The Deep End of the Ocean

Rating:
Summary: Intense
Review: If you read this book because you thought it made for a great suspense/mystery, then you will be disappointed. This book is about human emotions. I thought Ms. Mitchard wrote well on this subject. I believe she did not intend the family to be top notch which made them almost ordinary. I would certainly recommend it to friends.

Rating:
Summary: My first and last read from Oprah's book club
Review: This book was so disappointing. Talk about a dysfunctional family. Even before the kidnapping, Beth was not "Mother of the Year" in my opinion. The writing was disjointed and made me wonder how some books are ever published. I had a difficult time finishing this book, but I made it to the end and then wondered why I bothered. The ending did not redeem this book at all.

Rating:
Summary: Fair reading but tedious for pages at a time
Review: I found the subject material riveting, but was disappointed in the page upon page of emotional craziness. I felt compelled to skip or "speed read" 3 or 4 times during the book because the sense of what the character was feeling was already clear. This made some sections redundant and boring. Over all, I would say, borrow it from a friend for some light reading. It definately isn't a book you will ever reread or excitedly pass it on to your best friend.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Read!!
Review: I couldn't put the book down! I saw a preview for the movie a few weeks ago. Then i just happened upon the book. I thought the plot would make for an interesting one and I was NOT wrong! Mitchard pulls you in, making you feel like you're right there throughout the search. I felt as though i knew the characters and experienced all the emotions as they did. Not being a very big reader of books, I was very pleased with this one. Once you get through the first two or three chapters you're hooked.

Rating:
Summary: Heartbreaking
Review: The Deep End of the Ocean is a heartbreaking book about a family and how they cope with the disappearance of their little boy. Each member of the family reacts in a different way and the author does a great job with each ones emotions. I highly enjoyed the book, but thought the movie could have been so much better. I recommend the book, but not the movie.

Rating:
Summary: This book is readable, but depressing and frustrating.
Review: The horrifying story of the kidnapping and the emotional problems of the family compelled me to read late into the night and finish the book. BUT, I was left with an ugly, let-down, depressed feeling. I sympathized with Beth at first, but when she never learned from her mistakes she became obnoxious. Frustrations were many--the main one, I haven't read from anyone else's review: I KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING WHO THE KIDNAPPER WAS!!! Didn't anyone else? It was obvious! And I really wanted to see more of the police investigation! (Also annoying: the edition I read was full of typos, which I usually don't even notice.) This should have been a better--even a great--book.

Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING!!!!
Review: Excellent writing ; My second favorite book after "Angela's Ashes"...both authors are truly artists

Rating:
Summary: Give it a chance... you'll like it!!!
Review: I bought this book because I saw the trailer for it at the movies. It looked like it would be a good read. When I started reading the book, it pulled me in, then it hit a brick wall. After about a week, I hesitantly picked it back up and was glad that I did! The writing was excellent and that's what kept me interested. I got the feeling that I knew the characters personally.Though I never had a loss like this of my own, I can only imagine the way they delt with the loss of their child is how any normal family would react. I'm glad I hung in until the end, and I encourage others to do the same.

Rating:
Summary: Why all the negative fuss? THIS IS A GREAT BOOK!
Review: I just finished reading the book and as I was ordering it for a friend as a gift, I noticed all these negative reviews. DON'T BELIEVE THEM! This book is incredible, deeply moving and easy to keep up with. Don't let some sour grapes ruin your experience because this book is worth it!

Rating:
Summary: BOR-RING!!!
Review: I originally picked up the book because I heard it was a best-seller and the plot sounded interesting. Gee, was I ever wrong! It was awful. The pace was slow-moving and the author seemed to not care if we connected with the characters. I did feel a tad sorry for Kerry. She seemed to gain no attention from anyone. Beth was a selfish person- even before the kidnapping. Pat was a wimp. Why did I finish it? Only because I always finish a book no matter how bad it is (and I kept hoping to find some redeeming quality to this book). Why did I give it 1 star? Because I wasn't allowed to give a 0. I am glad to see I wasn't the only one who thought it should've stayed unpublished.