Rating: 
Summary: A struggle ...
Review: I had to struggle to get through this book. The whole time I was reading the book, I thought "This can't possibly be the final draft!" It felt slightly disjointed as though the connecting tendons were missing. The story line was good and the premise was good, but the characters were rather unlikeable. The most interesting/likeable character was Vincent/Reese. The story jumped from place to place/year to year in such a manner that I constantly realized that I was reading. The next Mitchard book I read (if I read another) will be from the library!
Rating: 
Summary: An engrossing, if not perfect story.
Review: As of late, I have not been able to read a book from beginning to end in less then two weeks. "Deep End of the Ocean" was the exception. I plowed through this book. I wanted to find out if Ben (Sam) ever is returned "home". I also was interested in whether Beth was able to function again and find it fastinating being in a character's mind to see how she is functioning on a psychological level. I also thought the scenes of Vincent (Reese) with his psychologist were very realistic. They reminded me of the scenes in "Ordinary People" when the teenager was visiting his psychologist. I did get a little tired of Beth as a victim, but on the other hand, I am reminded that we all grieve in different ways. I liked the complexity of the relationship between most of the characters, especially Reese and Sam. The ending did not wrap everything up in a neat little ball - always a little disconcerning, but life is like that. (I am not, however, hoping for a sequel.) All in all, it was a satisfying read and one I had trouble putting down. I would recommended reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book - mesmerizing and horrifying
Review: First of all, I am so surprised at all the negative reviews of this book! I'm with Catherineh (prior reviewer) in that I suppose it is not only a matter of subject preference, but what people expect out of a work of fiction. And yes, this is a work of FICTION. Some of this book may be unrealistic, but isn't that what fiction is for? It is meant as entertainment, after all! Books such as this are written to take the reader out of their own life's problems, help you forget about your little day to day adventures, and (hopefully) sweep you away - and that is what this book did for me; swept me away. The ultimate horror - to have your child taken - and the trials and tribulations of the family who lived this nightmare. I highly recommend it, unrealistic or not - this is a mesmerizing, sad, haunting book.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful surprise!
Review: I was given this book by a relative and put off reading it. I was familiar with the basis of the story - a mother's horror of losing her son. As the mom of 2 young boys, I dreaded reading a story concerning one of my greatest fears. How glad I am that I did pick it up. What a moving and touching tale! Not the "downer" and "tear jerker" that I expected. A testament to those with courage, strength and faith in times of adversity.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't read this book!!!
Review: What a totally unrealistic, boring, and dumb book. The premise was great (son is kidnapped, family learns how to deal with it); but let's get real. At some point, why didn't somebody tell Beth to quit whining and point out to her what she is doing to her other two kids. Her husband, her friends, relatives, anybody! But no, they just tip-i-toed around her, treating her like a fragile piece of china. Break, already! On top of that, the book was boring, difficult to understand, had characters nobody could relate to. I am never, never going to read another book Oprah recommends again. On the contrary, if I see one of her "books", I'm going to run screaming out the door. What a waste of my time and money!!!
Rating:
Summary: What a waste of time!!!
Review: I was surprised to learn that one of Oprah's Book Club picks was Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon. I wrote my thesis on Morrison's novels and am a huge fan of her writing. I figured that Oprah might be on to something, here, and so I decided to pursue The Deep End of the Ocean. After all, it was holding its own on the bestseller's list.Little did I know the nightmare I was in for. This novel was so bad, I rushed to finish it just so I could put it out of sight and bemoan the amount of time I had squandered while reading it. Not only was the book completely unbelievable, without the benefit of science fiction thrills and chills, but the timing was pathetically slow, the characters, unrealistic and obtuse (and in Beth's case, melodramatic in the extreme), the dialogue, slow. I'm scared to think that this is what the American majority wants in its fiction. I wonder what Toni Morrison would say.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Disappointment
Review: I purchased this book not only because of Oprah's book club, but also because of the strong recommendation it received by my mail order book club. What a disappointment!!! Putting aside the fact that Beth is so unlikable a character, the prose, particularly the dialogue, was monotonous and contrived. How can anyone who is actually well-read have praised this awkward attempt at literature? I put the book down after the first 30 pages, and only picked it up again with the hope that it would get better. It didn't. Please don't waste your time on this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed Reactions from Book Club Members
Review: A sampling of comments from our book group: "While the book is probably not great literature, I fee Mitchard captured the various emotional responses to a family tragedy very effectively. I suspect family trauma tears the family structure apart far more often than it draws people together. Mitchard's depiction of the Cappadora family rings true." "A suspenseful book - would make a good TV movie. Beth is no one that I could empathize with. She didn't want to be healed and I couldn't stand her for that." "I liked the second half of the book better than the first. This may be because I wouldn't let myself relate to the mother or events (i.e. the loss of a child)." "It was difficult to read and get into because it seemed too scattered in many directions. I never felt the plot was clearly developed."
Rating:
Summary: Satisfying, But.........
Review: I found this book a good read but not too realistic. A 'lost' son only two blocks away, right! A father who can do no wrong and really doesn't even seem to mourn his loss. A mother all consummed for 9 long years only to give her son back. The book had an interesting plot even though Beth was quite unlikeable. Vincent was the only realistic character in the book. Even Ben with his flip-flops was not too likeable. I would recommend this book only to see how a situation like this can destroy a family's fabric
Rating:
Summary: This book kept my attention...
Review: The first half of the book has you frantic, where did little Ben go? The second half had me so depressed for Vincent, the older brother and annoyed at how the whole family acted towards Beth, the mother. The ending was not the thriller that the beginnng seemed to promise it would be. This book is worth reading if you can borrow it, but don't buy it.
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