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337
337 follows the life of Samuel Darte whose mother vanished when he was in his teens. It was his brother, Tom who found her wedding ring on the kitchen table along with the note. While their father pays the price of his mother’s disappearance, Sam learns that his long-estranged Gramma is living out her last days in a nursing home nearby. Keen to learn about what really happened that day and realising the importance of how little time there is, he visits her to finally get the truth. Soon it’ll be too late and the family secrets will be lost forever. Reduced to ashes. But in a story like this, nothing is as it seems.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2020
About the author
M. Jonathan Lee
6 books51 followersM Jonathan Lee is a nationally shortlisted author who was born Yorkshire where he still lives today with twins, James and Annabel.
His debut novel, The Radio was shortlisted for The Novel Prize 2012. He has spoken in schools, colleges, prisons and universities about creative writing and storytelling and appeared at various literary festivals including Sheffield’s Off the Shelf and Doncaster’s Turn the Page festival.
His second novel, The Page was released in February 2015.
His much anticipated third novel, A Tiny Feeling of Fear was released in September 2015 and tells the story of a character struggling with mental illness. All profits from this novel are donated to charity to raise awareness of mental health issues. This was accompanied by the short film, Hidden which was directed by Simon Gamble and can be seen here.
In 2016, he signed for boutique publishers, Hideaway Fall and his fourth novel Broken Branches was released in July 2017, winning book of the month in Candis magazine for September.
He is a tireless campaigner for mental health awareness and writes his own column regularly for the Huffington Post. He has recently written for the Big Issue and spoken at length about his own personal struggle on the BBC and Radio Talk Europe.
His fifth book, the critically acclaimed Drift Stumble Fall was released in Spring 2018. His sixth novel, 337 was released on 30 November 2020.
His debut novel, The Radio was shortlisted for The Novel Prize 2012. He has spoken in schools, colleges, prisons and universities about creative writing and storytelling and appeared at various literary festivals including Sheffield’s Off the Shelf and Doncaster’s Turn the Page festival.
His second novel, The Page was released in February 2015.
His much anticipated third novel, A Tiny Feeling of Fear was released in September 2015 and tells the story of a character struggling with mental illness. All profits from this novel are donated to charity to raise awareness of mental health issues. This was accompanied by the short film, Hidden which was directed by Simon Gamble and can be seen here.
In 2016, he signed for boutique publishers, Hideaway Fall and his fourth novel Broken Branches was released in July 2017, winning book of the month in Candis magazine for September.
He is a tireless campaigner for mental health awareness and writes his own column regularly for the Huffington Post. He has recently written for the Big Issue and spoken at length about his own personal struggle on the BBC and Radio Talk Europe.
His fifth book, the critically acclaimed Drift Stumble Fall was released in Spring 2018. His sixth novel, 337 was released on 30 November 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
November 23, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Firstly, thank you very much to M Jonathan Lee and his publishers for sending Whispering Stories a hardback copy of 337. That is always a treat but on this occasion it was even more interesting because the rear cover has an inverted copy of the front so the title 337 becomes the author’s surname, LEE. It is also a book that you can read from either end but I’ll leave it to you to purchase it to work out how that happens. (Please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only.)
So, novelty presentation aside, is it a good book? Yes it is. 337 is a tale of family tragedy told in the first person by Sam and describes how much hurt we can inflict on those closest to us.
M Jonathan Lee has a lovely and easy writing style despite the dark nature of his plot which is revealed piecemeal throughout the book. His descriptions of Sam’s single man living arrangements, including his working from home routines, seemed very realistic with some moments of humour within his fairly meaningless life. From experience I can confirm that his descriptions of visits to the nursing home are absolutely spot on, from the awkwardness of sitting on someone’s bed to long hours spent expecting someone’s breath to be their last. Clearly the author or someone close to him has been through that testing experience.
I won’t give away too much of the story but the author uses a wonderful touch as he describes how the brothers show tremendous strength of character to finally cope with their memories and to move on with their lives.
There was a little twist at the end but that wasn’t what 337 is really about. 337 is about breaking families and rebuilding them as well as they can be. I have awarded five stars.
Firstly, thank you very much to M Jonathan Lee and his publishers for sending Whispering Stories a hardback copy of 337. That is always a treat but on this occasion it was even more interesting because the rear cover has an inverted copy of the front so the title 337 becomes the author’s surname, LEE. It is also a book that you can read from either end but I’ll leave it to you to purchase it to work out how that happens. (Please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only.)
So, novelty presentation aside, is it a good book? Yes it is. 337 is a tale of family tragedy told in the first person by Sam and describes how much hurt we can inflict on those closest to us.
M Jonathan Lee has a lovely and easy writing style despite the dark nature of his plot which is revealed piecemeal throughout the book. His descriptions of Sam’s single man living arrangements, including his working from home routines, seemed very realistic with some moments of humour within his fairly meaningless life. From experience I can confirm that his descriptions of visits to the nursing home are absolutely spot on, from the awkwardness of sitting on someone’s bed to long hours spent expecting someone’s breath to be their last. Clearly the author or someone close to him has been through that testing experience.
I won’t give away too much of the story but the author uses a wonderful touch as he describes how the brothers show tremendous strength of character to finally cope with their memories and to move on with their lives.
There was a little twist at the end but that wasn’t what 337 is really about. 337 is about breaking families and rebuilding them as well as they can be. I have awarded five stars.
November 28, 2020
Like the two previous books by the author I’ve read, Broken Branches and Drift Stumble Fall, 337 is strong on the detail of domestic life – the annual picnic in the park, a Sunday roast dinner – and the dynamics of family relationships. For Samuel, the book’s narrator, his childhood is punctuated by memories of tensions simmering beneath the surface of his grandparents’ and his parents’ marriage which occasionally boil over.
It quickly becomes apparent that Samuel’s life has been overshadowed by his mother’s disappearance when he was a child and the author deftly illustrates the emotional and psychological impact this has had. Not only has it caused an estrangement from his father and younger brother Tom, but it has led him to spend time in therapy. The sense of ‘unfinished business’ has also contributed to the breakdown of his marriage. Yet still he feels a compulsive need to find answers to a disappearance the police have long since consigned to the drawer marked ‘cold case’.
His grandmother’s impending death signals what may be his final opportunity to discover why his mother left and what became of her. It’s a prospect Samuel finds too difficult to resist, even if it means overcoming a breach between him and his grandmother that’s lasted nearly twenty years.
Those attracted by the mystery element of the book will be pleased to know it is liberally sprinkled with enigmatic phrases that could either be important clues or playful red herrings. There are other quirky features, some of which left me scratching my head trying to work out if they had hidden significance, and others which made me smile. Readers drawn to the book by the promise of a domestic drama will be rewarded with poignant scenes as Samuel gently tries to coax information from his dying grandmother whilst at the same time struggling to understand his own feelings of helplessness and frustration. However, I believe every reader will recall the words ‘Nothing is as it seems’ as they turn the last page.
I was fortunate enough to receive a limited edition copy of the novel from the lovely people at Hideaway Fall with its unique double-ended upside-down format. (Please note the double-ended upside-down version of the book is only available if purchased in hard copy from UK booksellers.) However, in whatever format you read 337, I think you’ll find your emotions a little topsy-turvy at the end.
The author’s self-imposed challenge was “to write a novel where the entire story hinges on the last word, which changes your view about many of the characters you’ve travelled through the story with“. Success.
It quickly becomes apparent that Samuel’s life has been overshadowed by his mother’s disappearance when he was a child and the author deftly illustrates the emotional and psychological impact this has had. Not only has it caused an estrangement from his father and younger brother Tom, but it has led him to spend time in therapy. The sense of ‘unfinished business’ has also contributed to the breakdown of his marriage. Yet still he feels a compulsive need to find answers to a disappearance the police have long since consigned to the drawer marked ‘cold case’.
His grandmother’s impending death signals what may be his final opportunity to discover why his mother left and what became of her. It’s a prospect Samuel finds too difficult to resist, even if it means overcoming a breach between him and his grandmother that’s lasted nearly twenty years.
Those attracted by the mystery element of the book will be pleased to know it is liberally sprinkled with enigmatic phrases that could either be important clues or playful red herrings. There are other quirky features, some of which left me scratching my head trying to work out if they had hidden significance, and others which made me smile. Readers drawn to the book by the promise of a domestic drama will be rewarded with poignant scenes as Samuel gently tries to coax information from his dying grandmother whilst at the same time struggling to understand his own feelings of helplessness and frustration. However, I believe every reader will recall the words ‘Nothing is as it seems’ as they turn the last page.
I was fortunate enough to receive a limited edition copy of the novel from the lovely people at Hideaway Fall with its unique double-ended upside-down format. (Please note the double-ended upside-down version of the book is only available if purchased in hard copy from UK booksellers.) However, in whatever format you read 337, I think you’ll find your emotions a little topsy-turvy at the end.
The author’s self-imposed challenge was “to write a novel where the entire story hinges on the last word, which changes your view about many of the characters you’ve travelled through the story with“. Success.
November 29, 2020
I think I have to talk about the book itself before I review it. In the UK we are lucky enough to get a hardback version where it is double-ended. You can start reading on the bright yellow sunshine door, or you can start it on the glum blue cloudy door. Reflecting on the book, I don’t think it matters which one we start the book on, I think it is more how we end. Do we view the ending to a happy one, if so so the yellow door is our route, but do we find the ending bittersweet, well if so please head to the blue door. This is how I interpreted it but that is what I love, it is completely open to interpretation.
More is less here, the story of Samuel is a tale of sorrow. A man living half a life due to the events in the past. Events which are told to us slowly and all from the point of view of Samuel. What I love is that it is so subjective, we only know the things that Samuel knows. When he hears of events that happen from someone else it at times contradicts his, which makes us question it all. The other thing I really enjoyed is that Samuel does not reveal everything to us from the start. We are led to believe the innocent things, the voices in calls, the background noises, the sights. It is only, later on, we know the truth.
There is something I found quite magical about this book. I can’t be too explicit to why as I do not want to ruin the mystery for you. I did find the writing to be quite entrancing, I think because of the tone of the book. Despite the story and themes that run through the book, the book is quite conversational, it made it for easy reading and with the short chapters, well we all know the pitfalls of that.
A stunning book, one where I could have happily read a couple more hundred pages of it seemed to be over way too soon. Although it is short and quite compact, it is a poignant tale, there is warmth and loss and it makes you think. There is one particular line in the book that resonated for me and it might just be a new mantra for me.
We shouldn’t yearn for a past that’s already gone and can’t be changed.
It is a beautiful, poetic and a remarkably fresh look at life and I think its the perfect way to end this review. Not because I have nothing more to say, in fact, it is the opposite, there is too much to say but I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone. I have not read anything before by this author but I will be taking the time to check out his other books.
More is less here, the story of Samuel is a tale of sorrow. A man living half a life due to the events in the past. Events which are told to us slowly and all from the point of view of Samuel. What I love is that it is so subjective, we only know the things that Samuel knows. When he hears of events that happen from someone else it at times contradicts his, which makes us question it all. The other thing I really enjoyed is that Samuel does not reveal everything to us from the start. We are led to believe the innocent things, the voices in calls, the background noises, the sights. It is only, later on, we know the truth.
There is something I found quite magical about this book. I can’t be too explicit to why as I do not want to ruin the mystery for you. I did find the writing to be quite entrancing, I think because of the tone of the book. Despite the story and themes that run through the book, the book is quite conversational, it made it for easy reading and with the short chapters, well we all know the pitfalls of that.
A stunning book, one where I could have happily read a couple more hundred pages of it seemed to be over way too soon. Although it is short and quite compact, it is a poignant tale, there is warmth and loss and it makes you think. There is one particular line in the book that resonated for me and it might just be a new mantra for me.
We shouldn’t yearn for a past that’s already gone and can’t be changed.
It is a beautiful, poetic and a remarkably fresh look at life and I think its the perfect way to end this review. Not because I have nothing more to say, in fact, it is the opposite, there is too much to say but I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone. I have not read anything before by this author but I will be taking the time to check out his other books.
January 20, 2021
This is the spoiler free review of 337, to find the spoiler full review please visit https://amanjareads.com/2021/01/13/33...
Thank you so much to Hideaway Fall Publishing for providing me with a copy of 337 in exchange for this honest review.
