“The Storm at the Door” by Stefan Merill Block is a fictional book inspired by the author’s grandparents. Mr. Block, while researching his grandparents, imagined a world around them.
The publisher has made available one (1) copy of “The Honored Dead” to be given out– enter at the end of the post.
My rating for The Storm at the Door – 4
Buy The Storm at the Door from Amazon.com*
More Books by Stefan Merrill Block*
I didn’t know what to expect from “The Storm at the Door” by Stefan Merill Block (website), the book sounded interesting, about a time period I like to read about, taking place in Boston – a city which I’ve visited several times and intend to visit several times more.
What I got was lyrical, but a haunting account of the author’s grandparents, Katherine and Frederick, their lives and struggles with his grandfather’s mental illness, and his grandmother’s trials and tribulations of surviving not only economically, but also in society’s stigma.
Mr. Block’s writing is both sensitive and articulate, detailing the horrors of mental illness institutions and the heavy price spouses and children have to pay. As much as Frederick is suffering in the institution, Katherine’s world of shuttered dreams is also poignant and heartbreaking.
At first it was difficult for me to get into the book, some of the sentences felt heavy and the prose was too flowery for my personal taste. However, once I settled into the rhythm and the story the book came together and became very enjoyable.
The author’s elegant but distributing description of mental institutions was difficult to comprehend. Not because of the descriptive physical horrors imposed upon the patient, there isn’t much of that. The author describes the institution as a bureaucratic nightmare, self-important, cold, callous, and calculating.
So tell me, do you think there is still a stigma about mental illness?
When Frederick Merill leaves his wife Katharine and children to fight in World War II everything seems to be fine. however, over the years Frederick starts to change, his behavior and moods become dark.
While Frederick struggles with his own inner demons, Katharine struggles to keep up appearances hoping for things to change. However, things don’t change, Frederick is committed to a mental asylum and Katharine is left dealing with a difficult life and an unsympathetic society.
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TLC Book Tour for “The Storm at the Door”:
Monday, June 13th: Luxury Reading
Tuesday, June 14th: Book Club Classics
Wednesday, June 15th: Books and Cooks
Thursday, June 16th: Jenn’s Bookshelves
Friday, June 17th: Diary of an Eccentric
Tuesday, June 21st: Life in Review
Thursday, June 23rd: Girls Gone Reading
Friday, June 24th: Rundpinne
Saturday, June 25th: Colloquium
Monday, June 27th: Man of La Book
Friday, July 1st: Book Reviews by Molly
Tuesday, July 5th: Crazy for Books
Thursday, July 7th: Raging Bibliomania
Monday, July 11th: Melody & Words
Tuesday, July 12th: Amused by Books
Thursday, July 14th: Take Me Away
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free as part of the TLC Book Tours.
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account, the money is usually spent on books
Article first published as Book Review: The Storm at the Door by Stefan Merrill Block on Blogcritics.
BOOK BLOGGERS – Have you read “The Storm at the Door”? If so link up your review below:
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View Comments
I definitely think there is still a stigma about mental illness. There always will be. It's sad.
This book sounds fantastic I'll read it whether or not I win!
I'm glad that this book worked for you once you settled into the writing style. Thanks for being on the tour!
This is the first I've heard of this book, but it sounds really good. I like a Boston setting, and actually find reading about mental illness frightening but fascinating. Thanks for the giveaway!
Oops, this came up on Twitter today, so I thought it was a new book and review! ;)
That's the beauty about books, they never go out of style :)