Helpful Score: 8
Amazing. Maggie O'Farrell engages the reader in a sort of voyeuristic time travel through the lives of Alice and her family. I could not put this book down, so well written, it draws you in.
Helpful Score: 6
I highly recommend this book. The author has intricately woven a very touching story that will keep you thinking about the characters long after you've finished the book.
Helpful Score: 4
Loved this book - a definite keeper. I could feel the main characters pain as she was going thru the things that happened to her. This is not something I can say for every book I read, unfortunately. Read this in 2 sittings. Just could not put it down.
Helpful Score: 2
Do not give up on this book. I almost put it down, as I struggled to get into it at first, but it turned out to be absolutely fantastic. The back of the book described a tragic love, so I knew the results could not have been good, but the book is so cleverly crafted that I kept reading expecting that the back cover lied to me. Amazing, amazing book.
Helpful Score: 1
I suffered through this read hoping it would get better but it did not. It just droned on and on. The characters seemed pathetic and not connected - not terribly developed. The story itself was very choppy, flashing back and forth between histories of a mother, Ann, and daughter, Alice, as well as what Alice is thinking while in a coma. A lot of extraneous dialogue not helpful for the flow of the story. For me the authors "voice" was not only offputting but unpleasant. Overall, this book seemed like it was written by a 7th grader just learning how to put together the parts of a story.