When I was contacted about the novel 337 I was told that it would be a unique reading experience. Here is a book that you can supposedly read both forward and backward! I was quite intrigued. Before even receiving the book I had already decided to read it backward. I mean, when do you ever get to do that?!
So you can imagine my disappointment when I picked up the book, started at the last chapter, and 16 pages in was told to flip the book and start at the real beginning. 16 pages hardly qualifies for reading a book backward. And of course I skimmed the first 16 pages that start the "beginning" of the book. The same as the ones I just read! I call shenanigans!
I'm honestly not sure if I would have agreed to read 337 without the promise of the backwards gimmick. I do know though that I significantly lowered its rating due to the disappointment of reading a fairly uneventful mystery without any rule breaking formatting.
I believe the title 337 comes less from any point in the plot and more from a play on the author's name. Since you are supposed to flip the book upside down at some point you'll see that 337 becomes the name LEE.
Additionally, the two covers for the book are blue and yellow. There are several instances in the book that allude to these colors containing some sort of symbolic meaning. However, it wasn't clear enough or I didn't care enough to be abe to tell you know what it means.
The basic premise of the story is that Sam's mom went missing one day 19 years ago. She left behind a note and her wedding ring and her family never saw her again. Sam is determined to figure out what happened to her and why she would have abandoned him.
Sam spends time asking questions of his dying Gramma in order to finally get to the bottom of this. I cared more about Sam building his relations with his existing family than I did about him solving the mystery.
I wish 337 had put more thought into substance over style. The actual plot and character development in the book is a little flat and the progression of the story is somewhat dull. There are several plot points that basically get abandoned or have little payoff for the reader.
Additionally, 337 sets itself up at the end for a sequel. And I'm over it. If you've been following my reviews for a while you know how desperate I am for endings. Stories cry out for conclusions! This one needed a conclusion, I can't imagine it has enough material for another 337 pages, just give me the ending now!
But capitalism has deemed the sequel mandatory anymore, and we're all worse off for it. One of the best parts of a mystery is that it gets solved, that's as clear as any ending should be! But this mystery does not get solved, spoiler I guess.
337 is overall an okay book. It's readable and entertaining enough for the most part but definitely has a few flaws. It's not offensive or littered with typos but it also can't be read backwards like I was promised.
If you like your mysteries more subdued then you could try to check this one out.
Thank you so much to Hideaway Fall Publishing for providing me with a copy of 337 in exchange for this honest review.
When I was contacted about the novel 337 I was told that it would be a unique reading experience. Here is a book that you can supposedly read both forward and backward! I was quite intrigued. Before even receiving the book I had already decided to read it backward. I mean, when do you ever get to do that?!
So you can imagine my disappointment when I picked up the book, started at the last chapter, and 16 pages in was told to flip the book and start at the real beginning. 16 pages hardly qualifies for reading a book backward. And of course I skimmed the first 16 pages that start the "beginning" of the book. The same as the ones I just read! I call shenanigans!
I'm honestly not sure if I would have agreed to read 337 without the promise of the backwards gimmick. I do know though that I significantly lowered its rating due to the disappointment of reading a fairly uneventful mystery without any rule breaking formatting.
I believe the title 337 comes less from any point in the plot and more from a play on the author's name. Since you are supposed to flip the book upside down at some point you'll see that 337 becomes the name LEE.
Additionally, the two covers for the book are blue and yellow. There are several instances in the book that allude to these colors containing some sort of symbolic meaning. However, it wasn't clear enough or I didn't care enough to be abe to tell you know what it means.
The basic premise of the story is that Sam's mom went missing one day 19 years ago. She left behind a note and her wedding ring and her family never saw her again. Sam is determined to figure out what happened to her and why she would have abandoned him.
Sam spends time asking questions of his dying Gramma in order to finally get to the bottom of this. I cared more about Sam building his relations with his existing family than I did about him solving the mystery.
I wish 337 had put more thought into substance over style. The actual plot and character development in the book is a little flat and the progression of the story is somewhat dull. There are several plot points that basically get abandoned or have little payoff for the reader.
Additionally, 337 sets itself up at the end for a sequel. And I'm over it. If you've been following my reviews for a while you know how desperate I am for endings. Stories cry out for conclusions! This one needed a conclusion, I can't imagine it has enough material for another 337 pages, just give me the ending now!
But capitalism has deemed the sequel mandatory anymore, and we're all worse off for it. One of the best parts of a mystery is that it gets solved, that's as clear as any ending should be! But this mystery does not get solved, spoiler I guess.
337 is overall an okay book. It's readable and entertaining enough for the most part but definitely has a few flaws. It's not offensive or littered with typos but it also can't be read backwards like I was promised.
If you like your mysteries more subdued then you could try to check this one out.
January 3, 2021
You can also find my review here: https://rww.home.blog/2020/12/16/337-...
Title: 337
Author: M. Jonathan
Release Date: 30th November 2020
Rating: 3,5/5 stars
Thank you very much for the kind people at Hideaway Falls for sending me a copy of this wonderful book!
337 is a book that, to an outsider, looks like it belongs in the mystery genre. The narrator is Sam, an adult with a strange job that has to spend his grandmother’s last days by her side. From the very beginning, a mysterious atmosphere is created with the narrator hinting at the things that happened in the past but never truly revealing what had happened.
“I don’t know,” she rasps. “Is it selfish to save yourself?”
I admit to being incredibly curious as to what happened, but the writer seems to revel in leading the reader along, only feeding us snippets of information here and there. He does it well enough that we remain curious, but doesn’t leave us out to dry for too long at a time.
As we reach the end and can finally see the whole picture, we can see that this no longer is a mystery but rather a story of a dysfunctional family. It is no longer about piecing the clues together, it is about a man coming to terms with his own grief and the mark it has left on him and his brother.
“The worst thing anyone can do (…) is to look backwards. We can retain memories as long as we don’t live in them, y’know. We shouldn’t yearn for a past that’s already gone and can’t be changed.”
Overall, this book is nicely written and Sam’s overarching growth is pleasing to read, but I was a bit underwhelmed at how the mystery turned out. I was expecting something terrible to have happened to Sam’s mother, but I will admit that my spirits were lifted while reading the last chapter.
Definitely a book to read for those who appreciate emotional growth and character-driven stories.
The final chapter is what I make it. I get the feeling that it will be far happier than the first two.
November 23, 2020
You know those (hopefully) rare moments when your stomach literally drops because one of life’s puzzle pieces is so gargantuan that it obliterates everything and everyone up to this current point? The enormity of one word, one truth, one action, one assumption being so impactful that it defines your whole life? A life that has not really been good, at all. Shattering!
337 is a book that echoes. It sends back waves of its essence long after you’ve finished the book with yet another and another and another thought: everything you learned within the story and its people shifts. Yet again. Because now you know this important little fact and ohmygod, all…these…wasted lives?!?!?!
And yet, the truth that our main character is chasing is not what this story is about. For me, it was about the years-long unraveling destruction left by the void where a mother should have been. It’s a story about those who never give up, about those who do give up and those who keep secrets… All at the cost of their own and others’ lives. Family members who have all, at the consequence of one act, turned dysfunctional towards one another.
M. Jonathan Lee writes with calm and patience. To some, it may be a slow process to follow, and I will disagree with those some. You see, I read grimdark fantasy and I read gory, slasher horror and none – NONE – of the books in those genres have made me feel quite like Lee has. It was this patience and methodical calmness of author’s pen that delivered those moments that made me ‘be in the moment’ so well. Never has hopelessness, despair and death, literal death, felt so real. And it made me slightly sick at the inescapable moments when a life counts down those final breaths. This book has brought me closest to death I have been this far in my life.
What a book. What a story. It’s magnificent in all the ways that life has to offer. True, some scenes may be disturbing to the readers – aforementioned death – but…
Families. There isn’t one in the world that doesn’t have anything to hide. We are none of us perfect. But some families deal with violence and abuse day after day after day. Even if they sit down for a picnic together in the park. One could think only happy families picnic…alas, sometimes one parent puts on a braver and a happier face than they would like to. And essentially, most importantly, it’s the footprint of adult actions that shapes the future of their offspring. We are still reluctant to admit that adult decisions have a way larger impact on kids than we would like to think. They’ll bounce back, sure.
But do they?
Hurt received will be hurt caused. An endless loop that will roll from generation to generation, like a family heirloom.
337 is a book that echoes. It sends back waves of its essence long after you’ve finished the book with yet another and another and another thought: everything you learned within the story and its people shifts. Yet again. Because now you know this important little fact and ohmygod, all…these…wasted lives?!?!?!
And yet, the truth that our main character is chasing is not what this story is about. For me, it was about the years-long unraveling destruction left by the void where a mother should have been. It’s a story about those who never give up, about those who do give up and those who keep secrets… All at the cost of their own and others’ lives. Family members who have all, at the consequence of one act, turned dysfunctional towards one another.
M. Jonathan Lee writes with calm and patience. To some, it may be a slow process to follow, and I will disagree with those some. You see, I read grimdark fantasy and I read gory, slasher horror and none – NONE – of the books in those genres have made me feel quite like Lee has. It was this patience and methodical calmness of author’s pen that delivered those moments that made me ‘be in the moment’ so well. Never has hopelessness, despair and death, literal death, felt so real. And it made me slightly sick at the inescapable moments when a life counts down those final breaths. This book has brought me closest to death I have been this far in my life.
What a book. What a story. It’s magnificent in all the ways that life has to offer. True, some scenes may be disturbing to the readers – aforementioned death – but…
Families. There isn’t one in the world that doesn’t have anything to hide. We are none of us perfect. But some families deal with violence and abuse day after day after day. Even if they sit down for a picnic together in the park. One could think only happy families picnic…alas, sometimes one parent puts on a braver and a happier face than they would like to. And essentially, most importantly, it’s the footprint of adult actions that shapes the future of their offspring. We are still reluctant to admit that adult decisions have a way larger impact on kids than we would like to think. They’ll bounce back, sure.
But do they?
Hurt received will be hurt caused. An endless loop that will roll from generation to generation, like a family heirloom.
November 25, 2020
337 by Jonathan M Lee is such an usual book both in its physical form and the way you read it. You'll notice I'm sure from looking at my photo that the way 337 is printed could be read as the author's surname, Lee, if you turn the book upside down. If you turn the book over, you will find the same cover in blue. In fact you start reading the book at one end, then turn it over and continue reading from the other side. (I should mention that this particular feature is only in the hardback version available in the UK). This reflects the ideas within the book that there is more than one way of looking at things, that our perceptions can be changed by the smallest detail, and things aren't always what they seem.
337 is the story of a family torn apart by an event years before. After a seemingly idyllic family picnic, Sam's mother just walked out of their lives, never to be heard from again. The book explores the effect this had on the close members of the family: Sam's father, his brother Tom and his 'Gramma' Joan. As the story gradually unfolds, we find that Sam has a deep hatred of his grandmother due to something which happened after his mother disappeared. Slowly, Jonathan Lee begins to give clues as to what may have happened when his mother left. There is an air of mystery which pervades the story making for a very intriguing read.
Despite his relationship with his grandmother, Sam finds himself the only family member able to be by her side as she spends her last days in a nursing home. He goes first out of a sense of duty but soon realises this may be his last chance to find out more about what happened all those years ago and in a strange sort of way, this time together heals their relationship. As anyone who has sat by a loved one's bedside in their final hours will recognise, this time is depicted accurately and so poignantly by the author.
You may be wondering about the unusual title of the book? The number 337 is significant in a few ways although I'm still puzzling over it a bit myself! The book is an insightful and compelling portrait of a family who all see things in a different way and all have their own understandings of what happened. Very cleverly, by the end the author will have changed your perception of events too and have you wondering just exactly has happened...
337 is the story of a family torn apart by an event years before. After a seemingly idyllic family picnic, Sam's mother just walked out of their lives, never to be heard from again. The book explores the effect this had on the close members of the family: Sam's father, his brother Tom and his 'Gramma' Joan. As the story gradually unfolds, we find that Sam has a deep hatred of his grandmother due to something which happened after his mother disappeared. Slowly, Jonathan Lee begins to give clues as to what may have happened when his mother left. There is an air of mystery which pervades the story making for a very intriguing read.
