Monday, August 8, 2011

UNSAID: A GUEST REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

 GIVEAWAY ENDED
UNSAID
BY NEAL ABRAMSON

ABOUT THE BOOK:
UNSAID is told from the perspective of Helena Colden, a veterinarian who has just died of breast cancer. Helena is forced to witness the rapid emotional deterioration of her husband David. With Helena's passing, David, a successful Manhattan attorney, loses the only connection that made his life full. He tries to carry on the life that Helena had created for them, but he is too grief-stricken, too angry, and too quickly reabsorbed into the demands of his career. Helena's animals likewise struggle with the loss of their understanding and compassionate human companion. Because of Helena, David becomes involved in a court case to save the life of a chimpanzee that may hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of animals consciousness. Through this case all the threads of Helena's life entwine and explode - unexpectedly, painfully, beautifully.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Neil Abramson is a partner in a Manhattan law firm, and his wife is a veterinarian. Abramson is also a past board member of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, an award recipient from the ASPCA for his legal work on behalf of animals, and a founding member of the New York City Bar Association Committee on Legal Issues Relating to Animals.

Audio and Video


PRAISE FOR UNSAID:
UNSAID will really make you think about the relationship between people and animals. I was not able to put it down, and I read parts of it twice.
—Dr. Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human

Neil Abramson has written a powerful and imaginative novel. His insights into the animal kingdom touched my heart. My book club will love it.
—Meredith Brokaw, creator and co-author of the Penny Whistle books and Big Sky Cooking

Enjoyed it thoroughly.
—Jeffrey Masson, author of When Elephants Weep

A poignant read on the meaning of life and its priorities—how death and despair can lead to renewal and life, but only if one realizes the interconnectedness of all creatures.
—Irene Pepperberg, author of Alex and Me

A remarkable book.
—Susan Wilson, author of One Good Dog and The Fortune Teller’s Daughter

A suspenseful, heart-throbbing novel exploring the big questions of life, death, sentience, animal rights, compassion, righteous indignation, and what it is all about and why. The surprise twists are like an emotional roller coaster. Read it, weep, grab your chair, and gain insights into the big why!
—Allen Schoen, DVM, author of Kindred Spirits

UNSAID says it all in a lyrical story about humanity’s journey from betrayal to reconciliation with our animal kin. A beautiful, wrenching testimony.
—G.A. Bradshaw, director & founder, The Kerulos Center, and author of Elephants on the Edge

A remarkable book, uncanny in that its narrator is recently deceased, but vivid in its development of believable and complex characters, both human and nonhuman.
—Susan J. Armstrong, Professor Emerita Humboldt State University and co-editor, The Animal Ethics Reader

…This is a book for animal lovers and those who live with animal lovers; for those who love a good courtroom drama and for cynics who imagine all lawyers to be soulless; and for those interested in animal ethics who wonder if there are more communication possibilities to be developed with higher primates. Unforgettable!
—Darwin Ellis, Books on the Common – Ridgefield, CT

GUEST REVIEW:
If I could only use only one word to describe this novel -- I would scream because one word is not enough to describe what needs to be said about Unsaid. Here is my best choice of one word - Brilliant!

This novel first of all has a rich group of characters. They are believable and they all have flaws. Isn't that what being human is all about? Neil Abramson's created characters that I felt were setting right beside me. Some of the characters I loved and others I hated with a passion. Maybe "hated" is a bit to strong of a word -- OK -- I disliked with a passion.

I love the way the plot flowed and way Neil Abramson allowed Helena from the other side to not interact with those she left behind, but still allowed her views to come through in the text of this rich novel. Brilliantly executed!

I couldn't help but think about all the pets that I grew up with in my life while reading this novel and the impact they had on me. Anyone that reads this novel will come away with a greater respect for animals. 

Neil Abramson dishes out a great deal of shame and guilt and more than enough of forgiveness and hope. I turned the last page and closed the book -- my eyes were full of tears; however, I felt that there was indeed hope and I felt at peace knowing that we are interconnected with all creatures.

I do not give many books a 5 out of 5 rating, but without any reservation Neil Abramson deserves a 5 rating on his novel. Read this amazing novel and I'm sure you will agree that this novel deserves the highest rating.

Who should read this novel?

If you ever owned a pet ...
If you ever wished you owned a pet ...
If you never wanted a pet ...
If you ever went to a zoo ...
If you ever helped an animal ...
Then this book is must read. That should include everyone.

