Rating: 
Summary: A good read, but...
Review: For the most part, this was a completely engrossing novel. While there were sections that I felt as though I were wading through, I could not WAIT to get to the end of the book to unlock the secret of Lily's mother and Tiberon. On a completely superficial level, this is a great book. But don't think too hard. If you suspend your voluntary suspension of disbelief even for a moment, this story of a white girl shacking up with a family of black women in Klan country in 1964 completely falls apart. So, this is a terrific light read; however, it will neither change your life nor fall into the category of the best book you've ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: An instant favorite!
Review: I could not put this book down and the moment I finished I wanted to flip back to the first page and start all over again! This is a truly beautiful novel.
Rating:
Summary: Easy breezy...
Review: I had to read this book for a College English class. The teacher seemed to really love the book when she read it over the summer so she assigned it to all of the students. Usually when I am assigned a book to read I don't like it as much as when I read books for pleasure. But I did not dislike this book. It was a very pleasent read and I think I would consider reading Kidd's next novel when she releases it.
Once I started the book I found it hard to put it down, and before I knew it I had finished reading the book. It was very easy to read, the pages flew by.
The biggest theme is this novel is mother-daughter love. Although the main character, Lily, does not know her mother in the way that most people would expect, she has a very special connection with her mother.
The novel takes place during the civil rights movement in the 60's. Because of this there is a lot of racism throughout the book. It is a background theme in this novel; not the main theme. But I think it's important to address this in a review about the book. There have been times when I have had to deal with racism. Sometimes people are racist and they don't even realize it. A lot has changed since the 60's, but racism is still a huge problem in America.
There was indeed a lot of silly moments in the book, but I enjoyed the silly moments. The story was very interesting and I found it hard to put down once i'd started it. It took only one night to read. So if you want a pleasant quick read, this is for you. If you want a thought provoking challenging novel, look elsewhere. But every once in a while a book like this is nice, even if you are an English Major who is used to more challenging books.I actually reccomend the Paperback edition for this book. That is something I usually don't do because I love hardcovers, but the Paperback edition comes with an interview with Sue Monk Kidd in the back. If you are reading this book in a Book Club it will give you some interesting discussion questions as well. Now I will rate the book from A-B like I do in all my book reviews: Character Devolpment: B
Plot: A
Thought Provoking C
Suspense: A With an overall grade of a B, this book is not a book that I would take with me to the moon, but it is one that I might consider reading again on a rainy day.
Rating: 
Summary: Another female-bonding story
Review: I should have known better. I am almost always disappointed when I read a book on the best-seller list. I usually use the list as my guide for what not to read. I have yet to read a book with female bonding as the theme that I enjoyed. Female-bonding stories just depress me. A bunch of women who can't function on their own become codependent. At the beginning, Lily was a feisty white fourteen-year-old who springs her black nanny from jail. The two set out on a quest to find a trace of Lily's mother's past. When they reach their destination, the female bonding starts, and the book gets boring. The beekeeping background and the religious rites involving a black Mary don't help. Foolishly, I'm now going to try "Life of Pi," another best-seller with animals. I probably won't like it either.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Grace
Review: This is a sensitive tale of a little girl who tries to gussy up some gumption to do what needs to be done... in her mind. She is not yet old enough to understand the complax world around her and therefore her actions may seem astonishing childlike to some readers. Rightly so, she is a child. The story explores a group of women with an alternate belief in the Virgin Mary. The Mary they invision guides them in a unique way and the girl struggles to touch the reality in which these others seem to live. If you do not like metaphysical tales or you prefer books with lots of action... this may not be the book for you. However, if you like a tale that makes you think and lingers in your mind like a pleasant aftertaste... this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Simply fabulous
Review: What more can you say.......... a beautiful Southern read.
Rating:
Summary: lyrical, poignant, cathartic, moving, perfect
Review: don't listen to those who say that the story is unbelievable or predictable or trite... i believe that they have not lived the sort of life that would allow them to connect to the story or characters. or is it an appreciation of the subtleties of growing up in the south? these things can happen, these things do happen, these things HAVE happened! those who have lived through similar circumstances will connect, immediately and deeply. and if you read the words from inside of that experience, rather than outside of it, they are spellbinding, cleansing, healing and inspiring. if you have ever hurt for love, if you have ever struggled with the ambivalence of guilt and anger, if you have ever been afraid to get up in the morning, this book could change your life. it has changed mine forever. her writing style is beautiful... lyrical & uplifting even through the puddles of sadness. i am inscribing my copy and giving it to my daughter in case i'm ever not there to tell her these things myself...
Rating: 
Summary: Unhappy choice
Review: Having heard great things about this title, I was looking forward to a good read. I will not finish this book, however, and regret purchasing my copy. If you are also sensitive to foul language, please be aware that this book was affronting.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read!
Review: I loved this book - it was not amazing in that "change my life" sort of way - but it is a good read, it keeps you entranced, is well written, and full of interesting information as well...full of layers of meaning it is not, but full of wonderfullness it is.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: After hearing so much positive buzz about this book, I was somewhat disappointed. I found it somewhat silly and predictable. I gave it three stars only because it did keep me mildly entertained and helped pass some time waiting in my doctor's office.
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