1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life - someone who will help her to heal and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.
At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.
An emotionally charged coming-of-age novel, Tell the Wolves I’m Home is a tender story of love lost and found, an unforgettable portrait of the way compassion can make us whole again. @ goodreads
MY REVIEW:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1260040288
Read from April 20 to May 01, 2015
I don't even know where to start with this book. I loved it so much when I first started. And I still love it.... but, there are so many things that started to get to me.
*SPOILERS*
I love the relationship with Finn and June, even though it was just a little bit in the beginning because the real story is about June and Toby and the both of them getting through their grief of losing Finn.
It makes me so very mad that June's mom kept Finn being gay a secret from June and her sister Greta. Their mom wouldn't even acknowledge Toby! They didn't even know he existed until after the death of Finn. They said he gave Finn AIDS! That he was a murderer. They never really say, but Toby says he wanted Finn to tell them he was the one so he could be blamed for it. Makes you think or realize that Finn contracted the disease before. Anyway, Finn and Toby were together for 9 years!!! June is devastated when she finds this out from Toby!
One night June's dad opened up to her and tells her that her mom and Finn were very close when they were growing up. They were both artists and were going to go away to New York together when they got old enough and be famous together. Finn left out on his own to travel around and sell his paintings. He made a lot of money. He always wrote to his sister and told her he would be back for her some day. That day came, but he wasn't alone, he had Toby with him. His mom told Finn he could be in his nieces lives if he kept Toby hidden. June's dad thinks it wasn't really against Toby or their life style, he thinks it's because she thought he finally came home to start being an artist with her. She never drew anything from the time Finn left, she waited for him. So, this is why the kids never knew Toby until Finn died because there mom is a jerk!
The parents are accountants and the story revolves around tax season so they are out of the picture for most of the book.
Toby reaches out to June because he knew how much she loved Finn. They had such a wonderful time meeting secretly together and doing things together. I just loved Toby and I'm glad they had each other for a short time before he died of AIDS too. Finn had written each of them a note to take care of the other. I thought that was bitter sweet. But this story is so sad. It's just so sad. They should have all been able to have a life together.
The things I hated were that Greta was such a jerk to June! She blamed Finn for taking June away from her. Well, Greta could have said something, she could have planned out times just for her and June, instead she turns into a freakin a@*hole! At one point I wanted to throw the book across the room because of the stuff she was doing. Then she blamed Toby for taking June away! And don't get me started on the mom!! She was just as bad. Doing all she did to keep them out of their lives. And she was horrible to the kids trying to push them into things they didn't really want to do.
Anyway, I wanted to give the book more stars but I just couldn't because of too many of these things. It's a wonderful story though without all of this drama.
I will say that I'm glad at the end Greta and the mom came around to Toby. The mom even let him stay at the house the night before he died. It's just all so sad though and such a waste. If their mom would have just given up her grudge she could still have had a life painting with Finn, the kids and family could have known Toby and they all could have had a good life together. Oh well.
There is a little description in the book that I really liked, it's on page 139 chapter thirty-one.
*I stared out the window the whole way, because it was raining, which is how I like the city best. It looks like it's been polished up. All the streets shine and the lights from everywhere reflect off the black. It's like the whole place has been dipped in sugar syrup. Like the city is some kind of big candy apple.* From "Tell The Wolves I'm Home" 3 Stars
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