Rating:  Summary: This book picks you up... Review: ...and then drops you like a hot potato. I was riveted by Ethan's wonderful way with dialogue and character development and so I'm naturally waiting for some sort of intense, raw ending and then boom, it's over with a thud. Why Mr. Hawke chickened out at the end I'm not sure. Still, I recommend reading this book if only to get a taste for his writing style which is really great, he just needs to figure out how not to drop the ball at the finish line.
Rating:  Summary: A story of u and me Review: An arcane view of Ethan Hawke, May 13, 1998 Finally and in true Ethan Hawke style, the story is told the way it happened. Too many times had even world-acclaimed authors write about love, the way it only happens in movies. Weaving a hyped up yarn, climaxing in ludiculous fantasy. The way love is, especially in our cosmopolitan society, is but the collision of life's paths of different individuals. Many of what we went through slithers plainly in distant memory. Either inexplicable or that we ourselves fail to understand what has transended. Like in his movie, Realty Bites, William in the book gets a lease of life by being me and being you. Too many times had we wanted to write about the life of love. Not as what happened, but as how we remember it to be. This book doesn't burden itself with trying to clarify anything, but merely to enable a third party, to see it through the eyes of the author. An exact replica of the emotions I went through, though in a different place and time. I guess we are all maple leaves of the same tree. Maybe it took a big name to make sure that this kind of book sold well, but it took Ethan Hawke to dare and write it for us. Will definitely purchase his next book, well done Finn!
Rating:  Summary: Not so much the hottest Review: Ethan Hawke keeps your attention, and then looses it. The language was cosmic along with the dialogue, but something's missing. The writing style is unadorned with several repeated phrases. Character development was a bit weak. Hawke's comical and clever, but he's an actor, not a writer. A job well done of portraying a young man who's stupid and in love yet focuses not enough on the story line. William, a 21-year-old actor from NYC was just getting his feet on the ground when he meets Sarah, a neurotic, self-doubting, extremely messed up girl. He falls in love with her instantly but she backs off because of her insecurities. William goes through dramatic times with Sarah trying to make her love and stay with him. But can he? Throughout the story you want to slap the characters for being so over exaggerated. The hottest state seems to be missing a plot. It's a romance gone badly with the reader left with no answers on why. When you get to these parts you read on anticipating answers only to find out there aren't any. You expect an intense scene in the end and you're left with nothing but wanting an actual ending. Hawke has talent, just needs to reform his skills. It was however quick and easy reading.
Rating:  Summary: An almost sweet romantic novel.. Review: Ethan Hawke's first novel is a sweet attempt in achieving true love at first sight in your twenties while living in New York City. The story starts off very strong and holds your interest until the middle, where its drawn out and exagerated. The end sort of makes you feel flat and empty as if a few more chapters are missing which leads to an unsatisfying end.. Still I will give this actor/author another chance..He has a good heart let's see where his second novel takes me..
Rating:  Summary: Very well written, and a great story. Review: I heard this book wasn't any good, but because I like Hawke as an actor I decided to give it a try. I ended up enjoyed the book so much that I read it in one sitting. He does a great job of conveying the loss of control and despair experienced by William (the main character and narrator). I was impressed with the use of dialogue in the development of the story. This book is definitely worth reading regardless of who the author is.
Rating:  Summary: Fantastic, Emotional Story Review: I must admit that I bought this book partly because I love Ethan Hawke as an actor; that's what caught my eye initially. The summary sounded good, so I bought it. I couldn't wait to get to the end of the book to see what happened, it enthralled me. I am an emotional person, and I felt things right along with William. Ethan Hawke didn't use a lot of big fancy words, or long-winded descriptions. The way love at first sight is, how the non-so-perfect person you love is completely perfect in your eyes, the pain and sorrow and longing from being apart, and breaking up. Unfortunately I don't get to read as often as I'd like, but my time was definitely not wasted, and neither was my money. I loved this book!
Rating:  Summary: Good fall-back, you know, if the acting doesn't work out Review: I was very impressed with Ethan Hawke's writing ability. I thought he wrote a very creative, genuine story. Sad and depressing (would make a good Oprah pick if she picked books about males), but undoubtedly a real love story. Honestly, I was only interested in this novel because I'm a fan of Ethan Hawke, the actor. Now, having read his debut novel, I'm a fan of Ethan Hawke, the writer. A believable, bittersweet, desperate tale about William Harding, who falls in love with an unconventional girl named Sarah after four days together and becomes completely wrapped up in her in the most unhealthy way. This novel is not for the weak of heart. Would make an excellent movie.
Rating:  Summary: An intelligent doomed love story Review: I'm a big fan of films like Dead Poet's Society, Reality Bites, and Before Sunrise, so I picked up this book. Ethan Hawke proves himself a competent writer in this first novel. His narrative persona is observant, believable, smart, and honest. He understands young love, and how a young guy thinks. In this story of a goodlooking young actor (who I think is perhaps Hawke's alter ego), we meet 21-year-old rising big-shot actor William who falls for a nobody, and she's the kind of girl he doesn't usually go for (she's not pretty). Yet he totally falls in love with her personality and intellect. There's just something about her. But there are plenty of bumps in this relationship, and it doesn't work out. I recommend this to young and old who like to read about the romantic loves and disappointments of young people. David Rehak author of "A Young Girl's Crimes"
Rating:  Summary: Look at it this way! Review: If a writer's greatness was judged by the fewer number of stars received, Ethan Hawke would be AWESOME!
Rating:  Summary: worth the time Review: this book was more than i anticipated, Excellent character development pulled me into the book and kept my interest throughout, the binding elemets in this story are as life like and realistic. I read this book over the course of one weekend, certainly worth sitting down and getting lost in the pages. The ending left something to be desired, but who is to say that isn't what Hawke was intending when he wrote the book. This book comes highly recommended.
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