They were born twenty minutes apart and had the same ginger hair and green-gray eyes, though Anna’s were greener. Anna’s hair fell in natural curls, Katherine’s in the sort of waves that had to be improved by the J.D. Oppenheimer curling tube. Still, as they got older, Katherine put herself on guard, made herself responsible for interrupting Anna’s drift toward the perilous, for fixing the fences and defining the borders, the edges, the ends. Anna listened to Katherine when it was important, because Katherine’s talent had never been beauty; it was saving, rescue.
(from Dangerous Neighbors, page 17 in the ARC)
When I borrowed Dangerous Neighbors from Serena, I was so excited because I was finally going to read Beth Kephart, an author whose work I’ve seen praised across the blogs. Maybe my expectations were too high; I really wanted to love this book, but I finished it feeling like it was only okay. It took me a few days to finish a book that should have taken me a single work commute, and the entire time I was reading, I kept wondering when the story was going to blow me away.
Dangerous Neighbors is the story of 17-year-old twins Katherine and Anna, and Kephart tells the story from the point of view of a grieving Katherine. Anna’s romance with the baker’s son, Bennett, and her accidental death are detailed in flashbacks, while Katherine tries to gather the courage to end her life. Kephart’s poetic prose is beautiful, and to be honest, the only reason why I stuck with the book until the end. This young adult novel is set in Philadelphia in 1876 during the Centennial fair, and Kephart really brings this setting to life. She beautifully describes the Shantytown fire, uses the twins’ mother to highlight some feminist issues, and puts readers right in the chaos of the main exhibition building.
I understood Katherine’s grief and how lost she was after Anna’s death. She put herself in charge of Anna, always watching over her, and she didn’t know what to do without her. Her whole existence depended on her sister. I also understood how she would feel slighted when Anna fell in love; she’s a teenager, and I remember not wanting to be left behind when my close friends had boyfriends and I didn’t. However, Katherine struck me as melodramatic and even slightly annoying — with regard to Anna’s relationship with Bennett, not her death — and I just didn’t care for her. Moreover, I just didn’t buy the ending. A very intriguing character was quickly introduced toward the end, and because this character plays a major role in the outcome of the novel, I felt cheated that I didn’t get to know this character at all.
Even though Dangerous Neighbors was just an okay read for me, I can see why readers praise Kephart’s writing. I really want to give this author another try, so if you have a favorite Kephart book that you think I should read, please let me know in the comments.
Disclosure: I borrowed Dangerous Neighbors from a friend. I am an Amazon associate.
© 2011 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
I highly recommend Nothing But Ghosts, but I think you might enjoy Undercover.
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I’ll look into those. Thanks for the suggestions.
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Anna, I haven’t read anything by Beth Kephart. I’m sorry this didn’t live up to your expectations. At least you enjoyed certain aspects of it.
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I really did enjoy the writing; the story itself just didn’t speak to me like I hoped it would.
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The author is new to me so thank you for the review and update. I would like to read this book.
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You’re very welcome. Hope you enjoy it!
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Try The Heart is Not a Size. It’s my favorite of hers so far, and was one of my Books of the Year. I’m kind of with you on Dangerous Neighbors – beautiful writing, OK story.
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Glad to hear it’s not just me! I will keep that one in mind as well. Thanks for the recommendation.
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I hate it when my expectations are too high! I’ve yet to read any Kephart, but it sounds like if I do give her a go I’ll start elsewhere. 🙂
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I’ve heard good things about the books mentioned in the comments so far. I probably should have started with one of those!
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I liked but did not love Nothing but Ghosts, but I loved her writing, so I too want to give her another try. I’ll skip this one and try something else since you didn’t love it.
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Kephart’s writing really is wonderful, so I’m definitely going to read another one of her books.
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Of the three I’ve read so far, Nothing But Ghosts is my fave.
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Thanks for the recommendation. I’m leaning toward reading that one next.
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I liked House of Dance and Nothing But Ghosts. But I do have to admit that I like Beth not for her characterization or plotting but for the beauty of her language; it’s like poetry to me. I’m sorry you didn’t have a good first impression.
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Thanks for the suggestions. Her writing is poetic, and I did enjoy it. I didn’t have a bad first impression; maybe my expectations were just too high.
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I don’t know about this one if it was only ok. Perhaps I will wait until you read and review more by her 🙂
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Hopefully I will have a chance to read another one within the next few months. 🙂
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Aw, too bad this one didn’t live up to your expectations. You are right it’s everywhere and with a lot of praise but hopefully the next book you try of hers will work better for you!
I’d like to give this one a try. The story does sound interesting. We’ll see…
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I hope so, too. Let me know if you read it, as I would love to hear what you think about it.
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Hi, Thanks for this thoughtful review. I found your blog through the 2011 Wish I’d read That Challenge.
Laurie
Hope you will take a look at my blog too. I just reviewed She Smells the Dead for this Challenge.
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Hi Laurie! Thanks for stopping by. I will check out your blog shortly.
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I have read a few books lately that I have loved the author’s writing but have not been so thrilled with the story so I understand fully what you are saying. I haven’t read any books by this author yet but you have sparked my curiosity about her.
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Good to know I’m not the only one this has happened to. 🙂
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Maybe the “waiting for blowing me away” – would be partly responsible. I have read many good reviews of her other books, I am sure I am not going to start with this one.
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You may be right; I may have set my expectations too high.
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I have heard that this one isn’t one of her best. That’s too bad it wasn’t a great read for you. I have a few of her books but haven’t read one yet. I hope to this year.
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I’d heard the same thing, but since I had a copy of this book on hand, I decided to read it first. Looking forward to your thoughts when you get a chance to read them.
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Too bad it dissapointed. I know what you mean about waiting for the story to blow you away, then it just not happening. Thanks for the honest review.
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I admit I was disappointed. The few books I’ve read that have been really popular on the blog lived up to my high expectations, so I’ve been lucky. My streak had to come to an end at some point.
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I have a feeling I’d have the same reaction to this book as you did, which is why I haven’t picked it up yet. I’ve read previous books by Kephart, but the plot of this one doesn’t really speak to me.
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I was interested in it based on the plot, just didn’t live up to my expectations. I do plan on reading something else by Kephart, though.
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[…] The Crimson Rooms by Katharine McMahon (post-WWI) 2. Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart (Philadelphia’s Centennial Fair, 1876) 3. The Report by Jessica Francis Kane […]
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