Review: 31 Hours
Twenty-one year old Jonas is a college student living away from home. He can’t seem to find his place in the world and his search for answers has led him to explore different religions.
Ever since his parents divorced, Jonas has been pretty close to his mother, Carol, and usually keeps in touch with her. Carol awakens in the middle of the night with a sense of dread, and realizes she hasn’t heard from him in a while. She realized that lately
Jonas had seemed so trouble. Too vulnerable, too raw, even for him. Too prone to anger that would rise like a wind gust and then die swiftly. Too distant – perhaps that most of all.
Carol can’t get hold of Jonas – he’s not returning her phone calls and he doesn’t answer his door – so she eventually turns to his girlfriend, his father and then the police.
It’s hard to say too much about this book without giving anything away, but 31 Hours by Masha Hamilton takes place over the course of 31 hours. It is thought provoking and scary and will leave you breathless. I could relate to much of the book since my own son is close to Jonas’s age. Not that my son has done what Jonas did, but I know how little they communicate at that age and how much parents worry. I thought the depiction of Carol and Jake, Jonas’s parents was exactly right – they behaved in much the same way Carl and I do – I worry and he tells me I’m blowing things out of proportion. This book will leave you with as many questions as answers. 31 Hours is a real page-turner and I highly recommend it!
Here’s the trailer for 31 Hours:
I received this book at BEA.
Bermudaonion's Weblog 
Ooh, this one sounds really good. Clicking over to amazon.com to put this on my wishlist right now.
That is the precise same dynamic here — I worry, I’m told that I worry too much. It’s just hard not to.
I thought that everyone’s actions in this book were so right on. That’s what made it such a great and tense read. You definitely captured the emotions that I felt reading this! I still think about that book.
This book was so scary for me — and intense! I loved how the author was able to evoke such strong feelings in me!
This sounds great. I also have The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton on my TBR.
this one sounds interesting..I’ll have to check it out
I agree that the dynamic was so believable. And it definitely left me with so many questions. Mr. BFR will be reading it soon, and I can’t wait to discuss it with him.
I read what Jonas was up to in other reviews and so it was funny to read you say “Not that my son has done what Jonas did…” Well that’s a relief!!!!!! :–)
This book has been on my radar; thanks for the great review.
My children are in the late thirties now and I still worry. The type of worry just changes a little. I remember that fear when they were around 21 and off on their own – sort of – and I worried they would make it as adults. Now the kids are starting to worry about me! This book sounds like it will bring back the old nights of fear. Good review.
I somehow love the title of this book and I love scary.
oooooo. This one sounds really good!!!!!
What a great review…I was kind of on the fence when I first saw this book, but you have swayed me!
Someone was telling me about this book on Twitter and it does sound pretty good! I will have to add it to the wish list. Thanks for the review!
This sounds like a fascinating premise and one that all parents can relate to in some way. I will definitely add it to my wishlist!
I love a good page-turner. I’ll have to check this one out. Thanks for the review.
–Anna
I read this review at Beth Fish’s blog and at Dawn’s. And it gave me the serious chills. That trailer is really impactful. Excellent review…I’m putting it down on my list presently!
Amazing that it is set over the period of only 31 hours. I imagine it to be fast paced.
Wow, this one sounds really good. I can imagine from the synopsis that it would be quite a thrill-ride!
Sounds absolutely thrilling!! On my list to read!
This sounds really good! Great review! The cover really gives the impression of hurriedness.
I saw a review over at Dawn’s for this book as well. It sounds so good. Great review-definitely one for the wish list.
I really want to read this – I loved her book The Camel Bookmobile.
It sounds an interesting and strong book. Great review!
This really sounds good, Kathy. I’ve read a couple of other reviews now and with every one I feel like running out to the store and getting a copy.
I’m going to move it up the list. I wasn’t sure if it would be believable but you have convinced me. 🙂
This one sounds like a real page-turner. I’m guessing that what Jonas gets up to isn’t particularly a good thing …
I just realized Masha Hamilton is female…not sure why I always thought she was a he.
This one sounds mighty good, Kathy! Into the wish list (first) then TBR (soon).
Every new review I read of this books makes me want to read it more!
This book was so intense! I know “riveting” is considered to be an over-used word, but it so fits here!
I’m sharing my copy with a friend, so I can talk about it some more.
Everyone has been raving about this. I’m sure I’ll get to it someday.
I really like the trailer though it seems like it gives the impression that the son is going to set off a bomb or something on a subway to me.
Hi Kathy I just finished reading. I wanted to take a day or two to digest because I can’t say I loved reading and enjoyed reading. It was a fast and thrilling read. I too, as you know have a 19 year old. It sure sounds like a lot of us can relate to his mother worrying and can identify what she must be going through,!! Right…
This sounds fantastic! I really like how the story is set within a 31 hour period, must make for a very fast-paced feeling.
I have this book in my stack to be read very soon. After reading your review I am really excited to get to it. It sounds like a real page-turner.