Rating: 
Summary: Loved this story and the emotions that it evoked
Review: I found this book by chance and it was a great surprise. I loved it and liked the way it swept me into the story and made me feel as if I was living it. As a added bonus for me was the setting. I am originally from Racine and found Jane's detailed discription of the area very true to life. My book club will be discussing it tomorrow and I'm looking forward to talking about this book
Rating:
Summary: Too many fears tackled by just one character.
Review: A simple Midwestern woman meets an even simplier Midwestern man and they marry, buy a dairy farm, have two daughters and then the tragedies begin.
A neighbor child dies, a school boy claims sexual abuse, prison term turns to violence and in the end everyone goes back home.
Too many fears told achingly well by Hamilton.
Rating: 
Summary: startling. a great read.
Review: This book is really about the fleeting nature of happiness and
how circumstance can interrupt the ordinary flow of a life,
altering it forever, simply by chance. The woman in this story
is essentially powerless in the face of an accident and her
community's reaction to her role in the tragedy is what destroys
the family life she coveted. It is painful to watch and take part
in. This woman is left with no resources and one begins to
wonder why she cares to continue. I agree, this book is tough to take if you are experiencing a depression in your life.
Rating:
Summary: Hamilton understands writing is both an art and a craft.
Review: This is not the book to read if you are depressed,
however, Jane Hamilton has written an incredible story of
the death of one American family's dream. Hamilton's use of language
is amazing; while the story itself is fascinating, it is her
style of writing that makes her a truly great author. I
am eagerly awaiting her next work.
Rating:
Summary: cri 08/22/1996
Review: wonderful ! thank you jane
Rating:
Summary: Excellent.
Review: A lovely story about friendship, marriage and endurance.
Quiet and introspective--but powerful
Rating: 
Summary: Slow, but intricate
Review: This book was not one of my favorites. It was slow, and sometimes painful, to read. The characters, though, were beautfilly done, with both depth and vision, as well as the background. If you can push aside the difficult writing style, then try this book. Otherwise, skip it.
Rating:
Summary: I never thought I'd finish it, but I did & I liked it :-)
Review: The story kind'a started real slow. The major action only took place in the 1st few pages when a kid drowned accidentally in the pond. After that, the following chapters just crawled & slithered, & I have been tempted many times to put it down & leave it unfinished.After being able to read it through (finally), it was a relief to know that it was not a waste of time afterall. Alice was a character you have to understand. She's not the typical predictable, one-dimensioned, character often portrayed in easy-to-read books. She was multi-faceted & only reading the book through would allow the reader to get into Alice's deepest core & learn to understand, & yes, accept her as one of us in this ill society. After reading Alice's first chapters bearing her chaotic mind, then Howard's chapters on self preservation, then back to Alice's chapters on acceptance & survival, I couldn't help but admire this fictional character. She may not be the heroine we would normally look up to (considering her own personal flaws), but we, especially the women, can learn fromher mistakes & draw strength from her character.
Rating:
Summary: Rounding Up to Five Stars
Review: Despite its selection as an Oprah's Book Club selection (which always makes me hesitant), and its national bookseller status (again, sometimes cause for concern), I reluctantly picked up "Map of the World", expecting to put it right back down within two chapters.
But I was sold in just one.
There were times that this book ran me a few minutes late for work or kept me up later than I wished because I just couldn't put it down. Admittedly, this was not the case for the entire book, but overall "A Map of the World" tells a tragically human and compelling story that immediately draws the reader in and holds him/her (almost) to the bitter end.
The characters are perfectly flawed and very well-developed. Hamilton's writing style is refreshingly superior without being pretentious or condescending in the slightest. The plot(s) are believable and unfold in a natural and intriguing manner. There are times when the narrative tends to ramble, but just when I became aware of that, the chapter or section would close.
It's not a life-changer, and probably not even one that I'll go back through ever again, but the singular experience with "A Map of the World" was stellar.
Rating:
Summary: Ordinary Life turned upside down
Review: This book showed me how an average person can fall quickly, by making one or two bad decisions in their life. It had a snowball effect, and was written beautifully. I love Jane Hamilton's writing. Do not see the movie based on this book it is dull and the characters are very one dimensional in the movie. The book however is superb and has many gotcha moments when you least expect them. Jane Hamilton seduces you into beliving all is well with the world until she pounces on you and tears your heart right out of your chest. Thought provoking book on the human condition.
|
