Rating: 
Summary: Liked the book. Some characters a bit weak!!
Review: Had never read a book by this author. I think some of the characters in this book were not developed like I would have liked. But all in all I truly enjoyed it. It's a lesson in overcoming adversity and the paths you sometimes have to take to accomplish it. I find some of the reviews here not too sympathtic with Delores. I can relate to some of her problems. Depression is not easy to understand if you've never been there
Rating:
Summary: Love it or hate it, you'll finish it!
Review: It seems to me the opinions of this book are of one extreme or the other. While I truly enjoyed the novel, I disliked most aspects of Delores' character. She's repellant in many ways, and with good reason. In any case, the story is affecting. Else, why such strong opinions? It draws you in and you want to see what may come next. Dolores is not the first heroine with a questionable morality. I think it is she that is hated, not the story.
Rating: 
Summary: Pity Party Gets Old
Review: Having read "I Know This Much Is True" by Wally Lamb, I picked up this book with much excitement. After reading this book I tossed it in the garbage. The male characters were one dimensional, the lead character, Dolores, was completely unsympathetic and I had the distinct feeling that Mr. Lamb had found a list of "all things sexual" and decided to put it all into one novel--rape, pregnancy, abortion, childlessness, lesbianism, homosexuality, fetishism, spousal abuse, infidelity, and on and on and on. The studied nature of this novel made for difficult reading and the complete lack of compassion of any of the characters was a turn-off. Every character in this book wanted to screw someone, literally and figuratively. If you're really intent on reading this book, read the first chapter and the last chapter and skip everything else. Otherwise, try Billie Letts' "Where the Heart Is," or Pat Conroy's "The Prince of Tides" for a more entertaining read about people who triumph over adversity.
Rating: 
Summary: hmmmm....interesting but not brilliant
Review: I enjoyed the book and felt some empathy with Dolores.However for such an angry person I felt we only experienced that through some of her actions and never really through her own feelings. I wanted to know how SHE felt inside--not just the ends to it i.e. when she killed the fish.Her outward anger was only the manifestation of that emotion, I was interested in the feelings she experienced leading up to those actions or inactions.
Rating: 
Summary: Unreal
Review: It didn't amaze me so much that this was a man writing about a woman's soul so much as I could see so much of myself in Dolores! I laughed at her, cried with and for her and cheered at her triumph. I definitely recommend this book for women in their early and mid 20's.
Rating:
Summary: sheer disappointment
Review: I loved "I know this much is true" by Wally Lamb. This book, however, was terrible. It was difficult to read such a depressing, frustrating account of someone who I could not relate to at all. In fact, I have about 50 pages left, and no motivation to finish. If you enjoy reading about someone's miserable existance, this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Avid Book Reader
Review: I Really disliked this book. I agree with Reader, May 11 in the description of the characters as cartoonish ans shallow. They are one dimensional and most come with few redeeming qualities. I found the book quite immature, and I have to say that it left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
Rating:
Summary: Could not relate at all!
Review: Wow! I thought I was the only person who thought this book was disgusting and depressing until I read some of the 735 reviews! I guess the only redeeming quality about this book is it really got people talking about it! I read it in a weekend - continually hoping that things were going to get better for this wretched woman (no way will I call her a heroine) and it only got worse. I was reluctant to even read it when I saw it was an "Oprah" pick and afterwards I kicked myself for going on with it. I'm a 32 year old young woman who lives an average, middle-class life and I have no empathy for this idiot woman who could never be optimistic or look at the bright side of life. The book is only fiction, yet what really bothers me are the real women who think this is a good book because they "feel the pain" of what boils down to massive SELF PITY!! It's so '90s! Wally, you have no clue - this is an insult to all young women.
Rating:
Summary: Don't bother.
Review: I'm afraid that it's a pretty bad book. The characters were utterly shallow and cartoonish, especially the men. Instead of giving the men names, the author could have just called 'em The Rapist, The Bad Father, The Bad Man, and The Good Man. Or he could have collectively named them The Straw Men. How much more interesting it would have been if Dante and what's his name -- The Good Man -- had been a single character. That would have given some heft to Dolores' decision to stay or go. Although Dolores was better sketched, she was still only allowed (by the author) to have one defining trait at any giving time. There was simply nothing creative about this book. Anyone could have written it. For all the reviewers out there who can't believe a man could have written such a great female character, check out Norman Rush's "Mating." A much, much better example.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is upsetting and confusing at times but that is what makes it so good. Some parts certain people can relate to and certain parts some people can't. It has you intrigued forever. Read it 6 times...
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