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Summary: You will feel at home in this world .....
Review: This story will captivate you. I was drawn into this world by the brilliant voice that Michael Cunningham writes with. I felt as though he were reading it to me himself. The situations are real, the tone is perfect and the characters are people that I enjoyed living with the few days it took to read. Their journey and growth was wonderful as this book unfolded complicated situations and real people. This is a book I highly reccommend. You will be thoroughly satisfied.
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Summary: Fun to read, but without any distinctiveness
Review: After reading "The Hours," I couldn't get my hands on another book by Michael Cunningham fast enough. The description on the back of this book had a sort of Oprah-esq quality to it, but I reserved my doubts and started the book. It is addictively written - for the first half of the book I was engrossed in the lives of the characters and intrigued by everyone Cunningham introduced. Sometime during their time in New York, however, I began to feel that the book had become predictable and usual. I don't think he introduces anything new in this book - the outcome is mildly obvious, and the characters start to loose their distinctiveness. I wound up feeling no concern for what became of them - no one ever seems to change or to seek any change. I lost my sympathy for and interest in these characters at the end; in a way they had become stereotypes from the 1980s (if there is such a thing). Nonetheless, I do think he can be a beautiful writer, and at times it can be a pleasure to read.
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Summary: Another beauty from M. Cunningham
Review: I read "The Hours" last year, and I was enthralled. I decided to pick this one up, hoping for the same lyricism, and I was not disappointed. Michael's writing pulls the reader in and won't let go, and had me nodding my head "yes" to many of the inner thoughts of the characters. Hurry up and write another, Mr. Cunningham!
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Summary: Good Retelling of an Old Story
Review: I'm of two minds about this book. On one hand, the penmanship of the author is exquisite. He manages a seductive, haunting style of prose that leaves one unable to put it down. Few authors manage a book that is written so poetically, and yet does not leave one wading helplessly in detail after detail. To a great extent, Cunningham has mastered just that. My disappointment, however, comes from the content of the story. While written exquisitely, each character and their history is drawn in perfect stereotype-- anyone familiar with cultural narratives can easily predict exactly what's going to happen chapters ahead of where they are reading. The resulting novel is existential fatalism in the guise of hope. Rather then break NEW ground, create NEW stories, and explore NEW dynamics, the primary driving force in this novel is simple expectation. I realize many would argue that this is not a bad thing-- however, I feel I must say this because I was allured into reading the novel because its press lead me to believe that it was something exploratory. My only reason for not rating this book lower is that it is quite good for what it is-- regardless if I personally disliked it. In short, A Home's saving grace was its flow. As far as looking at new possibilities regarding the family and society, contemporary lesbian fiction and womanism once again has shamed the competition. If you want fresh outlooks read Alice Walker's 'The Temple of My Familiar,' or for you sci-fi buffs Marge Piercy's 'Woman on the Edge of Time.'
Rating: 
Summary: Detailed & moving
Review: I was really amazed with Cunningham's skills with THE HOURS, so I figured his debut would offer some of the same emotional qualities. I was not disappointed. Cunningham is slowly becoming my favorite contemporary novelist & definately a writer who is only at his start. A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD is just as ambitious & character-driven as his haunting trio of voices in THE HOURS. This time, Cunningham focuses on two men, Bobby & Jonathan, who are extremely different than each other but are constantly questioning their existence and importance in a self-absorbed 1980s culture. Personally my favorite character was Alice, especially in the early '70s section. Again, Cunningham writes from a female perspective realistically--giving the suffocating feel of housewife bordem relatable ties to Jonathan's constricting sexuality, Bobby's obsession with music, & Clare's narracissim. Although at times overlong & ill-paced, a truly great & admirable novel.
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Summary: SO-SO
Review: This novel is a pleasure to read, but it's not the work of a skilled craftsman. Cunningham is rather obvious, sometimes, with regard to plot, and his characters are mildly intriguing without being altogether plausible or 3-dimensional.
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Summary: A wonderful read.....
Review: I am in awe of Cunningham's fluid style and mastery of the English language for a contemporary novel. His description of emotions, scenes and characters is impressive; either sparse or detailed, but always spot on. Each of the four main characters literally jump out of the pages and the multi-dimensional quality that Cunningham imbues them with is the cornerstone of this excellent novel. The story spans half a lifetime but pacing is erratic in parts and the adult Bobby could do with a little more depth. This is one book that I would read again to savour the evocative writing that conjures scenes of pain and joy, feelings of expectation and disappointment, like few other works of fiction I have read. Read it and enjoy!
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Summary: Engrossing, satisfying, deeply imagined
Review: The friend who recommended this book to me called it "a perfect novel." I was skeptical, especially when I read the plot synopsis on the back cover--it sounded trendy and just 'way too 90s for me. But lucky for me, I trusted my friend, so I got to live for awhile in the wonderful world that Michael Cunningham has created. First, the writing is simply magnificent; I don't think there's a weak or false sentence anywhere in the book. This is rare prose--lyrical and restrained. Second, I think that Cunningham knows every one of his characters inside out--he knows more than he tells us--because these people are utterly real and convincing. This book is packed with beautiful insights into the human condition, but they are completely embodied in the characters. Finally, the story is vividly and compellingly told--you'll stay with it to the satisfying end. As to the controversy over the various voices, I agree with the previous reviewer. My friend said this is a perfect novel. I agree. How often do you get to say that?
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Summary: idealism, love, friendship, & the 80's
Review: I've just finished re-reading this book and had to put my two-cents in. The four voices Cunningham uses to tell his story are facinating, well-drawn and unique characters. I've read some reviews of this book criticizing Cunningham's "lack of voice" in differentiating character, but nothing can be further from the truth. While reading, pay attention to, say, the difference between Bobby's "inner monologues" and his tone, word choice, etc. in conversations. The difference between the two is intentional, and paints a very real and empathetic picture of Bobby and how he feels about life and about himself. Blah blah blah. Sorry, but I really adore this book. It's a wonderful look at idealism, love, friendship, and the 80's
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Summary: Light and Enjoyable
Review: Instead of rehashing all that's good with this novel (and there is a lot) I'll simply focus on its one major problem: that this novel, told from several different first-person perspectives, never changes tempo. Simply put, all of the characters speak identically. And this was disturbing. Clearly, Bobby and Claire have distinct personalities. So why was it impossible to differentiate between them? A novelist who attempts to tell his tale through multiple voices has a tough road ahead of him. In terms of storytelling, Cunningham succeeds. In terms of voice, he has a ways to go.
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