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Summary: a beautiful enchanting novel
Review: this book was wonderful - the author uses beautiful prose and abstract observation mingled with descriptions of Astrid's life to crreate the world of a young girl who is trying to leave her mother behind while at the same time attempting to finally understand the woman who shaped her - and herself. Astrid's travels through LA foster homes are a journey of self discovery which will hold the reader spellbound....
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Summary: Educatingly entertaining about the school of "hard-knocks"
Review: What a great book! If you feel that you've been dealt a lousey hand in life, you've GOT to read this book. If you feel that you've lead a charmed life, you've GOT to read this book. I read this book 2 months ago and I think of the characters every day. It's a real eye-opener about children that aren't soothed and coddled and taken care of properly by their mother. Also will make you realize what foster children have to live through. Very, very good book. It will make you appreciate your loving family OR it will make you realize you are going to "make it" and you'll be a stronger person because of your struggles. READ THIS BOOK
This young lady has gone though alot of changes in her life just to survive and because of her selfcentered mother.
This is a story of growing up in foster care and some of the care-giving families are a lot less than desired. Her young eyes see murder, abuse, pornography, prostitution, drug use, alcoholism, etc, etc.
This is a bit of a dark story but I highly recommend reading it because once you start reading, it's very hard to put down mostly because you really want this young woman to make it.
Rating:
Summary: A fabulous page-turner .....................................
Review: A wonderful book by a highly talented author, which I found hard to put down. The book tells the story of Astrid, a teenage girl who is placed in the foster care system because her mother has been imprisoned for the murder of a lover. It follows the story of Astrid's journey from one foster home to another and how her experiences transform her into the young woman she finally becomes. Through letters and the occasional visit, the novel deals with the relationship between Astrid and her struggle to break free of her callous and manipulative mother. Through adversity and the people that impact on her life, she emerges a remarkably courageous young woman and a woman her mother could never become. Janet Fitch has written an engrossing book - her writing is superb. I highly recommend this book - it is a wonderful first novel.
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Summary: Enthralling
Review: I had heard what a great book this was, but I expected it to be yet another mushy "daughter and mother mend their relationship" book. Surprise! This was an amazing story. There was nothing sappy about this book, and the way Ms. Fitch presented every detail made it impossible to put down. It was both disturbing and believable, and I felt a certain amount of empathy for all of the characters, including the mother, Ingrid. I look forward to reading more from her.
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Summary: A study in feeling sorry for yourself
Review: I found this book to be completely realistic. Astrid would be a nine on the enneagram study. Someone who looks at people, idealizes them and tries not to look further than that first idealized glimpse. That was her problem, when she was forced to look beyond that. These people have little interest in themselves as individuals, and look more to their idealized icons. I liked her and didn't like her, she reminded me of a friend I had. The truest thing about her character was the fact that she would attach herself to anyone who would give her love. That is demonstrated repeatedly, first with Ron, then with Olivia and then with Claire. Especially with Claire, I felt all the clues were there, and she just didn't help her. She felt that Claire's husband should have, anyone but her. Actually I didn't really like her character. But, I've always thought that a good book was one that could make the strange look familar, and familar things look a little strange, so that was why I liked it. The language was also beautiful.
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Summary: I would give it more than 5 stars!!!!! Gorgeous, poetic.
Review: I cannot stop thinking about this book and I finished it more than a week ago! I cannot wait to read it again. And now every- thing I have read since, pales in comparison. It was one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read- the language flowed so poetically, so naturally. I cannot wait to see what else this author writes. I love her style, she could write about anything and turn it into something beautiful, bittesweet.
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Summary: You'll be surprised how quickly you read this page turner!
Review: A great read. I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for Ms. Fitch's next book!
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Summary: DELIVERS YOU WHOLE BUT LEAVES YOU HAUNTED!
Review: Janet Fitch does a fabulous job of engrossing you in the characters of this book. Her style is both smooth and poetic. Bravo! This story will reach into your deepest thoughts and experiences only to pull you into a totally new direction. This novel is a must read by anyone who has experienced hardship or is simply challenging the journey of life. It will definately make you take a second glance at the importance of building and sustaining relationships.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVED IT!!!!
Review: This was a wonderful book. This is a story about an interesting and strong young girl who journeys through one foster home after another and the relationship between her and her equally interesting mother who is in prison. As an avid reader of a variety of books, I am often amazed by how seldom I find a book that I really enjoy and that I feel is really a great book. This is one of those books. I have found myself thinking about the characters days after I have finished the book and even after having started a new one. I would recommend this book to anyone, regardless of what style book you "normally" like to read.
Rating:
Summary: great for a fast, EASY read
Review: Deeper than the average airport novel w/ the ideas it raises about aesthetics vs. morality. Set all over Los Angeles, we see a cross section of America. There are racists in the valley, wealthy Yale-educated inhabitants of the Fred Segal shopping region, hippies and Christians and alcholics to the east. As someone who must live where she is placed, the foster-child/ painter Astrid must discover her own identity apart from class, location, violence or influence. She is a phoenix who rises from ashes. I read this in two days. Novels like this are so much fun. They require none of the work that authors like Morrison (for the Opera reading crowd) or Faulkner or Woolf require.
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