Rating: 
Summary: Fundamental truths
Review: I have to say that I had a major laugh over the "reviewer" who thought Rudolph referred to the Christmas song. The reference was, of course, to Rudolph Valentino. It's astonishing what people bring to the reading of any piece of written material. What I brought to Fall On Your Knees was an open mind. And while I might quibble with certain scenes that require too much of an imaginative stretch, what is significant, to me, about this book is its inescapable truth. MacDonald writes so insightfully about abuse that years after the fact I still think about certain moments in the book that are so bang-on that they literally raise the hair on the back of my neck. In particular, the parental history that the author creates is so utterly viable that it made me review my own family's history with a different perspective. And what I saw, as a result of the book was something I previously hadn't considered. Any book that can make one think hard and/or reconsider _anything_ is a book of value. Yes, it is a bit long. But this is definitely worth reading, because the fundamental truth of the pervasive, long-term damage of abuse is well rendered.Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Everything but the kitchen sink
Review: I have yet to read an Oprah's Book Club Selection that I would not recommend. Fall On Your Knees is the exception. After reading the rave reviews, I was looking forward to reading the lengthy novel. Once I began, there were many times that I wanted to put the book on the shelf and not read any further. But then I'd think to myself, 'so many people liked this book, I must be missing something.' Or 'Maybe I haven't gotten to the good part yet.' Well, I just finished the novel, and I never did reach the good part. The plot was absurd and the writing disjointed. Ms. MacDonald raised so many issues- child sexual abuse, physical abuse, suicide, prostitution, murder, incestual rape, homosexuality, just to name a few, but never fully explores or develops any of them. It was if the author were in a contest to create the MOST dysfunctional family. I think the novel would have benefited greatly if its scope had been narrowed somewhat. My last complaint, why after rattling on for 500 pages, must the conclusion be so abrupt. It appears Ms. MacDonald finally grew tired of the absurdity of it all and could not bear to write another word.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful and Unyielding
Review: This book grabs your attention and does not let it go until it has taken you through a highly emotional and fulfilling journey. Anne-Marie MacDonald is an immensely gifted writer who describes each character, event, location and image with such creative talent that you have no choice but to be drawn into their lives. You'll have the tears but also find the laughter. You'll feel their pain. Nonetheless, the journey is worth taking. The book confirms that the truth shall set you free.
Rating:
Summary: An Enthralling Read
Review: I can't believe how completely absorbed I became in the characters. I couldn't wait to discover the family's secrets, and read it enthusiasticaly. Now I'm sorry it's over.
Rating: 
Summary: overrated
Review: I admire the author for writing a 500+ page book. That's admirable. But I thought this book did not live up to its hype. A story about a family in Cape Breton could be fascinating, but this story was just depressing and not that interesting. It didn't keep my attention. I didn't feel for the characters. I thought the story was overdone and overwraught, and I couldn't wait to get it over with. Not a good sign.
Rating:
Summary: Spoilers, answers to some questions here
Review: I just finished this book and felt all the questions were answered at the end and don't understand why some say that things (such as who fathered Kathleen's twins) were left un-answered. I think it was made clear James fathered the twins, and the "Kathleen = Rose" meant that both were musical prodigies, both had parents who were mixed race and one parent was from a wealthy family who abandoned (or considered "dead") their child after the union. Rose's mother was the "well-wisher" who wrote the note to James because she did not want Kathleen's career to out-shine Rose's, who went on to become a big jazz artist. I don't understand why it is said "you never know who fathered Kathleen's children" when it states at the end that Lillie and Ambrose are on a branch that is between Kathleen and James. Even before the end James found Kathleen and Rose and "she is lying still now" and he "shudders" and it's just confirmed at the end with the family tree what occurred.
Rating:
Summary: Family dysfunction ; Mesmerizing and Beautiful
Review: This novel is full of things that at times are disturbing and horrific. However, the family "wades" through it all and in the end finds forgivness. This part of the book makes it all the more fasinating. It is unbeleivable but plausable that this family found the strength to realize that is takes more weakness and energy to hate than to love.The characters are so well-developed that I felt like I was living their lives a long with them. I consider this to be one of Oprah's surprise picks. I think her choices are mostly embarassing. This book should be rated in the catagory of Jane Eyre, Tom Sawyer and Wuthering Heights.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, Brutal and Honest
Review: MacDonald's novel is forcefully lyric and (sometimes morbidly) compelling, yet perhaps its chief virtue is the graceful brutality and humanity of her characters. From the haunting and poetic opening paragraph, the novel drew me into the circle of the strangely entrancing Piper family. I've heard the novel compared to a traffic accident, but such a description implies distancing oneself from the novel. I found myself enmeshed far more deeply in the lives of the characters. MacDonald paints unflinchingly honest, yet touching portraits of James, Materia, Kathleen, Mercedes, Francis, Lily and the rest of the population of the novel. Each character is fascinating as an individual and, despite considerable character flaws, sympathetically portrayed. I've rarely encountered a novel in which the characters are so fully rendered that they are at once understood and embraced by the reader. "Fall On Your Knees" cannot fail to remind the reader that there is no human perfection in this world, only the beauty and savagery of the human spirit.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing First Novel
Review: I read this novel, fighting to stay awake at 5 am so I could finish it. It was awful! It was wonderful! If a good piece of work is one that elicits strong emotions, then this is a fabulous piece of work. I finished it a week ago, but the characters are still with me. Powerful, and haunting. Not a light read, but a really satisfying one... will we hear more about Anthony & Lily? I only wish.
Rating:
Summary: Only a depraved mind could enjoy this book
Review: The synopses of this book do not come close to indicating the depravity of mind it must have taken to write the subject matter. The author attempts to make child sexual abuse and incestual rape seem a normal part of family life among 4 sisters and does a pretty good job of making the reader feel sorry for the perpetrator. The resulting "sins" (as the description on the back cover refers to them) will make you nauseated! As far as the "redemption" the back covers refers to - I found none. As the author alludes to child sexual abuse in vague language in early chapters, the reader isn't quite sure that is what is taking place. But, it gets much worse. Death, lies, homosexuality all lead up to incestual rape which leads to more death and child prostitution. I should have followed my instinct about half way through the book -- and burned it!
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