Rating: 
Summary: Well-written novel with a great plot
Review: I read this book in 1997 before the movie came out, and I thought to myself, "they should make a movie about this book!" Wasn't I right? This compelling novel really was a page-turner for me, and this novel is definately is for people who like to read dramas. It might not be for any kids, though because there are sexual situations in it.
Rating: 
Summary: VERY POOR WRITING
Review: I read this book because of all the movie hype. Usually the books are better than the movies - but in this case I sure hope the movie is better!!! I'm not sure I will even waste my time renting it. The writing was very choppy. Many sentences were not proper English. I can't believe this is a bestseller, much less one of Oprah's book club choices. This is the one and only book I will ever read by this author. I was so disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: A heart ripping, heart warming story
Review: I absolutely loved this book. The reader has the opportunity to see the Cappedora's situation through everyone's eyes, and how each life is effected. I found interesting how the same event held such different meanings in Beth's and Vincent's minds. I would recommend this book to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: not very well written, choppy
Review: i didn't enjoy the writing style of this book. the story was slow, jumpy, and eventually very predicatable. i am disappointed that this was selected to be in oprah's book club. usually she has much better titles.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent novel, very thrilling and emotional
Review: This novel was very well written, so that one could almost feel what Beth and Pat must be going through. This book has it's down side, as well. It should have had more chapters on what Ben, a.k.a Sam, is feeling instead of Vincent, the older son. This also did not have an ending which I would have preferred. Instead it made me infer my own suggestions. Overall it was a very emotional and suspenseful book and i'm glad to have read it.
Rating:
Summary: ZZZZ....
Review: Yawn. I just couldn't finish this book. The title is lovely, and the premise is fairly interesting ( a child vanishes.) But Beth Cappadora was one of the most boring characters I've ever met, and halfway through the book I plunked it down in disgust and checked out a collection of African short stories, which were infinitely more interesting and vivid than the travails of this white bread mom.
Rating:
Summary: Uterly true!
Review: Wonderfully written. I don't like to read because writers usually don't get the real feelings of life into the book. Most just sugar coat the truth. Jacquelyn shows the bitter truth of what could and has happened in real life. This is a work of art.
Rating:
Summary: an exercise in family communications
Review: Having read the book almost two years ago provides me with a unique perspective. What remains vivid in memory is not the horrifing story of Beth, but rather the world of Vincent as seen through both Beth's eyes and Vincent's eyes.As a mother of pre-teens, I am constantly reminded just how differently life events are perceived by adults and children. This author captures and sketches a truthful bit of daily family life.
Rating:
Summary: good story, could have better writing
Review: I didn't think I would enjoy this book primarily since it was recommended by my Mother (and our tastes in fiction are polar opposites) and because it was writtne by a woman (yes I do have chauvinist leanings). I was surprised how strong the author portrayed the father, while providing no sympathy for the Mother. The story is really the reaction Sam (Ben) has in the second half of the novel. Up until then the reader is wallowing in the pain and suffering of the mother and it gets tedious fast. I had to take issue with the writing and editing. Often the reader is pages in a section before you know who the hell is speaking. Overall a good book, but it had the potential to be much better.
Rating:
Summary: The best part of the book was the ending.
Review: I read this book because I felt reading the book was a better experience than watching the movie. I think I made a pretty good choice. I enjoyed the book from beginning to end, but personally I thought it was a very long book. It didn't start off slow like most books, it went straight to the disapperance of Ben. The rest of the book talked about how each member of the family dealt with the incident. I thought it was too much. The best part of the book was the end, where it made me cry. I enjoyed the ending because it makes me think about my relationship with my younger sibling.
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