Rating: 
Summary: A Very Complex Book
Review: To me, this story represented how an innocent mistake (or was it? ) can change our lives and those around us in a second. Alice was a a very complex character and I went back and forth on is she guilty or is she innocent. She seemed to thrive in prison where she was in awe of the other prisoners and their abilities to spin stories. It was almost like she welcomed any hardship or pain inflicted upon her out of a sense that she deserved it because of Lizzie's death. I was not expecting her marriage to Howard to last, but they stayed to together and both seemed so unhappy at the end of the book. I guess it is coming to terms with life's circumstances and how far from grace they can take us. A very, very descriptive book, but all in all an interesting read. I am surprised they are making a movie of it!
Rating: 
Summary: It sounds like a cliche , but I could not put it down
Review: I think it is rare to get such a sensitive, emotional picture of anguish . The events pull you along, and the language allows the reader a window through which you view the soul of the narrator. A wonderful choice.
Rating: 
Summary: had high hopes
Review: Ms.Hamilton did a great job of grabbing and holding my attention, especially at the beginning, but, ultimately, I was disappointed. The trial scenes were well-written, but predictable, as was the relationship between Howard and Theresa. I felt like the novel's main work needed to be the impact of Lizzie's death on the main characters, but all was interrupted by the jail stay and trial. Each issue, child death and child sexual abuse deserves a novel all of its own. But I felt neither was adequately dealt with because the other was always in the way, demanding the reader's attention.
Rating:
Summary: Little 6 Year Old Rob is the Real Victim
Review: Review: A MAP of the WORLD for Amazon.com (2/2/00) To this date, 2/2/00, I have read all the reviews and no one mentioned the fact that little six year old Rob Mackessy is the real victim in A MAP of the WORLD. More about Rob later. Because A MAP of the WORLD was Oprah's Book Club choice for December, I thought it would be a zingingly-hot-page-turner. But I was disappointed for the first hundred pages. By that time, I had to keep reading to see if there was going to be a logical conclusion. The wordy style, was boring. Alice was stupid and weak. Howard robotic and out of touch with reality. However, after I put it down, I couldn't put it out of mind. In hindsight, I came to empathize with and appreciate Alice and Howard and the author as I would myself, my friends and my loved ones. I realized that the reason the story at first appeared dull and boring is because it was so much like real life. In real life, most of us are just plain people doing all our regular run of the mill unexciting chores and jobs, existing from argument to love making to job to pay check to bills to obligations: washing dishes, watching the news, chauffeuring the kids to scout meetings, dance classes, etc. No matter what ethnic background, education, social or financial position, we're all just plain, imperfect beings trying to make it through life the best way we can in an imperfect world where unimaginable things can and do happen to us. Any of us can be suddenly dragged into unexpected situations for which we have no experience or reference for understanding and dealing with intelligently and triumphantly. In such circumstances all anyone can do is to keep breathing and survive whatever the path and outcome happens to be. While trying to find closure to a devastatingly sad tale, I wrote a poem, The Ballad of Alice Goodwin and sent it to Oprah's Book Club. And still I am rereading parts of the book and suffering with Alice, Howard, Theresa, Dan and little Rob, the saddest victim of all. Little six year old Rob, for whom his mother and her associates are turning into a criminal, a petty liar, deceiver or otherwise sleazy sort. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to see how quiet, shy, non-publicity-seeking, common folk, the mind-their-own-business-type-folk, can wake up one day and find them selves the main news of the day accused of committing a crime. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to view and learn vicariously from the painful experience of others. And then ask yourself and your friends, "What would you do in a similar situation?" This story, A MAP of the WORLD is moving. Guaranteed to get into your heart and guts. To make you wonder and visualize what poor little Rob will grow up to be, the crimes he is likely to commit, the mental hospitals for the criminally insane that he is likely to spend time in. Given what he has seen, heard and otherwise experienced by age six, I would like to suggest that Jean Hamilton write a follow up on the outcome of this character. A MAP of the WORLD stirs the emotions and teaches lots about life in the late twentieth century. Yours truly, Mozella Rainwater Sunshine.
Rating: 
Summary: What a bummer!
Review: What is with Oprah? I have read five of her books now, each one more depressing than the previous. This book was boring and had too many words. I felt like the elementary school situation was unrealistic (I am a teacher) and the behavior of the children would never have happened as written. I did not like Alice and wished Howard and Theresa would ride off into the sunset and leave her with her rambling thoughts. I ended up skipping entire pages of descriptions and thoughts just to get to the storyline so I could finish. It's back to Harry Potter for me. Now that's real action!
Rating:
Summary: A reader from Maine
Review: I didn't like this book at first; way too depressing, I thought. I was uncomfortable at the idea that such horrible things can happen to good people. But, this is life! As Oprah says, you need to give a book at least 50 pages before you give up on it. It didn't even take that much. Despite the depressing nature of the plot, I loved the fact that the main characters were committed to their marriage, no matter what. I thank Jane Hamilton for that! When easy, no-fault divorce, and easy adultery are rampant in the media, Jane has given us what I believe to be a true picture of everyday life: commitment, forgiveness, and restraint. By the way, Amazon.com reviewer, the name of the main characters is Goodwin, not Goodheart! Although it is one of those ironic, appropriate errors!
Rating:
Summary: Memorable
Review: If you have ever been accused of something of which you were not guilty, and if neighbors and friends formed opinions based on suspicion this book will break your heart. The truth in the book is that life will NEVER be the same. You can't go back and sometimes you can't go forward the way you had planned to either. Howard and Alice will each survive in their own way. I will never forget this book.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I hadn't read one of Oprah's picks in a while. It seemed that they all had the same theme for several picks. But this one is great. Really different story line. Couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars
Review: Memorable fiction! The author should perhaps have hung out with some six-year-olds (they don't produce dialogue like that until at least a couple of years later), but overall it's excellent. Those who like this should check out Kevin Canty.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful characters
Review: This is a story that gets in your head and stays there. I feel as if I know Hamilton's characters personally. As I read the book and experienced the rollercoaster of emotions along with Alice and Howard, as they examined their feelings for each other and their marriage, I began to wonder how my own marriage would fare in a similar situation.
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