Rating: 
Summary: A tender story of a woman's self-discovery
Review: Anne Rivers Siddons makes magic with the settings she describes so vividly in her books. "Up Island", set on Martha's Vinyard, takes us deep into the ancient heart that beats beneath the glitz and glitter of a "touristy" New England haven. With her, and the tragic heroine, Molly Redwine, we explore this wild country, and it's old families and even older mysteries.Rivers Siddons' writing is oriented toward "The Setting". . . which is probably why most of her books have titles describing a place (Outer Banks, Hill Towns, Up Island, etc.) She expertly mingles setting with character, and creates for us unforgettable people. There's escape awaiting Rivers Siddons' readers. Her books tend to sweep us away, and this particular book was one I had a hard time putting back on the nightstand. Even so, her characters tend to be a bit frivolous and silly. Most of them are--if not wealthy--at least well-bred. At times, I find myself without sympathy for these privelaged women in the beginnings of Siddons' novels,about to give up on the character and shelve the book as garage sale material. Then some revelation within the story's plot makes this fictional person "real", after all. In all, "Up Island" is a worthy Summer read for anyone seeking a book to get lost in. It's story is beautifully told and it's ending--though predictable--still managed to bring me to tears.
Rating:
Summary: Up Island
Review: This is the first book I've read from Ms. Siddons. I got the recommendation off of Oprah's Book Club site after reading Elizabeth Berg's "Open House". I was not disappointed at all. I love when a book captivates me so I can't even put it down. I just bought Fault Lines and ordered Colony. I'm anxious to read those as well. I like the main character of Molly and how she comes through so much with such strength. An inspiring story with beautiful descriptive detail especially about Martha's Vineyard. I'm glad I finally found this author.
Rating: 
Summary: Cliche with bad use of similes
Review: Normally I don't notice the use of similes in writing, but when she compares pillows to teeth, and says a dream receded like "a train going away", the similes jump out and jar me. She uses so many cliches, the worst of which is when a woman who must have been a child in the 1950s says that Dennis Ponder dipped her pigtails in the ink jar. I seriously doubt ink jars were in use in any schools in the 1950s. Also, there were discrepancies that bothered me, like when the one-legged Dennis Ponder is "running, falling down, then getting up and running again". I think it would be nearly impossible to run on one leg with crutches. Also impossible was when Dennis and Molly's father brought Luze over from Dennis's camp in a fireman's carry. How is a one-legged man on crutches going to help carry a woman?
I thought the endless descriptions went on way too long. I think this book could safely be edited down to about 2/3rds of its length, and be better because of it.
Rating:
Summary: Up Island
Review: This is the first book I've read from Ms. Siddons. I got the recommendation off of Oprah's Book Club site after reading Elizabeth Berg's "Open House". I was not disappointed at all. I love when a book captivates me so I can't even put it down. I just bought Fault Lines and ordered Colony. I'm anxious to read those as well. I like the main character of Molly and how she comes through so much with such strength. An inspiring story with beautiful descriptive detail especially about Martha's Vineyard. I'm glad I finally found this author.
Rating:
Summary: A tender story of a woman's self-discovery
Review: Anne Rivers Siddons makes magic with the settings she describes so vividly in her books. "Up Island", set on Martha's Vinyard, takes us deep into the ancient heart that beats beneath the glitz and glitter of a "touristy" New England haven. With her, and the tragic heroine, Molly Redwine, we explore this wild country, and it's old families and even older mysteries. Rivers Siddons' writing is oriented toward "The Setting". . . which is probably why most of her books have titles describing a place (Outer Banks, Hill Towns, Up Island, etc.) She expertly mingles setting with character, and creates for us unforgettable people. There's escape awaiting Rivers Siddons' readers. Her books tend to sweep us away, and this particular book was one I had a hard time putting back on the nightstand. Even so, her characters tend to be a bit frivolous and silly. Most of them are--if not wealthy--at least well-bred. At times, I find myself without sympathy for these privelaged women in the beginnings of Siddons' novels,about to give up on the character and shelve the book as garage sale material. Then some revelation within the story's plot makes this fictional person "real", after all. In all, "Up Island" is a worthy Summer read for anyone seeking a book to get lost in. It's story is beautifully told and it's ending--though predictable--still managed to bring me to tears.
Rating:
Summary: Cliche with bad use of similes
Review: Normally I don't notice the use of similes in writing, but when she compares pillows to teeth, and says a dream receded like "a train going away", the similes jump out and jar me. She uses so many cliches, the worst of which is when a woman who must have been a child in the 1950s says that Dennis Ponder dipped her pigtails in the ink jar. I seriously doubt ink jars were in use in any schools in the 1950s. Also, there were discrepancies that bothered me, like when the one-legged Dennis Ponder is "running, falling down, then getting up and running again". I think it would be nearly impossible to run on one leg with crutches. Also impossible was when Dennis and Molly's father brought Luze over from Dennis's camp in a fireman's carry. How is a one-legged man on crutches going to help carry a woman?
I thought the endless descriptions went on way too long. I think this book could safely be edited down to about 2/3rds of its length, and be better because of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: Excellent, fast-paced book. This is a great book for any woman who has suffered a broken heart because of divorce or a break up. Wonderful details; Ms. Siddons geographic details takes you to a fabulous place that gives you the sense of escape. Wonderful characters. Excellent book to read by the fireside and in peace and quiet.
Rating:
Summary: VERY INTERESTING!
Review: I am a great big fan of Anne Rivers Siddons books and love her styles of writing. I say styles,(plural), because each book of hers is never quite the same as the one before. I enjoyed the character of Molly and felt that Siddons wrote with much emotion as she described the changes in Molly's life, beginning with when her husband left her for another women. From there, Molly finds a new life on the island, and yet still faces challenges with her ailing father, and helping two lesbian ladies, (a new twist), through their troublesome life as their health deteriotates. A wonderful book to read!
Rating:
Summary: Heartpleasing
Review: This story touched my heart in a way that only another caretaker can. Women take care of people. It is our job without our knowing it. We do it from birth and are lost without it. Up Island touches us where we live, not for ourselves, but for others. I enjoyed it very much and now want to read all of her books. LAR
Rating: 
Summary: I should have went to sleep.
Review: I absolutely love her writing style. I was so into the book that I couldn't put it down and stayed up all night to see what happened. And then, nothing did. I should have went to sleep. Worth reading, but I didn't really like the ending.
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