Amy and Isabelle

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Summary: The book was beautifully written, interesting and memorable.
Review: I loved this book. The characters were well drawn and interesting and the story totally drew me in. I couldn't put it down.

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Summary: wonderful writing but lots of loose ends and red herrings
Review: I have great admiration for the writing in this first novel, and there is no question about Strout's talent, or future. And I will seek out her next book, and the one after. But this novel just didn't deliver all that it promised. There are too many red herrings and loose ends and Omens and Portents that foreshadow events without actually illuminating anything. I just didn't understand, in the end, certain key plot elements. Nervous tics of the fledgling, perhaps. Dan Menaker is a wonderful writer and a terrific editor but he could have/should have brought his own editing genius to bear on Strout's brilliant but undisciplined talent. It would have been a better book. It should have been a better book.

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Summary: AN ABSOLUTE GEM!!
Review: This book is now one of my top ten of all time. It is very remniscent of the writing of Alice Hoffman and even a little bit like Alice McDermott. I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, and that is what good reading is all about. I was so sorry to finish this fine work. A warning, though. Anyone who likes fluffy fiction and romance novels should not take this one on. A novel like this is an acquired taste, something you appreciate only after years of reading good fiction. I give this book the most enthusiastic of recommendations and look forward to future novels from Elizabeth Strout.

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Summary: exquisite courage
Review: This is a not only an exquisite mother/daughter story, but a story of how quickly any life can be ruined by random moments of self interest. It's also about how people manage to go on living their ruined lives, day by day. It's a quiet story of courage.

Rating:
Summary: a fair first effort
Review: I agree with the customer comments by [e-mail]. Specifically, I got tired of reading about the gastroenterology of the characters. There must be more to these characters than their guts. Reading this book made me appreciate Jane Hamilton's books even more--they're flawless and the characters are so beautifully portrayed. Jane Hamilton is better at writing about disturbing events. On the plus side, some of the observations about mothers and daughters were insightful and worth reading. I was surprised to read the glowing book reviews in the NY Times, New Yorker, etc. It was the New Yorker review that promted me to read the book. I was heartened by some of the customer comments which brought out some of the things that bothered me or didn't occur to me. Thank you.

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Summary: A must read for any mother with a teen daughter.
Review: I am 70 years old and I adored this book. I have known people like Amy and Isabelle. I know women who with harsh words and not remembering their own youth have said harsh and cruel things to their children. We are often to quick to judge and be rightous.

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Summary: Incredible! One of the best!
Review: Amy and Isabelle is wonderful. The characters are well developed and believable. I couldn't put it down. I even carried it into the supermarket so I could read in the check-out line. I too, am reminded of Alice Hoffman and Anna Quildlan. It is a must read!!!

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Summary: Touching, beautiful story...
Review: Reading Amy and Isabelle is a magical experience. Strout weaves a wonderful tale and her storytelling is rich. The words take you beyond the page and into the lives of Amy and Isabelle and their complex mother-daughter relationship. I could see their house, picture Amy and Stacy in the woods, Mr. Robertson in his car, Fat Bev at her desk, and all the wonderful cast of characters. Strout superbly ties in all story lines, from Dottie's UFO to the stolen coins and jewelry, and draws you into the world of these people. I was touched by this book, and it is a reading experience I will treasure.

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Summary: This book touched me in every way possible.
Review: I bought this book on a Friday afternoon, and was done with it on Sunday morning. I loved every single page, and cannot stop telling my friends to read it. Elizabeth Strout reminded me a lot of Alice Hoffman. If you enjoyed this book, you should really try reading some of Hoffman's work.

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Summary: Great characters in a richly textured world
Review: The best things about Amy and Isabelle are the characters. From quiet Isabelle to shy Amy even to the distant Avery Clark, I cared about all of them. I looked forward to being with them, and ached for them when they made mistakes. Good people all, trying to get along in an imperfect world. Ms. Strout places her characters in a richly textured world. The sights, colors, smells and sounds are vivid and real. I finished the book with a renewed appreciation for the fragility of life.