Despite his relationship with his grandmother, Sam finds himself the only family member able to be by her side as she spends her last days in a nursing home. He goes first out of a sense of duty but soon realises this may be his last chance to find out more about what happened all those years ago and in a strange sort of way, this time together heals their relationship. As anyone who has sat by a loved one's bedside in their final hours will recognise, this time is depicted accurately and so poignantly by the author.
You may be wondering about the unusual title of the book? The number 337 is significant in a few ways although I'm still puzzling over it a bit myself! The book is an insightful and compelling portrait of a family who all see things in a different way and all have their own understandings of what happened. Very cleverly, by the end the author will have changed your perception of events too and have you wondering just exactly has happened...
December 11, 2020
Dark and heavy with atmosphere, M. Jonathan Lee’s 377 is the story of a family whose last shred of familial ties was shredded the day a young mother disappeared and left her two small boys to fend for themselves with an emotionally stilted father and a coldly distant grandmother. Decades will pass and the narrator, Sam will finally come face to face with the questions that were never answered when he learns his grandmother is now on her deathbed.
Tense and emotionally jagged, will the truth of what became of their mother finally set Samuel free to live or will he find even darker skeletons lurking in the family’s closets? Can he ever regain a relationship with his younger brother and his father? Is he strong enough to hear what a dying woman has to say?
M. Jonathan Lee’s tale doesn’t move at breakneck speed, but it will grab readers by the throat and hold them captive from start to finish, almost like that nightmare one cannot seem to awake from. This author uses his words to create a powerhouse of turmoil, leaving readers wondering what just hit them.
I received a complimentary copy from Hideaway Fall! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher : Hideaway Fall (November 30, 2020)
Genre: Suspense
Print length : 370 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Tense and emotionally jagged, will the truth of what became of their mother finally set Samuel free to live or will he find even darker skeletons lurking in the family’s closets? Can he ever regain a relationship with his younger brother and his father? Is he strong enough to hear what a dying woman has to say?
M. Jonathan Lee’s tale doesn’t move at breakneck speed, but it will grab readers by the throat and hold them captive from start to finish, almost like that nightmare one cannot seem to awake from. This author uses his words to create a powerhouse of turmoil, leaving readers wondering what just hit them.
I received a complimentary copy from Hideaway Fall! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher : Hideaway Fall (November 30, 2020)
Genre: Suspense
Print length : 370 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
November 28, 2020
* Many thanks to Hideaway Fall for sending me hardcover copy of this book along with ‘337 Nothing As It Seems’ pack’, in exchange for an honest review. *
337 was well written #contemporary that revolved around Sam and his family and their life after his mother left them. It was about bereavement, loss and pain of abandonment, tragedy, anxiety, hope, finding peace with past, and moving on with life.
Apart from main theme of bereavement, there was layer of domestic abuse and police manipulations. Mystery and suspense were well written. All characters were realistic and relatable. It was easy to feel Sam's pain and understand his feeling.
I feared this book will end without answering the question about his mother but we actually get it at the end in just few lines and I’m kind of happy to say I was right all along. This will give a lot to discuss over. The tagline 'nothing as it seems' was apt.
Overall, 337 was intriguing, emotive, touching and thought-provoking #fiction, a well written story of family tragedy, loss, hope and relationships.
Read full review on my #bookblog by following link - https://booksteacupnreviews.com/2020/...
337 was well written #contemporary that revolved around Sam and his family and their life after his mother left them. It was about bereavement, loss and pain of abandonment, tragedy, anxiety, hope, finding peace with past, and moving on with life.
Apart from main theme of bereavement, there was layer of domestic abuse and police manipulations. Mystery and suspense were well written. All characters were realistic and relatable. It was easy to feel Sam's pain and understand his feeling.
I feared this book will end without answering the question about his mother but we actually get it at the end in just few lines and I’m kind of happy to say I was right all along. This will give a lot to discuss over. The tagline 'nothing as it seems' was apt.
Overall, 337 was intriguing, emotive, touching and thought-provoking #fiction, a well written story of family tragedy, loss, hope and relationships.
Read full review on my #bookblog by following link - https://booksteacupnreviews.com/2020/...
December 2, 2020
~About
When Samuel Darte’s mother walked out on their family, he never forgot. Reports were filed, listing her as missing and Samuel always wondered what really happened to her. Now, years later, he seeks to know the truth. As his grandma lays dying, Samuel hopes to finally piece some answers together.
~Characters
There were only a few key players in this story, although we mainly just see Samuel’s character. Samuel is the eldest son, the responsible type, always picking up the slack for his father and younger brother, Thomas. He was a likable and deeply introspective person, qualities which helped to draw me closer to him emotionally.
His brother Thomas, by contrast, is far less responsible. He gave off the impression of a distant, conflicted loner, whose sweet nature had become marred by repeated drug use. The relationship between the two brothers was strained at first as they began to reconnect, however, it shifted toward the end of the story, restoring them to their former loving bond.
Samuel’s grandma is seen throughout the novel: a no nonsense yet now frail woman. Seeing how their relationship changed, after years of distance and past hurt, in such a short time was beautiful. It emphasized the importance of caring for one’s family members, no matter what past issues have existed between you, as you don’t know how long you’ve got left with them.
By contrast to all other characters, Samuel’s father was, quite frankly, an arse. He seemed a stern, selfish man, always thinking about his own wants and needs. Because of this, he was by far my least favourite character.
~Likes
337 was a slow paced novel. It allowed me time to really think about what the author was trying to show me, settling me into the moment with Samuel’s character. Because of this, his thoughts and feelings felt more impactful, wrapping around me like a blanket of experiences, showing me how he came to be the man he is.
I liked how the family relationships were explored. There was plenty of natural conflict there, hinting at a complicated family dynamic right from the start.
~Dislikes
On the other hand, there were a few things I disliked about 337.
Toward the end of the book, for example, are random chapter headings but no content. I’m not sure if this was intended as another quirky feature or not, but to me it felt a bit frustrating to have it there.
Secondly, while I really enjoyed the slower style of pacing and the emotional connectivity of 337, nothing of note really seemed to happen. I was half expecting some big twist surrounding the disappearance of Samuel’s mother, since that’s what the start of the plot seemed to suggest. I kept waiting for some big reveal, only to reach the end, feeling a little bit cheated.
However, the plot did have its own unique charm regarding its exploration of the past and the relationships which shape people. With that in mind, these issues I had didn’t take too much away from my reading experience.
~Memorable Quotes
There were some interesting quotes dotted throughout 337, of which these following two were my favourites.
‘When you experience some kind of serious trauma at a young age, it stays with you. It’s like a ghost which follows a few feet behind- a quiet whispered sound that reminds you of your past.’
‘It has always confused me, why people who have not got the slightest clue of what somebody is experiencing still believe it is their right to state their opinion on the subject. -They can tell us what bad people we are – from their twisted viewpoint, they have clambered a few rungs up the slippery ladder of moral hierarchy.’
~Overview
Overall, 337 was a leisurely read, with a strong emotional impact and interesting relationship exploration. I personally felt that the plot lacked something, however would still recommend it to lovers of contemporary reads, with themes of abandonment, loss, bereavement and family.
My Rating: 4 stars.
Recommended: To those looking for an emotive, thoughtful read, which is not heavy on action.
November 29, 2020
I had never met M. Jonathan Lee before but when I was approached by his publishing company and read a bit more about the new story and its background, I had to give it a go. I thank them for providing me an ARC hardback copy of the book, which I freely chose to review.
I was intrigued because they were insistent on sending me a hardback copy, but once I had it on my hands, I knew why. This is a pretty special book, not only because of the way it is written and the story it contains, but also because of the format. At first sight, the book appears to be double-ended. The images on both sides are the same (or almost): the door of a house with several transparent glass panels and a stained glass geometrical design on top and on one side, wood flooring (flooded by light) and a side door (on that door the glass panels on the cover are glossy rather than matte like the rest of the cover) —although perhaps it is a reflection rather than a real door— and the number 337 written (inside of a box in a lighter colour) at the bottom on the right hand corner (oh, and the number is also glossy). The palette of colours includes different tonalities of yellows and browns, with a touch of green in the stained window. The other side is the same, but the palette of colours goes from violet to blue, as if this was a nocturnal version of the previous cover. It seems that the name of the author is only written on the spine, but if we pay attention to the title and the typography we soon realise that the 337 of the title, upside down, reads “LEE”. Whichever end of the book you open, it seems to be the start of the book, with the information about the edition, some quotes about the author’s previous books, a poem, and then chapter one. As I am a bit contrary, I started reading by what I later discovered was the back cover (I guess), the night version of the door, and when I reached page 16 I was greeted by this message ‘Nothing is as it seem…’ and in the next page I was told to turn the book and keep reading from page 16. Several empty pages and pages with geometrical motives followed, so I turned the book, and after checking to make sure I hadn’t missed a different beginning, I kept reading. Yes, not your standard novel, and it got me thinking. However, in case you’re already intrigued and rushing to order the book, please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only. Don’t worry, though, the rest of the book is pretty special as well.
This is a work of literary fiction, even if a quick reading of the description might induce some people to think they are going to read a standard murder mystery book. Although there is an investigation or a process of research going on, there is nothing standard about it, and the book’s description hints at that. The book delves into memories, looks at how we remember our childhood and past events, examines the stories we tell ourselves (both about ourselves and about those around us), the way we protect ourselves from events and feelings, what happens when we are confronted with reality, and also reflects upon the many alternative ways different people deal with trauma in their lives. Some refuse to let it go; some bury it; some chose to try and forget (sometimes aided by drugs and alcohol); some reinvent themselves…
This is a book with very few characters, and in some ways it reminded me of a play with a very small cast. It also brought to my mind a very well-known (and excellent) Spanish novel by Miguel Delibes called Cinco horas con Mario (Five hours with Mario) where the recently widowed wife of Mario reflects upon his life with him while she seats next to his coffin at the wake. Here, the main character and narrator of the story, Sam (Samuel) tells the story, in the first-person and in the present tense. He is a man leading a life that appears rather meaningless. He still lives in his parents’ house; he has an online job where he just seems to clock hours for doing as little as possible; he is in the process of divorcing his wife (she initiated divorce proceedings); and he seems to live stuck in the past, still trying to understand what happened to his family following his mother’s disappearance and his father’s imprisonment for her murder. The book opens with a dream/memory from the past, a time when his family and his grandparents —on his father’s side— had gone for a picnic to the park, a family annual tradition. There are several dreams/flashbacks throughout the book, and they are so beautifully and carefully described that we get quite a clear sense of what the family life might have been like (in full technicolour detail). Of course, as the book reminds us, things are not always as they seem, and although for much of the book we only have Sam’s own point of view, events, comments, and even memories that intrude into the action make us start wondering how reliable a narrator he is as we keep reading. We also hear about his wife, Sarah, his brother, Tom, his father, his mother (the one whose disappearance is at the centre of the book), his grandfather, and especially his grandmother, who is dying in a nursing home and whom, after much hesitation, he ends up visiting. Despite his initial reluctance, he ends up spending a lot of time with his grandmother, and that makes him reconsider things. We also meet a few members of the staff at his grandmother’s nursing home. And not even there things are as they seem to be.
The writing style is fascinating. I’ve mentioned the beauty of the descriptions, and there are some fabulous similes and metaphors as well. The writing is lyrical and at times reminded me of poetry, both in written and visual form (we might get a white space where there is a meaningful silence in a conversation, or very short sentences written as if they were a prose poem), mixed with some very insightful comments and reflections. We also have access to the conversations Sam shares with others, mostly his grandmother, but also Tom and the other characters that have much to contribute to our understanding, although not perhaps in the way we think at first. The book flows well and there is something very compelling about it, although it is not a page-turner in the usual sense, because nothing much happens for those who love action, while at the same time there is a lot going on.
A few examples of the writing, so you can see for yourselves what I mean (although remember this is an ARC copy):
Random thoughts are now jumping like kernels of corn over heat. They pop and explode inside my head like fireworks in New Year’s Eve.
When you experience some kind of serious trauma at a young age, it stays with you. It’s like a ghost which follows a few feet behind every footstep — a quiet whispered sound that reminds you of your past.
It has always confused me why people who have not got the slightest clue of what somebody is experiencing still believe that it is their right to state their opinion on the subject. I’ve given this a lot of thought. I believe it comes down to guilt.
