Rating: 
Summary: Let's talk dysfunctional families!!!
Review: This is a book that needs to be read.
It's a strange mix of negative family situations.
I would give this story 5 stars except I did not like the "extremely clever" writing. It made the book a strain to read, at times. It's a story that makes you read and think and use imagination.
The story starts at the beginning of the 1900s and takes the reader through Lebanese traditions and religious inter marriage as well as inter racial relationships.
Experience the trials that a young, self absorbed, female vocalist goes through to become a success in her field.
A small part of this story also reflects what a woman jazz musician goes through to be accepted in a man's profession.
Here's a book that is hard to put down and that I, for one, am very glad that I read.
It's a story of a struggling, lonely, young man that starts a family. Watch the downward spiral of many lives and relationships through abuse, neglect, incest, murder, rebellion, bootlegging, "speak easy" clubs, jealousy, and so much more.
I highly reccommend reading this book. It will open a readers eyes to some of life's sad realities.
Rating: 
Summary: Another great Oprah Book.
Review: This book has many twist and turns that will keep you wanting go on with it. At first I wasn't too sure about the book, I felt at times it got a little bit too weird, but towards the last 200 pages of the book it really picked up for me. The story line is beautiful written about the Piper family and how over the years each charactor changes. The Piper family doesn't quite seem normal from the start of the book, but you get to know them and get to understand them. Each of the characters has there weaknesses and strenghts and the author seem to convey them to you at certain points in the book, making you want to get to know each of them better. Towards the end of the book I felt that I knew Frances, Mercedes, Lily, James, and all the rest of the family very well. But there was still part of me that wanted to know more of what happen to them and what will happen. Overall this was another one Oprah's great selections and I can't wait to read more from this author.
Rating:
Summary: Not an easy read but definetly worth your time
Review: Overall I enjoyed this book. If you enjoy novels that are epic in scope, spanning several years and those that do not reveal everything to the reader at once you'll most likely enjoy this book. "Fall on Your Knees" definetly meets those characteristics. It is only after you delve deeper into the novel that the pieces begin to come together. This book is very well written although the subject matter is dark and many will find it to be depressing. I gave the book four stars mainly because I like the way the story was told, and not so much because I couldn't put the book down. If you are a somewhat impatient reader and are looking for a fast read, this probably isn't the book for you as you will probably become bored with all the detail in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Gets under the skin...
Review: Ann-Marie MacDonald's first novel, Fall on Your Knees, rose to the top of many readers' lists when Oprah chose it for her book club this winter. Not knowing what to expect from this generational tale of a Nova Scotia family, I jumped into the novel completely unprepared for the dark, twisting tale of the Piper clan. Each chapter twisted my own expectations and definition of the term family, which I believe was MacDonald's intent. James Piper, raising himself after the loss of his parents, steals the heart of teenage Materia. When they marry despite her parents' refusal, Materia exiles herself completely from her family forever. Though she loves James fiercely, the repercussions of this first decision resound in the lives of her children. Each daughter forges an unusual relationship with their father, and some are absolutely repulsive and some admirable. Because the family is virtually alone, there is no chance for rescue or redemption. The novel isn't an easy read, but it was a definite page-turner. A few scenes seemed unbelieveable, but overall, a great read...
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful read..
Review: I'm so glad that I took a chance on this book! It has been a long time since I have read one that is truly well written. There are enough reveiws here for most to understand the jist of the story so I won't go into the plot, but I cannot say enough how beautifully written this book is. It is not "lite" reading, infact I was choking back tears through most of it. You become so attached to each character and it brings out many emotions, which is a sign of a good book. The subject matter is heavy and the story is so very tragic, but it is so beautifully told, pure poetry, and that is why it is so compelling. I think all the questions are answered in the end, some of it was predictable (ie. Jame's fathering the twins) and some it was surprising (Rose) and just when you think the story is ending, we get an excerpt from Kathleen's diary that is just delightful to read. Imagine a young, passionate woman experiencing the turn of the century New York for the first time. I read the book so fast and furiously that I am sure I missed many of the nuances. I can't wait to read the book again in a year or so!
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: "Fall to Your Knees"
Is about sexual abuse, violence, incest, wife beating, murder, adultery, prostitution, homosexuality and racism..... If that doesn't catch your interest.... The superb, unique, unusual writing will. Diary segments, poetry, Gaelic, Lebanese, Afrian American, English cultures... All tangled together like a Picasso Painting...What the hell is what??? Where does this head go, that leg??? MacDonald holds back nothing, absolutely nothing... Just lets the words rip and roll and flings the reader into an extraodinary,
Horrifying world of madness, sin, and darkness. Fall on your Knees is not what you'd expect...nothing is expected,predictable, or easy to figure out. If you do not care for roller-coaster rides, I would recommend that you sit this one out.
Rating: 
Summary: This is why I hesitate to read an Oprah book
Review: I've learned a long time ago not to grab every book that Oprah recommends. I took a chance with "A Fine Balance" and loved it, loved, loved it, so, I said, "Self, why not try "Fall on your Knees"? Why not indeed? This isn't the worst book I've read but when you expect something decent and don't get it, it's worse than a poorly written book that you had no expectations for. I didn't like the writing style, I couldn't believe what the father did (not because I didn't think him capable, but because there was no effective characterisation to support it; neither was there effective characterisation to support the oldest daughter and what she does/is), the author's revelations were primarily based on huge omissions and I didn't care about any of the characters. This book just didn't do it for me. Read "A Fine Balance" instead and get your money's worth.
Rating:
Summary: What a book!
Review: As usual,Oprah's selection is a tough read. But I loved this one. The integration of "religion" and "reality" was masterfully done. And the way the author followed the children of this family kept me interested and intrigued all along the way. Wonderful characters!!! This is a masterful author who must have been enmeshed with the characters to come out with such a powerful story.
Rating: 
Summary: A tedious read
Review: This is possibly the most disgusting book I have ever tried to read and the only one I can think of that I quit on half way through. I can see no redeeming qualities in the plot or the characters. I really don't understand the four star reviews.
Rating: 
Summary: waste of my time
Review: I didn't even finish this book. after reading almost half of it, I didn't care enough to finish.
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