Songs in Ordinary Time

Rating:
Summary: Compelling, I couldn't put it down!!
Review: Although the book was long and there were a lot of characters to remember I really enjoyed it. It was about real life and real people. The characters were believable and interesting. The introduction of the antagonist Omar Duvall made the book even more interesting than I had anticipated.

Rating:
Summary: A snow-covered dung heap
Review: Mrs. Morris is undeniably a fine writer; one wonders why she squanders her talent on such a convoluted, squalid, unbelievable story. The characters became caricatures as they smash up against one crisis after another, intersecting each other's lives in confusing, random and often depraved ways. I wanted to shower after each bout with it. A deeply unsatisfying read.

Rating:
Summary: Terrible, depressing book. There was no ending!
Review: I hung with the book which I liked in some places because I thought there was going to be an ending. I like stories about small towns and dirt bag characters so I liked the book because I was waiting for the ending where things would tie together or get better. It never happened. Its like the author got tired of writing.

Rating:
Summary: depressing
Review: In this dreadful book only one positive event takes place when the neighbours rally to fix up Marie's house and even that seems shallow and pointless. Beside the two sons who I pitied, I thouroughly detested the entire cast of characters. The only reason I finished the book was in fact the hope that the two boys might escape that depressing place. Of course I was utterly disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: don't waste your time!
Review: There just wasn't much point to this book...it goes on and on and on, leaving the reader wondering where it's taking you and what's the point. It's incredibly depressing with NO characters who are people to admire or aspire to...I didn't like any of the people in the book and the mother, the central character, is the worst. Don't waste your time, there are plenty of better books to read!

Rating:
Summary: Epitomy of a fine, brilliant novel
Review: Mary McGarry Morris is absolutely a genius. I was so enthralled in this book I couldn't even sleep without wondering what would happen to innocent little Benjy and whether Omar would finally be revealed to be the scandalous, evil man he really is. This book should be placed on a pedestal next to the likes of the world's greatest writers. The whole concept of creating millions of characters in which the reader has to follow is extremely creative and the uncensoredness of the bizzare acts these characters do definitely keeps the reader glued. Hail to the queen, Mary McGarry Morris!

Rating:
Summary: Pointless, monotonous, crude novel
Review: While many people who read this book enjoy following the twisted lives of the seemingly never-ending list of characters, my stomach turned every time I had to pick up this book and read it. I do not enjoy following the lives of those who are too incapable to live a somewhat normal life.

Rating:
Summary: Not one likable character in the entire book
Review: This book really annoyed me. I am normally not bothered by long books, but this one seemed like it went on forever. None of the characters had redeeming traits - who were the protagonists supposed to be? Certainly not ignorant Marie - even her own kids could see she was being swindled. Worse yet, none of these pathetic characters seemed to learn anything from their mistakes. I kept hoping it would get better; it didn't. Seems like Oprah is making some pretty poor book choices lately.

Rating:
Summary: A heart breaking tale of growing up poor in America
Review: The author's insights into the pain of growing up isolated and labeled make the reading of this book a must if we are to understand the class structure of our country. It stands beside Continental Drift in its telling of the tale of hopelessness. My heart bleeds for all the members of the Fermoyle family and for Blue Mooney. Many of your readers criticized it for not having a happy ending. Not all lives have happy endings and the gap is growing....

Rating:
Summary: everyday life
Review: a book filled with numerous intriguing characters, who make up a town. story of a proud single mother's struggle to keep her family together, and find her own happiness. at the end, there are no rose gardens, no magical ending, just ordinary life of a family.