And here, Sam is ranting (mentally) about the effects of mobile phones on conversations:
We could be locked in some deep conversation, maybe about to open up about some desperate fear or seemingly unsurmountable problem, and instead a screen is thrust in front of us and we have to smile politely at a picture of a surprised-looking cat near a cucumber. It is unbelievable. The number of truly worthwhile moments that have been spoiled by the interruption of mobile phones is limitless.
The ending… I am going to keep my peace and only tell you that I loved the way it is written and I liked the ending itself, although it wasn’t a surprise for me.
This is not a book for people who are looking for a plot-driven book and an intricate story. It has elements of mystery but it is, first and foremost, a subjective reading experience. If you enjoy literary fiction, and like to savour writing in the same way you might enjoy a delicate meal or a beautiful piece of music, I recommend you this novel. It is a ‘total’ reading experience.
I was intrigued because they were insistent on sending me a hardback copy, but once I had it on my hands, I knew why. This is a pretty special book, not only because of the way it is written and the story it contains, but also because of the format. At first sight, the book appears to be double-ended. The images on both sides are the same (or almost): the door of a house with several transparent glass panels and a stained glass geometrical design on top and on one side, wood flooring (flooded by light) and a side door (on that door the glass panels on the cover are glossy rather than matte like the rest of the cover) —although perhaps it is a reflection rather than a real door— and the number 337 written (inside of a box in a lighter colour) at the bottom on the right hand corner (oh, and the number is also glossy). The palette of colours includes different tonalities of yellows and browns, with a touch of green in the stained window. The other side is the same, but the palette of colours goes from violet to blue, as if this was a nocturnal version of the previous cover. It seems that the name of the author is only written on the spine, but if we pay attention to the title and the typography we soon realise that the 337 of the title, upside down, reads “LEE”. Whichever end of the book you open, it seems to be the start of the book, with the information about the edition, some quotes about the author’s previous books, a poem, and then chapter one. As I am a bit contrary, I started reading by what I later discovered was the back cover (I guess), the night version of the door, and when I reached page 16 I was greeted by this message ‘Nothing is as it seem…’ and in the next page I was told to turn the book and keep reading from page 16. Several empty pages and pages with geometrical motives followed, so I turned the book, and after checking to make sure I hadn’t missed a different beginning, I kept reading. Yes, not your standard novel, and it got me thinking. However, in case you’re already intrigued and rushing to order the book, please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only. Don’t worry, though, the rest of the book is pretty special as well.
This is a work of literary fiction, even if a quick reading of the description might induce some people to think they are going to read a standard murder mystery book. Although there is an investigation or a process of research going on, there is nothing standard about it, and the book’s description hints at that. The book delves into memories, looks at how we remember our childhood and past events, examines the stories we tell ourselves (both about ourselves and about those around us), the way we protect ourselves from events and feelings, what happens when we are confronted with reality, and also reflects upon the many alternative ways different people deal with trauma in their lives. Some refuse to let it go; some bury it; some chose to try and forget (sometimes aided by drugs and alcohol); some reinvent themselves…
This is a book with very few characters, and in some ways it reminded me of a play with a very small cast. It also brought to my mind a very well-known (and excellent) Spanish novel by Miguel Delibes called Cinco horas con Mario (Five hours with Mario) where the recently widowed wife of Mario reflects upon his life with him while she seats next to his coffin at the wake. Here, the main character and narrator of the story, Sam (Samuel) tells the story, in the first-person and in the present tense. He is a man leading a life that appears rather meaningless. He still lives in his parents’ house; he has an online job where he just seems to clock hours for doing as little as possible; he is in the process of divorcing his wife (she initiated divorce proceedings); and he seems to live stuck in the past, still trying to understand what happened to his family following his mother’s disappearance and his father’s imprisonment for her murder. The book opens with a dream/memory from the past, a time when his family and his grandparents —on his father’s side— had gone for a picnic to the park, a family annual tradition. There are several dreams/flashbacks throughout the book, and they are so beautifully and carefully described that we get quite a clear sense of what the family life might have been like (in full technicolour detail). Of course, as the book reminds us, things are not always as they seem, and although for much of the book we only have Sam’s own point of view, events, comments, and even memories that intrude into the action make us start wondering how reliable a narrator he is as we keep reading. We also hear about his wife, Sarah, his brother, Tom, his father, his mother (the one whose disappearance is at the centre of the book), his grandfather, and especially his grandmother, who is dying in a nursing home and whom, after much hesitation, he ends up visiting. Despite his initial reluctance, he ends up spending a lot of time with his grandmother, and that makes him reconsider things. We also meet a few members of the staff at his grandmother’s nursing home. And not even there things are as they seem to be.
The writing style is fascinating. I’ve mentioned the beauty of the descriptions, and there are some fabulous similes and metaphors as well. The writing is lyrical and at times reminded me of poetry, both in written and visual form (we might get a white space where there is a meaningful silence in a conversation, or very short sentences written as if they were a prose poem), mixed with some very insightful comments and reflections. We also have access to the conversations Sam shares with others, mostly his grandmother, but also Tom and the other characters that have much to contribute to our understanding, although not perhaps in the way we think at first. The book flows well and there is something very compelling about it, although it is not a page-turner in the usual sense, because nothing much happens for those who love action, while at the same time there is a lot going on.
A few examples of the writing, so you can see for yourselves what I mean (although remember this is an ARC copy):
Random thoughts are now jumping like kernels of corn over heat. They pop and explode inside my head like fireworks in New Year’s Eve.
When you experience some kind of serious trauma at a young age, it stays with you. It’s like a ghost which follows a few feet behind every footstep — a quiet whispered sound that reminds you of your past.
It has always confused me why people who have not got the slightest clue of what somebody is experiencing still believe that it is their right to state their opinion on the subject. I’ve given this a lot of thought. I believe it comes down to guilt.
And here, Sam is ranting (mentally) about the effects of mobile phones on conversations:
We could be locked in some deep conversation, maybe about to open up about some desperate fear or seemingly unsurmountable problem, and instead a screen is thrust in front of us and we have to smile politely at a picture of a surprised-looking cat near a cucumber. It is unbelievable. The number of truly worthwhile moments that have been spoiled by the interruption of mobile phones is limitless.
The ending… I am going to keep my peace and only tell you that I loved the way it is written and I liked the ending itself, although it wasn’t a surprise for me.
This is not a book for people who are looking for a plot-driven book and an intricate story. It has elements of mystery but it is, first and foremost, a subjective reading experience. If you enjoy literary fiction, and like to savour writing in the same way you might enjoy a delicate meal or a beautiful piece of music, I recommend you this novel. It is a ‘total’ reading experience.
December 8, 2020
M. Jonathan Lee set himself a challenge “to write a novel where the entire story hinges on the last word, which changes your view about many of the characters you’ve travelled through the story with” and boy, did he succeed.
Samuel was a teenager when his mother disappeared. Now, his grandmother is living out her final days in a nursing home nearby. If she knows anything about what happened to Samuel’s mother, her knowledge will soon be lost forever. Samuel decides to visit her, even though it’s been nearly twenty years since he last saw her.
337 isn’t a fast-paced, action-packed mystery. In fact, I’m not even entirely sure what genre this novel would fit into. What I do know is that Samuel’s story is incredibly immersive and despite the slower pace, I thought it was extremely addictive. 337 is brilliantly written, immensely insightful and full of perceptions. Most of all, its focus is on the impact this big event in Samuel’s life had on the family. How come his younger brother seems to be coping so much better? Why did Samuel have no contact with his grandmother?
All the while I was reading with the idea of “nothing is at it seems” deeply imbedded in my brain, which means I was trying to find clues on every page and yet, 337 isn’t so much about solving the mystery of what happened to Samuel’s mother. I assume there are some clues but if there are, I missed them all. I think there are definitely some red herrings. Hours after finishing this book, I’m still trying to figure things out. This is one of those books that you would just like to start again the minute you finish it because your perceptions will have changed.
Families. They come in all shapes and sizes. What looks like a cozy picnic can hide a multitude of sins. How reliable are the memories of your childhood? Nothing is ever as it seems. And neither is 337. Before you even start reading, the book is already unusual. Yellow cover on one side, blue on the other. 337 one one side, Lee on the other. It’s up to you to decide which side of the book you’ll begin with. (Please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only.) Whichever side you go with, you’re in for a treat.
Full of humanity, of complex feelings and relationships, of the past’s effect on the present, 337 makes for quite a special reading experience. Unique, unusual, impressive and definitely Lee’s best novel so far.
Samuel was a teenager when his mother disappeared. Now, his grandmother is living out her final days in a nursing home nearby. If she knows anything about what happened to Samuel’s mother, her knowledge will soon be lost forever. Samuel decides to visit her, even though it’s been nearly twenty years since he last saw her.
337 isn’t a fast-paced, action-packed mystery. In fact, I’m not even entirely sure what genre this novel would fit into. What I do know is that Samuel’s story is incredibly immersive and despite the slower pace, I thought it was extremely addictive. 337 is brilliantly written, immensely insightful and full of perceptions. Most of all, its focus is on the impact this big event in Samuel’s life had on the family. How come his younger brother seems to be coping so much better? Why did Samuel have no contact with his grandmother?
All the while I was reading with the idea of “nothing is at it seems” deeply imbedded in my brain, which means I was trying to find clues on every page and yet, 337 isn’t so much about solving the mystery of what happened to Samuel’s mother. I assume there are some clues but if there are, I missed them all. I think there are definitely some red herrings. Hours after finishing this book, I’m still trying to figure things out. This is one of those books that you would just like to start again the minute you finish it because your perceptions will have changed.
Families. They come in all shapes and sizes. What looks like a cozy picnic can hide a multitude of sins. How reliable are the memories of your childhood? Nothing is ever as it seems. And neither is 337. Before you even start reading, the book is already unusual. Yellow cover on one side, blue on the other. 337 one one side, Lee on the other. It’s up to you to decide which side of the book you’ll begin with. (Please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only.) Whichever side you go with, you’re in for a treat.
Full of humanity, of complex feelings and relationships, of the past’s effect on the present, 337 makes for quite a special reading experience. Unique, unusual, impressive and definitely Lee’s best novel so far.
January 15, 2021
I absolutely love character-driven novels, especially if the characters are a bit flawed, just like real human beings.
337 begins with a bad event - Sam's mother leaves their home without any reason. How this event shapes the rest of their lives forms the story.
The people in this book are real - flawed, sensitive, and a bit grey. There is no right or wrong, no black or white. It shows the resilience of people living life, taking hard decisions one at a time.
This is not a book that you can devour in one sitting. You need to take it slow, savour the relationships and the characters, get beneath their skin. Slowly, you will love them as much as I did.
Thanks to Netgalley, Jonathan Lee, and BooksGoSocial for the ARC.
337 begins with a bad event - Sam's mother leaves their home without any reason. How this event shapes the rest of their lives forms the story.
The people in this book are real - flawed, sensitive, and a bit grey. There is no right or wrong, no black or white. It shows the resilience of people living life, taking hard decisions one at a time.
This is not a book that you can devour in one sitting. You need to take it slow, savour the relationships and the characters, get beneath their skin. Slowly, you will love them as much as I did.
Thanks to Netgalley, Jonathan Lee, and BooksGoSocial for the ARC.
December 1, 2020
3.5 stars
337 is a contemporary mystery which surrounds the disappearance of Sam’s mum when he was a child. Now an adult, Sam is asked to visit his grandmother, who is dying. She is in a local care home, but the family have been estranged for years.
Still harbouring anger from his childhood, Sam has concerns and fears about seeing his relative after all this time. When he discovers a frail, sick lady who only has a short time left to live and who is nothing like the grandparent he remembers, Sam guiltily begins visiting most days.
The story slowly reveals layers to this mystery with clues and hints to help most amateur sleuths. The parts set in the care home reflect the author’s own experiences of losing a relative and felt very realistic. (This piece of information was from addition material which came with my ARC copy.) When the backstory about Sam’s childhood is revealed, some of it is quite harrowing, especially how Sam and his younger brother tried to survived after their mother’s disappearance.
The book has an odd layout, with some blank chapters and the first three chapters repeated upside down at the back. The book front and back covers have the same picture but in different colours. I wouldn’t normally mention a book cover, but this seems significant, and you can pick the book up and begin reading from either end. The blank chapters portray a leap in time of several months, while the chapters written from the back perhaps encourage you to ‘go back’ and reread the story for any missed clues to the ending.
