Rating: 
Summary: This novel is mind bogglingly good. Buy it.
Review: This book is very powerful. So much so that I would not reccomend that parents of young children read it...they might find it too upsetting!
Rating: 
Summary: I liked it better than The Book of Ruth
Review: I found it interesting that the author started with a climax in the first chapter. There was so much emotion there, I did not know how the author could top that. At times, I was frustrated with Alice and Howard. I felt that they were not trying to be in charge of their own destiny but were shifting with the wind. I understand that they had a lot of traumatic events, and they were mired down. However, the rest of their life was at stake. I enjoyed Alice's memories of the prison the most. Those antidotes were raw, enlightening, and penetrating.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as eventful as Book of Ruth but still an average read
Review: Map of the world is somewhat less depressing (but also less eventful) than Hamilton's first book, Book of Ruth. (I gave Book of Ruth a higher rating). Being less eventful, perhaps Map of the World is far more indicative of everyday life. I would have liked a more in-depth look at more of the characters and a little more action, but it is still a good, average read. It is interesting how the author develops the farm as a peacemaking character all its own. The farm, providing comfort and stability, was a strong root for all of members of the Goodwin family. Anyone who has moved from the country to the city (as I have) will identify with the nostalgic hold countrylife can have on a person's spirit. If you liked the country family saga of Map of the World, don't miss Book of Ruth also by Jane Hamilton or Mercy Road by Dalia Pagani.
Rating: 
Summary: Very depressing--not one bit of relief
Review: I read all the reviews on the book and was looking for a well-written story. It was well written, but I found myself feeling squirmy about reading and that the author was pushing my buttons in an uncomfortable way. Perhaps that was what she intended, but I don't feel enlightened as a result. I also felt the portrayal of farm life over romanticized. I agree that the book made me think of Thousand Acres--rural setting, tragedy, opressive feelings. Finally, I'm not sure I believe in the main character. I certainly don't relate to her.
Rating:
Summary: An exquisite story
Review: This was the first book by Jane Hamilton I have ever read, and I bought it because the first paragraph "grabbed me". The book didn't let me down - I essentially devoured it in a few sittings. It is true that the tragedy was incredible, however I did not find it to be unbelievable given the small town nature of the setting. The writer's ability to make you feel what the characters felt is quite a talent, and I though the writing style was much better than the other books I have read lately. I immediately went out and bought Book of Ruth afterwards, but I must admit that I did not enjoy that book as much as this one.
Rating:
Summary: A disappointment
Review: After Book of Ruth, I was expecting something big from Jane Hamilton. Maybe I was expecting too much. However, I was very disappointed in Map of the World. I couldn't get interested in the characters or their lives, even when things went so bad for them. Also, there was no redemption arising from tragedy, so the whole thing is just depressing.
Rating:
Summary: A very descriptive and heart-wrenching book.
Review: "A Map of the World" by Jane Hamilton is a very heartwrenching book that let's the reader step into a world of drama and ever-changing life-altering turns. The one place that the story does appear to falter is that the author brings in too many different plot lines and tragedy, never developing any of them to their ultimate extent. She touches on the subject of mental illness, but appears to be drowning in an area she is unsure of, so dismisses the idea without any explanation. The characters are well-written, all of their neurotic behaviours not quite accounted for, yet somehow believable. In them the reader can envision those parts of human nature most people never verbalize. All in all, quite a good book, with an interesting array of characters, and an ability to keep the reader in suspense and reading further.
Rating:
Summary: Recommend
Review: This book is very well written and more real than many books. Jane Hamilton touches the reader through her description of a believable character and how she deals with tragedy.
Rating:
Summary: An unnerving glimpse into a family's shattered happiness.
Review: Two years after reading A Map of the World, I am still haunted by the shattered lives of its characters. I picked it up on a whim, looking for some entertaining summer reading. Hamilton's story wasn't what I was looking for, but I couldn't put it down. We all sometimes fret about the fragility of our own happiness; how a meteorite could fall from the sky into our bedroom; how a tornado might do the same; how someone might trip over something on our front lawn and sue. There are things we rely on for our comfort that can turn against us and become our worst enemies. As the Goodwins' comfortable life unravelled in the pages of A Map of the World, I felt I was peering into someone else's living room window, knowing it was wrong to watch, but incapable of pulling myself away from the drama. It is an inexorably sad book, whose hopeful ending is hopeful only out of Alice Goodwin's numbed desperation to restore some semblance of order to her life. It's doubtful many readers would willingly subject themselves to such a story. But they would not be wrong in doing so; art can succeed by being uplifting or disturbing.
Rating: 
Summary: Please, put the dysfunctional family to rest
Review: Having to reread MAP OF THE WORLD a second time in 3 years for my book discussion group (I am a librarian and discussion leader) gave me an opportunity to get really annoyed all over again. Why would anyone care about this two self-absorbed , sullen characters that can't communicate with each other let alone the reader. Alice likes to tromp around doing Hungarian dances while Howard milks the cows? Give me a break! When will contemporary authors quit beating the dead and boring horse of dysfunctional families and write something beyond their own personal experience. Write about something you don't know - do some research!
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