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Summary: A gripping, dark story about family secrets.
Review: First of all, since I grew up in the area described in the book, it was of special interest to me: I could actually picture the scenes. The story is gripping - couldn't put it down until I finished every page. It's representative of what we don't want to know is out there: family dysfunction, pain, anguish and dispair. But let's be fair: one review mentioned that this was a portrait of the darknes of Nova Scotia. It's a portrait of a hard lifestyle: whether it be coal mining communities in Cape Breton or steel workers in industrial centres in the U.S. These people don't choose these jobs because they're enjoyable - they choose them because they're there, and they have families to support. And it's not just the miners who struggle: it's the whole community. And beyond it all, along with the nice families who all get along and have nice Christmas dinners together, are the families such as portrayed in this novel: the ties that bind are blood, and there's a terrible ambivilance between love and hate; need to be a family and need to destroy each other. The institutions we're supposed to see as the foundation for our lives,such as family, church and community, are sometimes our destruction. Anne-Marie MacDonald makes you live all emotions in her eloquent portrayal of this symphony of discord. I'm not sure I liked how I felt at the end of the novel, but therein lies the talent of the artist. Life is sometimes ugly, and quite frankly, this book left me feeling pretty damned good about my own life. A book that will stand the test of time. But prepare yourself for the voyage.
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Summary: One of the Best I've read ever !
Review: This is a "can't put it down" book. The characters are so real you feel for them. The brilliance of writing was in part by writing so simple and real. A brilliant writer, just when you think you know whats coming next, you don't. There is certain to be someone in this book that each reader will relate to. I seldom read a book twice, but I indend to re-read this one. It is versitile in race, religion,education, and in how different each of the people are and yet so alike. Read it, you'll love it too.
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Summary: Prose at its finest
Review: I had a hard time putting this book down, many a sleepless night with this one!
It is a multigenerational saga of a Nova Scotia family that displays disfunction at its finest. By the end of this book you will be thankful you were not born into that clan!
At times, especially with Frances, I had a hard time keeping track of what is actually happening or what she is fabricating in her mind, but that is my only complaint.
I look forward to reading more of this promising authors work in the future.
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Summary: of course oprah said yes
Review: If I was going to be in isolation for the rest of my days and I was allowed to take three fiction and three non-fiction books, Fall On Your Knees would be a part of my collection. A great story, superbly told, full of insight and hidden treasure.
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Summary: A great read
Review: The book kept me interested even when I put it down. I absolutely loved how the author could take you from the past to the present and sometimes the future of the story without a hitch. It was an excellent read...keeping me one step behind at all times, but never leaving me in the dark. You think you know where it will lead you next...not a chance! Try this book, it's worth reading.
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Summary: Chester's Way
Review: In Chester's Way two friends do everything exactly the same way. They are best friends. At Halloween Chester and Wilson have costumes that match, salt and pepper, two peas in a pod, etc. They cut their sandwiches the same way and life is great! Then along comes Lilly. She has her own way of doing things. At first the boys can't get along with her. She just doesn't understand them. After Lilly does an act of kindness for the boys, they start to understand her a little more. Soon they all become friends, and life is good again. Then along comes.....I like this book because it explains how 2 friends can become 3 with a little work. This book is helpful when a new student comes to class and the other students are a little worried about what will happen to their friends if they start to hang around with the new student. It teaches students good coping skills like: working together, making new friends, finding common interests, etc. Check out Lily, Chester, and Wilson in this wonderful book by Kevin Henkes.
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Summary: Fall On Your Knees Falls Short...
Review: I laud Anne-Marie MacDonald for a beautifully woven, finely crafted novel. I could read her prose forever. But what I cannot get past is the fact that this is typical of an Oprah pick: 500 pages of dysfunction with the requisite rape, incest and misery void of redemption. It seems the modern benchmark for literary greatness is who can pack the most suffering into one long story. Truly great novels leave me wanting more and are marked not by the suffering of the characters, but the degree to which they rise above their circumstances. There are writers who combine well-written novels (which includes careful editing that respects readers' own intelligence) with fully-developed characters in stories that are moving, but ultimately hopeful and inspiring. If you want that mix, try Shade of the Maple ... or other great fiction.
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Summary: Still shaking
Review: I can't remember the last time a novel affected me the way this one did. It is unforgettable and when I finished it I stared around me feeling dazed and disoriented. The drama and the secrets concealed within these pages are unbelievable and the heartwrenching love story that is slowly revealed is unsurpassed. I recommend this highly.
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Summary: Another Oprah
Review: If you like Oprah's picks, then you'll probably like this. To me, it's the same old story of a dysfunctional family, love, hate, incest, abuse, etc.etc. Ann-Marie DacDonald is a skilled writer who will get the reader involved in the ups and downs (mainly downs) of the story. The book is haunting and depressing, but very well-written. When is Oprah going to branch out? There are so many wonderful books out there.
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Summary: riveting reading
Review: I have enjoyed most all of the Oprah books that I have read. This by far is one of the best. I couldn't put it down once I started. I became so absorbed in the story. It is disturbing yet I could feel for each of the characters. You get to know them. James, his wife and three daughters and how their lifes are shaped by a couple of incidents and secrets that shatter everybody's life to some degree. It is interesting to see what develops. I continued to think about this book once I finished it. I felt I knew this family. I highly recommend this book. It can be sad and disturbing to read but stay with it, it is worth it.
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