Rating: 
Summary: Good book
Review: A devilishly good book. One of the best I've read in recent weeks.
Rating: 
Summary: Commendable effort from a talented author
Review: Anne-Marie MacDonald's second book, written six years after her very successful debut novel, Fall on Your Knees, starts woefully slowly but for those that endure the beginning, a compelling and well-written story awaits that will absorb you.The Way the Crow Files deviates strongly from the geography and timeline of 'Knees', but they share many of the same themes and MacDonald certainly writes both books in a similar style. Whereas the bleak splendor of Cape Breton Island, WWI and New York carries much of her first novel, she relies on her own abilities in 'Crow'. Predominately set at a non-descript air force base in Southern Ontario during 1962 and 1963; MacDonald has essentially demanded her writing to carry the book. While shaky at times, she produces a commendable accomplishment. The book revolves around the McCarthy family. Jack, the patriarch is an air force officer who has been recently promoted to Wing Commander at Centralia, Ontario, just north of London. It's a prestigious position for a 36-year old officer and he arrives in Centralia with his practically perfect wife, an Acadian named Mimi and their two children, eleven-year old Mike and eight-year old Madeleine. There is the general assortment of officers and wives, nothing too extraordinary except for the neighbors across the street, the Froelich's. Henry Froelich is from Germany and teaches at the local school. His family is mainly comprised of misanthropes except for his oldest adopted son, fifteen-year old Ricky. The event that changes everyone's lives is the murder of a neighborhood girl. I won't give away the balance of the plot, but suffice to say that many are directly affect by this murder in ways that MacDonald skillfully develops. The verdict arrives around page 500, but there are 200 pages left. MacDonald jumps 20+ years. Jack and Mimi are retired in Ottawa and Madeleine is a living in Toronto and experiencing a fair amount of success. However, the events of 1963 still haunt the family. The final pages explore the way people absolve themselves of unshared guilt. As mentioned before, 'Crow' begins maddeningly slow. Snails crawl faster that the first 200 pages. MacDonald grew up in the sixties and she seems to enjoy conjuring up every mundane relic from the time. References to television shows, advertisements and common adolescent activity belabor the point that the McCarthy's lead a very charmed and healthy life, physically, emotionally and mentally. While it is important to anchor this in their lives it should have been done much more efficiently. MacDonald did receive a $1,000,000 advance for this book, the largest ever provided a Canadian author and this may have influenced her writing style. I almost gave up on this book at pages 70, 150 and 210. Once the murder occurs, MacDonald hits her stride. The writing is much cleaner and has appropriate pace. She begins to flesh out her characters and drive the reader's interest. She brings the reader to care about the motivation and actions of the central characters. The murder and subsequent trial increases the complexity of character's actions and allows MacDonald the freedom to write what essentially is a 200-page addendum. She understands that horrible and life-changing events more than linger into the future. They guide people's behavior and alter their perspective throughout their life. Many authors would not be willing or able to meld this into this novel. If she ended the book at the verdict, the reader would be left to speculate on the balance of the characters' life, but you could walk away satisfied that MacDonald hasn't stranded you in mid-story. While the ending, like the beginning is too long and drawn out, it still resonates with a closure that is fitting without being cloy.
Rating:
Summary: This woman can write!
Review: By far, one of the best books I've read in a long time! MacDonald is talented and absolutely brilliant.
Reading this is such a gift!
Rating:
Summary: Rich, exotic storytelling
Review: Fall On Your Knees was so dark it was pitch-black. The Way the Crow Flies may turn out to be ... I'm 350 pages in ... but from the first page it was one of those wonderful books you want to simultaneously rush through ... and savor. I read 30+ books a year and this, so far, is my favorite read in some years. I suspect it will have particular resonance for those with Canadian and military connections, an interest in the Cuban missile crisis, growing up in the 1960s. Even so ... it's a remarkable book. I'm so glad the author is young!
Rating:
Summary: MacDonald's done it again!
Review: I couldn't agree more with most of the other reviewers here, although I will go so far as to say that the first 150 pages (rather than 100 as mentioned by another reviewer) are a bit slow and difficult to wade through, even so I say it still earns 5 stars. Once this wonderful, destined to be a classic novel gains momentum, you'll be rereading passages just to make it last longer. It is a very long book at just over 700 pages. As in MacDonald's debut novel Fall on Your Knees, she has created characters that you will love, hate, cheer for, jeer at and cry for. Both of her books have a penchant for elicting our emotions. I found myself weeping for the main character Madeleine at several points throughout the book. This is a mystery, a family saga, a spy novel, a coming of age novel, a comedy (though possibly a dark one), a love story, and a horror story. It encompasses all genres in one.
