Helpful Score: 23
I was so excited to read this book after hearing all of the spectacular reviews. However, I found myself incredibly disappointed. The plot is muddy and plodding, the writing is far from interesting, and the characters are so boring that, by the time I was halfway through this book, I couldn't have possibly cared less whether any of them lived to the end or what they did on the way there. I honestly do not understand the hype over this book at all. I've read hundreds of books that were far more interesting, engaging and memorable. This was a huge, huge disappointment. Hours of my life I will never get back....
Helpful Score: 15
I absolutely loved this book. The writing is beautiful and incredibly insightful. The author drew me in so much so that I felt I was part of the story. Yes, the ending is rather abrupt, and it left me wishing it turned out another way, but after thinking about it for some time and rereading the last two chapters, I've come to understand and accept it. Again, loved the book.
Helpful Score: 13
I did not love this book like so many others that I have heard. It was just okay. I found it so filled with details and long meandering asides that it became a distraction. I like the general story, but I think it could have been told in half the pages. I found myself skimming at certain points, which I rarely ever do. This book did not keep me eager to know what happens next, by the end I just wanted to finish so it would be over. I did find the chapters from Almondine's perspective beautifully described.
Helpful Score: 10
I couldnt wait to get my hands on this book and it started out great, engrossing......then it went on and on and on and the end was just uncalled for depressing and made me feel like I had wasted my time reading it! I can read the newspaper if I want to be depressed. This is the last time I am going to be burned by investing in "Oprah's" bok suggestions - We oblviously dont see eye to eye.I am also a dog lover and even part that got boring.
Helpful Score: 9
I was thoroughly enjoying this book in the beginning. The story revolved around a small but engaging family unit that was wholly caught up in their dog breeding business. The relationship between the mother and father and their child, and the relationships with the dogs were heartwarming and interesting. Spoiler alert - don't read on if you don't want information about the direction in which this story turns.
I was incredibly disappointed when the clunky references to "Hamlet" began appearing. I felt totally let down, and as I read the book found myself not caught up in the story as I had been in the beginning, but rather searching for Hamlet parallels, which were abundant and, in my opinion, inelegant. This writer has a true gift for storytelling, and I think he could have made this book something more. I will read books by him again, if he writes them, but I cannot recommend this book.
I was incredibly disappointed when the clunky references to "Hamlet" began appearing. I felt totally let down, and as I read the book found myself not caught up in the story as I had been in the beginning, but rather searching for Hamlet parallels, which were abundant and, in my opinion, inelegant. This writer has a true gift for storytelling, and I think he could have made this book something more. I will read books by him again, if he writes them, but I cannot recommend this book.
