Rating: 
Summary: Simply astounding....
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read.Sure, every person knows the basic plot. Twins, troubled past, dyfunctional present, etc. etc. But believe me, no synopsis can cover the places that this book travels to. You get to the last page and can barely believe all the different corners you've explored. At the end, you'll know Dominick Birdsey (and some of the other characters) better than you know some of your friends. But that's not to say that Wally Lamb has written a sensationalist tell-all type of novel. On the contrary, everything in this book fits. Though Lamb writes about uncomfortable things, you never feel uncomfortable in knowing them. You never say, "Why did he tell me that?". You never consider that it's none of your business because everything forwards the development of the characters and the stories. Truth be told, however, this book has very few likeable characters. You have to fight for a while over Dominick, because, well, he's a jerk. But such a purely developed character as Dominick demands your attention. You want to know what happens. You want to understand why he is the way that he is. Lamb compels you with a riveting narrative and a plot that never stalls. A blessing in this book is that there is no big "Oh, so that's why!" moment. You're never waiting for some pinnacle moment to explain everything about Dominick or anyone else. In that respect, the book is very realistic. People rarely become monsters or saints from a single event. These things take time to develop, time to grow, time to really sink under the skin. These experiences shape the people that we know today, and Lamb understands this. If he left out a scene from the twins' childhood, he would be neglecting a piece of the puzzle. Lamb understands that, in real life, almost every experience is a "key moment". Everything contributes to who we've become. It's our job as adults to riddle it all out and then to move on. This book also covers more than a handful of social issues: mental health, family, homosexuality, race and racial prejedice, divorce, death. The lessons in this book are vast and numerous, but never preachy or plotted. The book is long, true, but so is life sometimes. Like getting to know someone, this book takes time. Not to be read as a lark or a "beach read", _I Know This Much Is True_, is a fantastic thought-provoking novel. Easily one of the best novels put out in the past few years.
Rating: 
Summary: Forgettable
Review: 900 pages. "Bit long", I thought. "Take me ages to read it" I said. Two days later I finished it, astonished that 900 pages had whizzed by so smoothly. I know I enjoyed it at the time, in the same way that you enjoy watching Oprah, or reading The National Enquirer - the story is THAT grim and the protagonist THAT unlucky. It's almost sensationalism. It held my attention firmly for two days, with only peeing and eating to distract me (and even then I didn't always put the book down!) But now, a couple of weeks later, I can't remember it. There was so much happening and so little description or skillful use of language that, though I know what the gist of the story was, I couldn't comment on HOW it was told. Had the plot and narrative been a little simpler, and not such a check list of 'tragedies that can befall one man in the space of 50 years', then it may have stuck in my mind a bit longer. But it wasn't at all memorable, and I doubt whether it (or any of the other Oprah titles) will become a classic. In which case, while it's not particularly great writing, it is perfect for the beach or poolside; good casual, light reading that you'll sail though in a breeze.
Rating:
Summary: How Can this book ever be topped
Review: Dickens, Hardy, Michener...You could list them all and none could write a better, more well thought out, absorbing tale than the one written here by Wally Lamb. It took me three weeks and I am devastated that I will not be able to come home from work and share more time with the characters that I have come to know like friends. This wonderful story centers on a twin whose brother is psychotic. In telling his story Dominick Birdsey [just the name gives insight into the fascinating mind of Lamb] talks about his childhood in a dismally dysfunctional home. And regardless of whether you grew up in a similar circumstance or in a more traditional environment you will see yourself over and over again on page after page after page. This story is written with such wit and insight that we can all relate no matter what our socio-economic standing or our race or color. It's all there. And although it is not a tear jerker by far I did get a little choked up at the end. Every emotion is examined, this book validates every thing you have ever felt, ever experienced, every mistake you have ever made. It makes you realize that we are all human, we all make mistakes and that their is salvation for us all and you don't have to have an ounce of religous spirit in you to realize it by the end of this book. The Birdsey twins represent us all. As an aside, this book takes place just a few miles from my present home, deals with people and places that are part of my past, relates a college experience that is almost mine, during the same years I attended all of which added a spooky familiarity that haunted me for all 897 pages. I think this book should be mandatory reading for every college student in the land. It is so so good. I learned a ton about myself and others in the last three weeks. I wish I could talk to Mr. Lamb. I have so much to ask him. I'll even let you borrow my copy if you can't get one of your own. Boy...it was great.
