Rating: 
Summary: Ash Wednesday
Review: It is always intriguing to see talented artists dabble in other artforms that they generally are not associated with.Ethan Hawke is an author who seems to be on the verge of writing something with extreme talent and precision, but yet, he falls. He's good, but he's not great. The potential is definitely there, and reading "The Hottest State" and then this, one can see the progression upwards, the more unification of story, character, and theme. I find it to be somewhat incredible that he can capture the mindset of a young man and a young woman on a life changing road trip so passionately. His vivid imagery, his understanding of both genders seems almost uncanny; his understanding of the viewer, the one who watches all the action as opposed to acting is wonderful. Hawke has the ability to write well, and he does write well, but I feel as if there is always something missing reading his work. He understands the craft enough in order to write something with grand substance, and I think he would be a wonderful poet; however, I feel that within the next few novels (if he continues) he will find his voice and style, and perhaps not write so angrily all the time.
Rating: 
Summary: A Novel of Surprising Sincerity
Review: Like most people, I was skeptical about Ethan Hawke's integrity as a writer. Nevertheless, I bought this book for my sister for Christmas because she had liked his other book, The Hottest State. Before I was going to give it to her, I decided to read it, at least so we could discuss it when she read it. I have to admit, I was greatly pleased and excited, not only about the skill of his writing, but the integrity and the content of the story he was telling. He writes a dual narrative between a couple on the verge of becoming something or nothing. The narrative never becomes confusing and each are given strong voices of their own. There's no attempt at giving one character or the other silly little mannerisms of speech to clue us in on who they are. I've read reviews that said the characters are 'unlikable' and I'd have to agree in the sense that they don't always do the right thing. Of course, I wonder how many of us would come off as likable characters. The truth is, the characters are young and pondering the issues that face so many of us as we embark on a maybe not so bright future. Issues of fate, god, commitment, parenthood, and failure are all significantly contemplated. But, the best thing about this novel is that it is a novel of questions that never gives any answers. Because, who ever has the answers to any of these things? The motive is, however, to ask the right questions and find suitable, inspiring reasons to believe in something. God, fate, love, marriage, yourself. I would recommend this book for it's thought-provoking narrative and it's flowing stories of two separate lives embarking as one.
Rating: 
Summary: Melancholic, intelligent novel
Review: Well, I won't go too deep into the story, I guess much people almost know it all. And most good things other reviewers pointed I totally agree with, so I'll just add my impressions.
Christy and Jimmy are totally different people, and you can feel it very vividly. The narrative is alternated between the two, but the one narrating is always the one who is more peaceful. If Jimmy is too angry, Christy is narrating. If Christy is too happy and talkative, Jimmy is narrating. The one with more intense feelings - no matter what they are - is always the being observed and not narrating. And the narrator is always feeling very introspective, philosophical and contemplative.
The sad thing is that, if they're always alternating, it means one is always filled with emotion and the other is serene. They're just taking turns and never feeling the same at the same time, and that's sad, like they can't find each other.
| 
