Where The Heart Is (unabridged)

Rating:
Summary: Stayed Up All Night Reading This Book!
Review: All of the characters in this book are rich and magical. The storyline flows well. I was expecting a depressing book and was very pleasantly surprised. This is a book that is definitely worth reading more than once!

Rating:
Summary: Great Fun
Review: I would never have read this book based on the synopsis, but the good reviews made me curious. I have to agree - this book was an extremely engaging read. I started reading in the morning, and didn't stop until that evening when I finished the book. I simply had to find out what happened to Novalee and Americus Nation and the wonderful supporting cast. Uplifting and fun.

Rating:
Summary: Smooth
Review: Just finished this book and couldn't put it down. It flowed so smoothly between chapters there really was no stopping place anyway. I loved the characters; laughed; cried. Reminded me of another favorite book: "Bonita Faye" by Margaret Moseley. Couldn't fully agree that Americus was a name to get through hard times and good times, but have to remember: it's fiction - and maybe it works in Oklahoma. Good job, Billie Letts.

Rating:
Summary: I loved how Novalee Nation changed as the book progressed
Review: WHERE THE HEART IS is a well-written book with believeable characters who change throughout the story, some for the better, some not. I especially enjoyed the 'question and answer' section with the author, Billie Letts, at the end of the book. It almost made me want to re-read the book. It is a book about hardship, endurance, hope, reaching out and ulitimately, victory of the spirit.

Rating:
Summary: BEST BOOK EVER!!!
Review: I was very impressed by this novel....it made me look at my own life in a new perspective! It warms the soul, and makes you really appreciate the non-material things in life ...like family and friends. Heck, it even re-defines "family"! It was truly inspirational!

Rating:
Summary: easy to read
Review: Very easy to read, something to slip right into and read in one go. It had the quality of that which is surreal, though, and never really impacted. This wasn't helped by names such as 'Americus' and 'Sister Husband', tornadoes, and babysnatchings. Still, it traced the growth and strength of Novalee in an uplifting way and made you feel good.

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Summary: A very interesting book
Review: I enjoyed this book, although I thought I would not because I usually do not like Oprah's picks. I was impressed with this one. Wouldn't it be nice for our communities to come together the way the people in Sequoya Okla. did. There was an interesting mix of characters that made this small town unique. And Billy Ray, a perfect example of when you do wrong to others, it will come back to haunt you. He floundered while Novalee rose to new heights.

Rating:
Summary: The worst book I've read this year !
Review: I took this book along on a trip just in case we encountered rain. Let me tell you, I'd rather watch rain fall than continue reading this book. Americus ??? How incredibly smarmy. I just couldn't identify with Novalee or any of the other characters. Oprah, review something with more depth, please !

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous, engaging, warm, a beautiful piece of writing
Review: A book that must be read. I am a Braillist and would love to Braille this book for our teenage kids at Contra Costa County. It is a book for all ages, warm, full of that zany imagination e.g. Tom Robbins...A fabulous book...

Rating:
Summary: OK, but unbelievable
Review: This was a good book with interesting but unrealistic characters. Maybe I'm just cynical, but I don't believe all those people would be so nice to her. I also don't believe anyone can make such a drastic change in their personality as Willie Jack did. In real life, he would have been even more bitter and tried to get money from Novalee.