Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This was the first book I've read from Oprah's Club. After hearing rave reviews about her choices, this was a total let down, making me wonder if I should even trust her opinion again. The book was full of self pity, predictable. I kept turning the pages waiting for the husband to show up. They should have called it "sleeping with the enemy".
Rating: 
Summary: It was one of the best
Review: I am only 14 years old, but I read alot of the adult books avalible today. When I read this one, I actually cried. I thought about how hard it must be for all of those woman out there with kids that can't escape the travestys of abuse without having to worry. For those of you who complained about this book, I suggest you read it again because its the epitamy of appealing and you probably didn't see that. You have to look at what the authors NOT writing... Black and Blue is a book for anyone who wants to hear a good story..for a lot of woman its a reality. Can't you understand that?
Rating: 
Summary: Boring!
Review: The beginning held my attention: an abused housewife starting over with her son. However the mood of the book never went beyond from self pity to hope for the heroine. Read Kiss Mommy Goodbye by Joy Fielding instead. At least the abused housewife had a more fighting instinct in her!
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful emotions portrayed.
Review: Not only did Quindlan portray powerful emotions about relationships (mother-child, wife-husband, husband-wife, sister-sister, friend-friend) she also stirs those emotions in the reader. This is my first Quindlen read, but it won't be my last. I found the ending believable and real world, not contrived and happy ever after.
Rating:
Summary: fantastic, yet heartbreaking
Review: I couldn't put it down. It was on the counter as I cooked. It went with me when I picked up kids, just in case they weren't out on time. For a mother who loves her children dearly, I feel for Beth Crenshaw. Robert call so your mother doesn't suffer forever.
Rating:
Summary: This book deserves a negative rating!
Review: This book is like Stephen King's "Rose Madder", except poorly written and without most of the excitement. The plot is essentially the same, minus the supernatural elements. I cannot imagine how it made any list, let alone Oprah's, unless no one bothered to finish reading it. It was incredibly predictable, and unimaginably dull. It was hard to even finish. The ending was trite and obviously a ploy to inject some life into a story that was dead from about page 2. It was a total waste of my money. I threw it away, as it was not worthy of shelf space.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely gripping read!
Review: This was a tremendous book. I have never been an abusive relationship, but throughout this novel I felt as though I was the one being hit and searching for myself. Quindlen portrays Fran wonderfully, showing both her love for Bobby and hatred for herself. The end left me in tears and my heart pounding. Great novel!
Rating:
Summary: page turner- excellent
Review: This book was great. It really helped me to feel what it is like to be abused
Rating: 
Summary: Read One True Thing First
Review: If you are going to read Anna Quindlen, read One True Thing first. Black and Blue kept me entertained, but I didn't feel like I was involved with the characters. One True Thing is much better written.
Rating:
Summary: Is plagerism among popular fiction writers acceptable?
Review: Stephen King did it first: abusive husband, mortal terror, sudden epiphany, protection by a strong group of women, etc, etc. It's called Rose Madder. The detailed beatings are just as graphic/realistic, if that's your cup of tea. As I said, he did it first. He also did it better. However, the day Oprah features Stephen King is the day ALL of our spirits will need healing!! King may venture into the 'woo-woo' territory in Rose Madder, but it's STILL infinitely more entertaining AND thought-provoking than this novel!
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