Rating: 
Summary: sweet, thick, and slow as molasses
Review: When I began this book, I actually put it down and picked it up again months later. It is a slow-starter, pulling you in gradually, bit by bit, until you're half-in, half-out of the quicksand and not sure whether to give in or try to get out. This time, I opted for staying in, and I was glad I did.This book contains many different plots, but as the novel reaches its conclusion, most of them blend together seamlessly and in a way that makes perfect sense... it just seems to take a while to get there. Haynes does revel in sometimes needless symbolism, and I was put off at first by the contrived similarity to Toni Morrison's _Song of Solomon_ (which was written 20 years earlier). Characters have names like Valuable Korner and Even Grade. Other characters are very unlikeable (Beryn Green, for example, father of Joleb), and some are irresistable, especially Joody Two Sun (who is a magical woman living by the river). The river is very important in the novel, as are dreams, connections between people, and family ties. Sometimes I would have to re-read sections due to the large number of characters... I would actually lose track of what had happened to whom, even though I read the book constantly. Other aspects of the novel were frustrating and painful. However, I was thoroughly moved by the novel and was transported, finally, by Haynes' writing, which to me is the best thing a writer can do for you. I recommend this book to anyone with a little patience and some time on their hands.
Rating: 
Summary: EXHAUSTING!
Review: While this book had its lyrical moments, it was an extremely trying read. I can say that it is just good enough to want to finish but there are entire chapters that I hummed through; not necessarily remembering what I had read. In other words, I just desperately wanted to finish and move on to a better novel. I'm not sure that Haynes did the best job at developing some of her characters (such as Canaan and Jackson). It seems there are a lot of unanswered questions about each one concerning what makes them tick.
I think the author has talent, but am hoping for a more brilliant attempt next time.
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