I Know This Much Is True

Rating:
Summary: Way too long, poorly edited, overall disappointment
Review: After reading "She's Come Undone" I guess I may have expected too much from this novel. It seems as though Wally Lamb was pushed to finish this novel too quickly. The fact that this book is poorly edited (typos, errors in story details which are easily referenced in earlier pages) is an insult to everyone who has picked it up. It would perhaps be better suited as a trilogy of smaller, more detailed and better thought out stories on the Birdsey family. Attempting to give the story more depth with the insertion of Grandfather's memoir strikes as a commercial attempt to jump on the '90s memoir bandwagon. Editorial errors in the text and tedious repetition of story telling details become aggravating within the first few hundred pages. It was a chore to get through this novel. The ending of the book was as simple as, "they lived happily ever after, the end." - what a disappointment, particularly after all the reader has to go through just to get there. Why not cut out the repetition and some of the Dominick-feeling-sorry-for-himself stuff and write a cohesive novel with a decently explored and polished ending? The ideas behind the book are great, but the execution could have been much, much better. I gladly left this with a friend telling her not to buy any wood for her fireplace until this was gone.

Rating:
Summary: Wally Lamb's 900 pg second work is just as inspiring
Review: What an inspiring and excellent job by Wally Lamb He has definately proven himself to be an author of phenomenal talent, and heart.

Rating:
Summary: A book that has become an old friend.
Review: My favorite books are the ones that I don't have to read again, but rub my hand across the cover, remember the contents and wish that it never had to end. Much like a photograph does with an old acquaintance. Thank you, Mr. Lamb for introducing me to my "old friends".

Rating:
Summary: I think this book is a wonderful story. Very unique.
Review: I was very surprised at the uniqueness of this book. It was almost 1000 pages but it went by quickly. Wally Lamb is a truly gifted writer. I truely enjoyed 'She's Come Undone' as well. I hope there is a new book in the not-so-distant- future.

Rating:
Summary: An Emotional Journey That Touches the Heart and Soul!!!
Review: Wally Lamb has done it again!! This novel is a literary masterpiece. This novel takes you through this emotional rollercoaster ride that you feel as if you know the twins. As a reader, you begin to feel their pain just as if you were going through the heartaches with them. This book makes you take a look into your own soul and review your life. Wally Lamb has the knack to write beautiful stories like no one else can. He writes a character and gets intouch with them so well that you feel like your reading someone's life story and not a novel. I couldn't put this book down. Even with his first book, She's come undone, if I didn't see the name on the cover, I would swear it was written by a woman. Wally is a breathe of fresh air in the literary world and hopefully he will continue to write heartwarming novels like this.

Rating:
Summary: Frustratingly Delicious!
Review: After a slow beginning, I locked in about one third of the way through. A beautifully written profile of family dysfunction and how we have the power to turn it around if only we can forgive others and ourselves. My biggest complaint is the constant, not just occasional abuse of the Lord's name. Was that necessary every other sentence? No one else was disturbed? I am sure Wally Lamb wanted to portray a "Godless" man, but, oh please!! Take out the bad language it was a perfect read!!

Rating:
Summary: Terrific!
Review: I still find it hard to believe that a book of that length could have compelled me enough to read it in such a short time. A definate page-turner. I found myself dreaming of the characters and staying up late with anticipation of what might happen next. Simply terrific! Bravo, Wally Lamb.

Rating:
Summary: Simply put, I love this book.
Review: My friends all know that when I start telling a story they better get settled in, because it will probably take a while. Details, little tidbits of info - - to me they make the story worthwhile. So I have never had a problem with watching a three hour movie or reading a really long book. And one of the things that I loved about I Know This Much Is True is the amount of time I got to spend with Dominick and Thomas and Ray and Dessa. When I finished reading the book I went to my mother, crying. I was crying because I missed those characters of who I knew so much. Wally Lamb's ability to let the reader into the minds and lives of his characters is astounding. To me a good book is one in which you lose yourself. A great book is one in which you not only lose yourself but later find you are a better self for what you have read. Thank you Wally Lamb for this great book.

Rating:
Summary: Intellectually Stimulating, yet heartwrenching
Review: I couldn't put this book down! A good friend recommended it to me and then I bought them lunch to thank them. This was one of the most moving books I've ever read, yet the ending was much too abrupt.

Rating:
Summary: A solid sophomore outing
Review: I confess that I was unprepared for Lamb's second novel. After "Undone" I was expecting another girl growing up tome, which while effective, never quite had me convinced that Lamb understood the female mind. This book layers one bad event over the other and yet, although not quite John Irving, manages to maintain a sense of humor. A bit long , the flashback fascinates those of us who think a twin is merely another sibling. Worth the money.