Rating:
Summary: I GIVE THIS BOOK SIX STARS
Review: Lately, so much contemporary American fiction is disappointing ("best sellers" with trite, hackneyed, formulaic plots and dead middles), so when a book like Wally Lamb's I Know This Much is True comes along, I feel hopeful that others may be possible--probably not often of this caliber, though. I read this book in 12 days while traveling and devoured its 900 pages under beautiful blue skies as well as under 20 watt bulbs, and I loved every single minute and word of it. That was a year ago, and I have not read since then a novel that I can recommend as highly. Do not be scared away by the book's length (or the Oprah club sticker on the cover). I have heard so many people whine that it looks too long and thus they avoid it. What they don't realize is that its length is part of its magic; it reads so smoothly and never slumps. In truth, this is a brilliant multi-layered story and a masterpiece in every sense: its style is poetic and innovative, its characters three dimensional and very real, its imagery absolutely beautiful, and its metaphors perfectly subliminal. This book has been reviewed and reviewed and reviewed here, so if you want to know the plot, read others. I will offer that it has one of the most profound endings I have ever read. But take it from me, this book will not disappoint you. Moreover, it will do something for you that most cannot: it will give you wisdom and awaken your battered heart. I cannot wait to read anything else this wonderful man writes. How he does it, I wish I knew. I am just thankful that he does. Some superlatives are carelessly tossed around, but Wally Lamb IS one of the greatest American authors of all time. This work will stand the test of time.
Rating: 
Summary: The pages will fly by so fast!
Review: This powerful story deals with the injustices and sufferering endured by twin brothers whose lives are inextricably bound to each other. The narrative reads as if the main character is talking, just pouring out his anguish, in hopes that, if someone would listen, all would be better. Domenick's fear and cynicism emanate from the book's pages. As the pace of the narrative quickens, the fear and helplessness experienced by Domenick and Thomas seem to grow. There is also the sense of Domenick's rage as his mother lays dying, his twin brother continues to be his lifetime reponsibility and source of embarassment, and two important women in his life leave his expectation of a perfect married life unfulfilled. Lamb's writing is terrific. The character of Thomas' psychiatrist Dr. Patel, who very professionally and warmly interviews Domenick, is especially well drawn. She so touchingly reaches into the soul of Domenick way past his macho bravado to unlock a very tender part of the male psyche. The lesson the book teaches is that people aren't perfect, but that with understanding comes forgiveness and personal growth.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty terrible, but still engaging
Review: It's hard to say what I liked about this book. Maybe what the previous viewer said, that it's a soap opera: you may scoff at it, but it's easy to get pulled in. I did find the book very engaging. It's much easier to say what I didn't like. The characters were caricatures, sometimes obscenely so (the translator was so bad I almost put the book down there). The foreshadowing might as well have been printed in bold type, it was so heavy-handed. The plot twists were ridiculous, and then only got more so. And the ending was wrapped up so neat and clean you just couldn't stand it (won't get into specifics, but GAG me!) Overall the writing, the characters, the plot... it was all pretty terrible. But I still couldn't put it down. Don't pay money for it and don't put off your really good books for it, but if you get it from the library and make it light summer reading, go ahead and see what all the talk is about.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: Wally Lamb's second novel, I Know This Much Is True, is, without a doubt, the best book I've read in months. The plot is very unique and intricate, the writing captivating and the characters entirely believable. Dominick Birdsey, the protagonist, is the brother of a schizophrenic twin, the son of a mean stepfather and timid mother, the ex-husband of his lost-love Dessa, the apathetic boyfriend of his current live-in girlfriend, Joy, the grandson of a domineering angry man, the patient of an Indian anthropologist/psychiatrist, etc., etc. All of these roles together make up who Dominick is and Lamb weaves inbetween the present and the future, creating a clear picture of the events that have molded Dominick and his brother Thomas into who they are today. The fights they fight, separately and together, as well as the joys. Usually 900-page books do not keep my attention but I could have easily read a few hundred more. Make sure to pick this one up.
Rating:
Summary: My all time favorite book
Review: This book is the best book I have ever read. The story line is not only intruiging but it is touching in many ways. Wally Lamb has a way with words, that keeps you riveted to the book. Despite the large size of this book, I read it in no time at all because I simply could not put it down. Anytime I am asked to recommend a book, this is the first one I suggest. Well worth the time to read!
Rating:
Summary: I will always be searching for a book as good as this one
Review: I don't have much to add to all the other positive reviews of this book. I just want to say that I usually zip through whatever book I'm reading and then pass it on to a friend or to the used book store once I'm done. However this book I puposely read as slowly as possible trying to stetch out the experience and even though it was 900 plus pages I was not ready for it to come to an end. So I am holding onto it and plan on reading it again (something I very rarely do). It's that good!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: What a tedious read. The only way to describe this book is BORING!
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