few times towards the beginning; and while it caused some irritation and concern, it did not continue through the book, so don't worry if you notice it towards the beginning.

Speaking as someone who gobbles up a book about every other day, I enjoyed reading this and it was a good selection for me. If that is you also, and you need to find a high volume of selections, I do recommend this. I liked it. If, however, you have less time for your audiobooks and can therefore be super selective in your purchases, then perhaps there are enough books that are even better than this one to read.

Overall, I liked the story. It got a bit far fetched towards the end, but I still enjoyed it overall.

Peer Pressure Can be a Killer

This is a story about how teenagers can be narcissistic in their actions and cause irreparable damage to other teens or parents. Unfortunately, it is too true that in our society we are seeing more bullying and hateful actions that cause kids with hormones already out of control to lose sight of moral attitudes. This is not a story of redemption but looking back at a tragedy that could have been stopped at the start. Unfortunately you see bullying everywhere but from my experience it is insidious in prep schools amongst the "privileged". Sadly all parties are guilty from the teachers, the parents, the peers. Truly a current problem in our country. The story became a little convuluted and therefore I gave it a 3 star rating. Not a happy read.

Keeps you guessing until the very end

Excellent story that keeps you guessing until the end. I could have done without the profanity and the volume of teen sex included in the book. Also this book deals in detail with homosexuality. Just a heads up to readers who are uncomfortable with any of these in their book choices.

Is this for real?

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Keep your perspective in check- the Mother is as much a victim as the Daughter- both are amazing Persons. Unbelievable what Social Media and bullying can do these days--,eEveryone is at risk.. Reader be ware!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Reconstructing Amelia?

Several moments. The Mother, the Daughter,the Friend, and all the other characters who may have been involved

Which scene was your favorite?

The fanciest house with most of the answers-- who knew!?

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Not My Daughter- Never

Any additional comments?

Kate is very vulnerable- but grows up instantly when she loses her only daughter- although she blames herself - no parent with good intentions is a bad parent. Ask questions and love your children and ask questions

Couldn't Stop Listening!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Reconstructing Amelia to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version, but as an audiobook this is one of the best I have listened to, not only because it is a great mystery but also because of the way it exposes a dark, horribly destructive world of adolescents who are desperately trying to be accepted by their peers.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Reconstructing Amelia?

Amelia's entire relationship with Dylan - also the revelations regarding horrendously inapprorapite adult behavior (no spoilers here)

What does Khristine Hvam bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Khirstine Hvam is an excellent narrator and really brings both the adult and adolescent characters to life. For me, the best readers are the ones that allow me to become completely immersed in the story without becoming distracted or annoyed by the reader's voice, mannersims, etc. - and Ms. Hvam is one of them.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The friendship between Sylvia and Amelia held some very poignant moments (again, I don't want to give away anything in the plot).

Any additional comments?

While I think that some of the plot twists are quite contrived, this is still an incredibly compelling story. The adolescent characters of Amelia, Sylvia, Dylan and Zadie are especially memorable.

Great book!

This book was like the car wreck on the side of the road that you can't help but look. I couldn't wait to turn the page and see what was going to happen next. Every mom should read this book. They need to be aware that so much can be happening in their children's lives, that they are not aware of. Heck, I think this would be a great book for teenagers, too!