Rating: 
Summary: Entralling
Review: Shreve writes of a passion that few ever experience. Her prose is outstanding and at times left me breathless. Absolutely loved it, my favourite read this year.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite book in a long while...
Review: My husband & I listened to the audio version of this book read so eloquently by Blair Brown...audio books being our way to spend our daily commute. Now it must be read and savored. We both enjoyed this book immensely. Not since the Poisonwood Bible has an author so completely drawn her characters to be as completely faceted as your most intimate friend. The reader is swept back 100 years ago, when men wore moustaches (plural) and women had fringes (not bangs!) and both wore bathing costumes. Shreve could be a contemporary of George Eliot, in both consummate knowledge of the human heart and the ability to portray a time and place. I disagree with the reviewer who states that Olympia's use of family money to solve her dilemma spoils any feminist bent, since a portrayal of Olympia as a feminist was not the point. I think it only further demontrates the author's mastery - Olympia is not an ideal woman, but a total and true one, since in "real" life we would use any means available to regain an estranged child. Someone also mentioned the "pat" plot twists, but I find them intriguing, in a John Irving king of way. Also enjoyable: Haskells' disovery of passion in middle-age, the courtroom drama and subsequent resolution, and the social condition of factory workers and immigrants. Now reading The Pilot's Wife, finding it not as satisfying (yet), the best part is revisiting Fortune's Rocks and remembering previous inhabitants.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully entertaining!
Review: I woke up this morning at 4:00am, had to get up and continue reading this book which I finished in tears as the sun was coming up. A seductive story - tastefully passionate with characters and a plot that get under your skin. I liked that the story moved quickly - climatic scenes (such as in the courtroom) weren't dragged out and tedious. Every character was uniquely developed. A great turn-of-the-century love story. My only disappointment was that it ended!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: I suggest that the next time Ted Leventhal reviews a book, he reads it rather than skim the pages. "This middle-aged Good Samaritan hires Olympia to assist him as a nurse" simply doesn't happen. Although there is a collaboration at the end of the story, it is primarily Olympia's idea. Now that I have that off my chest I'd like to say I enjoyed the novel immensely. At one point I physically felt the pain of the heroine which tells me how well the story is written. At times I wasn't able to put it down and would recommend it highly. Interestingly enough, I didn't like The Pilot's Wife but am glad I gave this author another try. I plan to read more of her books.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing from beginning to end...
Review: This book pulled me into the world quickly and completely. It has been a while since I've stayed up late to read.The story spoke to me. Passion and its consequences are strong forces in life. The courtroom drama was one of the "can't put this down" sections of this book. I cried at the verdict, the writing stellar, I felt for every character. This is my first book by this author. It most definitely will not be the last.
Rating:
Summary: Fortune's Rochs
Review: I absolutely loved Fortune's Rock the story is so beautiful and every character is so real . A sickly made confection for readers who want to laugh and cry.
Rating: 
Summary: A Classic Coming of Age Tale
Review: Olympia Biddeford, on the cusp of turning sixteen, falls in love for the first time while on holiday in late nineteenth century New England. With tightly crafted characters, Anita Shreve has brilliantly captured the feel of a long hot summer that promises so much, but has devastating consequences for all involved. The basic plot, that of an emerging love between a girl and a man, could have easily fallen into a Lolita pastiche, but Shreve deftly keeps this engrossing novel on track. This is more than a "love-gone-wrong" story, however. There is a strong underlying historical context: that of the impoverished French immigrant communities of New England, the appalling labour conditions in which many of the working class toiled while their betters holiday in comfort, and the stifling class and gender conventions of the time. Despite its bleakness in places, this novel is ultimately uplifting and a first rate read.
Rating:
Summary: Captures the flavor of the era
Review: Since I am a big Anite Shreve fan, I started the book with a fair amount of prejudice. However, I enjoyed this tale far more than others written about the same geographic era. Only a writer of her talent can capture the essence of the era that she chose for this subject. It is definitely one of Anita Shreve's better efforts.
Rating:
Summary: May you have the good fortune to read this book...
Review: Once this book grabbed hold of me, it wouldn't let me go. I initially picked up this book because I was intrigued with Shreve's writing style in The Pilot's Wife. Again, she delivers another haunting emotional tale, which is gripping because of the author's literary talents. Shreve takes a common theme (youth plunging headlong into a romantic relationship which can only spell disaster), and with some plot twists and eloquent charcterizations makes it far from ordinary. You will be carried along the journey hoping that the characters do not create their own ruin, and then empathize when they do. The spell cast by this novel is captivating.
Rating:
Summary: COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN
Review: This is one of those novels that makes you fight off sleep so that you can read "just one more chapter". I was saddened when I realized I was getting near the end. The writing is so descriptive, I can see Fortune's Rocks in my mind. The love story (yes, I do think it is a love story) was rivoting. I have read other Shreve novels (Pilot's Wife & Weight of Water) and thought this one even better. I loved it!
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