Read a Sneak Peek and Enter to Win the New Novel by Wally Lamb!

Wally Lamb fans have been waiting a long time for his new novel. His acclaimed She's Come Undone and I Know This Much is True were not only both picked by Oprah for her book club, both have been huge reading group favorites for years. Next Tuesday his third novel, The Hour I First Believed, will be published, and you can read a sneak peek of it now, plus enter to win one of five free copies of the book!

In The Hour I First Believed, Lamb tells the story of forty-seven-year-old high school teacher Caelum Quirk and his younger wife, Maureen, a school nurse, who move to Littleton, Colorado, and both get jobs at Columbine High School. In April 1999, Caelum returns home to Three Rivers, Connecticut, to be with his aunt who has just had a stroke. But Maureen finds herself in the school library at Columbine, cowering in a cabinet and expecting to be killed, as two vengeful students go on a carefully premeditated, murderous rampage. Miraculously she survives, but at a cost: she is unable to recover from the trauma. Caelum and Maureen flee Colorado and return to an illusion of safety at the Quirk family farm in Three Rivers. But the effects of chaos are not so easily put right, and further tragedy ensues in this extraordinary tour de force, at once a meditation on the human condition and an unflinching yet compassionate evocation of character.

To enter to win one of five copies of the book, simply click on over to read the sneak peek and come back here and comment on what you've read. I'll choose five random winners from all the comments received by midnight this Friday, November 7th!

Comments

[Darby Lohrding]

Hey Jen,
How exciting, I love Wally Lamb!
I've read all of his books. I have 2 thoughts about what I read in the "sneak peak" (well besides the thought that I want this book).
1. This excerpt reminds me somewhat of Jodi Picoult's book "19 Seconds".
2. I bet his work with the women's prison helped birth his idea for this book.
Thanks for this great offer!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

[Ti]

School shootings are shocking for many reasons but I think what disturbs us the most, is that usually we never get any insight as to what the motive was.

I remember the shooting at Virginia Tech. Everyone wanted to know why, yet after 5 days in the headlines, the story simply dropped from sight.

In that sneak, it was surprising to open with the killers and the mundane day to day stuff which was their lives.

thereedfamily at sbcglobal dot net

[Deb]

I have actually not read any of Wally Lamb's previous novels but I have wanted to for a long time--everyone raves about them. I too thought of 19 Minutes when reading the excerpt, and that was one of the most powerful books I've read in some time.
So I'd love to check this book out!

[Julie P.]

My initial thought after reading the Sneak Preview is wow -- he's so good. He writes such powerful (and real) dialogue. I still vividly remember the Columbine tragedy. It occurred on my 30th birthday when I was 20 weeks pregnant with my first child. I was so shook up (like everyone else) but I think it was the first time I "processed" an event as a mother.

[Stephanie]

Sounds like a heart-wrenching book and one I would really like to read. Thanks for having the giveaway.

[Libby56]

Wow. Just devoured the excerpt. Now I can't wait to read the rest, whether I win the book or not.

[Kathy]

Oh my gosh, this is so exciting. Even the dedication page moved me. I know how horrible school shootings are. My son is a student at Virginia Tech and he was there when the shooting occurred on April 16, 2007. None of us will ever forget that day.

[Kelly]

He had me at the dedication page. I loved that! I haven't read Wally Lamb since She's Come Undone, but now I remember how great he is at character development. I got 16 pages into the sneak peek and realized I could sit there and read it all day but had to get to work. I'm anxious to read the whole thing.

[Gina B.]

The concept reminds me of 19 Minutes, but knowing Wally Lamb's writing, this will be better!

[Melanie]

Wow! He is such a good writer. It's worth waiting for so long for this new book. Can't wait to read it.

[feener]

count me in...wonder who gets the money REGAN or not

[Lauren]

In reading the book jacket, one is surprised that the story seems to play out in an unexpected way. While one expects the entire story to be about Maureen and how she copes with the trauma of almost being killed in Columbine, and Caelum's response to her suffering, it actually seems to center around Caelum's discovery of his past, and how it coincides with his current predicament. Interesting...

[Gwendolyn]

Wow! I haven't read any of his books before -- I had no idea his writing is so wonderful. I definitely want to read this - and everything else he's written! Thanks for the great giveaway.
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

[Darlene]

Great giveaway Jennifer. Waht I wouldn't give to get a hold of this one. I love Wally Lamb's books and writing style. He has such a way of captivating you with his words. I only read the excerpt, not the first chapter because I fully intend to read this novel and what strikes me most is that with this type of subject matter I imagine he will make this a very powerful story. I'm curious to see how he handles Maureen's reaction to the trauma-he writes so well of pain and healing. How will he do so in this novel. It also sounds like a bit of a mystery/discover with Caelum reading the diaries,etc and learning about his ancestory and past.

I would love to win a copy of this book. It's been a long wait for a new novel from him.

[Dawn]

My thoughts echo Kelly's (above) ... he had me at the dedication. I actually thought that was part of the novel, until I continued reading. What a lovely tribute to his mother.

I first read Wally Lamb when in 1994 I had surgery after a broken leg. A friend sent *She's Come Undone* for me to read while I convalesced.

So glad this next novel is coming soon. Connecting the Columbine tragedy in a work of fiction will be pulled off with Lamb's master touch, I'm sure!

[annie]

This impressive novel is unique and compelling. I know that I will be reading this book since it is special and emotional. Thanks for the chance.

[melanie]

Just needs a girlfriend - I hope that reading this book might cause people to pay attention to aberrant behaviour!

[Barbara HW]

Having never read anything by Wally Lamb before, I appreciate the sneak peak -- he's an engaging author. I'll have to pick up the book to find out what happens in these characters' lives.

[Lynne]

Jen,

Thanks so much for the sneak preview of The Hour I First Believed.

I thought first believed what?
So he had my attention as I read the title page.

The dedication page was brilliant
taking the refrigerater to introduce his mother's love for her family and those around her.

The power in his words make the story so compelling that I had to just keep reading on and on and.....

Well, now I need to get the book.I have read two of his other ones and you know this new book just has to go right next to the others on my book shelf.

PS. I really must sign up for his newletter too so I won't miss out on what else he will write.

[Toni]

I love Wally Lamb and this appears to be more really good stuff. We have all waited so long for another book. I briefly thought of 19 minutes, especially with the Dante Quote. I was immediately drawn into this story. Like most I remember Columbine vividly and horrifically.

As usual he set the story up magnificently.. sucked me in right away... and the dedication alone was worth reading.

I sure would love to win a copy.

Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.