Vinegar Hill

Rating:
Summary: A beautifully crafted, thoughtful read.
Review: It's of little importance whether you agree with Ellen's decision at the end of the book, or if the family's "secret" was easily discernible. Read VINEGAR HILL for its elegant writing style and carefully developed characters. Prepare yourself for a disturbing, sometimes shocking story that speaks to the long range, often generational effects of physical and verbal abuse. An evocative account of domestic discord at its worst. One of the better Oprah picks. Don't miss it.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful prose, but a bit depressing
Review: I am a voracious reader, and read about 2-3 books a week. I bought this book on the advice of a good friend and also because it was a selected Oprah book club book. The prose was very good, and although I enjoyed the way Ansay wrapped the words around my mind, the story remained a very depressing black cloud on the whole. I was not happy at what should have been the happy end. I felt even a bit empty after reading this book. It is the first book of Ansay's that I have read, so I will try another and hope that the bittersweet taste in my mouth is dulled.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: Superbly written and thought-provoking. A very balanced and fair treatment of the characters with just enough of a look at their motivations to provide an understanding which leaves each open to a personal and subjective impression. I will definitely read more from A.Manette Ansay. Brilliant.

Rating:
Summary: A huge disappointment
Review: After seeing Ms. Ansay interviewed on Oprah I couldn't wait to buy this book and read it. What a disappointment. What a bunch of losers. I know people like this exist, even today, but why would we want to read about them? A good book should provide us with some reason to read it. This has none, and I felt like I'd been duped. I feel pity for people who live like that, but also feel disgust at their weakness. I would not want Ellen for a friend. I would not trust her to do the right thing in a difficult situation. They are drowning in their own self-pity. Why glorify it by writing about it?

Rating:
Summary: DEPRESSING AND WASTE OF TIME
Review: Do not waste your time with this one. The entire read is predictable and a downer. A narrow story with bleak circumstances and setting. Not full length novel material. Cut down it would be a good short story at best.

Rating:
Summary: A rare find, a very special book!
Review: The author is a genius! Bravo! She writes about how people think, what they do and mostly do not say, and I couldn't put it down! The story is sad, bitter-sweet and finally the reader is cheering at the end for the herione as she breaks out of the rut she's in. Enthralling and wonderful! Write more please! Don't wait, buy this book today!

Rating:
Summary: Can't say I enjoyed it, but....
Review: I had a hard time putting this book down because it was as well-written as it was depressing. I was so pleased when Ellen finally got the gumption to make arrangements to leave that pit of hell and useless husband. Remember, this was set 20 or more years ago, in a small backwards town where these family secrets and abuse were tolerated and not spoken of. Look how everyone - EVERYONE - was against Ellen's leaving, her own sisters, the clueless priest. One of the reasons I stopped attending church was that backward attitude.

Rating:
Summary: Reality and hope packed in the pages of lyrical prose
Review: This is a powerful book, with the reality some of us don't know -- and would rather not touch -- packed into the pages of Ansay's lyrical prose. This book is not for the faint of heart, but an edifying and worthy read. One of Ansay's greatest gifts is allowing her readers to see why characters act as they do: you may despise a character in one chapter, then pity them in the next as Ansay let's you into to the psyche of their despair. The portrait of Ellen's suffering, and ultimate struggle with her future, allowed me to walk in the steps of her and her family, teaching me about a life I hadn't known. As with all of Ansay's work, I read this in a few sittings. When you're done with it, pick up RIVER ANGEL then MIDNIGHT CHAMPAGNE, as each introduces you to characters that will break your heart and put it back together all in one read. With the backdrop of life's struggles and decisions, she always presents her readers with the light of hope we all look for at the end of the day.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put It Down
Review: I am a very busy person but I made time for this book. I read it cover to cover in 3 days. The story was very eye-opening about how quick people are to accept the ways of society just because "it's the way things are". The story made me what to jump through the pages and shake the main character and scream "hello--do what makes you happy! " I really felt for what the characters were going through and I kept on reading hoping they would somehow get a happy life. The only draw back to the book was that there isn't anything really uplifting going on. I myself am getting married in a few months and this book gave an interesting perspective on what unhappy married life can be like it made me pull back and make sure I was doing the right thing--and I am!

Rating:
Summary: challenging read!
Review: With two children in my life, this was one of the first books I have sat down to read in years. I absolutely agree this book is dark and at sometimes confusing, but it really brings to life the time, place and personalities of the characters. There were many times I found myself screaming out loud at Ellen to "leave", "get a new life"! The writing is beautiful and after alot of the frustrating events that take place, the ending gives you renewed hope that out of the darkness a wonderful light really can exsist!