Perfidia

Rating:
Summary: Hmmmm
Review: I started off enjoying this book. It was well-written, although some of the sentence structure could be puzzling. By the ending, though, I was completely let-down, and I will not be keeping this book to re-read. After showing her strength through all the hard times, Madeleine seems to become wishy washy and a complete doofus. The ending seems tacked-on and ridiculous, and I don't buy it. Is the author trying to say that Madeleine becomes her mother in the end? I think this could have been a much better book with a lot more to offer the readers, if Madeleine had kept her strength and faced reality.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting character study
Review: It took me a little while to grasp the direction of this novel but about half way through it suddenly grabbed me and I couldn't stop reading until I had finished the last page. I found the characters very believable, thoroughly examined, although I would have liked to have seen more sides from mother. I thought the ending to be poignant and simply, just about right. Madeline was a strong character in a realistic, believable sense. Happiness is not always found in career, love or stability. Most of the time it is found in discovering one's own independent self. That is the message I derived from this book.

Rating:
Summary: It was good but not as good as "Olivia"...
Review: This book was a bit slow-moving in places but it still grabbed me -- but I like Judith Rossner's style of writing. The ending was disappointing; it felt like there should be more. If you like Judith Rossner's other books, including Looking for Mr. Goodbar and Olivia, you'll like this one. If you're new to Ms. Rossner's work, I'd start with Olivia and if you like that one then give this one a try.