“…and sometimes, when you’re doing life, things can go sideways and there’s NOTHING anyone can do about it – not a thing.” – Denny Voss
I just finished reading The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy and I absolutely loved it. It was so good that I finished it in two days. I found myself picking it up whenever I was able.
Before I offer my thoughts, here is the Goodreads synopsis:
In this poignant and funny novel, a man who is defined by his limitations sets out to fight a murder charge―and discovers unexpected truths about himself, his family, and the world at large.
On the surface, Denny Voss’s life in rural Minnesota is a quiet one. At thirty years old, he lives at home with his elderly mother and his beloved blind and deaf Saint Bernard, George. He cleans up roadkill to help pay the bills. Though his prospects are limited by a developmental delay―the result of an accident at birth―Denny has always felt that he has “a good life.”
So how did he wind up being charged with the murder of a mayoral candidate―after crashing a sled full of guns into a tree?
As Denny awaits trial, his court-appointed therapist walks him through the events of the past year. Denny’s had other scuffles with the law, the first for kidnapping a neighbor’s cantankerous goose. And then there was the time he accidentally assisted in a bank robbery. It seems like whenever Denny tries to do the right thing, chaos ensues.
Untangling the events around the murder reveals even more painful truths about his family’s past. He’s always been surrounded by people who love him, but now it’s up to Denny to set his life on a new course.
I was hooked from the opening pages of this book. It was hard not to like Denny. He’s really a good guy and he’s got a lot going on in his life. The author captures his voice right from the start. You are pulling for him through the entire book. When the book was finished, I wanted more stories from Denny’s life.
The entire cast of characters in this book were real and believable. The situations in the story seem like something out of a sitcom at times, but at the same time, very believable. There are ups and downs, and a few surprises as well.
I cannot praise this book enough! Highly recommend.
5 out of 5 stars!
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 