Helpful Score: 1
This is a heartbreaking story--fictional, but told with a lot of truth. For me, it started somewhat slowly, then picked up to become a real page-turner.
I often say about humans, "We are a despicable species." After reading this book, my feelings have not changed.
I often say about humans, "We are a despicable species." After reading this book, my feelings have not changed.
This book is very well written and the storyline is original and entertaining.
Although the story itself is fiction it has many factual episodes of animal cruelty scattered throughout the book, which was sad but enlightening to me.
The author did seem to abuse the use of very unusual words. I know I am not the only reader that had to look up many of these words while reading. To me that is the only draw back to this book. Otherwise it is a lovely story from beginning to end.
Although the story itself is fiction it has many factual episodes of animal cruelty scattered throughout the book, which was sad but enlightening to me.
The author did seem to abuse the use of very unusual words. I know I am not the only reader that had to look up many of these words while reading. To me that is the only draw back to this book. Otherwise it is a lovely story from beginning to end.
Tiffany K. (tiffanyak) -
In many ways, I loved this book. The story is intriguing while still staying mysterious for a time, and unfolds at just the right pace to have kept my interest. The family dynamics are handled well, and it is actually a truly entertaining story with a powerful positive message behind it. But then, I tend to like books written in unusual out of order fashions, as long as the story can sustain such a twist. At the same time, I know a lot of people will have issues with it, as the timeline is made harder to follow. So, I thought it was only fair to warn you. Outside of that, if you have even a passing sympathy for animal rights, this is a worthwhile read with a unique enough twist to have pulled me in quite quickly, except that the back cover spoils it.
I am so glad I didn't read what it is about first. Came as a wee bit of a shock and I loved every minute of it.
This was our last book club selection. We had fourteen people turn up for the meeting. Thirteen of us really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others. I was the lone dissenter.
Yes, the book was interesting, but did it grab me? No. Is it a must read? No. It does offer a lot of points for discussion.
The book is a campaign against cruelty to animals (and anyone with a heart will be emotionally effected by both the true and the fictitious accounts described within) disguised as a novel.
Actually the part of the book I probably "enjoyed" (read: found most interesting) the most was the "true" factual accounts the author includes about actual animal studies. But the characters in the novel...well, I found them difficult to embrace. I like to "like" at least some of the characters in a book. I want to befriend a character and care about them as I travel with them through their story. I did not feel that way with any of the characters in this book.
All of that being said; the book does offer up several interesting and thought provoking ideas.
Like:
"...in retrospect, the lesson seemed to be that what you accomplish will never matter so much as where you fail."
Yes, the book was interesting, but did it grab me? No. Is it a must read? No. It does offer a lot of points for discussion.
The book is a campaign against cruelty to animals (and anyone with a heart will be emotionally effected by both the true and the fictitious accounts described within) disguised as a novel.
Actually the part of the book I probably "enjoyed" (read: found most interesting) the most was the "true" factual accounts the author includes about actual animal studies. But the characters in the novel...well, I found them difficult to embrace. I like to "like" at least some of the characters in a book. I want to befriend a character and care about them as I travel with them through their story. I did not feel that way with any of the characters in this book.
All of that being said; the book does offer up several interesting and thought provoking ideas.
Like:
"...in retrospect, the lesson seemed to be that what you accomplish will never matter so much as where you fail."
This is a thought-provoking, fascinating, sad and yet uplifting book. It's about "who are you, really?" and what families are, and what memory really is, and what it is to be human, and how humans treat some animals. Rosemary and her family may not be 100% likable - but no real person is either. Her journey in coming to terms with her childhood, what happened to her brother and her sister, is very touching. She thinks she knows what happened but there's so much more than she remembers or even knew at the time. Starting in the middle gave a lot of interesting texture to the story, as different parts come to light.
The author chose to have the protagonist tell her story not from the beginning but from the middle, this is very tricky device to use when telling a story, but highly effective for the telling of Rosemarys story. Infused with heartbreak and a bit of humor, Rosemary lets us in on how her family has chosen to live their lives and how those choices have affected each and every one of them in present day. The core of the story is about family ties, her place within the family, and how the way she is perceived throughout her life has affected her place in the world. Whats right for some may not be right for others, and sometimes the best of intentions can still have bitter consequences. This story definitely leaves you asking how you perceive yourself, how others perceive you, and what in your life is important and worth taking a stand for.