Hint: You really need to read this book! Enough said ... enter Bingo's contest and you may win a copy and if you don't win -- beg, buy, or borrow -- one way or another get it and read it.
Thanks so much for a beautiful review once again by Steve Capell. This is a very special book and when I first saw it, I knew that Steve would like it and he would do an amazing job on the review and well, the proof is above in his eloquently written, spot on review. I hope that you all enjoyed it and remember that Steve and his lovely wife currently live in the Kansas City metro area and you can read more by Steve by visiting his own blog, TRUE MEDIA SOLUTIONS, that you can find HERE.  

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO SARAH AND THE GOOD FOLKS
AT HACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I HAVE TWO
COPIES OF THIS AMAZING BOOK TO GIVE
AWAY TO TWO LUCKY WINNERS
    
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY
HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT UNSAID ABOVE THAT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK
 
+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON A FAVORITE ANIMAL BOOK OR MOVIE THAT YOU LIKE

+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO NEAL ABRAMSON'S WEBSITE HERE. THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING SITE SO AFTER CHECKING IT OUT, COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING THERE

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, AUGUST 30
  GOOD LUCK!

90 comments:

lag123 said...

I have always loved animals and would love to read this book. Thanks for the review Steve!

lag110 at mchsi dot com

debbie said...

I found the quote from Dr. Temple Grandin very interesting. I think the book sounds really good, but I have never seen her comment on a book. It must be really special.
twofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

My favorite animal movie is Hildalgo.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/100517452064108544

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Old Yeller is still my favorite!

lag110 at mchsi dot com

debbie said...

From his site, I learned he is donating 25% of the proceeds from unsaid to the finally home animal sanctuary.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

lag123 said...

I found on the author's website that 25% of the proceeds from the sale of the book will go to Finally Home Animals Sanctuary.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

1. +5 August Facebook

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

2. +5 August facebook

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Commchick said...

My dogs and cats are my children. I would so love to win this book. If I don't, I will be buying a copy.

belchers@jccal.org

lag123 said...

3. +5 August Facebook

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

4. +5 August Facebook

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Commchick said...

I love the movie Molly & Me.

belchers@jccal.org

lag123 said...

5. +5 August Facebook

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Commchick said...

Oh, wow, I said Molly and Me when I meant Marley and Me. Good grief, sorry!!!!

belchers@jccal.org

Angie @ By Book or By Crook said...

I'm not a huge animal lover but this book is getting good reviews and it looks interesting to me

aksimmo at clearwire dot net

Angie @ By Book or By Crook said...

My favorite animal movie is Where the Red Fern Grows

aksimmo at clearwire dot net

petite said...

I have two dogs. One a rescue. Both are sweethearts and special. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

This author is unique, talented and amazing. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

Best in Show was an entertaining dog movie. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love Ace of Hearts. That was a good movie. I really want to read this book. It sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com

Margie said...

I'm a dog lover, and I think I have to read this book! Steve's 5 stars is a good recommendation.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I find it interesting that the author is a lawyer for animal rights, and his wife is a veterinarian. This is perfect background for writing this book.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I really liked Marley.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

+5 Swag entry 2
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Margie said...

+5 Swag entry 4
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Margie said...

August Facebook entry 1
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Margie said...

August Facebook entry 2
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Margie said...

August Facebook entry 3
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Margie said...

August Facebook entry 4
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Margie said...

August Facebook entry 5
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Colleen Turner said...

Wow, wonderful review, Steve! If I didn't want to read it I sure do now :)! A little creepy that the book seems to mirror the author's life in many ways and that the wife in the story is dead (and from what I could read the author's wife is still alive) but the story sounds poignant and interesting.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I definitely love the movie Charlotte's Web. It was one of the first movies I watched as a child that helped me realize that animals should be respected and taken care of, not just used as humans see fit.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I found it interesting and heart warming that the author gives 25% of the proceeds from this book to Finally Home Animal Sanctuary!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbucks #4.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

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Colleen Turner said...

August Facebook fan entry #1.
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Colleen Turner said...

August Facebook fan entry #2.
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Colleen Turner said...

August Facebook fan entry #3.
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Colleen Turner said...

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Colleen Turner said...

August Facebook fan entry #5.
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Carol N Wong said...

Wonderful review, Steve. I particulary love your recommendations as to who read this book. I am big animal lover to begin with but this book should firm up my convictions. I was excited to read Temple Grandin's recommendation. I probably will be reading several parts over like she did. I am so glad that this book was written. I will be searching for places to win it.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I tweeted under my Twitter name of Carolee888.




http://t.co/xkQVJa5Giveaway for 'Unsaid'.

traveler said...

