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Summary: Long student essay on "how I got better"
Review: This is a simple telling of a simple story. Adding schizophrenia, pschotherapy, and twins to the story added several pages and gives the book its only claim to writing quality.As soon as Lamb moves from these topics to the story itself, you are at the mercy of a protagonist/narrator (Dominick) who whines about everything. I suppose many people will like this character as a stilted, but recognizable, caricature of the angry American male. The supposed savior of the book is the narrator's ex-wife. She represents all that is good and right in the world, and the great denouement is their reunification. This seems to mean that Dominick is all better now, though he seems unchanged except by Lamb's (and Dominick's) written assurances. And I would argue that the ex-wife is good, based on Lamb's telling. She does the right things, but only at a simplistic, patronizing level. But, I'm sure she's the best old Dominick can do. I wouldn't touch her with a backhoe. ("Oh gee! , a little rape is okay, as long as you were just horney, honey.") I finished the book only because a friend recommended it highly. I felt sorry for Lamb's characters, and now for Oprah's readers. Is this the kind of pop trash she promotes? Faux self-help told as immature narrative? Read something shorter and better!
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Summary: Wally Lamb's book THIS MUCH I KNOW IS TRUE is a must read!
Review: Wally Lamb shares with us a generational family tale that is twisted with love, hate, determination, divorce and a quest for understanding. The main character has a twin brother that is schizophrenic and in legal hot water for chopping off an arm at a public library. I found the chapters dealing with the two brothers and how they dealt with the brother's mental illness refreshing since mental illness is such a stigma in our society. Intertwined in the novel is the manuscript of the Grandfather's life, a really evil live-in girlfriend and an X-wife. I could'nt put the book down and now I just hope Wally Lamb is at work writing another book.
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Summary: Wally Lamb Tells the Sibling Story
Review: Mr. Lamb has captured fully the experience of having a sibling with mental illness. The mixed emotions of love and compassion while at the same time longing for distance and normalcy are very real. I know because my sister has schizophrenia. Thank you, Mr. Lamb for educating the public about these illnesses and for referring them to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill where they can receive more information.
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Summary: The best book I've read in a long, long time.
Review: I consider myself to be well-read. If a new book comes out, I generally read it. This book, without a doubt is the best book I've read in a long, long time. The characters are real, completely developed. Whether it is mental illness or some other socially unacceptable disease ( e.g. addiction, etc.), we all know families ( or just our own) that have battled, both emotionally and socially with the plight. I know I can relate, I'm sure so many other people can as well. The only possble negative comment is the overly long distribes from his grandfather. It could have been shorter without losing any plot. This book touched me as no other has. Thank you Mr. Lamb for sharing your gifts.
Rating:
Summary: a novel that provokes emotions and insight
Review: A novel that provokes emotions and insight into the true honesty of mental illness--it deals not only with the obvious victim--but also his victims as well--and leaves the imagination open to the actual causes--gentic or environment--or both. It deals with the issues of "who do you blame?" and "what could have changed the outcome?" Family secrets emerge and the impact of their secrecy-- this book while entertaining is truly to be designed as a classic--I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Summary: Moving and unforgetable.
Review: I found out much about myself --- this was one of the best books I've ever read and one that I will NEVER forget. A vivid contrast to most of the superficial "cookie cutter" books which abound today.
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Summary: This book is a spellbinding masterpiece of powerful feeling
Review: I have never read a book that enabled me to become a part of the character as much as this book did. Wally Lamb is a masterful artist when it comes to drawing the reader into the story.
Rating: 
Summary: alluring and shallow all at once
Review: I had a hard time putting this book down, and didn't know why. Nothing real "specific" was there to grasp on to. None the less, he really grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. I would only hope that the underlinings of the book weren't made so obvious. I didn't get the opportunity to figure them out on my own.
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Summary: Wally Lamb has done it again with this book.
Review: I can not believe that Wally Lamb could write two consecutive best seller's but he did. What an excellent book. I never wanted it to end even though it was over 800 pages. I could have read 800 pages more. Wally Lamb is sure making a name for himself. He is and will be one of the most notable authors of our time. I can't wait for the next book. He is truly a pleasure to read.
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Summary: A Mythical Masterpiece
Review: This book should be required reading in every college English class. Even though I was reading this 900 page book on the beach during my summer vacation, I almost wanted to have a highlighter handy to mark the underlying themes! The symbolism was excellent, yet didn't hit you over the head. Lamb expertly weaves two 20th century storylines together, using mythological language and characters. This story is a realistic fable, which I never thought possible. No book has been able to make me cry since Black Beauty (I was 8 years old). This book made me cry at three separate occasions (I am now 27 years old.) The ending of this book is utterly emotional--and the entire story is so beautifully written. As I was reading this book, my husband was reading She's Come Undone--on my vehement recommendation. As we were both reading Wally Lamb works, we kept commenting how incredible his writing and plot development is. We were both so sorry to finish our respective books. ! We can't wait for your next book, Wally! Hurry it up!! :)
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