Overall, I thought the mystery was okay; I did guess the ending and I read very little mystery these days, so it may not suit avid mystery readers. The parts in the care home, although sad, were my favourite because they were so easy to believe, while the layout of the book left me puzzled and didn’t really work for me. I shall, however, be interested to read the thoughts from other readers.
N.B. Please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only.
337 is a contemporary mystery which surrounds the disappearance of Sam’s mum when he was a child. Now an adult, Sam is asked to visit his grandmother, who is dying. She is in a local care home, but the family have been estranged for years.
Still harbouring anger from his childhood, Sam has concerns and fears about seeing his relative after all this time. When he discovers a frail, sick lady who only has a short time left to live and who is nothing like the grandparent he remembers, Sam guiltily begins visiting most days.
The story slowly reveals layers to this mystery with clues and hints to help most amateur sleuths. The parts set in the care home reflect the author’s own experiences of losing a relative and felt very realistic. (This piece of information was from addition material which came with my ARC copy.) When the backstory about Sam’s childhood is revealed, some of it is quite harrowing, especially how Sam and his younger brother tried to survived after their mother’s disappearance.
The book has an odd layout, with some blank chapters and the first three chapters repeated upside down at the back. The book front and back covers have the same picture but in different colours. I wouldn’t normally mention a book cover, but this seems significant, and you can pick the book up and begin reading from either end. The blank chapters portray a leap in time of several months, while the chapters written from the back perhaps encourage you to ‘go back’ and reread the story for any missed clues to the ending.
Overall, I thought the mystery was okay; I did guess the ending and I read very little mystery these days, so it may not suit avid mystery readers. The parts in the care home, although sad, were my favourite because they were so easy to believe, while the layout of the book left me puzzled and didn’t really work for me. I shall, however, be interested to read the thoughts from other readers.
N.B. Please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only.
November 22, 2020
It’s one of those books that makes you stop and appreciate life for a moment.
Samuel Darte’s life changed since the day his mom went missing 20 years ago. He could never come out of the mystery. For many years, he kept obsessing until life fell apart. One day he receives a call from his father informing him that his grandmother is in the hospice and may not live long. Sam had arguments with his grandmother and did not talk for many years. Now that she’s dying he can only hope to find out what happened.
Sam narrates the story in the first person. He deals with his ordinary life and, that makes the book incredible to read. Sam works remotely for a company and shows the reader the countdown of the time left to finish his weekly quota. While going through his daily life, he reminisces over his childhood and his brother, Tom.
The author portrayed the emotions and how the entire incident changed the way of his life. The readers understand why Sam and his grandmother grew apart and the situation leading up to it. The book is written with intricate details of regular life and, the characters are well fleshed out.
Sam talks about his brother Tom, who has grown up to become a famous musician and relates to his feeling and how he must have felt once their mother disappeared. He was only seven and was attached to his mother more than Sam.
The book addresses a couple of sensitive topics, which also form the part of the mystery. The author gave the reader the narrative and, by the end, serious food for thought.
The unique point of this book is through mundane things author showcased and relayed a lot of emotional concepts that are relatable to the readers.
Overall, 337 is a rare story of hope and relationships and all the ordinary things that make up our life with a twist of mystery.
My rating for the book is 4 stars.
Thank you, Hideaway Fall for the copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Samuel Darte’s life changed since the day his mom went missing 20 years ago. He could never come out of the mystery. For many years, he kept obsessing until life fell apart. One day he receives a call from his father informing him that his grandmother is in the hospice and may not live long. Sam had arguments with his grandmother and did not talk for many years. Now that she’s dying he can only hope to find out what happened.
Sam narrates the story in the first person. He deals with his ordinary life and, that makes the book incredible to read. Sam works remotely for a company and shows the reader the countdown of the time left to finish his weekly quota. While going through his daily life, he reminisces over his childhood and his brother, Tom.
The author portrayed the emotions and how the entire incident changed the way of his life. The readers understand why Sam and his grandmother grew apart and the situation leading up to it. The book is written with intricate details of regular life and, the characters are well fleshed out.
Sam talks about his brother Tom, who has grown up to become a famous musician and relates to his feeling and how he must have felt once their mother disappeared. He was only seven and was attached to his mother more than Sam.
The book addresses a couple of sensitive topics, which also form the part of the mystery. The author gave the reader the narrative and, by the end, serious food for thought.
The unique point of this book is through mundane things author showcased and relayed a lot of emotional concepts that are relatable to the readers.
Overall, 337 is a rare story of hope and relationships and all the ordinary things that make up our life with a twist of mystery.
My rating for the book is 4 stars.
Thank you, Hideaway Fall for the copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
November 23, 2020
This was a compulsive read, it took me less than a day to finish it and though I found it kind of depressing in parts I was completely invested in the story and I wanted to find out what had happened.
I have to admit that I didn't get what the upside-down pages were about. I think I started at the wrong end because I read them after finishing the story and actually it looks like you're supposed to start with them. It doesn't seem to make a difference to the story though, I thought maybe there was going to be an alternate viewpoint or some sort of secret added in there but unless I'm missing something there isn't.
* Please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only. *
For me, 337 was all about Sam's relationship with his family. His mother disappeared without a trace when he was a young boy and 20 years later Sam seems to be estranged from all his family. Now his grandma is dying and he reluctantly sits with her for her last few days. At first, he doesn't want to be there due to a serious fall out in their past but he reconnects with her and his heart opens back up to her.
I found this very moving and quite sad to read - Sam seems very lonely and lost at the start, he is separated from his wife, he has no family around him, and he has a job he sleepwalks his way through. But when he visits his grandma and starts to talk to her about his past and he gets back in touch with his brother he seems to realise that the way he sees events are not necessarily the way that everyone else saw them.
It's like he has been frozen since his mother left but his visit to his grandma forces him to open back up to his family and start to deal with what happened.
This is very moving, compelling reading and despite being hard going at times (I had to put it down halfway through and have a bit of a break) it ends on an upbeat mood.
And for those that don't like books that don't give an answer to their big mystery, don't worry, you do actually find out what happened. Sort of.
I received a free copy in return for an honest review.
I have to admit that I didn't get what the upside-down pages were about. I think I started at the wrong end because I read them after finishing the story and actually it looks like you're supposed to start with them. It doesn't seem to make a difference to the story though, I thought maybe there was going to be an alternate viewpoint or some sort of secret added in there but unless I'm missing something there isn't.
* Please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only. *
For me, 337 was all about Sam's relationship with his family. His mother disappeared without a trace when he was a young boy and 20 years later Sam seems to be estranged from all his family. Now his grandma is dying and he reluctantly sits with her for her last few days. At first, he doesn't want to be there due to a serious fall out in their past but he reconnects with her and his heart opens back up to her.
I found this very moving and quite sad to read - Sam seems very lonely and lost at the start, he is separated from his wife, he has no family around him, and he has a job he sleepwalks his way through. But when he visits his grandma and starts to talk to her about his past and he gets back in touch with his brother he seems to realise that the way he sees events are not necessarily the way that everyone else saw them.
It's like he has been frozen since his mother left but his visit to his grandma forces him to open back up to his family and start to deal with what happened.
This is very moving, compelling reading and despite being hard going at times (I had to put it down halfway through and have a bit of a break) it ends on an upbeat mood.
And for those that don't like books that don't give an answer to their big mystery, don't worry, you do actually find out what happened. Sort of.
I received a free copy in return for an honest review.
November 10, 2020
Read it, love it and talk about it
A beautiful story about Sam, living an (apparently) everyday ordinary life, but is everything as it seems?
25 years ago Sam’s mother left a note and walked out on the family, or was her disappearance more sinister? Now Sam learns that his estranged grandmother is close to dying, so he rushes to her side to see if he can finally discover what happened to his mother.
We follow Sam as he deals with his everyday job, his inability to sleep (brilliantly described!) and the mysteries within his family. There is humour, there is sadness, above all there is mystery. The reader sees everything through the eyes of Sam, but do others see things differently?
This is the third book I have read by M. Jonathan Lee, I have previously read drift stumble fall, and Broken Branches. Like the other 2, this book will leave the reader thinking. The prose is beautiful, and I was drawn into the life of Sam, as he worries about the present, and remembers the past. This author gets right into his characters, which then become like a good friend to the reader. I certainly feel I know Sam, and wish him well for the future.
I would love to have a book group to talk with about this book. Not because things are left unclear – they aren’t, but because there is so much material here that a reader will judge depending on their own life experiences. Why didn’t he …, why did she …? I know what I think, but are you thinking the same?
The book format deserves a mention. The cover is beautiful, with different textures, so lovely to hold. The size of the print is perfect, and the margins are wide – no excuse for anyone to break the spine of this. A book perfect to give as a gift!
4*s from me, because the easy to read writing drew me in, gave me plenty to think about, and will keep me thinking about it for a while. As the book blurb says “nothing is as it seems”. Another great book from M. Jonathan Lee
Warning: There are some difficult scenes as Sam’s grandmother is dying. These may be hard to read for anyone suffering from a bereavement.
A beautiful story about Sam, living an (apparently) everyday ordinary life, but is everything as it seems?
25 years ago Sam’s mother left a note and walked out on the family, or was her disappearance more sinister? Now Sam learns that his estranged grandmother is close to dying, so he rushes to her side to see if he can finally discover what happened to his mother.
We follow Sam as he deals with his everyday job, his inability to sleep (brilliantly described!) and the mysteries within his family. There is humour, there is sadness, above all there is mystery. The reader sees everything through the eyes of Sam, but do others see things differently?
This is the third book I have read by M. Jonathan Lee, I have previously read drift stumble fall, and Broken Branches. Like the other 2, this book will leave the reader thinking. The prose is beautiful, and I was drawn into the life of Sam, as he worries about the present, and remembers the past. This author gets right into his characters, which then become like a good friend to the reader. I certainly feel I know Sam, and wish him well for the future.
I would love to have a book group to talk with about this book. Not because things are left unclear – they aren’t, but because there is so much material here that a reader will judge depending on their own life experiences. Why didn’t he …, why did she …? I know what I think, but are you thinking the same?
The book format deserves a mention. The cover is beautiful, with different textures, so lovely to hold. The size of the print is perfect, and the margins are wide – no excuse for anyone to break the spine of this. A book perfect to give as a gift!
4*s from me, because the easy to read writing drew me in, gave me plenty to think about, and will keep me thinking about it for a while. As the book blurb says “nothing is as it seems”. Another great book from M. Jonathan Lee
Warning: There are some difficult scenes as Sam’s grandmother is dying. These may be hard to read for anyone suffering from a bereavement.
March 24, 2021
This book was amazing...a great story, and beautifully written. I've seen it billed as a mystery, but I wouldn't call it that. Yes, there is the question about what really happened to Sam's mother, and yes, time is devoted to trying to figure this out, but to me that wasn't the main focus of the story.
I consider this book more of a character study. Most of the focus is on Sam, his life, his issues, and who he truly is and wants to become. Parts of it are sad...fractured relationships, waiting too long to make amends, death of an elderly family member. But all of it is handled so gently, with such quality writing, that it's also beautiful.
My recommendation: Read this book. Just don't go into it expecting an edge-of-your-seat mystery/thriller. Instead, plan to get to know Sam, and maybe even learn some things about yourself along the way.
I consider this book more of a character study. Most of the focus is on Sam, his life, his issues, and who he truly is and wants to become. Parts of it are sad...fractured relationships, waiting too long to make amends, death of an elderly family member. But all of it is handled so gently, with such quality writing, that it's also beautiful.
My recommendation: Read this book. Just don't go into it expecting an edge-of-your-seat mystery/thriller. Instead, plan to get to know Sam, and maybe even learn some things about yourself along the way.
November 25, 2020
"337" by M. Jonathan Lee is, at it's heart, a character study of Sam Darte, a man whose mother disappeared when he was a teenager. Through present-day action and Sam's memories of the past, the author skillfully weaves an elaborate portrait of this individual, and how the past contributed to making him who he is today.
Much of the focus is on relationships....notably Sam's with his mother, father, brother, grandmother, and estranged wife. Each relationship is treated with depth and empathy, and it was heart-breaking to see how Sam's past has negatively affected how he relates to the important people in his life.
