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Summary: Ingeniously Ordinary
Review: What a great Summer read! Yes, this book was ordinary. As ordinary as life itself in this imperfect, crazy world. No, this book didn't have an exciting, hollywood style ending. But does life? While reading this book I felt like I was spending a summer in this town, feeling and experiencing what these people did. This was a splendidly written, simple novel about real life. What a refreshing change. I was very busy this Summer so I only had a chance to read this book on the subway to and from work every, so it took me awhile. I felt a little out of sorts when I finished it, I missed spending my commutes with the Fermoyles.
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Summary: UMISS456792@aol.com
Review: This book was absolutely incredible. The best book I have ever read in years. And I was incredibly sad to see it end and leave all those characters behin
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Summary: A compelling story with a cheesy ending
Review: I found this book a difficult yet compelling read. Although I couldn't find much to like in any of the characters (who range from ambiguous to pathetic), I still wanted to know what happened next. I kept expecting that *something* good would happen to at least one of these people. Alas, it was not to be until the very last chapter. Then, suddenly in one fell swoop, everything seemed to come together, everyone's eyes were opened to the truth, and they (seemingly) went on to live happily ever after. It was as though the writer had finally run out of bad situations to put these characters into and just decided to have everyone exit stage right to la-la land!
I was left feeling as though the writer had scammed me just as Omar had scammed these characters. I wanted them to come to their senses, but this was just too quick!
I was also left with a vague sense of deja vu. It took a while, but then I realized that this story reminded me in part of Stephen King's "Needful Things." In both stories, hapless characters are unduly influenced by a newcomer and start to make foolish decisions. Granted, King's version is much more extreme, but the influence that Omar exerts over Marie and Benjy (not to mention everyone else in town) is, in its own way, just as destructive as Leland Gaunt's manipulations of the folks in Castle Rock. (Please don't think I'm comparing King's writing to Ms. Morris'...it's like apples and oranges. I just think the stories have a common theme here.)
Ms. Morris is a good writer, painting compelling images with her words. For me, it's the story that's lacking in follow-through and vision here. Perhaps I would enjoy one of her other works more.
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Summary: Had hoped for better
Review: I would never have written a review on this book until I read what others had felt. I felt that I was totally inadequate to do so because I was sure that something must be wrong with me since I found this a hard book to want to read. From page one I found it difficult to follow and it took a while to figure out exactly who the characters were and how they related. Not to mention, why they were even discussed! I did, however, finish the book but only to be disappointed in the ending because of it's so unbelievable finish. For such a long story, it certainly had a hurry-up ending. I have read all of Oprah's bookclub list and only hope that the next selection has a lot more substance
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Summary: The kind of story that grows on you
Review: It took me along time to decide whether or not I liked this book. I think because it was so real. At first, all of the characters seemed to be, well, just losers, but as you get to know them they all had some sort of redeeming quality. (At least most of them did). It was an enjoyable, rambling read. I must agree with the other readers that she did have too many characters. We wouldn't hear from someone in a while and then all of a sudden, they would appear. It was a little disconcerting at times. Even though I have these complaints about the book, I still keep thinking about it, about the characters. I wish I could figure out why. It's not like her prose style is amazing, or groudbreaking, like Joyce Carol Oates, and it's not like her characters were charmingly entertaining with humorous quirks, like John Irving. I guess it's because these people were like people you know and encounter every day of your life. They have faults and they are not perfect. We see that Marie has been frustrated by h
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Summary: I absolutely loved this book
Review: I found the characters in this book rich and realistic. I knew a Omar Duvall and Mary Garris Moore obviously has too. I found the ending disappointing until I put the book down and thought about what my reaction to the turmoil of Marie's life would of been - I would have thrown my head back and laughed too. If you read only for entertainment and a fairytale ending this book is not for you. If you have known hardship and alchoholism it will grab you. Beware - Pollyanna
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Summary: Meet the loneliest family alive-your heart goes out to them.
Review: This angry family spends so much time together, yet they know nothing about one another -- they let strangers lead them places they don't want to go, never confiding in the people closest to them. A real tear-jerker
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Summary: A Pack of Whiners
Review: Hands down, the worst of the Oprah books. Not one likable character in the bunch. Not once ounce of nobility. Pointless from beginning to end. Go sit in front of the TV for 24 hours. It would be a much better way to spend your time
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Summary: Very long, extraordinarily written, painful for women, sad.
Review: I read this book while on a cruise. Found it difficult to concentrate on because of the difference in surroundings than that of the book. Had empathy for Mary, who in the end was no better off than in the beginning. If I were the author, she would have won a $5,000,000 lottery and lived happily ever after with Tom Cruise. That's why I am not the author!! I am not sorry I read the book, but did have a difficult time getting through it
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Summary: I finished it a week ago and miss it terribly.
Review: After the first few pages, I knew the writer had an extraordinary talent for creating characters, constructing plot and building dramatic tension. My interest was grabbed immediately and sustained throughout. I often have difficulty finishing books much shorter than this one, but I moved quickly through Songs. The town of Atkinson and its inhabitants came to life for me and I was sorry to see them go when the book ended
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