Five Minutes in Heaven

Rating:
Summary: Totally, TOTALLY gripping
Review: I can see why some readers would be put off by this book. The stress on feminism and lesbianism is insistent (though not nearly as unsubtly so as in some of Alther's other books), and the characters are quite cliched - polite Southerners, aloof Northerners, sensitive gays, sophisticated but tricky Parisians and the like. At the same time, the passion and love that are the book's main subject and the light, understatedly dramatic writing style used to depict them are such that the reader will forget about the cliches and be drawn into the story, which is totally, totally gripping. Like the love it describes, Alther's novel has a haunting, obsessive quality which I have seldom seen surpassed in other works of fiction. A modern classic!

Rating:
Summary: Enticing, enjoyable novel...
Review: I found "Five Minutes In Heaven" to be a compelling and enjoyable read. This novel was intriguing, even if a bit dark. The story was somewhat sophisticated and off the beaten path, which is what I liked about it, though not everyone would relate. This definitely isn't a book that stays within the confines of "mainstream" perspective. Rather, it explores sexuality and a woman's search for love, as well as for her self, from a place that exists outside conventional, conservative dogma. Because of that, I found it refreshing, unique and terrific.

Rating:
Summary: Enticing, enjoyable novel...
Review: I found "Five Minutes In Heaven" to be a compelling and enjoyable read. This novel was intriguing, even if a bit dark. The story was somewhat sophisticated and off the beaten path, which is what I liked about it, though not everyone would relate. This definitely isn't a book that stays within the confines of "mainstream" perspective. Rather, it explores sexuality and a woman's search for love, as well as for her self, from a place that exists outside conventional, conservative dogma. Because of that, I found it refreshing, unique and terrific.

Rating:
Summary: No Wonder There Were 7 copies at the used bookstore!
Review: Sorry to bring down the average on this book, but I HATED it. It was depressing, and extremely ODD. For those cynics in the crowd, you may want to read it just for a laugh. The book was plagued by death, and lesbianism. Everyone this poor woman loved, died. The book had no redeeming value WHATSOEVER and seemed not to have a point. If you're hoping to find a poignant author, this is not the woman. My advice: stick with Barbara Kingsolver and Fannie Flagg.