Helpful Score: 3
It was interesting to read the comments from others about this book. I can't help but agree with many of them. Those who really like this one seem to be devoted fans of the author. I'm not one of them.
My take is that the story was as shallow as the characters. So much more could have been done with the characters that I found myself fantasizing about what they could have been like had the author spent more time thinking through the characterization. I gave it three stars because I thought at least the ending was plausible. (I wish pbs had a category that said it was ok.) Perhaps that is kind but I do know that others may like the story. Each reader needs to make their own call and, based on their own experiences and/or the reviews, enjoy a read or not. However, it's not one I would recommend to my reading friends.
My take is that the story was as shallow as the characters. So much more could have been done with the characters that I found myself fantasizing about what they could have been like had the author spent more time thinking through the characterization. I gave it three stars because I thought at least the ending was plausible. (I wish pbs had a category that said it was ok.) Perhaps that is kind but I do know that others may like the story. Each reader needs to make their own call and, based on their own experiences and/or the reviews, enjoy a read or not. However, it's not one I would recommend to my reading friends.
I loved this book, could hardly put it down and was sad when I finished it. It tells a story from several different perspectives even though it is only told in two voices. It was a wonderful story, I was sorry to finish it.
A woman who gave up her baby as an unwed teen gets a surprise visit when the young woman, now 18, searches her out. Giffin uses alternating viewpoints here so that the reader gets to see the issue from both sides.
I really enjoyed this book. Took me a few chapters to get into the style of the story - alternate chapters. Once I did it was easier to follow who was speaking. I recommend it.
I found this book very hard to get into. The book seems to drag. All the characters have their perfect ending. I have read previous books from the author and liked them but I cannot remember the books or the characters.
To say I did not like this book may be too strong; I having read previous Giffin novels so a better review would be; very disappointing. The book started out very slow-moving but did pick up about 100 or so pages into the story and but quickly died out to ho-hum and then came the ending...extremely disappointing. Most of the time I felt I was reading a high school novel.
I really liked this book - made me anxious to keep reading the story as it unfolded. SPOILER ALERT ******* But I have to say I was disappointed that Marian and Conrad did not end up back together. I wanted her to profess her love for him, tell him what a fool she is and ask him for a second chance. I had a hard time understanding how she could have such a wonderful love with him that summer and then walk away never to speak again until Kirby showed up. But the story of Kirby and all the emotions of everyone involved was wonderful I highly recommend this one - I gave it 4.5 starts.