Despite police evidence and court findings, Sam still isn't sure exactly what happened to his mother. He spends time reviewing documents and questioning his grandmother in an attempt to finally learn the truth. This quest ultimately leads to some interesting results, both factual and personal, which I won't mention to avoid spoilers.
Overall, I found the book to be incredibly sad, but very much worth reading. I enjoyed seeing how Sam learned more about who he really was, and who he wanted to be. In the end, I view the story as both a cautionary tale about the value of time and a reminder about the importance of family. This is a deeply emotional and moving novel, and one I highly recommend.
One note: I was lucky enough to receive the special double-ended upside-down edition from the UK publisher. This version is only available in the hardback edition, and only from UK booksellers. That being said, while this feature is unique and interesting, reading a copy of the book without it will NOT affect the story, or your enjoyment of it, in any way.
All in all, five out of five chunks of rich, sharp cheddar!
Much of the focus is on relationships....notably Sam's with his mother, father, brother, grandmother, and estranged wife. Each relationship is treated with depth and empathy, and it was heart-breaking to see how Sam's past has negatively affected how he relates to the important people in his life.
Despite police evidence and court findings, Sam still isn't sure exactly what happened to his mother. He spends time reviewing documents and questioning his grandmother in an attempt to finally learn the truth. This quest ultimately leads to some interesting results, both factual and personal, which I won't mention to avoid spoilers.
Overall, I found the book to be incredibly sad, but very much worth reading. I enjoyed seeing how Sam learned more about who he really was, and who he wanted to be. In the end, I view the story as both a cautionary tale about the value of time and a reminder about the importance of family. This is a deeply emotional and moving novel, and one I highly recommend.
One note: I was lucky enough to receive the special double-ended upside-down edition from the UK publisher. This version is only available in the hardback edition, and only from UK booksellers. That being said, while this feature is unique and interesting, reading a copy of the book without it will NOT affect the story, or your enjoyment of it, in any way.
All in all, five out of five chunks of rich, sharp cheddar!
February 22, 2021
This is one of those books that I scratched my head and thought , well, that was an odd one. But then when my sister in law asked me to tell her what the book was about it seemed quite interesting when I was explaining it to her.
When Samuel was a teenager his mother left a note with her wedding rings and disappeared, which he and his brother found. The cops did a thorough investigation, but did they come to the correct conclusion? Flash forward 20 years and Samuel’s grandmother is dying, whom he hasn’t spoken to in all of those 20 years, and he goes to be with her and see if he can get answers about his mother’s disappearance.
The story is told without a lot of dialog and through Samuel’s point of view. He lives alone in his parents old house, divorced, works a strange job, and he spends most of his time trying to figure out what happened to his mother by scouring old reports and a box items looking for new clues. He reflects a lot on the past as the story unfolds bit by bit leading up to when she left and what happened afterwards to him and each family member, including his father. Unfortunately, the characters don’t get developed much beyond that. I get frustrated with Samuel for not trying with his grandmother more and being, seemingly, lazy in many aspects of his life.
I don’t quite get the name of the book or where it came from. I’ve read a few different things - name upside down, page count, but I don’t know.
Overall it was an interesting book, it reads well, and is quick and easy, but the story kind of drags and is flat. The ending may seem predictable at one point or another in the book but regardless it will still leave you with you picking your jaw up up off the floor!
When Samuel was a teenager his mother left a note with her wedding rings and disappeared, which he and his brother found. The cops did a thorough investigation, but did they come to the correct conclusion? Flash forward 20 years and Samuel’s grandmother is dying, whom he hasn’t spoken to in all of those 20 years, and he goes to be with her and see if he can get answers about his mother’s disappearance.
The story is told without a lot of dialog and through Samuel’s point of view. He lives alone in his parents old house, divorced, works a strange job, and he spends most of his time trying to figure out what happened to his mother by scouring old reports and a box items looking for new clues. He reflects a lot on the past as the story unfolds bit by bit leading up to when she left and what happened afterwards to him and each family member, including his father. Unfortunately, the characters don’t get developed much beyond that. I get frustrated with Samuel for not trying with his grandmother more and being, seemingly, lazy in many aspects of his life.
I don’t quite get the name of the book or where it came from. I’ve read a few different things - name upside down, page count, but I don’t know.
Overall it was an interesting book, it reads well, and is quick and easy, but the story kind of drags and is flat. The ending may seem predictable at one point or another in the book but regardless it will still leave you with you picking your jaw up up off the floor!
December 1, 2020
3.5 Stars, bumped for the handling of trauma, addiction, manipulation of childhood memories, and its unflinching look at death and dying in an elderly relative.
M. Jonathan Lee's latest novel 337 is a poignant look at domestic abuse and emotional loss, particularly its effects on two brothers, Sam and Tom. We know from the start of the novel that their mother "left," and in leaving has doomed her two young children with their bullying and emotionally abusive father. Sam, the older child, is the central figure of the novel. He's recently had his marriage fall apart, is estranged from his father and paternal grandmother, and is distant from his younger brother Tom, who he both loves and was slightly jealous of while their mother was still with them. Tom has battled addiction and Sam thinks he's pretty much lost in a delusional world, one in which he is in a rock band and jams with Neil Young. As the book opens, Sam receives a call from his father, demanding that Sam go visit his Gramma, who is dying. Over the course of the novel you find out why his father is asking him to do this (not that it's an unreasonable request) and why everyone in this family has become so broken.
337 artfully peels back layer after layer of what happened in Sam's family as he has flashbacks to painful events in his childhood, including at the hands of detective inspectors investigating his mother's disappearance. Many of these are triggered by his visits to his grandmother, and his percolating desire to make peace with her before her death, even as he looks for answers about what happened with his parents. As Sam struggles to remain in the present, practicing what his therapist has taught him, events slowly converge on the fateful disappearance of his mother and what really happened in the days, weeks, months, and years after his mother's disappearance.
This novel is a poignant look at the legacy of domestic violence and the hard process of dying and repairing relationships at the cusp of death. The novel is incredibly poignant in its examination of Sam and his grandmother's last days. That said, some aspects of the story just felt unnecessarily contrived. The ending actually left me cold, since it was kind of what I assumed all along. I have a lot of thoughts about what happened with Sam's parents but they largely involve spoilers. This might be a good book club selection just for the discussion about what justice looks like in this novel.
The British hardcover edition of 337 has a twist in hardcover. The first fifteen pages of the novel differ, albeit subtly, on the blue-covered side of the hardcover versus the yellow-covered side. (I should note that this edition of the book is only available in hardcover in the U.K.) For me it was a bit of a distraction (though I'd recommend readers of the British edition start with the blue side) and honestly, I waited to see the US release today on Kindle to see how the US edition was handled. The hardcover is beautiful, with its saturated colors that, in a way, reflect the two brothers, Sam so blue, and Tom, as it turns out, so much sunnier. Honestly, however, the reader loses little in reading the US version.
I received a courtesy copy of the UK hardcover from Hideaway Fall in exchange for an honest review.
M. Jonathan Lee's latest novel 337 is a poignant look at domestic abuse and emotional loss, particularly its effects on two brothers, Sam and Tom. We know from the start of the novel that their mother "left," and in leaving has doomed her two young children with their bullying and emotionally abusive father. Sam, the older child, is the central figure of the novel. He's recently had his marriage fall apart, is estranged from his father and paternal grandmother, and is distant from his younger brother Tom, who he both loves and was slightly jealous of while their mother was still with them. Tom has battled addiction and Sam thinks he's pretty much lost in a delusional world, one in which he is in a rock band and jams with Neil Young. As the book opens, Sam receives a call from his father, demanding that Sam go visit his Gramma, who is dying. Over the course of the novel you find out why his father is asking him to do this (not that it's an unreasonable request) and why everyone in this family has become so broken.
337 artfully peels back layer after layer of what happened in Sam's family as he has flashbacks to painful events in his childhood, including at the hands of detective inspectors investigating his mother's disappearance. Many of these are triggered by his visits to his grandmother, and his percolating desire to make peace with her before her death, even as he looks for answers about what happened with his parents. As Sam struggles to remain in the present, practicing what his therapist has taught him, events slowly converge on the fateful disappearance of his mother and what really happened in the days, weeks, months, and years after his mother's disappearance.
This novel is a poignant look at the legacy of domestic violence and the hard process of dying and repairing relationships at the cusp of death. The novel is incredibly poignant in its examination of Sam and his grandmother's last days. That said, some aspects of the story just felt unnecessarily contrived. The ending actually left me cold, since it was kind of what I assumed all along. I have a lot of thoughts about what happened with Sam's parents but they largely involve spoilers. This might be a good book club selection just for the discussion about what justice looks like in this novel.
The British hardcover edition of 337 has a twist in hardcover. The first fifteen pages of the novel differ, albeit subtly, on the blue-covered side of the hardcover versus the yellow-covered side. (I should note that this edition of the book is only available in hardcover in the U.K.) For me it was a bit of a distraction (though I'd recommend readers of the British edition start with the blue side) and honestly, I waited to see the US release today on Kindle to see how the US edition was handled. The hardcover is beautiful, with its saturated colors that, in a way, reflect the two brothers, Sam so blue, and Tom, as it turns out, so much sunnier. Honestly, however, the reader loses little in reading the US version.
I received a courtesy copy of the UK hardcover from Hideaway Fall in exchange for an honest review.
November 29, 2020
337 is a new and thoughtful story by author Jonathan Lee. In the first 16 pages the author seems to randomly zoom in more and more as if watching from the sky and finally selecting one family that draws his attention. It stops at an idyllic scene, a picknick to be more exact of 2 children Sam and Tom, their parents and their grandparents. The following day Sam and Tom’s mother went missing.
The novel is constructed in such a way that you then have to flip the novel over and with a lovely new cover on the other side you can then read on from where you left off and get the whole story. I love novels that are a bit special and this is the first time I came across such a flip-over novel, so I’m very proud to have such a novelty in my library. (A small note: the book with two covers is only available in the UK and not in other countries)
I already had an uneasy feeling about this picknick scene because there was a certain coldness present that I couldn’t place, a sense that something about that scene wasn’t quite right. I wondered what they were thinking right there, was someone plotting on murdering Sam’s mother there, or did she really plan to leave the next day?
Sam’s grandmother has an impact on the story and his development, even though she’s merely being present and is not actively participating in the conversations. Her role was significant though and she did get to me. I wish I could have slowed down Gramma’s imminent death so many times while reading but it was clear from her physical descriptions that time was ticking away. While Sam doesn’t make a lot of progress, other mysteries are answered one by one. I found out about the whereabouts of his father, why his brother isn’t there, and in the end why there was a rift between Sam and his Gramma. They hadn’t seen each other in many years, so I could only guess (well I actually didn’t guess this) what caused this family to fall apart even more after what happened to them.
If you love a beautifully written novel with a lot of meaning you must read this novel. It’s a novel that makes you think things over, not to solve a mystery but to understand the characters and how you yourself feel about what Sam’s dealt with. Also, even when I’m someone who’s not very receptive for lyrical prose in novels, this author finds just the right balance to make it easily accessible and beautiful to read, the language is so poetic. I love how the author uses metaphors in his novels, they are easy to comprehend and wonderful to read at the same time.
Although I really enjoyed this novel and didn’t even mind that I thought we would never even get an answer in the end, the answer that we did get left me practically even more curious because in only an instant so much more was left unsaid. If it were up to me I’d have loved an epilogue or an extra chapter. The final line was definitely a shocker and didn’t miss its effect but it left me a bit hanging about the past. Another little thing that I wondered about was the title, I still have no idea what 337 stands for. It’s an intriguing title but not explained in the novel. The only thing I can come up with is that 337 months could be 28 years, and maybe that’s the amount of time his mother went missing but I couldn’t find the exact amount of time in the novel.
337 is a different kind of novel, it has mystery but not in the traditional sense and if the investigation itself is your main interest I wouldn’t recommend it BUT if you want to take an interest in finding out more about a dysfunctional family, if you want to really get to know the main character and see how he’s dealing with grief, with the aftermath of losing a mother, of coming to terms with never knowing, of finally starting to live in the present and letting go, then do pick this one up. 337 is a very engaging, intimate and poetic read.
