She's Come Undone

Rating:
Summary: It's worth your time and money
Review: Perhaps I enjoyed this book so much because it was so different from what I usually read (mysteries and legal thrillers). At home recovering from surgery, I borrowed the book from my neighbor when I ran out of books to read. I laughed at Delores' sarcastic comments because I often have the same reaction to idiocy but think myself too nice and well-behaved to make similar comments. I kept thinking that someday I would like to summon the nerve to give voice to my not-so-nice thoughts. I enjoyed reading it because it made me uncomfortable about how people feel about and treat overweight people. My daughter has been overweight most of her life and has experienced many of the same cruelties visited upon Delores. I was often frustrated with Delores' self-pity and inability to get it all together but, overall, I thought it was a wonderful book because it made me "feel," even though the feelings weren't always comfortable

Rating:
Summary: He wrote what he knew...
Review: I was Dolores Price as, I'm sure, were many of the students who passed through his classroom door over the years. Rebellious and out of control, I attended Mr. Lamb's Poetry & Song class in the late '70's. Family & emotional problems made me "special" in the eyes of the faculty who knew me. In his class it was my creativity and my ability to put it on paper that made me special. He buttoned his shirts to the neck, wore ties, and was big on self discipline-(not my strong point back then!) That he would often roll his shirtsleeves up his forearms was a redeeming factor, in my opinion. I rarely made eye contact, which brought the least desired result... He noticed me. Personally, I never wrote about my "crises"- Sexual abuse and emotional illness did not an inspirational story make -(I guess he proved me wrong!) And yet, I think he knew. I write this to aknowledge the incredible talent & insight of a great writer who wrote "what he knew", and an even greater teacher who inspired this Dolores to look beyond her own back yard. Without a doubt, Dolores Price was born in that classroom- She was in his students and, I'm convinced, in himself... He had her up his sleeve right along!

Rating:
Summary: A Slice of Fictional Reality
Review: When I started this book, I found it hard to put down. I'm one of the people who fell in love with Delores because I could relate to her on some level and I could understand her sarcastic and cynical view on the world around her. I have to say one of the reasons I felt that this was an excellent novel was the fact that a man could write Delores' story and do so in a convincing manner. My initial reaction to this book was that it reminded me of The Catcher in the Rye, which was able to convey a sense of self-discovery from a protagonist that wasn't necessarily easily likeable. Delores' story isn't one for everyone. I think that people who relate to any sense of having low self-worth at some point in their life can understand where she is coming from and can understand and appreciate the crass and sometimes depressing story Wally Lamb shares with the reader. But, I think this book sells itself on having caught the human spirit of a character who isn't perfect and never pretends to be. This book works because it tells the story of a person that anybody could know.

Rating:
Summary: UGH!
Review: There is a reason WHY this book was on the $1 table at the discount book store a couple of years ago. It should've stayed there. I'm aghast so many people will run out and relish a book just because a talk show host says to do so. I read this LONG before Ophah gave her review, and I would discourage anyone from reading it now

Rating:
Summary: I'm thankful for this wonderful book
Review: When I finished the last page of this book, I cried. Wally Lamb has taken the chaotic life of a sexual abuse survivor and made some sense out it! Dolores' weight gain, inability to trust people and make friends, and struggle with depression mirrors the life of many sexual abuse/rape victims. Her vigilant struggle to regain her self-esteem and some control over her life is an inspiration. I will not soon forget Dolores' transformation from a victim into someone who discovers the healing power of loving others. I saw my own life in this book, and I'm grateful for the journey. I will miss Dolores....

Rating:
Summary: Reality Can Bite
Review: I liked this book because it didn't have a clear cut message or a neatly wrapped up ending (kinda like life!). But isn't it refreshing to read about a character that is so real; imperfect, struggling and all alone. It is difficult to travel with Delores thru' her hardships, but I think the world is full of "Delores" and it is good for us to remember that. I can understand people that don't like the book, because Delores is the type of person you don't like to think exists

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Summary: wally's secret insite
Review: Mr. Lamb ran the Creative Writing Center at my high school. His mantra? "Write what you know..." I have always had a hard time believing that he did not mooch some of the real life experiences that the 2000+ students who went through his Center,yearly, wrote about. My fellow classmates(we of the mid-late 80's) have agreed that Mr. Lamb must have had a pretty keen imagination to come up with all this material. I neither loved nor hated this book, I just have to wonder at the source origin

Rating:
Summary: A hearbreaking journey through self-discovery. Awesome!
Review: I was absolutly enthralled with this book. Not usually do I stay up until 5:30 am to finish a book. Wally Lamb has one of the best insights of a women's journey through self-discovery through hardship, that I have ever read. It is amazing how well I could see this character in every woman around me. I loved it

Rating:
Summary: Waste of time and money.
Review: As I was reading the book, I kept wondering why Oprah would recommend such trash. I'm still wondering. I've bought several books she has recommended. This is the only one I've managed to finish. I won't buy any more books that she recommends. I expected Oprah to recommend books with SOME value. Now I know why I've never been interested in reading fiction. I'll stick to non-fiction from now on. This book was very depressing and disgusting. I want my money back! And my time!

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding piece of fiction
Review: My eyes began to hurt because I could not put this book down. Dolores, the main character was sarcastic to the point of being unbearable, but that just made the book that much more interesting. I found some of the material slightly unbelievable. It seemed that things developed too quickly, but I found the content to be quite moving. I related to her sense of hopelessness, but didn't quite understand her need to blame everyone. Overall, I loved this book and I felt empty when it was all over