Rating: 
Summary: A woman's work is never done
Review: I listened to the audio book. I learned how life might have been like near Bakersfield, California, during the Depression. That was interesting, even though things did seem a little slow. Probably, that's exactly how it was, slow, and if you like action, this audio book will seem real slow, too.But interesting. One thing you can avoid, making it probably more like the movie that some reviewers seemed to like, is that the quilting instructions are minimized on the tape. You can just kind of sleep through those. I did, because I couldn't make heads nor tails of them. If quilts had something to do with Grecian art, I'd have to say, "it was all Greek to me," but they don't, so.....it's all Grasse to me. The only thing, I think, this analogy thing can be a crutch for an author (some reviewers called it a metaphor, I'm not choicy). Talk about a quilt, talk about a life. Or vice versa. In that sense, the story reminded me of the Legend of Bagger Vance, a golfer's version of the Bhagavad Gita. It was one of the most boring things I had ever heard, and golf also ranks up there. But it did make me think about the Gita (don't become attached to the results of your actions, or "just do it"). The men in Whitney Otto's story seem pretty weak, by and large. The white people seem pretty conflicted about race, and that's probably an accurate reflection of Bakersfield in the 1930s, if not today. Diximus.
Rating:
Summary: A woman's work is never done
Review: I listened to the audio book. I learned how life might have been like near Bakersfield, California, during the Depression. That was interesting, even though things did seem a little slow. Probably, that's exactly how it was, slow, and if you like action, this audio book will seem real slow, too. But interesting. One thing you can avoid, making it probably more like the movie that some reviewers seemed to like, is that the quilting instructions are minimized on the tape. You can just kind of sleep through those. I did, because I couldn't make heads nor tails of them. If quilts had something to do with Grecian art, I'd have to say, "it was all Greek to me," but they don't, so.....it's all Grasse to me. The only thing, I think, this analogy thing can be a crutch for an author (some reviewers called it a metaphor, I'm not choicy). Talk about a quilt, talk about a life. Or vice versa. In that sense, the story reminded me of the Legend of Bagger Vance, a golfer's version of the Bhagavad Gita. It was one of the most boring things I had ever heard, and golf also ranks up there. But it did make me think about the Gita (don't become attached to the results of your actions, or "just do it"). The men in Whitney Otto's story seem pretty weak, by and large. The white people seem pretty conflicted about race, and that's probably an accurate reflection of Bakersfield in the 1930s, if not today. Diximus.
Rating: 
Summary: Great read
Review: I love how this is one of those books with so many different levels. Yes, I thought it was a great read but it had so many aspects to it. I loved how the quilt instructions in the book would foreshadow what was to come in a quiet, straightforward tone, and then the chapter that followed would be a story of love or adultery or loss or whatever each of these women had to handle in their own way; a story they synthesized down to a square on a quilt (one of the few art forms that used to be open for women to express themselves). It gave the book a quilt-like pattern of its own. It also was a great change to see women who didn't just jump at the chance to get married - who realized how marriage opened AND closed possibilities for their lives, whether or not they loved the man. I know I get too analytical since I'm just completing my degree in literature but I hadn't read anything by this author before and expected just a fun book and then it turned out to be one I've been thinking and talking about ever since.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but...
Review: I loved this story. I could relate to the characters. But that's not why I decided to write this review. I want to tell people something about this. I am sick of book-bashers. No novel, no matter how bad in your opinion, should be called bad literature or ragged on. You can say why you like or dislike something, but don't try to encourage or discourage people from buying the book. This story is pivotal. For me, reading it was an enchanting experience. I loved the characters, (especially Glady) and it was very moving. (I was a little disappointed that Constance changed the roses from yellow, though. Chickie's roses were yellow!) But there are dislikable qualities, too. I didn't like the fact that Finn cheated on Sam. It was pointless, and had little to do with the rest of the story. And I didn't especially like Sophia. Also, I really wondered what happened to Marianna's father. Did he even know about her? They didn't say enough about him. But for those of you who call it the most promising novel of our time, and also those who call it the worst novel of the century,I think that you should see it for what it really is: a book. It's all a matter of tastes, of likes and dislikes. People are like snowflakes--there are no two alike. So if you're reading these reviews to try and decide whether or not you want to buy this book, I suggest that you ignore these reviews. Read the summary and see if it sounds good to you. It's not likely that you will share an opinion with one of the reviewers, even if you do have the same general perspective. Each one of us is different, and this book is just an example of how different we all can be. (And also, how similar.) Read it for yourself, or rent the movie before you decide.
Rating: 
Summary: boring!
Review: I read more than half of this book, and then had to call it quits! I was just skimming over the quilting instructions - unless you are a quilter, who cares? I guess we were supposed to get some 'life' lessons from them, but I didn't think the analogy worked. The only characters that I really liked were Hy and Glady Jo; I really wanted to hear more about them, riding around in their Chevy station wagon, 'visiting their children and grandchildren flung like stars across the United States'.
Rating:
Summary: Great, but the movie was better
Review: I read the book only because I loved the movie. I expected the book to contain more storyline and depth, but I was terribly disappointed in finding that the movie in fact was by far, more informative. The book itself was very original: comparing a quilt to love and life. It's blend of fiction and non-fiction was done successfully by Otto. However, one thing that lacked in Otto's book was a main character. It seemed that there were numerous supporting characters, and an attempt to create the main character Finn, and yet Finn had the least lines out of all of them. If more info and depth was written about Finn, then Otto's book would have been as successful as the movie. However, because it lacked in this factor, I was majorly disappointed and gave it only 3 stars when it deserved 5.
Rating:
Summary: A Favorite
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Enjoyed the metaphors between quilting and relationships.
Rating:
Summary: A Favorite
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Enjoyed the metaphors between quilting and relationships.
Rating:
Summary: A Heartwarming Story
Review: I recently read this book while on my honeymoon in Costa Rica. It was wonderfully written and such an amazing insight on relationships and love in general. I loved the way everyone intertwined. The only complaint I have is that I had to keep going back to find out who the characters were. I don't feel that there was sufficient detail on each character to give me a visual of who they were as I read the book. I ended up reading the book a second time, right after the first time. I would read it again in a second. I loved it!
Rating:
Summary: Got to recommend this book - enhances the movie
Review: I saw the movie first & then read the book (with some trepidation). I found that it was written in a sensitive unsophisticated style & loved the constant analogy between the quilting/patchworking (and individual quilts) and the womens lives - and the interrelationships of the different women involved in the circle. Definitely a better read than much of the drivel aimed at women. Well done Whitney!!! I look forward to reading your next
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