Rating: 
Summary: Well, more like 2-1/2 stars
Review: Although I was intrigued with the basic premise for this story (a guy who's recently deceased finds himself participating in a discussion group in heaven devoted to "Last Words," and his life's story is told in reverse order), the main character himself is utterly unremarkable. He has very few redeeming qualities, led a trite and meaningless life, and I found myself not caring much about what his last words would have been if he'd had the chance to finish them (and as it turned out, the thought he was trying to express during his final moments was entirely in keeping with his character). He did do one good deed during his entire life, which was revealed near the end of the book (since it happened early in his childhood), but the remainder of his existence was, for the most part, less than ordinary.
If you're looking for an uplifting story about a much more worthy soul who knew what it meant to live fully and to completely love another human being, I would recommend "The Notebook," by Nicholas Sparks.
Rating: 
Summary: One of America's best young stylists
Review: And I don't mean hair stylists. Wallace is, line by line, one of the most gifted writers around. It's not just that he's funny - though at times, he is hysterically so - or that he's moving -- the poignant last line is profoundly so -- but that he's capable of taking readers so quickly from humor to pathos, from cleverness and arch irony to regret and sadness. This is a writer who has honed his craft, who has complete command of the language and can use it to express the deep ambivalence of most lives today. Ray's is the archtypical American life: so good in some ways, and so empty in others (a la American Beauty). And yet Wallace never makes excuses for him, and never makes him a false hero. Ray is one of us - which is what makes this slight volume something that will stay with you, long after that lovely ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Refreshing approach.
Review: Daniel Wallace is one of the original writers I've discovered in the past year. He's one of the few willing to step outside the box and try something different."Ray in Reverse" is told in a reversed order--death begins, and childhood ends the book. It was immensely enjoyable and easy to read. I'm not sure what the significance of Ray's final words were, but I like the fact that you're allowed to think about it and come up with your own conclusions. I would reccomend this book to anyone and I'm looking forward to reading his first book.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing approach.
Review: Daniel Wallace is one of the original writers I've discovered in the past year. He's one of the few willing to step outside the box and try something different. "Ray in Reverse" is told in a reversed order--death begins, and childhood ends the book. It was immensely enjoyable and easy to read. I'm not sure what the significance of Ray's final words were, but I like the fact that you're allowed to think about it and come up with your own conclusions. I would reccomend this book to anyone and I'm looking forward to reading his first book.
Rating:
Summary: Love, life, and everything in between
Review: Friends of mine recommended this book. Being an avid reader, I bought it. However, this book ranked very low on my reading list. In fact, I did not even finish this book (something, I almost never do). After forty pages, I put the book down. A day later, I picked it back up, hoping that I simply had not grasp the characters or the storyline. But after 90 pages, I simply put the book down for good. I suppose some will chastise me for not finishing the book, and others will comment that you cannot adequately review a book unless you actually finish it. However, this book simply did not appeal to me. I found the story bordering on depressing. And, I found little humor in a life so mundane. I suppose some people feel a connection to Ray (as did the people who recommended the book to me). However, my idea of a good book is one that educates, entertains and enlightens. I found none of this in Ray in Reverse. The book may chronicle real life but, as written, the book does little to demonstrate that real life is interesting. If you are considering this book, then think twice. Maybe it's for you, but it was not for me.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for Me
Review: Friends of mine recommended this book. Being an avid reader, I bought it. However, this book ranked very low on my reading list. In fact, I did not even finish this book (something, I almost never do). After forty pages, I put the book down. A day later, I picked it back up, hoping that I simply had not grasp the characters or the storyline. But after 90 pages, I simply put the book down for good. I suppose some will chastise me for not finishing the book, and others will comment that you cannot adequately review a book unless you actually finish it. However, this book simply did not appeal to me. I found the story bordering on depressing. And, I found little humor in a life so mundane. I suppose some people feel a connection to Ray (as did the people who recommended the book to me). However, my idea of a good book is one that educates, entertains and enlightens. I found none of this in Ray in Reverse. The book may chronicle real life but, as written, the book does little to demonstrate that real life is interesting. If you are considering this book, then think twice. Maybe it's for you, but it was not for me.
Rating:
Summary: I GOT LUCKY! Really Lucky....
Review: I got an advance copy of Ray In Reverse and I promise you - this truly is an amazing story! Daniel Wallace develops characters with an empathy and gritty reality that exhibits courage... and faith in the reader... more than any contemporary author I have read. Like in Big Fish, each character resembles someone you know well. And you won't always like the protagonist Ray because he is real: awkward, selfish and inconsiderate, yet fragile, gentle and kind. We join Ray at the end of his life and then glide chronologically backwards to his birth. It isn't always an easy ride - but Wallace never lets go. There is not a sentence in this book I would not take home and introduce to my family.
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars aren't enough
Review: I read BIG FISH, thought it was phenomenal, and sent in a five-star review. RAY IN REVERSE is even better--a brillant story, perfectly unfolded in distinctive prose. This novel should get six stars--it's the real article.
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars aren't enough
Review: I read BIG FISH, thought it was phenomenal, and sent in a five-star review. RAY IN REVERSE is even better--a brillant story, perfectly unfolded in distinctive prose. This novel should get six stars--it's the real article.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely classic!
Review: I read the reviews for this book and had to check it out for myself. I laughed a lot and thought a lot. What I found most intriguing was how well the author was able to really define where innocence ended and jadedness began in Ray's life...or is that jadedness ended and innocence began. It certainly gave me pause in looking at my own life. All in all, it was an enjoyable read. I thought that the first chapter was absolutely hysterical. I didn't laugh that hard again until the very last line which was absolutely classic and probably portrays human nature,even at the end of our lives, more accurately than most of us would like to think.
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