The Stormchasers
Jenna Blum has created a book that is exciting, painful, funny, and human in her new novel The Stormchasers.
The Stormchasers is a story about Kerena Jorge and the search for her estranged twin Charles. Charles has struggled with mental illness in the form of a bipolar disorder his whole life. Refusing treatment and frequently afflicted with manic episodes the condition ultimately results in his estrangement from his family.
Charles has always been obsessed with the weather. Growing up in rural Minnesota he would frequently chase and document severe storms much to the worries of his family. But, to Charles, weather is more than just a phenomenon – it’s an all-consuming part of his life.
Ultimately Karena does locate Charles and the process of getting to know her brother begins. Confronting their past becomes the main focus of the story. Their past if one of much pain and a secret that causes them both to never truly be honest with themselves. During their period of reconciliation the secret they both share is painfully confronted and ultimately revealed.
Blum’s writing is fast paced and wonderfully descriptive. Her characters easily come to life to the reader. Blum does an especially good job at bringing the painful scenes and realities of mental illness to life. In the end the reader is left with a story that evokes many emotions from pain/sympathy, to resignation and acceptance. All this mixed in with some ‘edge of your seat’ storm chasing scenes that (from an east coaster who has never experienced weather as discussed in this book) bring sever weather to life in an amazingly live way.
The Stormchasers is a highly recommended summer read!
For more information on The Stormchasers or Jenna Blum, please visit her website at: www.jennablum.com.
Brain Candy Book Reviews 
The title of this book caught my eye – I’ve always found stormchasing to be a bizarre but intriguing hobby. This sounds like a powerful book! Your review was very well-written and I enjoyed reading it! Thank you!
I have an award for you here. =)
Thanks so much Casey and you are really kind!
As someone that has never experienced weather like what these people chase I would prob. be way too much of a wimp to even attempt it.
Both the cover and title caught my attention. I might give this one a try.
I know what you mean about the cover. Let me know if you do, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Jason, I hope if you haven’t read Blum’s Those Who Save Us, you will. It was so beautifully written, painful in parts, but one of my favorite books of ’09.
Hi Linda, I actually haven’t read her other book. However, I’ll admit that after reading Stormchasers I will be, as well as looking forward to her next book.
Sounds great. I’m glad to hear you liked this so much. I keep meaning to read her earlier book, THOSE WHO SAVE US. I’m probably getting title wrong! Her newest looks so good too.
Hi Marie,
I haven’t read her first book, however I’ve had a few people recommend it.
If you do read either, let me know what you think of her writing.
Reading this book now, and if it does not improve soon, I’ll have to dump it. I find the writing breezy (no pun intended)
Hi Katsuma!
Sorry you aren’t that into it. But, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Hope you’ll stop by again.
~J