Set amidst the backdrop of the race for the moon, the cold war and a time that was safe and family oriented but rapidly changing.
I loved the depiction of the family of the era, the marriage of Jack and Mimi, who was the consumate wife of the time. The relationships between parents and children, especially that of Jack and Madeleine. MacDonald's use of language and realism is incomparable to most of todays authors.
I just can't say enough about this book, if you are considering it, and you must be or you wouldn't be reading this, consider no more, click on the buy button, you won't regret it. The characters will live on in your memory like old friends forever.
Rating:
Summary: It takes you there.......
Review: I first borrowed this book from the library and didn't quite finish it before it was due back. Then I saw the audio version was out and listened to it instead. Anne-Marie McDonald is as mesmerizing a narrator as she is a writer. Yes, the story line is depressing. Yes, I doubt I will read it again. But......every part of this story is essential to make you understand exactly why and how such a thing could happen. It takes you back to 1962 with every sense made aware. I am in awe of her talent.
Rating:
Summary: Just finished listening to the audio...
Review: I picked up the audio of this book knowing nothing about the book or the author except the description on the box -- which I didn't even read completely. It sounded like a family story, so I thought I would give it a try. I have been listening to it almost non-stop for at least a week, and found it completely engaging. It is all of the things that I see described in the favorable reader reviews here. The complexity and the descriptions, the family story, the mystery, and the ethical dilemmas are all wonderfully crafted. The voice of Madeleine, whose child's point of view is used for a major portion of the book, was very real, imparting humor, sadness, childhood fears, and a wonderful relationship with her dad that reminded me of my own father. Hearing the book read to me (by the author) seems particularly appropriate, there is so much apparent randomness, very like human thought processes. I thought that the phrases spoken in French by Mimi, the mother, and her children, particularly her son, would be lost to me, because I couldn't SEE the words and so frequently didn't know what was said, but it got so that I knew what they were saying (they say that tone of voice carries more than 50% of the meaning of spoken words -- no truer example here). Because of its complexity, the book is difficult to describe, and some of the readers here have done a good job. In any case, I found it wonderful and was moved by it, finding unexpected tears falling down my cheeks at the end. I recommend the audio particularly.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Story Telling
Review: I read Ann-Marie MacDonald's first novel "Fall On Your Knees" and felt that was an incredible sotry. I believe this is just as good if not better. It takes place in 1963 Canada. It is about an Air Force Family and what takes place at the base they are presently stationed at, Centralia in Ontario near the US border. The father, Jack, is quite a likable all around guy who gets in over his head on a secret mission that just about destroys him. The wife, Mimi, a French-Canadian is perhaps my favorite character. She is such a typical 60's mom. Actually all the characters depict the early 60's right down to the smallest detail. The story is mostly told from the 9 year old, Madelines, point of view. It involves child abuse and murder and espionage and it all intertwines to make for quite an exciting and enjoyable read. Ms. Mac-Donald captures the times so well it takes me back.. I was a child from the 60's and appreciate her well defined descriptions of life as it really was then, right down to when the young girls sign each others autograph book at the end of the school year......boy, can I remember that!!!! This is not only about going down memory lane. It is a good mystery and character study of real everyday people and circumstances that can so truly happen in anyones life. I appreciate Ms. Mac-Donalds writing and look forward to her next novel.
Rating:
Summary: Still enthralled with the story
Review: I think this book was amazing! I have read a lot of the reviews and everyone that disliked it just seemed to be too impatient to finish it. Although it maybe could have been shorter, if you really read it and pay attention to the details you become so involved with the family that you feel like you know them. I loved Madeleine and I really felt like I was living in Centralia myself, seeing all of the events unfold themselves. I would reccomend this book to anyone.
For someone who really loved "Fall on Your Knees", "The Way the Crow Flies" puts it to shame. This book is definitley better thought out and structured better than "...Knees", which had too many stories going on.
Great Read!
Rating:
Summary: An absolutely worthwhile read
Review: I was again amazed at McDonald's style of writing. I was constantly engrossed me in this wonderful book as well as "Fall On Your Knees". I was disappointed in having to finish the book. This story is written from a little girl's perspective of molestation, murder and political mahem of the '60's. I look forward for Anne-Marie McDonald to release another novel to the public.
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