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Rating: 
Summary: I liked Celia and her brood!
Review: As a child of the '60's myself, I could relate to Celia's reluctance to marry and settle down. I really liked this book, with all its craziness. I tried -- once -- to make a family tree, just to keep track of the men/children/etc who came and went during Celia's life, but I gave up. I like this author and would read her again. Her writing is much like how I think, so I didn't consider it sloppy, as one reviewer did. I understood Celia perfectly. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: A master of research
Review: Lovers of Pacific northwest history will love this book! The Puget Sound sings through the words of Laura. I look forward to more stories of these people, who came from her previous book, Educating Avery.
Rating:
Summary: A master of research
Review: Lovers of Pacific northwest history will love this book! The Puget Sound sings through the words of Laura. I look forward to more stories of these people, who came from her previous book, Educating Avery.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book.
Review: The only thing that might have added to my enjoyment of this book would be if I could have read it on some northwestern shore. Not that I could have been any more drawn into this island world, but as I finished the last page I wished that I could look out over the Sound and hold on to the experience. This is a book to savor; it's complex and compassionate. You will find yourself caring deeply about these characters, adoring some, despising others. The story line is creatively unpredictable with moments as rocky as Useless Point, but still I found something familiar. It made me think of some of the people and families that I have known. For those with an extended family either born or created, or for those with their own steps and exes, this book is bound to resonate.
Rating:
Summary: A warm wonderful novel!
Review: This is a beautifully written, heart warming novel about the perks and quirks of a steps and exes family. The story of Celia, a champion of unfettered love, and her family proves that your relatives can be relative and your family is what you make of it. This book is a true gem, Kalpakian's best since These Latter Days. Steps and Exes is a must read for anyone whose family is anything less than "nuclear."
Rating:
Summary: Unusual family trees, but fine people
Review: Through the tale of the aging hippie matriarch Celia and her complex family tree of exes (and their current spouses) and steps(children), this book ends up examining love (mostly healthy love for one's self, for one's children, for one's spouse) and the wrongful turns one may take while searching for it. The writing is vivid and one does get a feeling of somehow 'being there', a silent witness to a tragic-comic and often touching and deep series of family and personal discoveries. I was somewhat disappointed at what I found to be a predictable late turn of events and a predictable ending, but it did not detract from the enjoyable reading.
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