Rating: 
Summary: Read WHERE or WHEN instead. This one is a disappointment
Review: The sad thing is that the plot of THIS book is very similar to Shreve's WHERE OR WHEN--which was a much better book. If you find the plot of this appeals to you, then read WHERE or WHEN instead, b/c she really handles the material so much better in that novel. The ending disappointed me in that I couldn't ascertain the timeline b/c I couldn't adequately make the connection between the location of the last incident in the book and how that fit into the timeline. I felt confused as I closed the book--even after re-reading the last chapter again. I see from other reviewers, I was not alone. Also, the male protagonist was not very likeable. It was difficult to feel sympathy for him, and by extension, hard to relate to the female protagonist wanting to be with this man.
Rating: 
Summary: One of Shreve's Best Endings
Review: I have read almost everything Shreve has written and always enjoy her endings. Reading this book (after having read Weight of Water a few years back), I was confused because of what happens in Weight of Water. This book, is so well written though, that I made myself forget WoW and believe this story, only to be thoroughly shocked by the ending! While you might be saddened by the ending, Shreve is such a master that it made me appreciate the book that much more. It was a book I couldnt put down and one that definitely left me completely wrapped up in it's story. If you like Anita Shreve, this is definitely one to read.
Rating:
Summary: REALLY DISAPPOINTED
Review: After reading the Pilot's Wife and Sea Glass, both of which were interesting, entertaining, and well-written, I'm really disappointed in this book. I can sum it all up in one word: BORING! It's more a book by a writer about other writers, more so than a "love story". I couldn't get past all the italicized dialogue, and gave up about halfway through. I checked this out from the library, and I'm just so glad I didn't buy it! It would really be a waste of money. I won't give up on Anita Shreve, because I think she's brilliant, but I definitely wouldn't recommmend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyed it...............but still unsure about ending...
Review: I loved this book, I did. The beginning was a little slow, but after getting through the first 30 or so pages, I was hooked. Didnt want to put it down.............I love Shreve's way of description. She truly has a way of making you feel as if you are right in the middle of the settings she describes. The Africa section is especially good. Getting close to the end of the book, I had a feeling there would be a twist or last minute revelation and there most definantly was. I was pretty blown away by the last page and ending of this book. But in a way I feel cheated. I love surprise endings, but this one was so abrupt that it almost makes you angry for the time spent, and at the same time leaves you sad and haunted. I will say that it is very thought provoking though!!!! I WILL recommend this book to others because all in all I am glad that I read it.
Rating:
Summary: Superb Storytelling
Review: This is the first book that I've read of Shreve's and I must admit it blew me away!! The beautiful composition of her stories is entrancing. Whenever I was away from the book, I was thinking about it and couldn't wait to get home, climb into bed and read on.
The way Shreve delights her reader with awesome word usage and beautiful images is true mastery. Not only that, but Shreve has acquired the ability of creating such sympathetic characters and genuine love, that even through adultery, the reader sides with the protagonist; secretly wishing that he will win his true love. Through love letters, confessions, and sinful pleasures, we journey backwards in hopes that Shreve will release us from our anxiousness and reveal the happy ending we long to have.
For three hunndred and eleven pages we twist and turn and follow the lives of these two poets, and right up to the end are hanging on by the tips of our fingers, until Shreve hits us with a blow that knocks us right off a 20 story building!! Want a good read, read this!! I cannot wait to open my next Anita Shreve novel, and I cross my fingers in hopes that it's as good if not phenomally better than this one.
Rating:
Summary: I am stupified... someone please help me!!!
Review: ****DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY READ THE NOVEL**** About 3 hours ago I finished "the last time they met," and I don't know what to do with myself. I consider myself a pretty intelligent and literary person, but the ending has left me so confused/shocked/stunned that I am beside myself. I literally reread the ending about 10 times, and then, when I still wasnt sure, went through the entire book to help me grasp everything and put it all together. All that did was create more theories and confusion! I have called basically every person I know to see if they have read it, and no one has! Please, I just need to discuss this with someone because I have so many theories going through my mind it is driving me insane. I knew nothing about a "twist" ending or anything of that nature when I picked up the novel, so perhaps that is why I am in such a state. I am still not sure if Linda actually died in the car crash. At first, I had thought that the whole "last minutes of her life" thing was because she thought, at the time, that this was actually the last moments of her life, and that what she saw was actually some sort of "vision" of her future, scenes of her life that she would live. I thought that the last scene "a beach house with a man..." was just evidence that after everything, she and thomas ended up together later in life. But then the whole suicide thing is thrown at you, and I had to rethink everything. I still don't know if Linda actually died at 17. I am so confused. I have searched for a message board so that I could vent my feelings in a more appropriate venue, but I have ceased to find one. Someone, anyone, please just discuss this with me! I need to talk about it! My email is serena.smith@colorado.edu . It is driving me crazy! And incase it isn't clear from my previous rambling, I found the book brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: My Absolute Favorite...So Far...
Review: Shreve's story telling ability boggles the mind. The section titles and subtle comments throughout the novel only hint at the surprise ending. The encounters between the two characters in their youth and adulthood are beautifully written, as is their chance meeting at a writer's convention. To get to the end is to truly savor and enjoy the subtleties of her writing and enjoy the puzzle that quickly unfolds before the reader's eyes.
Rating:
Summary: Soap Opera
Review: The novel has finely drawn characters, and the scenes of life in Africa are interesting; however, the characters never do anything which is not easily predictable, and nothing not easily predictable happens to them. The novel concludes with such a non-ending, I wonder if Ms Shreve just got lost in the morass of her non-plot.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: If you can get through the first 50 pages, this book is one of Shreve's best. To date, I have only read a few of them, but this is her best by far. I was shocked by the ending-what a surprise twist! It left me with the satisfaction that comes with reading a really great book.
Rating:
Summary: Loved This Book
Review: What a great read! This is definately a "take me away" experience. Anite Shreve wove beautiful threads of detail through this touching story. It certainly doesn't disappoint!
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