Rating: 
Summary: Disliked Main Character and---
Review: I think the last few reviews, both positive and negative, have pointed out a few things. The book is basically an autobiog/ memoir presented to the public in the form of a novel, under the heading of fiction, but it has become evident that the main character Olivia is the author. The reviewer below points out what is so cloying about this main character. Whether or not the low starred reviews are written by people who know the author, or just by readers who were very turned off, it makes sense that disliking the main character and disliking the author are sort of the same thing. And I don't think it is necessarily incorrect to voice this via Amazon. Most of the writers of the bad reviews are either coming out and/or saying they know the author or giving their names, while those who don't like that anyone is saying something bad are hiding behind fiction- I mean anonymous names. It has become somewhat common knowledge that a good portion of Amazon reviews are written by books' authors, the author's friends and families, the author's detractors. But some readers may take offense to the voice and the vibe of characters in fiction, whether they see the author in them or not. Look at the reviews for the Bergdrf. Blndes book. The narrator/author's voice really offended readers. Also, it seems that if an author is using real people in her book (this goes for the author of True and Outstanding as well as other recent novels also acting as public therapy/outing sessions for the author), "disguising" these real people in a novel, then all is fair in getting strong responses back, be it here on Amazon or in other venues. There is a good deal of humor in this book-- both painful humor and nasty, mean-edged humor, particularly in the presentation of the L.A. characters. Is libel only allowed when it is masked under the words This Is A Work Of Fiction ? I do agree with another earlier reviewer that the author can turn a phrase,and that Maddie is the character to love--and that more heart was there with Maddie, and yes, overall, there are definitely some moving and heart tugging moments. I don't think it lived up to the level it could have been at; that I had hoped it would be at. I would say it is a satisfying book on many levels, and certainly easy to read. I don't think it's a great book though, and not one that reverberates after it is finished. Yes, some negative reviewers may know the author, but they are allowed to have their reaction. Then again, some negative reviewers may not know the author, and are equally justified to have a reaction of distaste. Not everything in life is about jealousy, when there is an expression or reaction of dislike, anger, being sickened, whatever. It can be jealousy-- but are we jealous always of something we find petty or annoying? This reviewer doesn't know the author. This reviewer didn't love the book or narrator. It's not an awful first book, but I do think their are more imaginitive books and novels out there, with much more creative force and spark, and with fewer claws bared.
Rating:
Summary: Didn't live up to hype
Review: I was anxious to read this book. Loved the cover, title and hype, but the book was dull. I stopped reading 20 pages before the end. I didn't care about the characters, the plot was so-so and the prose humdrum. It's a wonder how the author garnered so much prepub publicity. It's hard to believe it had had anything to do with the quality of the book, which was a midlist title at best.
Want to read a book that lives up to some of the buzz? Try GOOD GRIEF by Lolly Winston.
Rating: 
Summary: A Stir of the Spirit
Review: On the same playing field as Good Grief, My Fractured Life, and Postcards From the Edge. It is a brilliant and powerful book that will stir your emotions.
Rating:
Summary: The power of letters to tell a story
Review: The T and OA of the Hunt Sisters is a powerful debut novel, and I'm glad I have a signed first edition. It was the recent selection of the First Edition Club of Book Passage, an iconic bookstore in Corte Madera, CA - and this book is a real winner.
The entire book is a collection of letters of wildly varying length from Olivia Hunt to all the various important people in her life: her sister (who is battling with leukemia in Ohio), her ex-lover (whom she still loves, but he's an artist in NM), and her best friend (who is trying to get pregnant). There are tons of short and hilarious, acerbic and sarcastic letters to Hollywood directors, actors, producers, money-lenders, etc., because Olivia wants to revive her flagging career by coordinating a big-budget production of Don Quixote, starring Robin Williams.
It's a strange juxtaposition of events that come together during the year plus a few months that these 'letters' span, and by the end you care deeply about every single one of the characters. Don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, poignant, and a fast read
Review: I strongly recommend The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson . You know, on first glance it gives the appearance of being a rather trivial book, because of both it's format; which consists entirely of faxes, letters, and emails, which make for a very quick read...and because of the subject matter; single 30+ female tries to produce her first movie and is dealing with assorted Hollywood stereotypes, ex-boyfriend, and sick sibling at the same time. HOWEVER, this book really has some wonderful prose and is much more than a fun page-turner. The following quote from the book (a letter to her ex-boyfriend) was also in a review of the novel. It's an example of some of the beautiful writing which runs throughout this fine book: "Maybe we're all born with a protective mental coating like a pomegranate seed has, an invisible placenta that prevents reality from piercing our tender brains, that allows us to fool ourselves until our last breath, that lets us actually believe that one day we'll be discovered and one day we'll be rich, one day the world will see our hidden genius, that lets me believe that somewhere in the recesses of your sweet heart and hard head you still care for me". If you like this kind of writing, and want to get quickly involved in an interesting, sometimes funny/sweet /sad novel, this one is for you.
