Hannah’s Voice {Book Review}

Hannah’s Voice, by Robb Grindstaff ($13.49)

Book summary

Evolved Publishing presents Hannah’s Voice, by Robb Grindstaff. In his debut novel, Grindstaff captures the heartwarming and unique voice first of six-year-old Hannah and later of the teenage Hannah, in a story sure to bring a smile to your face, and occasionally a tear. When six-year-old Hannah’s brutal honesty is mistaken for lying, she stops speaking. Her family, her community, and eventually, the entire nation struggle to find meaning in her silence.

School officials suspect abuse. Church members are divided—either she has a message from God or is possessed by a demon. Social workers interrupt an exorcism to wrest Hannah away from her momma, who has a tenuous grip on sanity.

Hidden in protective foster care for twelve years, she loses all contact with her mother and remains mute by choice.

When Hannah leaves foster care at age eighteen to search for Momma, a national debate rages over her silence.

A religious movement awaits her prophecy and celebrates her return. An anarchist group, Voices for the Voiceless, cites Hannah as its inspiration. The nation comes unhinged, and the conflict spills into the streets when presidential candidates chime in with their opinions on Hannah—patriotic visionary or dangerous radical. A remnant still believes she is evil and seeks to dispatch her from this world.

Hannah stands at the intersection of anarchists and fundamentalists, between power politics and an FBI investigation. All she wants is to find her momma, a little peace and quiet, and maybe some pancakes.

One word would put an end to the chaos… if only Hannah can find her voice.

My review of Hannah’s Voice

Hannah’s Voice is fascinating and endearing. I was blown away that this was Robb Grindstaff’s debut novel, to tell the truth. It is well-written, compelling, and captivates you (well, me, anyway!) from beginning to end. This is a short book, but it doesn’t cut corners or skimp on any of the vital aspects that make a novel.

Reading Hannah’s Voice was my nighttime ritual, and it was one that I looked forward to with relish. In fact, a few nights I went to bed at an unreasonably early hour (I can’t tell you — it’s too embarrassing!) just so I could read this novel. A few times, I would read until I literally could not keep my eyes open another minute…and once, I fell asleep with my iPad on my lap. True story.

I highly recommend Hannah’s Voice. It is different — but not off-the-wall or preposterous or unbelievable. In fact, it’s quite believable while, at the same time, the concept of the novel is so wonderfully unique and new and fresh. It’s not formulaic, it’s not “run-of-the-mill.” It’s a breath of fresh air, even though a good bit of the story is less than upbeat. It’s Hannah who is that breath of fresh air, who injects warmth and positivity and hope into the story…and into your heart. What a treat!

I must say, Robb Grindstaff is a pleasant addition to my bookshelf (my eReader bookshelf, anywho!). And, it thrills me to no end that this is his first book! Of course, he has written fiction most of his life (in addition to being a newspaper editor, publisher, and manager), so this isn’t his first foray into the writing world. Grindstaff has had a dozen short stories published as well as several articles on the craft of writing fiction. Hannah’s Voice was published on January 15, 2013 — and two more novels are slated for 2013-2014. Grindstaff also edits fiction and non-fiction books.

You can purchase a copy of Hannah’s Voice on Amazon (and for your e-Reader).

I encourage you to check out Robb Grindstaff on Facebook and Twitter.

I was not compensated for writing this post. I received an electronic copy of this book to facilitate my review. My opinions are 100% honest and 100% mine.