Vinegar Hill

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Summary: Vinegar Hill
Review: I was very happy to be done with this book! It was torture, with every turn of the page I thought that the main character would get a clue, defend herself, stomp kick whatever it took. I never felt that things would really change for her.

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Summary: sad but realistic
Review: Easy to read, but sad in the way Ellen put up with her family. The realistic part comes in as in many dysfunctional families today, whether it is alcohol or drugs or watever secrets there are from the past, and whoever is in charge of taking care of that family will find it is easier to go along with things than to make waves. Until the one in charge has the strength and courage to escape that way of living, it's unbelievable what the person will put up with.

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Summary: This one requires a bit of chewing.
Review: First, I couldn't put it down. A great read from beginning to end. Second, I was soooo glad when it was over. Like going to the doctor for a shot. Thankfully, it wasn't too long. Vinegar Hill was a painful look at the life of one family. It could have been almost any family, God forbid. But all families have their secrets, don't they. I thought that Ansay did an excellent job of leading the reader through the dark history of this family, without making it read like a text. I appreciated the technique of allowing us a peek inside the minds of each of the characters except Fritz (that would have been interesting). It is an almost apologetic style, sort of "this is why I behave the way I do." However, Ansay's portrayl of God and the Catholic church was harsh to say the least. I'm not a Catholic, but if that was an accurate view of catholic faith and practices, I'm surprised that anyone is. I felt the basic theme of the book was: there is no mercy. God showed no mercy, and the characters showed no mercy or forgiveness toward each other. Chilling through and through.

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Summary: Superb Writing, Bleak Story
Review: This book was a good read, but I cannot believe the story. This book, from what I could tell, was set somewhere in the late 1950's to the early 1960's, because there was mention of Vietnam and specific television commercials. Thank goodness the sexual revolution was shortly to follow, because if it had never taken place, I would run away from home and live in the wilderness like a wolfgirl before my family could ever force me to marry somebody I didn't love. The whole story is about a hopeless situation that Ellen is entangled in, and she doesn't have the guts to think for herself instead of letting a stir-crazy family and a medieval-themed Catholic church brain-wash her into feeling that she's selfish and can't provide for her family. Every male character is chauvinistic and stony when it comes to emotional stability, and every female is ignorant and under their husband's thumb when it comes to independence. The only smart females in this story are Ellen's 11 year old daughter and her divorced friend Barb. Note the word "divorced". That says more than anything for brains in a story like this one. There were times when it seemed that Ellen was finally going to speak for herself, but then she held back because James always made her feel guilty so easily. I would've left long before I watched my mother-in-law and her reclusive sibling go stir crazy. Using God as their excuse for their actions made me nauseous, frankly. I'm a Catholic, but not devout, for I believe there is far too much based on guilt and fear for that religion. After all, if God is so loving and forgiving, why should we be made to fear him so? For anyone who is of that mind set, this book will definitely make you angry and you'll keep wishing Ellen did more to defend her honor. James, too!

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Summary: Save Yourself The Frustration
Review: Not only was this book tedious to read and hard to follow, but I did not sympathize or like any of the characters. Ansay did a good job in creating unlikeable characters, making the tragedies that kept occuring to them seem well deserved. If you are in a good mood, don't spoil it by reading this book.

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Summary: vinagar thrill!
Review: This is only the second book that I have read from Oprah's book club. It will not be my last. Vinagar Hill is a can't put down kind of book that I was able to finish in just 2 days (She's Come Undone took at least 8). Although I have never LIVED with my in-laws I found myself identifying and sympathizing with the main character on many levels. The bond between mother and son as described in this book was also riveting. The only thing I would change about this book is the fact that it ends so openly. Does she actually leave? The author really should think about a follow up on this novel so that we can feel a sense of closure with all of the characters.

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Summary: Save your MONEY!
Review: This is my first experience with this author and I may try another of her books. She is a writer with the ability to expose the very core of her characters with words and phrases that make them shine! Manette Ansay has a rare gift. Her word pictures are a powerful sharing of the sounds, smells, and textures of every day life. I read in hopeful anticipation for a plot that never developed. There was no story. Vinegar Hill is a documentary of the doomed to a lifetime of hell existance of a woman who has zero self worth and no guts. I grew weary of being bounced from character to character and scene to scene which had no relevance other than perhaps to lay the groundwork for what was to be the never to arrive "main event". Alas, the "story" remained flat and uneventful. A sad, deeply depressing book that is not salvaged by the last chapter, last paragraph, or last line. No, New Yorker, it wasn't worth the pain it took to get there. I'm tired of being "tauted" to a "wonderful book" only to end up with junk like this. Next time, I'll wait to read the reviews of the "real readers". Shame on Oprah for this one.

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Summary: Thanks Oprah!
Review: I'm usually not a big Oprah book club fan, but this one is a keeper! As a married mother of two, I find Ellen's courage admirable. It took her sometime, but she finally realized that the situation she was in was not good for her or her kids. I wish the book would have continued to one more chapter so we could find out how Ellen's "New Life" was coming along.

Rating:
Summary: Extremely Frustrating
Review: I cannot get over how frustrated I was while reading this book. There seemed to be no happy moments and worst of all the main character had no backbone. I wanted to reach through the book and slap her. I was so glad when it was over.

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Summary: Something happen, Please!
Review: This book is all wind up and no pitch. Nothing ever happens. People move around but get no where. You never become attached or able to empathize with any of the characters. They seem inert and unable to move. Even after reading the entire book you gain no insight into the characters or even care what happens after the last page has been read. I would not recommend it to anyone. I was totally bored with the book.