Kit's Law (Between the Covers Collection)

Rating:
Summary: A gorgeous book of trials and triumph...
Review: Donna Morrissey has earned my eye with this novel. Set in Atlantic Canada, we find ourselves walking alongside Kit, the heroine of the story, through her often difficult life.

Raised mostly by her grandmother, with a mother who is developmentally delayed, Kit struggles hard in the small town world to remain independant and strong. When her grandmother dies, Kit's life becomes entangled with the local populace as she suddenly becomes parent to her mother and tries frantically to navigate the world of growing up, falling in love, and learning of her own confused past.

An ultimately triumphant novel, Kit is an incredible character that earns sympathy and empathy alike. The vivid prose that Morrissey uses to describe the Canadian countryside is just phenomenal, and the characterizations of the townsfolk are so sharp they draw blood. I have re-read this book on many occassions, and still find something new within its pages, the true test of a really wonderful read.

If you like Alice Hoffman, Joyce Carol Oates, or have ever read one of the Oprah's Choice books about a strong female character overcoming nearly impossible environments and life experiences, then this book is for you.

Rating:
Summary: Riveting storytelling
Review: I couldn't put this extraordinary book down once I read the first page. It had the most wonderful cast of rough-hewn and larger than life small-town characters - people that touch the heart and made me laugh on one page - cry on the next. It is the soul-wrenching story of three compelling women - their quiet devotion to each other sustaining their simple life amid threats to their unforgettable strength. It is the story of sadness and hope - of love and determination. A terrific tale...a must read. I look forward to more by Morrissey.

Rating:
Summary: Kit's Law took me home
Review: I recently completed Kit's Law, and, like many who have read the book, once I started I could not stop. I am a 23-year-old Newfoundlander living in Ottawa. I have always been very proud to be a Newfoundlander, and have always know that being a Newfoundlander meant that I was part of something special. I have always had a great appreciation and interest in the rich culture and heritage of my province. However, this interest deepened when I moved away from the province in June of 2000 after graduating from MUN. Ms. Morrisey's book helped to bring me back to the small outport I grew up in through the wonderful story of Kit's braveness, and the strong development of characters in the story who were comparable to those I remember from back home. I felt connected to Kit somehow, although I am not sure how exactly. Most likely it was through Ms. Morrisey's amazing writing style which made the book such a charming piece of work to read. I am anxiously awaiting Ms. Morrisey's next book. I recommend Kit's Law to anyone looking for an amazing and well-written story.

Rating:
Summary: Liked it? - Yes, Loved It ? - Sorry, No.
Review: While I ultimately enjoyed reading this book, I...had difficulty with the "one-dimentionalness" of many of the characters. To portray so many of them as all good or all bad only adds to their sterotypical nature (the "evil" moonshiner, the doctor with a heart of gold) It was unfortunate that the character of Lizzy died off so early in the novel as she appeared to be more complex than many. Our main character Kit is interesting and sympathtic, her mother I'm sorry to say was just plain annoying, whatever her mental handicaps. I'm afraid to say the "revelation" of Kit's paternity was no surprise at all...don't skewer me for what seems like a lot of criticisms. There are many wonderful aspects about this book, and I look forward to reading another novel by Donna Morressey.