Steve's review was awesome and made this book come alive. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

My favorite book about an animal when I was growing up was 'Black Beauty'.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

traveler said...

An animal book that I cherished was Black Beauty. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

the author is an animal rights lawyer whose experience sounds memorable. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

On the author's website, he was won an award from ASPCA for his work in helping animals. I also like that he is married to a veterinarian.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

holdenj said...

Another great review by Steve. I am anxious to read it now!

Pat L. said...

My fav animal movie is Black Beauty.

patoct at yahoo dot com

Pat L. said...

I found on the website that author is donating 25% of the book proceeds to an animal sanctuary.

patoct @yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

I love the premise of a story with the dead wife's point of view.

patoct at yahoo dot com

ann said...

A story about sickness , how we deal with it and the bond between animals and people. I would like to win.


amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

I love old yeller. We used to have a dog that looked like him.


amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

He gives a percentage of his profits to animal organizations.


amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

+5 august facebook

amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

+5 august FB

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

+5 august facebook


amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

+5 August FB

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

+5 august facebook

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

mamabunny13 said...

I love that it is told from the perspective of a woman that has just died.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot xom

mamabunny13 said...

Watership Down is one of my very favorite books.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

Nweal has won an award from the ASPCA for his work on behalf of animals. My hero!
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#1 August fb bonus
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Linda Kish said...

As I sit here with six of our seven dogs napping around me, you know I can't pass up the chance to read a touching book about animals.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

If you happen to love the great apes as I do, don't pass up this book which is my favorite book of all time. I read it first in the 70s. In the Shadow of Man by Jane Goodall.I still have my original copy. It has been re-released.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I really liked the praise written by Darwin Ellis.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

August facebook bonus
1
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Linda Kish said...

August facebook bonus
2
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Linda Kish said...

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3
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4
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Pamela Keener said...

I am a lover of animals and to have Steve describe this book as brilliant peaks my interest.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

My favorite is Where The Red Fern Grows movie and book. I cry everytime.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Basically it's for animal lovers i am one

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thanks

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/105823824527900673

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

While I very well imagine this book would be in one hand and a Kleenex in the other, it sounds like an awesome read.
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Stellaluna is one that my daughter loved so much in elementary school, that when she left to go to middle school, we donated 5 copies in her name so that as she put it, everybody didn't fight over the one copy in the library.
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I was quite impressed to see that 25% of the Author's proceeds from the sale of Unsaid will go to Finally Home Animals Sanctuary.
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

There is so much about this book, the author and your review that interests me. I'm so excited that not only is Neil Abramson's wife a veterinarian but he is a founding member of the New York City Bar Association Committee on Legal Issues Relating to Animal and was on the board of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and he has been honored by the ASPCA for his wor on behalf of animnals.


The court case that is part of the novel's story interests me because it's focus is to save the life of a chimpanzee who might possibly be the key to unlocking the mysteries of animals consciousness...it doesn't get much more fascinating than that. And because the author and his wife are so involved in the life and welfare of animals, although this is fiction, there is sincerity and truth in the topics!

Thank you for this wonderful giveaway and for bringing this book to our attention!
Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

A favorite animal book of mine has always been The Incredible Journey by Sheila Bumford which relays the adventurs of 2 dogs and a cat as they travel 300 miles through Canada in search of their owners. There's also a movie based on this book.

Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love the video about Unsaid I watched and listened to on Neil Abramson's website. It's fantasticand further piqued my interest and excitement about this book.

I was thrilled to read on Neil Abramson's website that 25% of the proceeds from the sale of Unsaid will go to the Finally Home Animals Sanctuary. This is a great incentive to buy the back which I probably will do even if I win a copy!

I'm disappointed that I missed Neil's readings/appearances in NYC. I'm hoping he comes back but I may have to road trip to CT to hear and meet him....maybe October 5th when he and Stefan Merrill Block are in Stamford!

Thank you!
Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

Nancye said...

I like books that are realistic and are true to life. This book sounds really good.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

+5 Swag Bucks

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/108653290983665664

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

UK said...

I found the story to be unique, engaging and quite a different read that what I would normally pick. But if we as readers don't branch out then we can become stuck in a rut with our reading. And branch out, I did. The story is told from a 1st person point of view, although the person is not a person, but rather the ghost or spirit, (take your pick) of Helena Colden, a woman who has not "crossed over" yet. She is a former veterinarian and wife of David Colden, an attorney in a prevalent law firm in Manhattan. Helena, animal lover married David, animal tolerator and they form a life together.

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