Songs in Ordinary Time

Rating:
Summary: long, depressing, ultimately disappointing
Review: I was almost heartened by the many bad reader reviews I saw on this webpage, if only because it confirmed that I did not miss something in the story. And you will probably not be missing much either if you pass on this book. I ploughed my way through 700 pages figuring I would be rewarded with some sort of redemption for the characters at the end. Instead, it meandered off much as it had throughout the length of the novel. If you are up for a long read with complex characters and interwoven stories, I would suggest Kate Atkinson instead. Her characters are often equally flawed, but the humor and drama makes for a rewarding read.

Rating:
Summary: Uninteresting, unnerving at points, depressing and dull
Review: There were definitely too many uninteresting characters. I was finding myself relieved to get away from Marie Fermoyle every once in awhile, just to get involved with someone else with depressing problems. There was not one light-hearted, nice, smiling character without huge personality flaws. It was quite unnerving at points. It was definitely not an enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: Get Out The Razor Blades
Review: This is THE most depressing book I've ever read. Seriously, I went into a major funk for the two days I was reading it. I suppose it's well written??? That seems to be the majority opinion. But I guess I need to see some character in the book that I can at least like. None here. Read this only if you have a great need to fall into a major depression.

Rating:
Summary: Proves that well-written books can be awful, too.
Review: I felt like I lived in the slough of despair while I was reading this dreadful book. If it had not been my next book group book, I would not have read past the scene with the 30-hours-dead judge in the chair at the boarding house. What was the point of that scene? It certainly wasn't something that would happen in "ordinary time," and I can't believe that kind of thing is customary in small towns, or towns of any size. The people involved turned out to be very minor characters. It was there just for the shock value. At the beginning of the book, the author could have said, "All of the people in this town have led, lead, and will always lead miserable, depressing, horrible lives," and made the book 500 pages shorter.

Rating:
Summary: Just think of it as daytime drama
Review: When I first received this book, I thought I was in for a long read. There are many characters and plot lines to keep straight in this novel. Even when I was still a good way into the story, it took some courage to pick it up, but as soon as I began to read, I was enthralled. The characters are so real you root for, cry for and even learn to hate some of them. A truly wonderful book for the rainy summer we have had.

Rating:
Summary: I can't believe I wasted many hours reading this book!
Review: I bought this book because it was in Oprah's book club. Waste of my time and money. I should have read the reviews before I bought it.

Rating:
Summary: It's a "love it or hate it" book
Review: Songs in Ordinary Time isn't a hard read because it's long or unique or sophisticated or suited only for highly literate tastes. It's a hard read because there are too many characters and points of view, some of the story lines go nowhere, and all of the characters continue to make bad choices throughout the novel with no sign of enlightenment or hope of redemption. If you're a reader who likes unmitigated dysfunctionality painted on a large canvas, you'll love this book. If you're a reader who wants to root for the characters or rejoice in them learning from their mistakes, you'll hate this book. I'm in the "hate it" category.

Rating:
Summary: This book was a total waste of time.
Review: The most disfunctional people, family,town I have ever read about. I wish I had read the reviews of those who were honest enough to give this book one star before I wasted my time hoping to find something redeeming in the next page or next chapter.

Rating:
Summary: the beginning is detailed and dramatic definately catching.
Review: overwhelmed and exhausted I thought that the ending was cut way too short for all the detail it held at the beginning. I have so many questions that have gone unanswered.What happend to sam? What put him and renie togehter at the end? What happend to the pigman and Howards sister? What changed Alices mind about Blue? All of a sudden they went out on a date when just 2 chapters before she was disgusted by his presence. What about Joey Seldon, last part on him he was sitting on a bench feeding pigeons? And how about Hadad? His wife? With all these questions left unanswered I feel betrayed. All the effort I put into reading hte book I want to forget it now because I don't even know what happend to all these people.

Rating:
Summary: Too Short!!!
Review: When I first started this book I thought I was in for a long read. But when it came to the last few pages I didn't want it to end. The author's fluid descriptions were beautiful. Her writing is candy for the senses.