About the book
New York Times Bestseller
\"The beauty of The Hour I First Believed, a soaring novel as amazingly graceful as the classic hymn that provides the title, is that Lamb never loses sight of the spark of human resilience. . . . Lamb’s wonderful novel offers us the promise and power of hope.”—Miami Herald
The profound and compelling story of a personal quest for meaning and faith, this gripping work of psychological fiction comes from Wally Lamb, #1 New York Times bestselling author of She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True
When 47-year-old high school teacher Caelum Quirk and his younger wife, Maureen, a school nurse, move to Littleton, Colorado, they both get jobs at Columbine High School. In April 1999, in a story set against the backdrop of a national tragedy, Caelum returns home to Connecticut to be with his aunt who has just had a stroke. But Maureen finds herself in the school library at Columbine, cowering in a cabinet as two vengeful students go on a murderous rampage. Miraculously she survives, but at a cost: she is unable to recover from the debilitating trauma and PTSD. In a marriage suddenly in crisis, Caelum and Maureen flee Colorado for an illusion of safety at the Quirk family farm back east. But the effects of chaos are not so easily put right, and further tragedy ensues.
In The Hour I First Believed, Wally Lamb travels well beyond his earlier work to deliver a powerful family saga. He embodies in his fiction myth, psychology, family history stretching back many generations, and the questions of faith that lie at the heart of everyday life. The result is an extraordinary tour de force, a moving story of grief and loss that is at once a meditation on the human condition and an unflinching yet compassionate evocation of character.
Editions of Hour I First Believed
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780060988432
- EBook
- ISBN 9780061980312
Read an Excerpt
New York Times Bestseller
\"The beauty of The Hour I First Believed, a soaring novel as amazingly graceful as the classic hymn that provides the title, is that Lamb never loses sight of the spark of human resilience. . . . Lamb’s wonderful novel offers us the promise and power of hope.”—Miami Herald
The profound and compelling story of a personal quest for meaning and faith, this gripping work of psychological fiction comes from Wally Lamb, #1 New York Times bestselling author of She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True
When 47-year-old high school teacher Caelum Quirk and his younger wife, Maureen, a school nurse, move to Littleton, Colorado, they both get jobs at Columbine High School. In April 1999, in a story set against the backdrop of a national tragedy, Caelum returns home to Connecticut to be with his aunt who has just had a stroke. But Maureen finds herself in the school library at Columbine, cowering in a cabinet as two vengeful students go on a murderous rampage. Miraculously she survives, but at a cost: she is unable to recover from the debilitating trauma and PTSD. In a marriage suddenly in crisis, Caelum and Maureen flee Colorado for an illusion of safety at the Quirk family farm back east. But the effects of chaos are not so easily put right, and further tragedy ensues.
In The Hour I First Believed, Wally Lamb travels well beyond his earlier work to deliver a powerful family saga. He embodies in his fiction myth, psychology, family history stretching back many generations, and the questions of faith that lie at the heart of everyday life. The result is an extraordinary tour de force, a moving story of grief and loss that is at once a meditation on the human condition and an unflinching yet compassionate evocation of character.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hour I First Believed about?
New York Times Bestseller
\"The beauty of The Hour I First Believed, a soaring novel as amazingly graceful as the classic hymn that provides the title, is that Lamb never loses sight of the spark of human resilience. . . . Lamb’s wonderful novel offers us the promise and power of hope.”—Miami Herald
The profound and compelling story of a personal quest for meaning and faith, this gripping work of psychological fiction comes from Wally Lamb, #1 New York Times bestselling author of She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True
When 47-year-old high school teacher Caelum Quirk and his younger wife, Maureen, a school nurse, move to Littleton, Colorado, they both get jobs at Columbine High School. In April 1999, in a story set against the backdrop of a national tragedy, Caelum returns home to Connecticut to be with his aunt who has just had a stroke. But Maureen finds herself in the school library at Columbine, cowering in a cabinet as two vengeful students go on a murderous rampage. Miraculously she survives, but at a cost: she is unable to recover from the debilitating trauma and PTSD. In a marriage suddenly in crisis, Caelum and Maureen flee Colorado for an illusion of safety at the Quirk family farm back east. But the effects of chaos are not so easily put right, and further tragedy ensues.
In The Hour I First Believed, Wally Lamb travels well beyond his earlier work to deliver a powerful family saga. He embodies in his fiction myth, psychology, family history stretching back many generations, and the questions of faith that lie at the heart of everyday life. The result is an extraordinary tour de force, a moving story of grief and loss that is at once a meditation on the human condition and an unflinching yet compassionate evocation of character.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Hour I First Believed?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Plays, playscripts, drama
Where can I read a sample of Hour I First Believed?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780060988432
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Hour I First Believed?
Wally Lamb
Who is the Publisher of the book Hour I First Believed?
HarperCollins
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Hour I First Believed is available as paperback(ISBN 9780060988432) and ebook(ISBN 9780061980312)
Where can I buy Hour I First Believed online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Hour I First Believed from below
Where can I buy Hour I First Believed?