Rating: 
Summary: a good book with a shocking ending
Review: The Times of London said this was a book to be read in one sitting. So I did. I was not disappointed. The other reviewers (readers) I generally agree with...even the readers who thought the book earned one star. The gay friend of Isabel's, Edward...his characterization and how he fit into the big picture was done very poorly. I was not sure why Nina would cuckold her sister by making love to Isabel's husband. And readers said they could not grow to like the characters of Nina and Isabel, and I generally agree. Nina was almost totally wrapped up in herself. I found the descriptions of food and feasts and cooking to be a bit on the tedious side. With that being said, the drama mounts slowly but surely in this novel. Especially when Isabel declares there should be a celebration upon Nina leaving, and goes to her beloved garden and clips off a bunch of dahlias...which is something out of her character, and Nina realizes that. Then all of the characters leave to Brighton to pick up ingredients for the feast, and Isabel who has been previously housebound with the new baby slips out. And a tragedy unfolds. I think what made this five stars for me was the last several paragraphs which I was totally unprepared for. The mark of a good thriller or mystery is to do that, and Ms. Dunmore did it.
Rating: 
Summary: Plot and style never manage to mesh
Review: There are some lovely elements to this book, not the least of which is the quality of the prose. Dunmore is clearly a talented writer and well-able to spin a moving tale. However. Despite a promising start, this book about the relationship between two sisters never quite manags to gel. There are elements of a murder mystery, characters that you'd find in a Doris Lessing novel, and a plausible set up to bring the whole cast together. Taken individually, these things are fine, but instead of blending to a harmonious whole, the various aspects undermine each other and I found myself getting irritated by the skeletons in the closet while I was trying to concentrate on the emotional landscape. Too bad.
Rating:
Summary: ........
Review: This book is ok. Kind of a interesting book. I did this book for my book report and I got an A(I used Amazon.com's review).This book is not really good for kids under 13, it have sex scene in it and have a lot of swear.
Rating: 
Summary: I wish I could have read this book more slowly.
Review: This book was so wonderfully written, yet so involving that when I finished it (in two days) I wished I had been able to read it more slowly and savor all of the descriptions. I was taken in and surprised by twists and turns in the plot and I had a hard time deciding which characters I liked and which I didn't. And my opinions changed often during the reading! I would highly recommend this book--it would be a great book group read that would likely provide a great deal of discussion.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful writing
Review: This novel was completely haunting. I didn't even like the main characters of the story but I felt compelled to know what was going to happen. The description is luscious and sensual, particularly when she is describing food. The sex scenes are haunting because they are so dismissive. Even if you read this book only for the beautiful prose, you will find a story that is provacative and understated in its complexity.
Rating:
Summary: Spare and powerful
Review: What is this book about? At first, it seems like an ode to the peaceful rural life. Then, as the mood slowly blackens, it turns to the darker effects of isolation. Then it turns into a mystery and a compelling psychological novel rolled up in one. The writing style is sparse and very effective, so even those not fascinated by the lengthy descriptions of nature at the beginning will be absorbed in the prose. The plot is compelling and well-paced. My only complaint is that the mystery comes and goes too quickly, before the reader is truly drawn in, but this is only a minor problem with a very good novel.
Rating:
Summary: A jewel of a book--a must-read.
Review: While the subject matter of this book may appear at first glance to be a bit melodramatic, the book is an absolute jewel. The writing is beautifully crafted and the book extremely well paced. The story is engaging and multi-dimensional, and the rich writing and fabulous imagery makes this a real gem. Rarely does a book work on so many levels. An absolute must-read.
| 
