NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A heartfelt story of love, grief, and renewal about two unlikely friends who discover that sometimes you don’t know you’ve lost someone until you’ve found them “A dazzling debut novel.”—O: The Oprah Magazine“Tremendously moving.”—The Wall Street Journal“Touching and ultimately hopeful.”—People 1987. The only person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June … hopeful.”—People
1987. The only person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus is her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can be herself only in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down.
But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life. At the funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail containing a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and that this unexpected friend just might be the one she needs the most.
WINNER OF THE ALEX AWARD • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Wall Street Journal • O: The Oprah Magazine • BookPage • Kirkus Reviews • Booklist • School Library Journal
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This book is absolutely incredible. I had no idea what to expect, and once I’d started, I couldn’t put it down – a really strong voice, stunning writing, and just a really moving storyline. Totally worth the read and very highly recommended!
I read this book on a recommendation from a friend and I don’t think I’ve ever properly thanked them for it. This book is beautifully written. The author delivers flawed, human characters that are so relatable it will make your heart ache. Delving into family dynamics, childhood memories and the love we feel for those closest to us, who we often …
Realistic, flawed characters I wanted to root for. Beautiful, totally original story about love, but not always the romantic kind and not always the socially acceptable kind.
Wholly captivating, the pages of TELL THE WOLVES I’M HOME share a world that is simultaneously tender and heartbreaking, yet full of promise. Carol Rifka Brunt’s debut novel brings home the razor-edged intricacies of family dynamics like no other I’ve read in a long time.
I am once again reminded there is no such thing as age and time. Love is fluid and we don’t always get to choose who we fall in love with. We also create our memories, and they may be as much of an illusion as the flea circus in Finn’s basement. June, our young protagonist, ultimately discovers she has fallen in love with two people, shattering a …
Read this when it first came out and it remains an all time favorite.
Highly highly recommended. The story follows teenager June as she struggles with the death of her uncle Finn who also happen to be her best friend. The only person who seemed to understand her. After his death she becomes closer and closer with the man the rest of her family has exiled, Finn’s boyfriend Toby. As they grow closer they find in each …
I was so moved by this book….literally gasped a couple of times, and then cried my eyes out towards the end. Very rare for a story to hit me like that. Real characters, real 80’s topic. Highly recommended!
We read this for our book club last month and I really did not expect to like it because of the subject matter. .it is a very touching family story..I would like to read a sequel if she writes one ..lj
It’s rare to find a book which makes you sob, but this book got me in the feels. Aside from all the angsty feels, this book was realistic and had a powerful moral for readers. I recommend this book to everyone.
3.5 stars. I liked the narrator, June, and the writing was well done. I wish there were more scenes with Finn at the beginning so we’d understand more about him. The mother and the sister were clearly cut from the same selfish, irredeemable cloth.
I liked it and I’m not sure why. I am older and usually don’t care for young peoples’ books, but this one is worth the read. Defines a social situation and provides a better understanding of life the way life is for those dealing with homosexuality in their family and the very real problem of the AIDS epidemic.
I loved this story of love and estranged family.
Tell the Wolves I’m Home By Carol Rifka Brunt
2013
Fiction
Tell the Wolves I’m Home is a touching story which eloquently expresses the the struggles of relationships in families during adolescence, death and sibling rivalry. The author provides encouragement regarding the emotional process of grieving losses and reconciling past issues.
June …
Could not get interested in this book.
I could hardly stop reading this wonderfully written story! It somehow made me care deeply for the characters [tragic AIDS death of a precious uncle] and his niece, a smart, caring 12 year old. One watches as the family changes from judgmental to accepting and working hard to keep the family together.
This book was so well written, and the author definitely had the siblings pegged. A very touching book about the innocence of children in a real world.
This novel, about the Aids Epidemics affect on one family felt At once true for the 1960’s, and for the caring and misunderstood between the main characters. It was compelling and compassionate.
A different story of two teenage sisters, the response to their uncle’s death from AIDS, and learning about their mother as well as themselves.
It started out well, but I lost interest when the pace started to drag.