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Summary: OOH CHILD!
Review: This book reminds me of "Girl You Know It's True" by Milli Vanilli, only it's a little longer.
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Summary: A Tragic Journey Into the Heart of Mashed Potatoes
Review: I started to read this book, but I got a toothache so I stopped.
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Summary: She's come undone was much better.
Review: It is slow to get into. Feel She's come undone was much more interesting. Almost gave up on it 2 or 3 times but did manage to finish it
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Summary: interesting and sensitively written
Review: this is a huge book and one that I bought because I liked the cover, the title and the paper - I was not disappointed with the story or the writing style. I have lent the book to many friends. well worth the read.
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Summary: A MOUTH DROPPING UNBELIAVABLE READ
Review: I thought this book as a book of such emotions from tears to laughs, I've never read a book with so much twists of emotions. I would not only recommend this book but, definatly read it again!!
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Summary: Loved It!
Review: He's not a writer of happy books - but he's written 2 absolutely fabulous books. I loved this book! I laughed - I cried - I'll read it again!
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Summary: Ending fails to do justice to character & reader investment
Review: I disagree with copious reader comments that this novel was "hard to get into." I found the book immediately and steadily engaging, and it only derailed my interest toward the end, when a series of absurd coincidences and hastily concluded plotlines insulted the previous 800 pages of realistic, introspective narration. I felt this book walked the same line as Updike's Rabbit novels, balancing moments of lucid introspection about real life with extraordinary and unlikely life-events, and failed to deliver the ending that such a novel deserves, that is, a partially realistic one that does justice to the complexity that preceeds it (how many of us have a successful second shot after 40 at remarriages to lost loves, at childrearing, at emotional health, at healing our feelings for our parents, our siblings, and ourselves, and amassing effortless wealth and career success?). I content that we learn to love Dominick Birdsey (and this novel) for the suffering we went through with him, and solving all of his life problems in ten pages or less is an insult to all of the tribulations he and we endured by reading the book. I recommend Updike's "Rabbit, Run" for any reader who would like to see the "uplifting" ending done properly--that is, acknowledging that true trancendence of emotional hardship is accomplished in one's soul, and not by a soap-operatic last-minute scrambling of incredible circumstantial events.
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Summary: Life is complicated
Review: Not only is this an entertaining book, it is also thought provoking. There are some people who think that it was too complicated, long, and had too many sub plots about other characters, etc. Wake up! Life IS this complicated, especially if you are dealing with mental illness and broken families. Personal experiences not only affect the person living through them, but can also alter their personalities and behavior. Abuse, truly, is a never ending cycle. Therefore, I feel that this book is a good reflection on complicated families. If you are looking for a linear plot, likeable characters, and a happy-go-lucky story, this is not for you. You will dislike Dominick and his Grandfather, be annoyed with Thomas and his mother, and feel indifference to Joy and Dessa. In many real-life families, this is a fact of life. As it is here.
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Summary: A moving page turner!!
Review: Yes, it's long but very much worth your time. I couldn't put the book down and used every chance I had to read it. Although not for the weak-at-heart, it's a very touching story with elements of love, hate, dedication, betrayal, real life, and real death.
Rating:
Summary: Incredibly moving; a fascinating story well-told.
Review: I hesitated to begin this book; 900 pages is daunting. At times it was a bit difficult but by the last third you are HOOKED.!!!I found Dominick to be a bit improbable at times but generally sympathetic. I liked his vulnerability, his intelligence,curiosity and basic goodness. This was a good read.
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