Rating:
Summary: A disappointment
Review: To a large extent this book was a disappointment. While there are some good descriptions, some good phrasing, and a few spots where one feels for the characters, who are so at a loss and pained during a time of crisis-- there are more spots where the phrasing is stilted and even a little stupidly silly (such as when dancers are referred to as jumping around like they have to go to the bathroom). One overall problem with the book has to do with the conviction held by the author/protagonist-- that no job and no life can be as coveted and fabulous and fascinating as that of a life and a job in Hollywood. With this conviction is the continously expressed belief that people who are in pain want to hear about movie stars and movie sets to cheer them up; that one's worth is measured by their proximity to stardom. As other reviews had mentioned, there's something overall self-serving and manipulating in the writing, and this did at times eat away at what could have been a compassionate and heart-rending story. It is overall not a badly told story, certainly a sad story, and one that I wish-- and I feel a little bad saying this-- had been told by someone, anyone, other than Olivia Hunt. Why was it so hard to sympathize with this creature? I also found that the letter-by-letter format took away rather than added to the flow of the story, and that by omitting the voices of others-- which would most likely have provided more sympathy, compassion, maturity, wisdom, and insight-- the true experience of the story was watered down .
I do agree with other assessments that if Little,Brown had not put such a marketing push behind the book, it would not have seen many sales. It makes me wonder about publishing's slowly inching back to more simpleminded styles of writing.
Rating: 
Summary: A great read until the end
Review: This book is extremely successful in merging comedy, cynicism, illness, family love and the struggle for meaning in life. The characters are full of flaws and struggles, just like we all are. That is why everyone is so likeable. It is very rare to find women characters in modern ficition that are strong without being obnoxious or unlikeable. The description of Maddie's illness and treatment is so palpable and realistic it is hard not to think about it constantly. Few books can merge so much successfully. However, I feel the book was just cut short at the end and finished too abruptly. I am not sure what I was expecting but I was hoping for a more conclusive ending given the tone and pace set early in the book.
Rating:
Summary: A fun, interesting read with a moving plot
Review: What made this such a wonderful story? The very complex plot. The angle is also intriguing: Olivia who is as self centered as everyone says and suddenly has to put herself aside and deal with her sister's luekemia. I enjoyed reading this for the strides Olivia has to take to try to please everyone. She had a quick-witted sense of humor and cynicism. I thought the most humorous part was the scene in the department store changing room-you'll just have to read it! Good if you are looking for a quick, humorous, emotional, and intriguing read.
Rating:
Summary: sad but not sappy
Review: Heartbreaking but not at all sappy, this story of sisters is smart and funny. Ms. Robinson's cynicism is refreshing. Her take on Hollywood is interesting, and the honesty with which she creates her main character - letting us see her not-so-pretty thoughts - makes this book a cut above.
Rating: 
Summary: I Wouldn't Call it Outstanding.....
Review: After hearing so many people say they enjoyed this book, I was quite disappointed. It just didn't measure up, in my opinion. Let's start with the good points of the book. First off, it's a quick and easy read since it's written in letter format. One of the Hunt sisters, Maddie, is a wonderful and warm character that kinda acts as a sponge to wipe away some of Olivia's, the main character, cold shoulder. Now, the downfall. Olivia, the sister that writes the letters that the book is based around, is a pain in the neck! She doesn't ever have anything nice to say and she seems to get on everyone's last nerve ...... including mine! She is way too *Hollywood* for her own good. Actually, she's more like an annoying wannabe, if I'm being honest. I don't think she even knows the true meaning of love. Not even when it comes to loving her own self. Even at the end of the book, I still felt Olivia had a lot of growing up to do and some deep lessons are still waiting to be learned. Elisabeth Robinson would of had a *winner* with this one if the story would have just focused around Maddie and her struggles. That part of the story was written so beautifully. I just didn't feel like Olivia *deserved* the right to have taken up so many pages with her jibber-jabber of Hollywood nonsense.
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