Rating: 
Summary: FAIRLY ONE-DIMENSIONAL
Review: Every year (now every 18 months) I can't wait to dive into a new Siddons novel ... But after Colony and Outer Banks, nothing has come close to being a 10! Still, I love her writing style (not a story goes by without the word "shimmer.")
The lead character is feeling old and dumpy in the face of another, younger woman ... I loved it when Siddons brought us well-educated, strong females in books past. Oh well. Her disconnectness to her family - except her Dad - and her friends was a bit much and overly dramatic. I didn't see her learning anything new or having any self discovery that seems so important to the author.
Does every Cancer patient have to be mean? I felt
like Dennis Ponder was a Nam War vet ... The lesbian old ladies provided a great twist however. The backdrop of Martha's Vineyard was enjoyable, being a "yankee" myself.
In the end, I was waiting for things to happen that never did. I wanted to cry for this woman, but could not. It is possible that I enjoyed the older books because they were about younger women closer to my age group -- this 50-something experience, I did not understand.
But, I'm sure I will read her next book in hopes of getting some of Siddons' magical, multi-generational story-telling triumphs. I hope, then, I'll still want to read her next book after that. I don't know how much longer I can continue to hope, tho.
Rating: 
Summary: Missed the mark
Review: I keep buying Siddons' books, hoping each will be better than the last I read. She's a talented writer but over-relies on eccentric characters and exaggerated situations for my taste. I keep books that I will want to reread in the future, those that affected me while reading them--Siddons' books inevitably end up in the "donate to the library" pile
Rating: 
Summary: I just hate the wait for her next book!
Review: I've been in Molly's shoes but I liked her retreat better!
Siddons did it again. I was captivated and couldn't put the book down and wished it would have just one or two more chapters.
There is always a longing for another one of her books to be ready at hand when I finish. But,I will have to wait another year or so for the next Siddons'escape;-)
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting story set up unwinds like a paperback romance.
Review: I was very dissapointed in this book, especially after reading Siddons first few chapters, which expertly depicted a middle aged woman scorned. The portrayal of the "Eel woman" is one dimensional and unrealistic. The husband is a pathetic wimp. Molly's life is so boring when she gets to Martha's Vineyard, that I hardly recognized the MV that I know. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen after the first 60 pages, and I am still waiting. Typical of the thought put into this book, Siddons describes her mother as having been both 19 and 22 when she gave birth to Molly; both pregnant when she married and not, and all within 20 pages. Who edited this book
Rating:
Summary: Not her best, but, being Siddons, a captivating story
Review: I am a die-hard fan of Siddons, and my favorites were Fault Lines (maybe because I experienced the Loma Prieta first hand) and Outer Banks. Both had the clear smell of reality in them, and complexity of characters who were *real*.
Up Island's main lady, Molly Redwine, is not a very believable character to me, nor is her transformation to a "Yankee" from a Southerner. She leaves behind all that she was, and what she gets in return doesn't seem substantial enough to carry the story. Still...I enjoyed the book!
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down. Up Island is Siddons best book .
Review: Anne Rivers Siddons' portrayal of an Atlanta woman whose life is changed forever by the treachery of her husband's midlife crisis is the best novel she's written so far. I picked the book up and couldn't put it down until I was finished in the early hours of the next morning. Siddons' description of a woman's emotions as her husband leaves her for a younger version of herself is absolutely accurate. The separation from her husband serves to highlight the problems in all the relationships she has with her family, especially her mother. Her mother's death turns out to be what causes Molly to face all her problems and begin her life again. Unlike her earlier novels, Siddons leaves Molly Redwine in the midst of her divorce with her situation with her estranged husband not resolved. I think Molly Redwine deserves another book to go on with her story.
Rating:
Summary: excellent and touching story!
Review: The is the second novel I have read by this author. I find her writing enthralling. Her tale of an aggrieved woman grips you and you must read on and on... I found myself engrossed in her characters as though I had met them myself. The story will also make you want to tour every inch of Martha's Vinyard.
Rating:
Summary: excellent and touching story!
Review: The is the second novel I have read by this author. I find her writing enthralling. Her tale of an aggrieved woman grips you and you must read on and on... I found myself engrossed in her characters as though I had met them myself. The story will also make you want to tour every inch of Martha's Vinyard.
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: 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.
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