Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read!
Review: This novel is excellent. While the ideas and concepts that the book embraces are not advanced and concrete, they are real and mature concepts. This is a story of people, friends, love, feelings, forgiveness, hope, and relationships.Baldacci's writing is excellent. He makes the characters come alive. While I was reading the book, at times I felt angry, pleased, and proud of the main charater, Lou. Typically, when I read novels, I experience emotions, but not to extremes. However, when I read this book, I cried twice: once from sadness and the other time from happiness. This novel is an incredible drama. It demonstrates that we can only change ourselves in this world, no one else. However, it shows the way that when we change ourselves, other people can be dramatically effected. This book is definitely a must read for people who enjoy realistic dramas. I commend Baldacci for his high level of work. This is the first of Baldacci's books I have read, but I look forward to reading more of his work.
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Summary: A vivid, rich memory of my childhood
Review: This book was wonderful.I also thought it took a bit to "get going" but relaxed and slowed down as the beautiful setting was portrayed. I did a lot of growing up on my own "mountain" and experienced some of what the kids did; mostly the beauty of the place and learning to love the land, learned how to swim in a river, climb rocks & swing off vines (I was a little girl). My grandmom woke before dawn & made the richest smelling coffee in the world! I am now sharing those experiences with my kids. I recommend this book for the simple enjoyment of it and appreciate what Mr. Baldacci has done. Thanks for the memories!
Rating:
Summary: Baldacci novel set to become a classic
Review: What a wonderful book! I couldn't put it down and finished it in two days. The characters are vivid; the setting is poetic yet realistically portrayed. The only flaw is the somewhat hokey ending. HOwever, this is destined to become a classic like Catcher in the Rye. I hope it's made into a movie with Vanessa Redgrave playing Louisa.
Rating:
Summary: A Suprising Read
Review: I'm still trying to figure out why I loved this book. Being a fan of Patterson, Grisham, Deaver, and, in the past Baldacci, I enjoy those "edge of your seat" thrillers where you discover the killer is last person you would ever expect. I looked at Baldacci's "Wish You Well" and honestly thought of one word...Boring. Even after the first 40-50 pages, I was not convinced and almost decided to start Patterson's "Roses Are Red" instead. Lucky for me, I gave it one more night under the reading lamp because, all of a sudden, it became a book I couldn't put down. Don't expect any mysterious killers, crash'em up car chases, or steamy love scenes. Just be ready to enjoy a story that touches each and every emotion you have inside. There's a little courtroom drama involved but the story wins your heart with each character (save one "villain") you are introduced to and eventually live through. Lou, Oz, Louisa, Diamond, Eugene, Cotton, Amanda and even the school yard bully - Baldacci made it seem like you were introduced to each of them with a personal handshake, and not once did I need to go back and try to remember who was who. For those of you who are fans of Baldacci, give this book a chance. However, don't expect the Baldacci of old, and when you're finished, you'll definitely agree it was Baldacci at his best.
Rating:
Summary: A Departure from usual, but excellent nonetheless
Review: I have read all of Baldacci's books (Absolute Power, Total Control, The Winner, The Simple Truth, and Saving Grace, as far as I can remember), and they hold a place of honor on my bookshelves. Wish You Well is a major tangent from his "normal" genre, but it grabs you from the first page and wraps you so tightly into the characters and plot that you don't want to put it down. I don't normally like "sappy" books, but this really isn't one. I shed many tears, though, and could not put the book down. It is gripping, sad, exciting, heartwarming, and triumphant all in one package. I look forward to his next book, be it suspense or another like this.
Rating: 
Summary: a warming portrait from a versatile author
Review: this story was a pleasant diversion from almost everything I've ever read. It was obvious right out of the gate that Baldacci was trying something new and entirely different from all his other stuff . . . thrillers . . . all of which I've read. It was probably the most relaxing, easiest reading I've encountered - I'm the type of guy who keeps "cheat sheets" of all the characters in most books since I tend to put them down for a week or more at a time. This was a pleasant read that didn't require this. the story, more than anything else, is a historical portrait of rural Virginia life circa 1936. And Baldacci paints it beautifully. I can only assume that it is likely quite accurate which seems to be his primary intent in writing this novel. Of course, there is a fictional storyline (orphaned brother and sister from NYC moving in with their great grandmother in very rural Virginia, facing the struggles of it and ultimately an adversary threatening their homestead and deep rooted values), but it actually takes a backseat to the historical and regional portrait that Baldacci has focussed upon. It is moving, and there is humor (solely because of the shear backwardness of the lives of some of the people and their naive ways and thoughts). And the characters are richly portrayed. My only real criticism is that it seems to take a long time for something significant to start actually happening to grab your attention. But again, its the rich geographical and historical portrait being presented that is so rewarding in this book. It doesn't take long at all to start visualizing the characters, feeling their love, pains, etc. which really kept it going for me. Again . . . a wonderful change of scenery from everything else out there.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional
Review: I read one of the reviews on this page and thought I was in English Lit. class. I read a book because I think I will enjoy it's content, characters, and theme not because I wish to critique it. This is one of the best stories I have read (or heard because I listened to the unabridged version). It was superb. The narrator had the southern drawl to her voice that made it more interesting. I belive that Mr. Baldacci had exactly the right amount of character and setting development. You could actally picture the characters and the mountains of Virginia. I hope he writes another novel along the same genre as this. It was truly a pleasure to listen to it.
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Summary: GREAT STORY FULL OF HEART
Review: After reading the Simple Truth, I read Saving Grace, and was thrilled to hear of Wish You Well. This story draws you in to the family, and doesn't let go. Lou and Oz are ordinary kids faced with some really harsh times. This creative tale blends enough emotion and reality, with the cast so diverse, you can almost feel them breathing. It may be a tad predictable, but it has just enough suspence to keep the pages turning. Think I'll backtrack and read Absolute Power next.
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Summary: Hardly "Dullsville"
Review: I read through some of the reviews of this book after reading it, and while some gave it the credit it deserved, others simply insulted it, calling it dull, boring, and hardly a "page turner". I, however, have not read some of the suspense books also written by this author, therefore I had nothing to compare it to, but I thought it was an excellent book. It was in the same line as To Kill A Mockingbird, as both are well-written books about the human experiences. Now coming from a teenager, this all might sound like just one small person's opinion. I recommend you read this book yourself and come to your own conclusions. I was just one of the many people who did enjoy it very much.
Rating:
Summary: Warm Fuzzies
Review: This was such a special book that it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling all over. I thoroughly enjoyed the sweet story and although some may call it "corny," I call it heartfelt and well written. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to get away from it all for a while. I'm glad Baldacci got to write the book he really wanted to write. To bad for so many if us aspiring writers that you already have to be a best-selling author to do so.
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