Rating: 
Summary: Quick read, but wait for the paperback!
Review: I enjoyed this quick read. It is indeed a book that, once started, is difficult to put down. For me, however, the novel lost plausibilty somewhere around mid-book and never quite found it again. I do not regret reading the book - not at all - but if I had the decision to make over again, I would wait for the less pricey paperback version. For anyone who has yet to read MIDWIVES, it is a very compelling, thoughtful read.
Rating: 
Summary: Bohjalian just gets better
Review: Like Midwives, Law of Similars showcases a young (youngish?) writer of extraordinary depth. In some ways, this is actually a better novel. While it lacks the inarguable wallop of Midwives, especially the pivotal home birth scene, it's a more balanced story, in which human frailty and strength are explored in all their complex coexistence, and artfully metaphorized in the arsenic tablets that generate so much of the novel's momentum. And the novel's narrator is one of Bohjalian's best creations--a lawyer we like. Great depth of feeling here, rendered with maturity, poise and tremendous literary skill. What a pleasure to watch a novelist who can't seem to miss; it's like watching someone throw one three-pointer after another. (Though Bohjalian wouldn't stoop to such an awful, macho metaphor.)
Rating:
Summary: A moment in time can change lives forever
Review: A very interesting book that explores how an instant in time can change a life forever. Leland Fowler turns to alternative medicine after battling a cold that seems to never go away. What he finds is a cure for seemingly all that ails him....even loneliness.....in the arms of his homeopath. The story was sad but interesting and Bohjalian did a good job of helping us to understand a little about homeopathy and how someone can take a single step over the edge that sends them on the path of no return.I do think that the easy wrap up at the ending was a little contrived. It did not seem that Jennifer Emmons would give up so easily. But maybe she came to terms with what happened to husband. He did afterall have a choice in the decision that he made.
Rating:
Summary: vivid vermont and characters with realistic moral struggles
Review: Once again Bohjalian has captured life in small town Vermont, with vivid settings and believeable characters. As in Midwives, the story involves generally upstanding people in unexpected predicaments of moral ambiguity. This time it's a lawyer, a grieving young widower who has his first romance since his wife's death. But his infatuation with the woman leads him to do something illegal on her behalf. Then his guilt haunts him like a poison -- a situation made more complicated by the fact that he is deliberately injesting tiny doses of arsenic in order to cure a relentless cold. And a coldness in his heart. He succeeds, but not without pain, and self-discovery that includes taking himself off the workaholic pedastal he and everyone around him has built. As in Midwives, there is a sad kind of truth to the characters' growth. But this book is a more compelling read, because in Midwives a jury decides the outcome, and in The Law of Similars no one can save the central character but himself.
Rating: 
Summary: Compelling tagedy, worth the read.
Review: While I didn't like Law of Similars as well as Midwives, it was nevertheless a very compelling read. I found the characters credible, the homeopathic information fairly accurate as far as my experience takes me. Leland Fowler, a widower raising a young daughter, is everyone's perfect father, husband, attorney. But his health is a mess. A chronic sore throat takes him to the office of Carissa Lake, a homeopathic practioneer. On his part, it is love/lust at first sight. Leland pursues Carissa until he persuades her to go out with him. Just as his love seems about to be returned, his lonliness over, tragedy strikes. With mounting dread, I read the second half of the book. Bohjahlian skillfully entraps the reader. Are the characters actions credible? Maybe, maybe not but it was worth reading the book to make up my mind. I hope we continue to have the opportunity to experience books by this author.
Rating: 
Summary: A deeply moving story of a search for love and healing.
Review: THE LAW OF SIMILARS is a novel whose rich complexity and skillful characterizations are sure to resonate in the reader's mind long after the last page is turned -- that's certainly how it affected me. It was one of those books that I didn't want to ever end. Chris Bohjalian's richly atmospheric story reminds us that life's most complicated decisions are not black and white; they consist of an infinite array of greys where right and wrong, good and bad are tempered by love and loyalty and the ever-changing nature of life. In these pages Leland Fowler's loneliness is tangiable and poignant. To the young widower and his little girl, Carissa Lake's sudden appearance in their lives is a glorious reprieve. The pretty homeopath cures Leland's chronic cold and his aching heart, but she also brings trouble of a nature that Leland has never dreamed possible. I love this book every bit as much as I did MIDWIVES! Chris is an exceptional stoyteller and when I'm reading one of his books, I feel like I am among people who live and breathe and matter to me as much as my own kin. I highly recommend this stellar novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Not nearly as good as Midwives
Review: I'm not an expert on homeopathy, but I suspect the author isn't either. This story is told in a disjointed way, with many details missing. The reader is required to believe that a good father, lawyer, prosecutor, and person would suddenly decide to go against all that he knows is right by destroying evidence and living a lie in all aspects of his life. I couldn't believe that Leland would do this, and couldn't understand his reasons for doing it. Carissa Lake was an irresponsible homeopath, but didn't suffer any consequences. All in all, the story was disjointed and unbelievable. Midwives was wonderful, but The Law of Similars is very disappointing.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: Credulity must be suspended as well as patience and intelligence, if the reader hopes to finish this book. The initial response to the protagonist is that he is a sensitive, intelligent and together individual. This image begins to evaporate, not when he turns to alternative medicine, but when he has a mad sexual "event" under the Christmas tree with his practitioner - after a very brief "relationship" with her. From that point to the end, the author seems determined to prove that this formerly responsible and well respected man is driven only by his hormonal urges. Very disappointing aftert the thrill of "Midwives".
Rating:
Summary: It's not a bad book, but...
Review: It's not a bad book, but Bohjalian's follow-up to "Midwives" (a book I highly recommend!) is just that...a follow-up. It seems the author used the success of Midwives as a template for his next novel...alternative medicine plus tragic death equals courtroom drama. It's not a bad equation if you're looking for a simple pleasure read. The character development is still good, although I found the romance a bit trite. As always, Bohjalian backs his words with seemingly decent research to technicalities...I did learn a bit about homeopathy. I hope this talented author will expand his voice and viewpoint for his future works.
Rating:
Summary: 4 star review
Review: I enjoyed this book a great deal, even though I had some problems with the character of Leland, who seemed both admirable and reprehensible at the same time. He reminded me a bit of Lester in "House of Sand and Fog." Both are men who seem completely willing to give up everything to protect a woman they've known for an extremely short period of time. Why Leland, a prosecuting attorney would be willing to break the law, thus risking his career, reputation and most importantly, his daughter, to protect Carissa seemed a bit far-fetched to me. Had they known each other longer, maybe I could understand it. I did find the father/daughter relationship between Leland and Abby quite believable and the book did peak my interest in Homeopathy. Also, the story ended they only way I would have wanted it too. A four star recommendation for this one.
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