The novel is constructed in such a way that you then have to flip the novel over and with a lovely new cover on the other side you can then read on from where you left off and get the whole story. I love novels that are a bit special and this is the first time I came across such a flip-over novel, so I’m very proud to have such a novelty in my library. (A small note: the book with two covers is only available in the UK and not in other countries)
I already had an uneasy feeling about this picknick scene because there was a certain coldness present that I couldn’t place, a sense that something about that scene wasn’t quite right. I wondered what they were thinking right there, was someone plotting on murdering Sam’s mother there, or did she really plan to leave the next day?
Sam’s grandmother has an impact on the story and his development, even though she’s merely being present and is not actively participating in the conversations. Her role was significant though and she did get to me. I wish I could have slowed down Gramma’s imminent death so many times while reading but it was clear from her physical descriptions that time was ticking away. While Sam doesn’t make a lot of progress, other mysteries are answered one by one. I found out about the whereabouts of his father, why his brother isn’t there, and in the end why there was a rift between Sam and his Gramma. They hadn’t seen each other in many years, so I could only guess (well I actually didn’t guess this) what caused this family to fall apart even more after what happened to them.
If you love a beautifully written novel with a lot of meaning you must read this novel. It’s a novel that makes you think things over, not to solve a mystery but to understand the characters and how you yourself feel about what Sam’s dealt with. Also, even when I’m someone who’s not very receptive for lyrical prose in novels, this author finds just the right balance to make it easily accessible and beautiful to read, the language is so poetic. I love how the author uses metaphors in his novels, they are easy to comprehend and wonderful to read at the same time.
Although I really enjoyed this novel and didn’t even mind that I thought we would never even get an answer in the end, the answer that we did get left me practically even more curious because in only an instant so much more was left unsaid. If it were up to me I’d have loved an epilogue or an extra chapter. The final line was definitely a shocker and didn’t miss its effect but it left me a bit hanging about the past. Another little thing that I wondered about was the title, I still have no idea what 337 stands for. It’s an intriguing title but not explained in the novel. The only thing I can come up with is that 337 months could be 28 years, and maybe that’s the amount of time his mother went missing but I couldn’t find the exact amount of time in the novel.
337 is a different kind of novel, it has mystery but not in the traditional sense and if the investigation itself is your main interest I wouldn’t recommend it BUT if you want to take an interest in finding out more about a dysfunctional family, if you want to really get to know the main character and see how he’s dealing with grief, with the aftermath of losing a mother, of coming to terms with never knowing, of finally starting to live in the present and letting go, then do pick this one up. 337 is a very engaging, intimate and poetic read.
November 24, 2020
Samuel’s grand mother is dying.
I had no idea what to expect from 337, but I hadn’t anticipated quite such a wonderful, poetic and beautifully written narrative. I was drawn in from the very first moment as M. Jonathan Lee took me into the story as if I were there visualising it with him in an almost dreamlike state. It’s that blurring of memory, truth and reality that ripples through the book so effectively that had me completely entranced. I found the physical structure of the writing superb too. M. Jonathan Lee knows exactly when one word is sufficient to convey incredible meaning. Repetition, description, plotting, direct speech – every aspect of a writer’s craft combines in 337 to be so much more than the sum of its parts. It’s a brilliant book.
The characterisation is wonderful. Told from Sam’s perspective, the reduced palette of characters in 337 means that there is an intensity to the narrative and all through the book I wasn’t entirely sure how reliable a narrator Sam was. His direct appeal to the reader means that they are taken directly into his confidence and yet his flexible approach to working from home introduces a slight sense of disquiet. I found this hugely effective. Particularly realistic for me was Sam’s time at his grand mother’s bedside. So many of the thoughts Sam experienced as he waited for her to die resonated with me from when I sat with my own father waiting for his final breath. I found this very, very moving.
It’s difficult to say too much about the plot, although in one sense very little happens, as this is a story of people and the reverberations of past actions rather than present ones, but I found it riveting. When M. Jonathan Lee inverts reader perceptions and expectations, I found my response quite visceral. Those whom I perhaps should have forgiven in the story I felt got what they deserved anyway. I was glad some things occurred as they did. I know this is vague but you’ll have to read the book to see what I mean.
The themes of 337 are magnificent. M. Jonathan Lee knows exactly how to shine a laser light into the human soul and lay it bare for all to see. Truth is at the heart of the narrative, but it’s a truth distorted by time, by memory and perception, so that it leaves the reader wondering how much of their own memory is blurred and created rather than actual. Themes of love, betrayal, manipulation, guilt, family, addiction and self awareness add layers of interest and emotion so that reading 337 is quite a highly charged experience. I couldn’t tear myself away.
Indeed, 337 is an intense, beautifully written exploration of humanity that I adored. I fear it may be a quiet book that many potential readers miss but I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I had no idea what to expect from 337, but I hadn’t anticipated quite such a wonderful, poetic and beautifully written narrative. I was drawn in from the very first moment as M. Jonathan Lee took me into the story as if I were there visualising it with him in an almost dreamlike state. It’s that blurring of memory, truth and reality that ripples through the book so effectively that had me completely entranced. I found the physical structure of the writing superb too. M. Jonathan Lee knows exactly when one word is sufficient to convey incredible meaning. Repetition, description, plotting, direct speech – every aspect of a writer’s craft combines in 337 to be so much more than the sum of its parts. It’s a brilliant book.
The characterisation is wonderful. Told from Sam’s perspective, the reduced palette of characters in 337 means that there is an intensity to the narrative and all through the book I wasn’t entirely sure how reliable a narrator Sam was. His direct appeal to the reader means that they are taken directly into his confidence and yet his flexible approach to working from home introduces a slight sense of disquiet. I found this hugely effective. Particularly realistic for me was Sam’s time at his grand mother’s bedside. So many of the thoughts Sam experienced as he waited for her to die resonated with me from when I sat with my own father waiting for his final breath. I found this very, very moving.
It’s difficult to say too much about the plot, although in one sense very little happens, as this is a story of people and the reverberations of past actions rather than present ones, but I found it riveting. When M. Jonathan Lee inverts reader perceptions and expectations, I found my response quite visceral. Those whom I perhaps should have forgiven in the story I felt got what they deserved anyway. I was glad some things occurred as they did. I know this is vague but you’ll have to read the book to see what I mean.
The themes of 337 are magnificent. M. Jonathan Lee knows exactly how to shine a laser light into the human soul and lay it bare for all to see. Truth is at the heart of the narrative, but it’s a truth distorted by time, by memory and perception, so that it leaves the reader wondering how much of their own memory is blurred and created rather than actual. Themes of love, betrayal, manipulation, guilt, family, addiction and self awareness add layers of interest and emotion so that reading 337 is quite a highly charged experience. I couldn’t tear myself away.
Indeed, 337 is an intense, beautifully written exploration of humanity that I adored. I fear it may be a quiet book that many potential readers miss but I cannot recommend it highly enough.
November 26, 2020
337 follows the story of, and is narrated by, Samuel Darte. Samuel is a lonely man who lives by himself in his old family home, works a job from home with minimal interaction with the outside world and doesn’t seem to have any friends. Why he ended up in this place is revealed as the book goes on, but it all stems back to the day his mother disappeared when he was a teenager. This is a story of how a single event can cause the lives of a family to completely unravel, and what can bring them back together again.
In some ways this is a small book. The action takes place in only two locations, inside Samuel’s childhood home, and the nursing home half a mile away where his estranged grandmother is dying. However, despite its limited location, this book ranges far and wide in its exploration of human emotion and the finite setting only serves to throw into relief the vast scope of feeling that Samuel experiences over the course of the novel, accentuating how he has chosen to limit his external environment in an effort to control his unbounded inner turmoil.
In addition to having a limited setting, the book also features very little actual action, as you would expect in a book that moves between only two locations and has a very small number of characters. However, rather than restricting the scope of the novel, this again serves to allow the reader to become deeply involved in the lives and psychological development of the characters, Samuel in particular. The author delves deep into the effect that the loss of his mother, and the events that followed on from her disappearance have had on Samuel, so that the reader feels that they are living this experience with him. I went through every emotion whilst reading this book, there is sorrow, humour, anger, love, pain, it is quite the rollercoaster. The author has really poured his heart onto the page, and you can feel every beat through his flowing, easy prose.
This is a book where perception is all, and it changes throughout the book. Perception of Samuel and his brother as to what is happening in their family, of their father and grandmother and their reactions to their mother’s disappearance, and of their grandmother as she lays dying. The perception of outsiders of their family in the aftermath of their mother’s vanishing, including friends, neighbours, police and society at large. The perception of the reader as we travel through the book and more and more facts are revealed – a perception that continues to change until the very last line of the novel. It is a lesson in how things are not always what they seem, how judgements based on limited facts are unwise and often wrong, and how we can never really know what goes on inside the hearts and minds of other people, even those who are closest to us. It is a book that will make the reader think about how we jump to conclusions about people, and how hard it is to change those once we have settled on them, unfair as that may be. But there are circumstances in which our minds can be changed, as Samuel finds out when confronted with his grandmother on her deathbed.
This is a very clever and unique book. It will not fit easily into any genre or niche you may be looking for, but it is a book that is definitely worth picking up and giving some time to. It really explores what it means to be a human, and the complex feelings and emotions we are confronted by day to day, simply by virtue of living in this world amongst other people, and how impossible it is to cut ourselves off from those emotions and connections, however hard we might try. And why, regardless of how hard it is, we shouldn’t want to.
I thought this book was really beautiful and surprising, although perhaps not in the way I expected. Vey different to anything else I have read this year. An intelligent novel.
In some ways this is a small book. The action takes place in only two locations, inside Samuel’s childhood home, and the nursing home half a mile away where his estranged grandmother is dying. However, despite its limited location, this book ranges far and wide in its exploration of human emotion and the finite setting only serves to throw into relief the vast scope of feeling that Samuel experiences over the course of the novel, accentuating how he has chosen to limit his external environment in an effort to control his unbounded inner turmoil.
In addition to having a limited setting, the book also features very little actual action, as you would expect in a book that moves between only two locations and has a very small number of characters. However, rather than restricting the scope of the novel, this again serves to allow the reader to become deeply involved in the lives and psychological development of the characters, Samuel in particular. The author delves deep into the effect that the loss of his mother, and the events that followed on from her disappearance have had on Samuel, so that the reader feels that they are living this experience with him. I went through every emotion whilst reading this book, there is sorrow, humour, anger, love, pain, it is quite the rollercoaster. The author has really poured his heart onto the page, and you can feel every beat through his flowing, easy prose.
This is a book where perception is all, and it changes throughout the book. Perception of Samuel and his brother as to what is happening in their family, of their father and grandmother and their reactions to their mother’s disappearance, and of their grandmother as she lays dying. The perception of outsiders of their family in the aftermath of their mother’s vanishing, including friends, neighbours, police and society at large. The perception of the reader as we travel through the book and more and more facts are revealed – a perception that continues to change until the very last line of the novel. It is a lesson in how things are not always what they seem, how judgements based on limited facts are unwise and often wrong, and how we can never really know what goes on inside the hearts and minds of other people, even those who are closest to us. It is a book that will make the reader think about how we jump to conclusions about people, and how hard it is to change those once we have settled on them, unfair as that may be. But there are circumstances in which our minds can be changed, as Samuel finds out when confronted with his grandmother on her deathbed.
This is a very clever and unique book. It will not fit easily into any genre or niche you may be looking for, but it is a book that is definitely worth picking up and giving some time to. It really explores what it means to be a human, and the complex feelings and emotions we are confronted by day to day, simply by virtue of living in this world amongst other people, and how impossible it is to cut ourselves off from those emotions and connections, however hard we might try. And why, regardless of how hard it is, we shouldn’t want to.
I thought this book was really beautiful and surprising, although perhaps not in the way I expected. Vey different to anything else I have read this year. An intelligent novel.
