Rating: 
Summary: Sleep, My Child, Forever
Review: Sleep, My Child Forever, by John Coston, was a well presented novel. This book is based on a true story about a woman named Ellen Boehm who murders both of her children. The doctors could not determine a cause at first, but they eventually learned the murders were caused by mechanical asphyxia, or smothering without leaving marks. The novel's suspense creates an atmosphere of mystery as well as excellent intrigue. I recommend this book to readers who love true crime novels and suspense.
Rating: 
Summary: It Wasn't Too Bad
Review: This was the first book I read by Anita Shreve (I skipped the Pilot's Wife). I don't feel her writing style is that easy to follow. I found myself having to flip back pages to fully understand the relationship between Linda and Thomas. It was not until I got towards the end of the book that I finally saw the full implications of how the love between them had such a profound impact on both their lives. All in all, I'd have to say it was a good book but I have read better.
Rating: 
Summary: AWFUL...terribly contrived AND a letdown!
Review: I had such high hopes for this book when I first heard about it. Every ten pages I read I thought to myself, "Gosh, when is it going to get better?" Sad to say, it never did. It was muddled and confusing from the start, and by the time I got to the end (I was skimming by this point), it was just a cop-out ending. A big time let down. The whole novel was contrived and just a terrible read. I don't mind a little confusion and mystery, but this was just too much. If you decide to read it/buy it, I hope you fare better than I. I would have given it only a half star, but that option wasn't available.
Rating: 
Summary: Clever
Review: If you have seen the movie Memento you will recognize the way this book is constructed. Told in reverse, this clever way of telling a troubling story is absolutely engrossing. I liked this book more than The Pilot's Wife. Highly reccomend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting descent into madness . . .
Review: I adored this book, and there aren't many that merit that description. Shreve had me in the palm of her hand until the end, then I reread the first third and picked up on oh-so-many clever foreshadowings and outright CLUES to what had happened to Thomas. Brilliant, brilliant writing. It's not a book about adultery at all, but about how a tragic loss can color a life forever, burden a life with guilt that cannot be assuaged. "Does time help?" Linda asks. "No," Thomas answered, speaking with the conviction of "long experience." Oh, my. Now I see. Not to be missed--but it requires an effort on the part of the reader.
Rating: 
Summary: SO disappointed...
Review: Just finished this book and feel a combination of depression and anger. This book was tedious reading for a long time, but I stuck with it, sure I would be rewarded. It wasn't worth the "sticking-with". What a waste of my time! And for me, who had bought every Anita Shreve book to date, to say this, is something.
Rating:
Summary: Something to think about...
Review: This novel kept me intrigued from start to finish. This was my first Anita Shreve novel and I must admit that I was very pleased with my adventure. I had to read the ending a few times over to assure myself that I read correctly since it was so profound. I see that a lot of people seem to be disappointed by the ending -- but I have to admit that it just made me admire the writing even more due to the reality of the situation. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a story that is NOT the "fairy tale" ending. It really make you think...
Rating:
Summary: the ending works after all
Review: I have to be in the minority of peole who did not think this book was "clap trap." Implicit in Shreve's story are the overwhelming power of grief and loss, the relentlessness of memory, and the immutability of moments in time, pulled from their contexts. The slow beginning is worth the excellent episodes in Africa and Massachusetts, and the last two pages are poetry. Shreve knoes that time is not necessarily linear, but can be circular, reversible, etc. Cheers for departing from the common path!
Rating:
Summary: Save your money! It's not worth the paper it's printed on!
Review: I decided to buy this book because I really enjoyed the Pilot's Wife. I couldn't have been more disappointed, and I'll never buy another Anita Shreve book again. However, if you like the following elements in your books, then you'll most definitely enjoy "The Last Time They Met": 1.) A very unrealistic and disappointing ending 2.) 312 pages of nothing that is even remotely relevant to the ending of this book 3.) Having to refer to a dictionary of African terms and a map of Africa in order to stay with the book 4.) Dialogue that is choppy and extremely convoluted to get through (so much so that you have to read and re-read passages that ultimately end up not being relevant to the story anyway) 5.) Unrealistic dialogue In order to illustrate how unrealistic and difficult the dialouge is to read and comprehend, please see the following brief conversation, which is supposed to be representative of an exchange between two high school students: "Did you get yelled at?" "I got looked askance at." What high school kid would use the word askance? It's obvious that Shreve has an extensive vocabulary, but it can't save this book. In fact, it probably acts as more of a detriment to it than anything else. In closing, if you've already purchased this book, but haven't begun to read it yet, please let me offer you this advice. Read the book cover and page 313. That's all you need. There's simply nothing else of any substance on any of the other pages.
Rating:
Summary: What a horrible let down
Review: ms shreve is a brilliant writer. i fear this travisty of her talent was conceived and executed as a course in creative writing 101 wherever she is teaching. so sadly disappointing.the ending was in fact a total cop out and a quick reread doesn't justify this cheezy conclusion...please, do a better job next time. unconvincing clap-trap and way beneath you. off goes my copy to half.com..hope it sells.. i'd planned to keep it on my shelf next to all my other shreve novels..but ...sadly, it 'ain't a keeper'
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