Rating: Summary: Interesting and Emotional Review: This novel explores the many stages of grief, from shock and horror to acceptance. Kathryn's character development is somewhat weak throughout the book -- I wanted her to triumph over adversity or at least begin a believable road to recovery. The ending was a let down. On a positive note, the story was intriquing, in an "emotional-rollercoaster" kind of way. I wouldn't bring this to a book club, if you want to keep your friends.
Rating: Summary: Compelling, Fast Read!!! Review: I thought that this book was a very enjoyable read. I found that there was something about it that pulled me right along. The author dances to the edge of the absurd, but somehow she pulls it all together. It worked for me!
Rating: Summary: What a waste of time Review: Unfortunately, once I start reading a book, I am committed to finish it. I found this book to be shallow, very one-dimensional with a plot that is too predictable. The plot does not expand beyond the main character's anguish. A dozen or so pages before the book ends, I was teased with some intrigue, then the plot slides back to the same morose track. It could have been a thought provoking book, but instead it lead me down a one way street that didn't go anywhere. By the time I finished reading the book, I was angry. Angry that I had to read the whole thing. The gutt-wrenching emotions that readers witness throughout the book is very real, but the unravelled "secrets" in the plot are cheesy at best. What a shame.
Rating: Summary: Good, easy read Review: I found the Pilot's Wife to be an enjoyable, easy read and a bit overwhelming at times. Shreve's novel captured my attention, with her descriptive language and easily digestable plot (yes, it was a bit predictable, but it didn't diminish the story). A good summer book -- not too complicated and not very time consuming.
Rating: Summary: Good, Easy Read Review: I read the Pilot's Wife to be an enjoyable, easy read and a bit overwhelming at times. Shreve's novel captured my attention, with her descriptive language and easily digestable plot (yes, it was a bit predictable, but it didn't diminish the story). A good summer book -- not too complicated and not very time consuming.
Rating: Summary: Predictable and absurd Review: While other Oprah books have kept me entralled and longing for more spare time to read. This book was an insult. After about 5 pages, I knew what was going to happen. And when the author tries to throw in a surprising twist, I ended up wondering why? This book had so many holes in the story, and too many unanswered questions. Oprah. . . next time read the book, don't just listen to a publicist.
Rating: Summary: emotional veracity Review: Despite the slow pace and the predictable plot of this book, I found it absorbing. I think that is because the descriptions of the main character's feelings are so apt. There is an emotional truthfulness to the story.
Rating: Summary: OK Review: I just got done reading "The Triumph and the Glory", which was a very tough act to follow, so perhaps that is why "The Pilot's Wife" didn't strike me as all that good. The premise is interesting and it has it's moments, but I thought it kind of fell flat.
Rating: Summary: An emotionally-charged, thought-provoking read Review: Why do the reviews of this book reflect either a love-it or hate-it viewpoint? I think it's because it speaks to veterans of certain life experiences, and if the reader doesn't have that experience (how fortunate for them) many of the images wash right over them. There are scenes so achingly familiar to me; I was awed by the way in which Schreve recaptured them. The way Kathryn's body doubles over on itself and she becomes physically ill when she first hears of events and facts that the mind has never imagined. The way in which former happy memories must be "rewritten" in her mind because new disclosures have changed their context. The way she begins to question everything that went on before, and how suddenly all events are suspect. The way in which she symbolically discards the entire marriage when enough accumulated facts reveal she was not married to "Jack," but rather to a stranger. For myself and many other women, we identify with Shreve's story through our experience with divorce. Whether it's that or another life-dealing blow, the focus of Shreve's story is the exploration of grief and the idea that we may never truly know another person. Shreve doesn't detail the IRA conflict or Jack and Muire's life in London (as several readers critized) because it's not central to the focus. I found the book well-written, an absorbing, quick read. Also painful, because it reminded me of feelings that I have tried to numb. My only criticism of any weight is that the romantic angle to Robert's involvement with Kathryn cheapens the plot. To have a new lover there and waiting, on her doorstep, is more for movie audiences than a good book. I wish books in general would depict a more realistic view of life as it is for most women--most women will never find love a second time, and if they do it may be after many years of handling families, jobs, home on their own. But then, Kathryn is beautiful, and Jack and Robert are handsome, another weakness of the story that I'd like to discuss sometime with Schreve.
Rating: Summary: A GReat book; would recommend to anyone. Review: It was a terrific book Iwas in suspence the whole time I was reading,I did not want to lay the book down.Its amazing how a person can get wraped up in someone elses life story.
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