March 10, 2021
What an odd book. From the first couple of pages, I was totally lost; first I had to orient myself that the story is taking place in the UK, but honestly, I had to really push myself to continue reading this book at the beginning, only continuing because I was provided an arc of the book and I felt obliged to give it my best try. I actually don’t like sad books at all, but this is a mystery, which is my favorite genre, so I thought that surely it would improve, and it did, although it was pretty sad throughout. I’m glad I stuck to reading it, and it didn’t take very long for me to want to know the rest of the story. It’s not a traditional mystery at all, but there was one main mystery throughout, one I kept hoping would be resolved by the end, and most of it was. It’s a very sad book, since the main character’s mother disappeared when he was 12 and his brother 7; there was a typed note telling the father she was leaving him and to take care of the boys. The mystery throughout is whether she truly left her abusive husband and the two little boys she supposedly loved dearly or whether her husband murdered her, which he was convicted of. The book is third person, but from the viewpoint of the adult Sam, the older son, as his paternal grandmother is dying in a nursing home, long estranged from her grandsons, because she kept insisting her son was innocent of murdering his wife, while the boys were pretty certain their awful father was guilty. The long, slow death of the grandmother, observed by Sam through multiple visits to her, is incredibly sad, but it was nice they were able to reconcile and that he and his brother were with her when she passed. Sam tried, throughout those end of life visits, to get any other possible information about the mystery of what happened to his mother. This book isn’t for everyone, but if you don’t mind a book that’s pretty sad, but deep, it’s actually a pretty good mystery and competently written. I was provided an arc of this book, but these opinions are my own.
November 19, 2020
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
337 is a beautifully written story about a man, Samuel, whose mother disappeared one day when he was only a teenager. We begin the story with a scene from that day. Fast forward 19 years and Samuel is a grown man, working a fairly ordinary, average job when his dad gets in touch to say his grandma, who he lost touch with a long time ago, is dying in her nursing home.
Samuel goes to visit her, and decides that this might be the last chance to learn more about his mother’s mysterious disappearance all those years ago. From then on we follow him as he meets up with his younger brother and reconnects with his grandmother, all the time feeling a whole mixure of thoughts and feelings as he revisits moments from his life and tries to work out how this may have had a bearing on his mother’s disappearance.
I really felt like we were inside Sam’s head during this novel, hearing his doubts, worries and anxieties. M Jonathan Lee’s books often address mental health and 337 does this brilliantly, addressing the mental health of both Samuel and those around him: his brother, grandma, father and – all those years ago – his mother. The far reaching effects of domestic abuse also plays a significant part in this plot. Throughout the novel I really wanted to find the answer to what really happened, and this kept me turning the pages – I finished 337 in record time!
I liked the fact that nothing is as it seems. I was constantly on the lookout for details that might seem unimportant but, all of a sudden, could really change things. Even with the seemingly smaller or less significant storylines – such as Samuel’s money going missing at the care home – we find out that things aren’t quite as we, and Samuel, thought. Whilst offering up surprises, the book also manages to avoid feeling overdramatic, which I loved.
I have yet to properly ‘figured out’ some elements of this book, and exactly why they were included. I do of course have my (probably incorrect) theories… That’s another reason to enjoy this book: it really gets you thinking, and considering, and once you finish it you’ll no doubt want to read it again!
337 is a beautifully written story about a man, Samuel, whose mother disappeared one day when he was only a teenager. We begin the story with a scene from that day. Fast forward 19 years and Samuel is a grown man, working a fairly ordinary, average job when his dad gets in touch to say his grandma, who he lost touch with a long time ago, is dying in her nursing home.
Samuel goes to visit her, and decides that this might be the last chance to learn more about his mother’s mysterious disappearance all those years ago. From then on we follow him as he meets up with his younger brother and reconnects with his grandmother, all the time feeling a whole mixure of thoughts and feelings as he revisits moments from his life and tries to work out how this may have had a bearing on his mother’s disappearance.
I really felt like we were inside Sam’s head during this novel, hearing his doubts, worries and anxieties. M Jonathan Lee’s books often address mental health and 337 does this brilliantly, addressing the mental health of both Samuel and those around him: his brother, grandma, father and – all those years ago – his mother. The far reaching effects of domestic abuse also plays a significant part in this plot. Throughout the novel I really wanted to find the answer to what really happened, and this kept me turning the pages – I finished 337 in record time!
I liked the fact that nothing is as it seems. I was constantly on the lookout for details that might seem unimportant but, all of a sudden, could really change things. Even with the seemingly smaller or less significant storylines – such as Samuel’s money going missing at the care home – we find out that things aren’t quite as we, and Samuel, thought. Whilst offering up surprises, the book also manages to avoid feeling overdramatic, which I loved.
I have yet to properly ‘figured out’ some elements of this book, and exactly why they were included. I do of course have my (probably incorrect) theories… That’s another reason to enjoy this book: it really gets you thinking, and considering, and once you finish it you’ll no doubt want to read it again!
March 9, 2021
Imagine growing up in a dysfunctional family with no control over the toxic environment, your mother vanishing without a trace and believed murdered by your father, who is subsequently incarcerated, and expected to visit a dying relative with whom you have been estranged for numerous years. 337 is a story of how Samuel “Sam” Darte is struggling as an adult to overcome the problems and pain from these traumatic events that plague him in the hope of gaining freedom from guilt, anger, and distress and improve his quality of life. Sam is obsessed with finding out what happened to his mother and why she abandoned her two sons, Sam and his younger brother Tom, who was also deeply and negatively affected by their mother’s disappearance.
M. Jonathan Lee has written a heartfelt story not only of the gap left behind by family members who have caused significant emotional suffering and mental agony to their relatives but also movingly depicts the trauma one undergoes when a next of kin is dying. Anyone who has spent time with family members who are facing impending death will be impacted by the accurate and heartbreaking portrayal of the distressing experience that a person goes through in watching a loved one rapidly deteriorate, especially when the person may appear as if their condition has taken a positive step only to regress even further in their days left to live.
Lee’s use of writing with imagery is vibrant and gripping and captures moments that will stay with the reader long after finishing the story. Some profanity is included in the story, and it fits the scenes and characters. There is a mistake in the Table of Contents in relation to the omission of a chapter, which is included in the story. 337 is a book well worth reading for the realistic portrayal of difficult life challenges individuals can face, and the impact those complications have on a person's outlook on life in the long-term.
M. Jonathan Lee has written a heartfelt story not only of the gap left behind by family members who have caused significant emotional suffering and mental agony to their relatives but also movingly depicts the trauma one undergoes when a next of kin is dying. Anyone who has spent time with family members who are facing impending death will be impacted by the accurate and heartbreaking portrayal of the distressing experience that a person goes through in watching a loved one rapidly deteriorate, especially when the person may appear as if their condition has taken a positive step only to regress even further in their days left to live.
Lee’s use of writing with imagery is vibrant and gripping and captures moments that will stay with the reader long after finishing the story. Some profanity is included in the story, and it fits the scenes and characters. There is a mistake in the Table of Contents in relation to the omission of a chapter, which is included in the story. 337 is a book well worth reading for the realistic portrayal of difficult life challenges individuals can face, and the impact those complications have on a person's outlook on life in the long-term.
November 30, 2020
“nothing is as it seems...”
As I journeyed through this book an indescribable emotional ache burrowed its way into my core. It perfectly illustrates the affect of an unresolved past when it bleeds into the present, slowly draining the life out of the future.
The consequences of a singular day, so tragic, so torturous, quietly evolve through the acute observance of life’s little incidences, the ones most people fail to notice, or even care to.
Understandably, such an event couldn’t fail to shake the psyche of those close enough to feel the tremors before the final quake. The author’s monumental skill in conveying this throughout never waivers; I have loved his other work, but "337" is in another league altogether.
Just as I felt I was growing to understand the characters and their family dynamics they began to challenge their knowledge of each other. What I hadn’t fully appreciated was how this book would *actually* deliver on its synopsis – please allow me to 100% confirm that “nothing is as it seems...”.
And to emphasise this point further, the hard back edition I gratefully received had a peculiar feature. I began reading and when I reached a certain page it instructed me to physically turn the book around and continue, literally turning everything ‘on its head’, so to speak!
You can read from either end, but it’s a very clever inclusion. Whoever designed this clearly has a brilliant mind. This is creative tailoring as its best, and is therefore a perfect fit for this story. However, the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only.
All that’s left for me to say is that I wholeheartedly recommend it.
(I received a copy of this title courtesy of the publisher, with my thanks, which it was my pleasure to voluntarily read and review.)
November 29, 2020
I’ve literally just finished this book and have actual chills. Body be frozen, chills!
This book is so easy to read and very hard to put down. I loved it from start to finish.
“337 follows the life of Samuel Darte whose mother vanished when he was in his teens. It was his brother, Tom who found her wedding ring on the kitchen table along with the note.
While their father pays the price of his mother’s disappearance, Sam learns that his long-estranged Gramma is living out her last days in a nursing home nearby.
Keen to learn about what really happened that day and realising the importance of how little time there is, he visits her to finally get the truth.
Soon it’ll be too late and the family secrets will be lost forever. Reduced to ashes. But in a story like this, nothing is as it seems.”
The characters are so well written. I love that it’s all from Sam’s point of view... but that other things emerge and he has to question things/his own memory. We all remember things so differently.
I do think this book is beautifully written. The topic itself isn’t an easy one, but this book just reads so well. Highly recommend this and will definitely be checking out this author again in the future.
Trigger Warnings: death, abandonment, substance abuse, trauma.
I was kindly gifted this book by Hideaway Fall publishers & Love Books Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only.
337 by M. Jonathan Lee #337LEE @hideawayfall @lovebookstours
This book is so easy to read and very hard to put down. I loved it from start to finish.
“337 follows the life of Samuel Darte whose mother vanished when he was in his teens. It was his brother, Tom who found her wedding ring on the kitchen table along with the note.
While their father pays the price of his mother’s disappearance, Sam learns that his long-estranged Gramma is living out her last days in a nursing home nearby.
Keen to learn about what really happened that day and realising the importance of how little time there is, he visits her to finally get the truth.
Soon it’ll be too late and the family secrets will be lost forever. Reduced to ashes. But in a story like this, nothing is as it seems.”
The characters are so well written. I love that it’s all from Sam’s point of view... but that other things emerge and he has to question things/his own memory. We all remember things so differently.
I do think this book is beautifully written. The topic itself isn’t an easy one, but this book just reads so well. Highly recommend this and will definitely be checking out this author again in the future.
Trigger Warnings: death, abandonment, substance abuse, trauma.
I was kindly gifted this book by Hideaway Fall publishers & Love Books Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only.
337 by M. Jonathan Lee #337LEE @hideawayfall @lovebookstours
February 15, 2021
This wasn’t your usual mystery novel – it’s more of a study into family relationships and how the past can define them long after the events that impact them have passed.
The book starts with a scene from a family picnic, with Sam, his younger brother Tom, their parents and, grandparents – Gramps and Gramma. The description of the picnic, which has been a long-time annual family tradition, paints a picture of a perfectly normal family. Little did the family know that this would be the last time they would all be together as the day after their mother disappears.
Years later, Sam is contacted by his father – it's obvious from the dialogue between them that their relationship is strained. His father asks him to visit his Gramma who is near the end of her life in a nearby care home. Sam is reluctant at first but feels he has a duty to visit. He suspects that Gramma may hold the answer to his mother’s disappearance and knows this may be his last chance to discover the truth. There is an obvious tension between Sam and Gramma from an event in the past, but this isn’t explained until further on in the book. Sam finds himself gradually softening to her and wounds from the past are healed.
The mystery that’s woven throughout the story creates an intriguing read in a very unique way. It wasn’t a fast-paced read yet I found myself racing towards the end to see if Sam finally found the answers he was searching for.
The book starts with a scene from a family picnic, with Sam, his younger brother Tom, their parents and, grandparents – Gramps and Gramma. The description of the picnic, which has been a long-time annual family tradition, paints a picture of a perfectly normal family. Little did the family know that this would be the last time they would all be together as the day after their mother disappears.
Years later, Sam is contacted by his father – it's obvious from the dialogue between them that their relationship is strained. His father asks him to visit his Gramma who is near the end of her life in a nearby care home. Sam is reluctant at first but feels he has a duty to visit. He suspects that Gramma may hold the answer to his mother’s disappearance and knows this may be his last chance to discover the truth. There is an obvious tension between Sam and Gramma from an event in the past, but this isn’t explained until further on in the book. Sam finds himself gradually softening to her and wounds from the past are healed.
The mystery that’s woven throughout the story creates an intriguing read in a very unique way. It wasn’t a fast-paced read yet I found myself racing towards the end to see if Sam finally found the answers he was searching for.
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