Beverly H. (GainesvilleGirl) - reviewed on 7/22/2014 + 215 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

I won't go into what the story line is.Plenty of others have, with great skill, done that. But I disagree with the reviewer who claimed the writing to be disjointed and difficult to put up with. I found the author's style very readable and intriguing. Her descriptions of winter on the south shore of Massachusetts, specifically in the Gloucester area, were spot on. I grew up in that locale and can testify to the winter weather. Bone-chilling cold. I can only imagine what life must have been like for those poor souls in Dogtown who had so little to warm their bodies or hearts. And as far as no happy endings goes, I differ on that score too. It just depends on what one's idea of happiness is. Getting out of Dogtown to happily raise your family and own your own business as Oliver did, is just one example. Some died there, yes. But even in their deaths there was some resolution to their stories. Not everyone from Dogtown had a sad ending. I found the last of the book to be very satisfying. I enjoyed Diamante's story telling skills, she's an excellent writer. Don't let the fear of a sorrowful ending keep you from trying this title. Unless you are super sensitive, in which case you should stick to happy-ending authors, you will enjoy this book.

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