Black and Blue

Rating:
Summary: Boring, slow, predictable, unrealistic
Review: Don't buy this book. It took me forever to finish because I didn't care how it ended. You don't feel for the characters. It's so flat and dry. It's so boring, I can't even find words to explain how boring. I was so happy to finish this book, so I could start reading a real story.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: The ability of the author to tell an interesting and griping story -- not in 5 pages, but in 100's -- while keeping me glued to the page, is unique. This is a masterpiece. The ending had me gasping for my breath. (53 year old, non-violent male).

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I read this book on a transpacific flight, the flight seemed only minutes long.... I have never been abused and have always had difficulty understanding the mindset and actions of those that remain in abusive situations. This book managed to make me understand a bit better the reasons these individuals have. I would recommend this book to anyone, it crosses both genders and is not the typical "womens" novel.

Rating:
Summary: Heartwrenchingly honest and true
Review: This book absolutely broke my heart. Franny Benedetto's story grabbed me from page one and wouldn't let me go until I finished. Amazingly well written, Anna Quindlin goes into the mind of a battered wife and I never doubted for a second any of the emotions in this book. Amazing

Rating:
Summary: Anna Quindlen could have written this story in 50 pages.
Review: The story seems interesting, but the author goes on, and on. I did not enjoy the extra information at all. Most of the book is fluff that is very repetitive and pointless. Wally Lamb adds background info to his characters, but I cared about them and the info. was relevant to the story. It had about 2 exciting points, the rest put me to sleep.

Rating:
Summary: This edition has 4 typos in the first 33 pages; Don't buy!
Review: Well, I've only read the first 33 pages, but I was quite appalled by the number of typographical errors. And since I've only read the first 33 pages, you can disregard that 5 stars!

Rating:
Summary: Fairly good, pitifully unrealistic at times
Review: To be fair, I have to say that I have not yet finished the book. I just needed to say something about this right now. I have become a frustrated and disgusted at the turn this story seems to have taken. It seems to have entered into the realm of what was best described as a "made for T.V. movie", as was said by another reviewer of this book. Fran, the victim has been handed a new identity, has no rent to pay, a new closet full of clothes (that just happened to be her size) no bills besides grocery's and what-do-ya-know! - Her kid's soccer coach is dreamy and single and has this cute little crush on her. They run together and exchange weather proof jackets at Christmas. He kisses her and says, "Boy". Give me a break! Our victim Fran turns from a helpless punching bag to a hero who is in complete control of everything- her job, her kid, her ner romance, and her finances in the matter of 6 months. So much so that she no longer needs and sounds as if she is actually RESENTFULL of the aid she was given by the very people who saved her and virtually handed her a new life on a silver platter. I know that there are underground groups that offer this kind of assistance, but this story has become entirely too unrealistic. I grew up in a house with domestic violence and one day enough was enough and my mother took me with her and we started a new life. Although we did not flee undercover with the aid of a phantom support group, I can say that I know a little about what goes on . Of course, every story is different, but come on! Oh yeah, and these "tragedys" that are sprinkled in (no doubt to give us a break from Fran's constant ruminants about Grace and the sound of her breath)i.e, her kid being thrown out of a super-market and kids falling out of ferris-wheels? These things could happened, but they seems to lack something and add little to the story. Ms Quidlen also needs to learn the art of using run-on sentances. Her's just don't work. (She could learn a lot about that from Tony Morrison who does it quite masterfully). I hope this story will help women in a similiar situation. It is touching and enlightening in many ways, but Ms. Quindlen really doesn't have true insight into the process of starting over from escaping the horror of domestic violence. At least it is not communicated that she does in this story.

Rating:
Summary: This book gives hope to women living in horror.
Review: This is a book that captures the human spirit of survival on a new level. Black and Blue takes those of us who don't understand the fear and pain of abuse into the front lines. It also answers some questions and provides hope to those who feel trapped and alone in their abusive situation. Does Patty Bancroft really exist? We all hope that she or someone like her does.

Rating:
Summary: a must read for all women
Review: a true to life story that touches the heart and soul. makes a person look deep within themselves.

Rating:
Summary: Not Quindlen's best
Review: Having loved everything I've ever read (both essays and fiction) by Anna Quindlen, I eagerly picked up this book. While curiosity about how the story would resolve kept me reading, I was very disappointed. I found the narrative repetitive, and the main character wasn't developed enough for me to care about her (and given her horrific experience, I wanted to care about her). When I read "One True Thing", I really felt that I had lived through the experience; this book made me feel that I was eavesdropping on a not-too-interesting conversation. Note: there were so many irritating typos in the first chapter that I was tempted to just put the book down.