Rating: 
Summary: Unexpectedly touching
Review: I read this book to compare it to the movie that was just coming out, expecting to find the book a bit better than the movie. Well, I wouldn't be able to compare the two. I did not see the movie because I didn't want it to lower my opinion of the book. Jacquelyn Mitchard has an interesting and unusual style of writing, which I found to be a refreshing change from that of many other books. Mitchard's character Beth is especially different. Beth is a mother who blatently states her dislike of her own children and her own life, yet goes to her high school reunion where her life is torn apart by the kidnapping of her youngest son, Ben. I did not feel that she deserved pity for what her life had become; instead, my heart went out to Vincent, or Reese, whose entire existence was changed (for better? for worse?) by the disapearance of his younger brother, which he feels inside that he is truly responsible for. Jacquelyn Mitchard has shown an extrordinary writing style and descriptive ability, along with wonderfula characters, which is what makes this such a touching book.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, powerfully emotional read.
Review: I loved this great, heart-wrenching novel. In reading reviews of the Oprah books, I have noticed that people either love them or hate them. Perhaps this is a mark of good literature. This book is for people who love complex character development and realistic emotions, not for those who want a light-hearted, quick read with stereotypically likeable characters and easy answers. I do not have children, but I could easily identify with the family's anguish. Beth's failure to get adequate professional help was frustrating but all too human. Vincent's sessions with his psychiatrist are wonderful. I also found Ben's reaction believable -- even predictable. And I liked the (possibly) happy ending. Therapists would find it believable; it echos the real-life case discussed by the social worker in the book. When threatened with change, a child will naturally cling to his secure life. But later he may be comfortable enough to explore his blood ties. Life is messy, and this book lets us explore a fascinating predicament. It reminds me of another favorite, "Ordinary People" by Judith Guest. Thank you, Jacquelyn and Oprah.
Rating:
Summary: Emotional rollercoaster
Review: This book does a good job of bringing to life the reality of the horror of child abduction. While the culprit turns out to be a little disappointing, it is interesting to view how different people handle a situation like this one. You end up being torn for Ben, wondering how he must feel to be a victim and not even know it. You feel angry at the mother and sympathy for the father and other children. I have not seen the movie so can't compare the two, but I definitely am interested in seeing it now.
Rating:
Summary: exciting and dramatic book
Review: I highly recommend reading The Deep End of the Ocean. Get everything that you need to do done, because once you start reading this book, you won't put it down. This book shows dramatic emotions of a family after a loss of their three-year old child. Beth Cappadora is in a hotel lobby in Chicago one day with her two sons Vincent and Ben, when suddenly, a mother's worst fear, when her three-year old son disappears into a crowd of people, seemingly with a trace. Nine years have passed, and Beth runs into a boy who would be the same age as Ben would be, and looks exactly like him. Could this be her lost son Ben? This book shows how a family can move on, even with such a sad tragedy in their lives. The Deep End of the Ocean is a wonderfully written story of ordinary people caught in a disaster. Surprising and stunning, this book is definitely one you will want to read.
Rating:
Summary: finding Hope
Review: Deep end of the ocean, brings characters alive though use of imagery. The description of losing her made me feel sad.I would have not given up on her with all the hope she had in finding her son and moving on with the family she had left to care for.Beth who tried to move on with her family had to deal with her son vincent who does try to act like the rebel. His mother tried to move on but was doing things to make him feel worse and make her cry and worry about her family more.Beth who tries every day to make her life better would try more things to get her mind off the time she left her son for a few moments. When she returned he was gone. Reading this book may build your self esteem in finding hope for yourself in the world.
Rating:
Summary: KEEPS YOU INTUNED; A REAL PAGE TURNER
Review: THIS BOOK KEEPS YOU AT HE END OF YOUR SEAT, WONDERING IF BEN IS EVER FOUND!!!!!! I COULDN'T STAND TO BARE, LOSING MY OWN CHILD; OR, ANY CHILD CLOSE TO ME!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: wow
Review: the sophisticated version of The Face on the Milkcarton. must go rent the movie now.
Rating:
Summary: It takes your breath away
Review: This book is like a real life story. It could happen to anyone. This book is in Oprah's book club. Beth, who is the mom in the story, loses her son Ben. In losing her son almost messed up her whole life. She blamed herself for the kidnapp of her son. Beth never gave up hope. But when you read the stunning turn in the story it well give you a shock.This book is not like other books. This has a better meaning through out the story.The book is a life lesson. That is one reason why I liked this book. This book shows you when a family is in a hole and they don't seem like they can get out. You figure out that you have to work as a family to get out of the hole. It shows you that not all families are perfect, actually no family is perfect. It helps you learn a big lesson. This is when Vincent (Beth's other child) starts to take care of his little sister Kerry. Beth felt like it was the end of her life when she lost her favorite child Ben. Beth even felt like she could not laugh or have any fun, because she did not know how Ben was if he ate or if he was o.k. One of the good points in the book was you have to live, even though you don't know how your child is you can't let it get to. You can't blame yourself because it teaches you if your just going to be a in a pity no one will want to be around you eventually you will be by yourself or alone. So this teaches you to just try to take one day at a time and to let people into your life to help you get through hard times because most likely you can't get through it by yourself. This book was amazing because I feel it had lessons in life you can learn from.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't Get Past Page Fifty
Review: The reason for this? The auhor appears to think the purpose of novels is to see how long one can drone on about insubstantial things. She does get around to a plot. This is true. The problem is that reading it would require drudging through extraneous paragraphs to reach a light that may or may not be at the end of the tunnel. I don't appreciate this type of writing. To me, it's just not worth the time.
Rating:
Summary: better than movie
Review: If you have seen this movie, but haven't read the book - you really should. The book is one that is hard to put down as opposed to the movie which easily put me to sleep. Book is so much better - the pain of the mother(and the rest of the family) is felt much deeper when reading the book.
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