Helpful Score: 8
This is the best Hoffman novel I've read. Her forte is imagery and this book demonstrates it most of all. In addition to absolutely *having* to know the outcome (What happened to this cerebral and quiet boy?), you slowly draw attachments to the characters. Carlin will quickly become so real to you that you'll swear she's someone Hoffman knows in real life.
There's a movie based on the book, too. It's not bad, but I'd invest the time to read the book first.
There's a movie based on the book, too. It's not bad, but I'd invest the time to read the book first.
Helpful Score: 6
This is the first Alice Hoffman book I'v read. I have truely fallen in love with her writing. It is pure beauty even when she is writing about ugly things. The story here was great as well, heartbreaking and hearwarming at the same time. Beautiful work.
Helpful Score: 5
Brilliant novel. Deserving of more than five stars. Haunting, brutal, emotional, startling, and, finally, amazingly and wonderfully rewarding. So beautifully written that it makes your breath catch a little. Cannot recommend this book enough.
Helpful Score: 5
Magical, powerful, heart-wrenching...this was by far my favorite hoffman book, and i have read all of hers. This book is at times difficult to read, simply because you can imagine and experience the pain and heart-break the characters experience. The writing is vivid and the ending of this story is perfect. I was swept away. A book you will not easily forget.
Helpful Score: 2
I think this is her best book yet. So lyrical and poetic, it's like reading a magical story... Enjoy!
Helpful Score: 1
This is my absolute favorite of Alice Hoffman's books & I've read them all. Love this book!
Helpful Score: 1
I can not recommend this book enough. It sticks with me to this day. Is there fantasy about it - to many I feel sure that there is indeed. However what one construes as fantasy, to me, is just another layer of truth that has been entrained out of many humans.
I wish this to be required reading for all early teens. For me, what started as required reading many times became life altering.
I wish this to be required reading for all early teens. For me, what started as required reading many times became life altering.
Helpful Score: 1
Absolutely excellent book! New author for me, now I need to get the rest of her books.
Helpful Score: 1
At once fanciful and brutal, this amazing tale enthralls you while making you want to truly appreciate life and be a better person.
There are so many satisfying twists and turns, beautiful and poignant uses of symbolism, and honest insights into human imperfection that I will dwell on this book for a long time.
There are so many satisfying twists and turns, beautiful and poignant uses of symbolism, and honest insights into human imperfection that I will dwell on this book for a long time.
Very good book.
A wondrous tale of innocence and evil and the secets we keep
I enjoyed this book and the easy mellow and pace that it has. You slowly find yourself sinking into it.
This Alice Hoffman book delivers the usual spell binding story the keeps your interest for the entire book.
A small Massachusettes town has been divide for years by those attending the prestigious Haddan School and those born and raised in the village. One October night the two worlds are thrust together.Suspensful.
This book really stays with you after you read it. I am a big Alice Hoffman fan! She has the most amazing writing style!
What a satisfying read! A little of everything - holds your interest throughout. Great characters; great plot. Very involving.
Alice Hoffman at her best...great read
a good read that is easy to read, and has deeper meanings.
Another great story by Hoffman that combines fantasy, beautfiul prose and interesting characters.
the setting mostly takes place in a prep school. interesting to think this may really happen. old fashioned storytelling. lots of twists.
I love Alice Hoffman books and this is one of my favorites!
I was somewhat disappointed in this book, particularly many of the characters who seemed very stereotypical. But it was aa pretty good read.
Story of how a small town and it's exculsive private school are thrust together as a result of a mysterious death. Typically good, Alice Hoffman fair.
Townsfolk and students don't mix much at the prestigious Haddan prep school, but when a body is found in the river behind the school.....
very typical of the author, a little grim
A small Massachusetts town and an elite high school: two groups who try to avoid each other. But a hazing prank gone wrong forces the townspeople and students to associate, with perhaps devastating consequences. A story of love and betrayal, of courage and cowardice, of secrets and honesty, of miracles and reality told in impeccable prose.
This is an interesting story about a boarding school. This copy is SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR!
author signed copy
