I Know This Much Is True

Rating:
Summary: Living inside Schizophrenia
Review: The jacket calls the novel "stunning," and it is. The plot is rich with twists. The descriptions of mental illness, treatment, hospitalization, and the agony of the family are enough to make one weep. A glance at the "Sources Consulted" section gives a hint as to the research behind the scenes. I felt the plot got a bit tangential in the last quarter, but in its entirety, the novel still leaves the reader quite satisfied and richer by far for having read it.

Rating:
Summary: BEST OPRAH BOOK EVER!!
Review: I only wish this book had been 1,800 pages instead of "only" 900. I literally could not put this book down and didn't want it to end. It was a great read. HIGHLY recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Well worth the time
Review: This 900- pager is well worth the time. Dominick's journey of self discovery is one that we all can relate to- after all, "we were all, in a way, each other." Every character is flawed, complex, and multidimensional- like each of us-, every relationship complicated. My only complaint is that the ending was too tidy- not that I wasn't rooting for a happy ending for Dominick, of course- it just seemed a little too perfect, how every loose end came together (and so quickly). Don't be intimidated by the length of this book- read it and you won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: my new favorite book
Review: I read "she's come undone" and absolutely hated it. I ordered "I Know This Much Is True" without realizing that it was the same author. Once I started reading this book, however, I could not put it down. I read all 900 pages within a week. Every spare second I got I devoted to this book. It was so realistic and interesting that you actually find yourself siding with certain characters. I definitely reccommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoy the journey
Review: This book is truly incredible and keeps you interested despite its size. I found myself enjoying the story as it unfolded instead of wanting to know what happened at the end. You feel like you get a glimpse into someone's thoughts and struggles - which will be ongoing even after the last page. I also found that there is so much in this book that I would probably make more of the connections of how events interrelated if I read it again. All I can say is enjoy the journey, you will not regret picking up this remarkable book.

Rating:
Summary: A great story!!
Review: Like many other readers, I too read She's Come Undone and loved it, which is what prompted me to read this book. What I found was an entirely different story, but evident in it was the same biting honesty in Lamb's first novel. It moved fast, was ever engaging, and had a smoothly laid out plot filled with the same complexities and angers many of us face in our daily lives. The questions and issues raised by Dominick are ones too whom we can relate, even though we have not suffered the life he has. It is a portrait of a "regular" guy who is basically good and decent, but who through being dealt a bum hand early in life seeks some kind of peace, though not overtly. It is the story of someone who matures to a level where he sees the connections in things, and is able to strike a balance through all of the hurt and come to a form of reckoning. It's innate message is to know yourself, and the truth will set you free from your suffering.

Rating:
Summary: Best book I have read in years
Review: This book was so touching that I couldn't put it down. Clearly the characters were not like you and me however, their thoughts and emotional growth we all can relate to. The author does a wonderful job of drawing upon the dialog and thoughts of the characters in a witty, humorous and emotional way. In one part of the book, I found myself crying which hasn't happened since I read 'Where the Red Fern Grows' in 7th grade. You'll love it but it will have you thinking of your own relationships with your close family... like it or not.

Rating:
Summary: Wally Lamb is a God!!
Review: Even better than "She's come Undone", and do not let the size scare you. This book is an breeze of frsh air, only take breaks for eating, sleeping, boring job, and the toilette. The only two best sellers I have ever enjoyed have been Wally Lamb's two latest books.

Rating:
Summary: Just When I Thought It Couldn't Get Better....
Review: You know what? The first Wally Lamb book that I read was "She's Come Undone" and I thought that that was THE best book I ever read. Of course, I couldn't just stop there... I wanted more of Wally Lamb. Then I finally got my hands on "I Know This Much is True." And I was blown away. Lamb knows how to keep you HOOKED! The story is so intricate and intertwined with other little stories and so well-thought out it is unbelievable.
Now, I must admit, I was a little bit disappointed with the ending. It seemed to rushed and far-fetched... as if Lamb was just wanted to put everything to an end. But other than that, this is a FANTASTIC book that I highly recommend that you read. I laughed and cried... and cried some more (and I promise you'll do the same...), and I spent a while reading it (its as thick as a dictionary!), but it was really worth all of that. If you liked "She's Come Undone" you MUST read "I Know this Much Is True."

Rating:
Summary: Does Not Abandon You
Review: I have read many works - both fiction and nonfiction - about mental illness, family dysfunction and the search for one's identity. What sets this book apart is that it doesn't take you down the road and drop you there. This book has a solution. I was so uplifted by the ending and I absolutely loved the psychiatrist - Dr. Patel. I'm seriously thinking of finding a therapist with an anthropology degree. My sister is a huge Wally Lamb fan and recommended this book to me. Her husband, our mother and I all read this book on her recommendation. Now we are all fans!