Where The Heart Is (unabridged)

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Summary: the heart
Review: This book was easy reading about real things. I loved the characters. Each were so intriguing in their own simple mind. I would love to read another book of this caliber.

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Summary: Very Disappointing to Say the Least
Review: As a huge fan of Oprah (ie. I really trust her judgment), I cannot be more shocked about her picking of this book for her book club. I felt Letts was trying too hard to make this book the classic, cheesy tale of a girl faced with much contrived adversity, who finds all these wonderul, caring people, who give her all of life's answers! Puhhlease. The story didn't flow well, and I didn't feel that characters were realistic or well developed at all. For example Novalee's mother and Sam Walton were snuck in for about a page! Readers who give this book anymore than 1 star, can't have read too many good books. I don't think Letts is a bad writer, I just think she tried too hard with this one. And Oprah, please make better selections in future. Please?

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Summary: Eccentric but EXTRAORDINARY!
Review: I couldn't put this book down and I am not sure why. Perhaps that says it all. I know that says alot about the author. I loved the characters although I never quite understood Forney. This book showed me another side and gave me a true appreciation for my life and all that I have. The only thing that disappointed me in this book is the way it would lead you down a path and then skip to a time in the future. I was so enthralled in this book that I wanted nothing left out. I enjoyed the author's literary style. I laughed and I cried. I got angry and was happy. That is what I liked the most. The ending was quite abrupt but I was not dissatisfied. As far as a movie version. Stick with the book. No one could capture the emotion and raw experience that the author filled us with on film. Truly enjoyable. I passed it on to a friend.

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Summary: A wonderfully written story!
Review: "Where the Heart Is" is a beautifully written story of a young girl and her adventure through life in a small town. Wonderful characters!

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Summary: A very good book!
Review: I found this book to be very innocent, entertaining, warm and have a very sincere message. When you look for the good in everyone, that is what you will get. Novalee met some people with some real issues and she found the best in all of them. She was very fortunate in her situation to give birth to a baby in Wal-mart of all places and then come out finding the love of her life, a place to live and call home, people that embraced her and she matured throughout the entire process. For someone who did not complete the tenth grade, she sure was doing well for herself in seven years. I thought this book was very well done and hats off to Billie Letts. I think Oprah picked a winner in this one.

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Summary: Amanda's Book Review
Review: I enjoyed this book Where the Heart Is very much. It was a combonation of happiness and sadness. Americus being born was a time of joy. The death of Sister Husband was a time when the book turned unhappy. My very favorite part of the book was when Americus was born and Novalee's life was finally turned around. It was neat how the author based the story around Novalee's unlucky sevens. The plot of this story is not something that would happen every day, but in a way people can relate to it. It shows how a young, almost poor pregnant girl who is abandoned by her boyfriend and Wal-Mart can instantaneously turn her life around and make everything better. In the end, she gets everything she wanted and her life turns out okay. This book was very moving and amusing.

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Summary: Monica's Book Review
Review: I thought this book was great! Although, the ending is very abrupt and sort-of not understandable, it is still a good book. The charcters are very real, as is the plot and the story itself. Where the Heart Is is a book that deals with real life, and real problems. The main character in the story, Novalee, a 17-year-old girl who is 7 months pregnant and lives in a Wal-Mart is a very real character. The author also used very cultural names. She used many Native-American names, and African-American names. I thought that this was good to incorporate both of these cultures and some of their traditions. It also talked about some people being poor and not being able to afford some of the luxuries that we have. Overall, this book has taught me about cultures and also to be thankful for what I have. I give this book 2 thumbs up!

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Summary: "What I Will Do For Ms. Smith's English Class"
Review: If you are like me, a male high school student who never really looked forward to reading (to say the least) especially in Ms. Smith's English class, then Billie Let's "Where The Heart Is" is a great book to get you hooked into the habit of reading. The reason I choose this book was actually a coincidence that I am grateful for. Like any other high school student I put off picking an independent reading book for my English class until the night before. Eventually I realized that I had no idea where to find a good book... so I naturally asked my mom if she had any recommendations. Immediately she recommended Letts's "Where The Heart Is". I then purchased the book and like all other high school students I let it sit unopened for weeks. Eventually, I got around to looking at the book's cover and reviews while on vacation (which is a big step for me) and saw all the reviews praising the "Oprah's Book Club" winner as a perfect novel depicting a "women's struggle to survive" yada yada yada... I'm sorry if this offends anyone but I automatically classified this book myself as a 376 page "chick flick" (except for the fact that it is a book) and began dreading the day when I would have to read it... Never have I been so wrong(Just don't ask my mom). Bille Letts's "Where The Heart Is" is simply a great feel good book that makes you approach your own life in ways you never imagined. It's filled me with laughter, sadness, suspense, and a motivation to live life to it's absolute fullest. I must also accredit Letts for writing such an excellent story so articulately yet simply smart and fresh that affected and influenced my own writing for the better. In conclusion... never judge a book by it's cover, awards, or reviews.... just read it and find out for yourself! PS I hope some other men out there are man enough to read this.

Rating:
Summary: No, no, no
Review: We read this in my book discussion group and it keeps coming up when we discuss other, better books we read. For example, the characters in Where the Heart Is are flat: They're either saintly or evil. Instead try Wicked, a novel that turns the Wicked Witch of the West into a sympathetic, human character. I'm only giving Where the Heart Is a star because the form won't take a blank.

Rating:
Summary: Where the Heart Is
Review: I bought this book mostly because I saw that it belonged to Oprah's book club, and when I read the back, I knew I had to have it. Since then, I've read it multiple times-I just can't get enough! At times, I can relate to Novalee, and she makes me laugh, cry, and hunger for more. For anyone who wants a personal, emotional book, this is it!