Rating: 
Summary: Good, but something missing
Review: The book was good, but in the end I realized something was really missing for me. What was it? The story was great, a Coca-Cola sales rep, flying over Africa on a business trip is on a plane which develops smoke in the cockpit, and is forced to make an emergency landing in the unwelcoming country of Congo, on a remote landing strip. This opening section of the book, with the plane crash landing was one of my favorites, I think it's what grabbed me, and kept me turning the pages. The passengers at first think they are going to be rescued, but their would-be rescuers turn out to be rebels who take the plane hostage, again there was great suspense through this part. Lewis, the title character becomes scared the plane is going to be blown up, and runs off into the jungle... Back home his estranged wife Helen, and seven year old blind son Shane wait for news. Soon after Lewis runs off Murphy's law kicks in, and the passengers are freed, and sent back to Paris. Ahh. But there is no Lewis in Paris because he has run off into the forest. Here, I was reminded of the movie castaway, where Helen is being pressured to believe Lewis is dead, and to just have the memorial... Instead Lewis is fighting for his life in the jungle, and instead of a soccer ball like Tom Hanks had in Castaway Lewis picks up a little kid who guides him through the rest of the book...During Lewis's time in the jungle Helen decides to pack up her son (this pushed my bounds of belief, as she was so neurotic about him in the states, I found it hard to believe she was bringing him to the wild's of Africa) and head to Africa in search of Lewis. She does this twice in the book. I won't tell you how it all comes out, but the ending was a bit implausable to me as well. So all the elements are here for a five star book, but I guess what was missing was my connections to the characters. I couldn't really see Lewis's attachement to Helen, and Vice Versa. Having said that, I did flip through the pages, and read the whole thing in one day, so it does grip you, and moves along quite quickly... I guess after I finished I just wasn't as satisfied as I wanted to be.
Rating:
Summary: Curve Ball
Review: The number of reviews contained here about The Curve of the World is indicative of the effect this book will have on the reader. It is a stunning first novel, able to pull the reader into a journey that is both harrowing and illuminating. I am not going to rehash what others have already said concerning the book--for it is all that is said--but I will add that I was captivated. I truly escaped into the story. The one thing that bothererd me, though, is trying to figure out why Helen goes to such lengths to find Lewis. There is very little in the book that creates a feeling that even once upon a time the couple were truly in love. The relationship is in tatters, with Helen preoccupied with raising their blind son, but nowhere do I feel they ever shared a real bond. Hence, it is difficult to swallow what Helen does to find Lewis. Still, the book is worth the time as it is other-worldly.
Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't live up to premise
Review: The premise makes the book sound exciting: a businessman forced to survive in Africa after the plane he is on crashes. However, the plot doesn't live up to that, being a repeated series of hero gets lost in jungle, hero stumbles across some soldiers, hero gets away from soldiers, hero is lost in jungle again.... Meanwhile, his wife (with apparently unlimited resources) is flying back and forth across the Atlantic repeatedly in order to look for him, taking their blind son along as well.
That being said, the audio version of the book is well-done, with the reader doing a good job with making all the voices distinctive and believable.
Rating:
Summary: Above Average First Effort
Review: This is a rather pleasing novel that started as adventure and ended in heart-tugging emotion. I don't think it's as bad as some reviewers make it out to be, but I understand the criticism, especially if you're looking for action and suspense. Those moments are rare. CURVE OF THE WORLD is really a love story portraying hope and rebirth. Helen searches for her husband, Lewis, lost in the wild jungle amidst warring primitive people in Central Africa. Both encounter personal challenges to their survival but the memories, dreams, and images of the other helps keep each alive. They each experience times when their own beliefs and values are challenged but their blind son Shane keeps them both going by his honest vision of the world. My guess is we will hear from Marcus Stevens again. Although this first novel won't break any sales records, it is thought-provoking and stylish enough to attract a faithful audience willing to read him again. I am included in that group.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic book
Review: This is honestly one of the best books I've enjoyed in a long, long time. I listened to the audio version, and it was a well told story with an excellent plot and really touched me. Great book- give it a read.
Rating:
Summary: Missing the Curve...
Review: This was one of the blandest books I've ever read. Kept reading and reading just to see how all the weird dreams and signals would come together. Nothing. I wanted so much for Lewis to find his way by using his non-seeing senses. This would've been his way of finally bonding with his blind son. It also would've made me care more about whether Lewis ever got back to his son. The characters were transparent and the story predictable. I want to be surprised when I read an adventure like this! I learned nothing new about Africa. I didn't care about the characters. I've read much better books set in the Congo that have me right there with the characters. It was as if Mr. Stevens' editors cut all the visceral descriptions to make room for something else, but I don't know what, exactly. Try again, Mr. Stevens. I want to take a trip when I read. Make me forget I'm reading a story. Feed me an experience.
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