Rating: 
Summary: Sensitive spectacular novel of wife/film actress in danger
Review: This is what a "novel" means. All new ideas and images. The contrast between her roles in movies and the difficulties real abused wives face in Family Court was dramatic and different.
Rating: 
Summary: On Being Rescued By Yourself
Review: This novel is involving and well worth reading. The writing is truly top drawer. There were a few notes that rang false, however.I was very happy to see domestic violence treated as it actually unfurls within our justice system. Her description of the shame engendered by a violent loved one was on the mark. No matter how much life threatening violence is forecast, meeted out by the one you love most, such violence still takes you by surprise . However, I was disappointed by the ending. I didn't really understand how, in light of the nightmare she experienced, the protagonist would adopt a child and live in the same house and under the same name. After all, hadn't the local police proved themselves incompetent? The home was isolated. What was to keep ex-hubby from doing to her child as he did to the cat? In actual domestic violence situations you don't just rescue yourself, you then run for your life. More mainstream literature and film should focus intelligently on this issue. The men we love are the most likely to imperil us. The judicial system, overwhelmingly controlled by men, is invested in taking the man's side. Thinking our present court system works is truly dreaming of rescue. Further note: Quinlin's "Black and Blue" should not be missed, if you enjoyed this book.
Rating:
Summary: Sensuous suspense
Review: Unfolds like a foreign film made in US. the complex heroine loves and fears her husband, but is she imagining his behavior? She stars in movies similar to her affidavit. But she swears she needs an order of protection. A marital dilemma that kept me guessing till the end...gorgeous imagery throughout made this a spellbinder for my whole reading group. Deserves 10 stars!
Rating:
Summary: Hypnotic sensual and smart
Review: Very rarely does a chiller rise to literary genius as this book does...the descriptions of this threatened wife/actress are beautiful, the psychological nuances brilliant. I especially appreciate the portrait of the big city actress caught in small town family court. When that strange man comes to fix her vacuum, I got goosebumps. The scenes with her cleaning person were good too -- This touched nerve for me! My book club is debvouring it!
Rating:
Summary: Subtle Depiction of Actress/wife in jeopardy
Review: While Juliana, the actress who narrates this gripping story, has become accustomed to playing fightened women in movies, it is another matter entirely when she must divorce her childhood sweetheart.A sophistocated examination of the differences between the artifice of film and the lucid truth of a woman's situation when she becomes afraid of her husband. An atmospheric jewel of a novel, crystalline prose. I found DREAMS OF RESCUE intriguing enough to seek out the author's other works, which are very varied --from plays to memoir, the classic Sleeping Arrangements, to another fiction treasure, Beautiful Bodies. Impressed at her range, I'm a new Cunningham fan, and applaud her diversity and courage in taking on the unspoken disaster that many "respectable" wives face alone. The romantic, Victorian setting and history are put to excellent, literary effect. I was transfixed. My book club chose this and it led to our most passionate discussion.
Rating:
Summary: Dream of a literate novel for wounded wives
Review: Who doesn't dream of rescue? I identified whole heartedly with the miserably married actress Julianna, who is or is not being threatened by her husband. Filled with fascinating nuance, this book kept me up to the wee hours and ran chills up my spine, also elicited the wry laughs...Sheerest brilliance, and cinema verite re the secrets of a marriage.
Rating:
Summary: a STUNNER! I PULLED AN ALL NIGHTER TO READ IT!
Review: WONDROUS ACCOUNT OF BATTERED BRIDE/MOVIE STAR WHO FIGHTS BACK. SMART AND CLEVERLY WRITTEN --ANY WOMAN WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS WILL RECOGNIZE THE ACCURACY OF THE MIND GAMES, THE DANGERS OF LOVING THE WRONG MAN, THE SUBTLETY OF REAL ABUSE. THE WEDDING CAKE FROZEN HOUSE & HISTORICAL SUB PLOT ARE ICINGS ON A DELICIOUS CAKE. I DEVOURED IT AND IT INCREASED MY SENSE OF SELF WORTH!
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