Baldacci does a shift from his usual kick in the head type of mysterys and delivers a touching story of real life growin' up in the backwoods. His writing is, as usual, precise and very readable, but the charactors and situation in this book are exceptional and remarkably well portrayed.
We actaully bought this copy to give to a friend.

David Baldacci is usually well known for his political thrillers, but "Wish You Well" is an incredible book, even though it's a totally different genre. It's a wonderful coming-of-age story for the two main characters, Lou and Oz Cardinal, who are sent to live on an Appalachian farm with their great-grandmother.

The characters in the story are beautifully written and have great depth to them. You will laugh and cry with them as the story unfolds. There are many events that shape the lives of the two young children. And true to Baldacci's style, "Wish You Well" will still grip your attention to the last page.

A great read for anyone, even if you don't like David Baldacci.

This is my first Baldacci book. I picked it up at a local swap meet, and I'm so glad I did. I loved this story about a young girl and her brother who go to live with their great-grandmother in the Virginia mountains! It really touched my heart. It also made me hungry...I now have a real craving for some homemade bread with butter! I'm definitely keeping it in my collection of best books to read.

Wish You Well

Our story starts out with a family, mother, father, daughter and son. They are going for the day to have a picnic before they move to California so father can pursue his writing career there. Currently they live in New York City. On the way back, mother and father are discussing moving and mother wants to go live in Virginia where father grew up -- Father doesn't want to ever go back. They end up having an accident, which kills father and hurts the mother. The children end up going to Viriginia, taking their mother whom keeps her eyes shut and doesn't speak anymore; thinking if they wouldn't have been argueing maybe the accident wouldn't have happened.

Moving to Virginia Oz and Lou meet lots of characters, the great-grandmother Louisa, Eugene, Diamond, Cotton and some not so nice. A big gas company pressures Louisa to sell her property, but she says she will never leave the mountain. She has a stroke and it leaves her stuck in the hospital, unable to communicate, just like mother. The gas company takes her to court, even though she is unable to communicate saying that she is mentally unfit and can't take care of the children either. Will she be able to save her land? Will mother (Amanda) ever walk and talk again?

This book was so enthralling I couldn't put it down. Lou is a strong young lady and one of my favorite characters. You will love this book!

This is a wonderful story. It had me crying and laughing.. It was a completely departure from his other books. I truly enjoyed every page.