Black and Blue

Rating:
Summary: a combination of well-written and poorly realized characters
Review: Black and Blue was an interesting "easy-read", but in the final analysis, extremely disappointing. Anna Quindlin succeeded on several levels. We are drawn into Beth's (or Fran's) world and thoughts. We care for her and her problems and how she has been affected by the terrible domestic abuse she has been subjected to during her marriage to Bobby Benedetto. Unfortunately, too much of Quindlen's writing seems stilted and from the pages of a dime novel. I kept on waiting for the flashes of beautifully crafted words and sentences to continue, but all too often, they did not. The novel was certainly worth reading, but not a real literary success.

Rating:
Summary: Read Black and Blue
Review: I have always considered Anna Quindlen my favorite author, but with this novel my respect for her as a writer grew even more. Black and Blue is a masterfully written, incredible story with real characters and true emotions. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Old story, no new twists
Review: I have enjoyed Quindlen's short stories and columns for years, but this book lacks the depth that you normally see in her writings. The characters are shallow, and I never quite understood her relationship with the gym teacher, or her feelings for her little girl. The ending was rushed- it seems as if there was a page limit for this book, for Fran's (or Beth's) thoughts are very scattered and not very convincing. This book reads like Stephen King's novel, Rose Madder, only in his book we saw a deeper, much more feeling, heroine.

Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: I want to begin by advising others to be wary of reading the review from Chicago!! The reviewer felt compelled(?) to reveal the ending of the story!! That said, I found this to be a compelling tale. Quindlen at her best(so far...) Days have passed and I can not seem to shake the story or its characters, both mother and son, from my mind.

Rating:
Summary: apathetic...
Review: There is something formulaic about Black and Blue. Quindlen is clearly a wonderful writer which is evident throughout the text, her mastery of language, her method of allowing the reader to become engrossed in the text, etc. What is lacking here is true psychological depth and insight and a really exciting story. Yes, Quindlen portrays a terrifying story of domestic violence. However, the ending is incredible predictable. And it is very hard for the reader to ever connect with the protagonist of the novel. Quindlen's character examination seems superficial. We don't really get to know her and I'm not convinced that Quindlen really gets to know her. I left the novel saddened by a tale of domestic abuse but apathetic towards both the protagonist and Quindlen.

Rating:
Summary: An emotional, spellbinding novel
Review: Being as far from the main character as I am, I wondered whether I would be able to really absorb Fran's feelings. And it shows that Anna Quindlen is an excellent writer to be able to create a chareacter so believable in thoughts and actions that I could almost see the events unfolding through her eyes. The book builds from a slightly dispassionate beginning to an emotional crescendo as Fran's repressed feelings burst at the seems. Heart-wrenching without being manipulative. Emotional without being depressing. A truly satisfying novel on so many levels.

Rating:
Summary: A tough subject; easy read
Review: I liked the style of writing; it was an involving story. Fran is very sympathetic. However, I always felt at an arms length from the characters, not much depth. I would have liked to have had a persepective of the other victims and of the abuser. Also, the reflections got a bit repetitive. Story had a 'surprise' ending...for me anyway.

Rating:
Summary: Now I love Quindlen's novels too...
Review: I cried the day Anna Quindlen gave up her op-ed column in the New York Times because her essays were my absolute favorite things to read. When she came out with her first novel, I read it eagerly only to be dissapointed. One True Thing was better. But Black and Blue made me feel the same way I felt when reading her essays...enthralled, emotional, believing. This is a great book, wether you're a Quindlen fan or not.

Rating:
Summary: Moving and Though-provoking
Review: The female lead in the book is tortured by her life. After spending years with an abusive husband she tries to take her destiny in her hands. For some time it seems to work, but suddenly everything changes. This book will cause you to feel for this poor-soul of a woman who just can't seem to have things that every human being should be allowed to have. Especialy peace!!

Rating:
Summary: Quindlen proves aftermath of abuse no bed of roses, either
Review: The fascinating part of this book to me was Quindlen's study of the aftermath of Fran leaving Bobby. Many of us have heard, seen, or read about the kind of torture she absorbed at her husband's hand, but fewer of us have read such a convincing story of what happens next. It is not a rose garden or an easy path to have chosen, at least for Fran, who continues to feel stalked and who cannot quite emerge as a person because Bobby is out there just waiting to come back to destroy her. And yet, given the opportunity to pummel her once again or kill her, he chooses instead the psychological abuse of taking her son away and leaving Fran forever his prisoner. Quindlen's writing is pure poetry, real, emotionally charged, and righteous.