Helpful Score: 11
This book gripped me from the very first page. I started in the morning, took a few breaks for lunch and dinner and couldn't put it down until I was finished. The story is told from the viewpoint of a 12 year old girl; it's authentic and has such truth to it that you can't help but be immersed in her life, dreams, worries, and thoughts. Loved this book!
Helpful Score: 10
Shreve's writing is crisp, compelling and evocative, as always ~ her story engrossing. I found it difficult to put this one down, especially as I got to the sections dealing with what lead to the baby's abandonment. Shreve writes of grief and hope with undeniable skill.
Helpful Score: 9
a mesmerizing story of the secrets we keep and the secrets we unearth, and the power of forgiveness to mend even the most battered souls. A wonderful novel to read in the winter months! I loved this book!
Helpful Score: 9
There's no doubt the writing in this novel was powerful and conveyed a lot in very little time, but there almost seemed to be nothing to the book. Aside from being predictable, the story was told in first-person, present tense, which is irritating, considering the narrator tells us she's 30 years old as she's relaying this.
The main character is a very believable 12-year old, but she annoyed me with her constant questioning and second-guessing herself and others. The events in the story are realistic and depict a situation that is plausible and could really happen.
I'm not impressed enough to read more of this author, and I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone but Shreve fans.
The main character is a very believable 12-year old, but she annoyed me with her constant questioning and second-guessing herself and others. The events in the story are realistic and depict a situation that is plausible and could really happen.
I'm not impressed enough to read more of this author, and I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone but Shreve fans.
Helpful Score: 6
A father and daughter go walking in the woods just before Christmas and find a newborn wrapped in a sleeping bag. One of Shreve's best, this book deals with love, loss, and family responsibility.