Here on Earth

Rating:
Summary: wonderful wonderful wonderful reading
Review: It was inspiring and moving to read about a character who had every reason in the world to be a negative, cynical loser with a chip the size of melon on their shoulder. March had her struggles but she was a beautiful friend to so many in such a short amount of time. These qualities were the most inspiring things I was able to take from this beautiful novel. Thanks O for the suggestion.

Rating:
Summary: Five stars says it all!
Review: There were numerous times I could not put this book down. I have read two other books from Oprah's Book Club and will continue to do so, she has great taste! This is a must read!

Rating:
Summary: Good book but unsatisfying ending
Review: I really enjoyed this book, even though I could see where March was headed from the beginning. I thought it demonstrated very well how women become abused and don't even realize something is wrong. I was not happy with the ending, however; I didn't like the abrupt ending of March--I would have like to know what happened to her afterwards. I have to say, though, that I enjoyed Hollis' ending.

Rating:
Summary: A book to skip
Review: While reading this book I went from loving it to disliking it rather quickly. The story moved very fast and kept my attention at the beginning, but it soon became..well a disappointment. Its hard to read a book that has such a dark qualities everywhere. I can't imagine the sun shinning at any point within this story! When I was through with the story I didn't learn anything about love, instead I felt like was tricked into reading a horrible romance novel. I honestly don't recommend this book. If you are in search of a good book with awesome characters I recommend "I Know This Much Is True" by Wally Lamb, or "Where the Heart Is" by Billie Letts. "Here on Earth" is one to skip.

Rating:
Summary: Confusing to say the least
Review: When I read the back cover I figured that this would be a great read. It seemed to promise self-discovery and the answer to the question: to whom does one's heart really belong to? This book showed little self-discovery of the main character, March, and more from her daughter, Gwen. And it hardy even covered March's final decision. Where would she end up? With Richard? Did she finally realize whose love made her the person that she's always been? How come she never contemplated what would have been her fate if she HAD waited for Hollis to return? Too many questions left unanswered to be anything more than 3 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Love/Hate
Review: I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I want to hate it... I want to be mad that March Murray was a selfish woman who cared more about her sex life with Hollis than her own daughter. I want to hate her for hurting the man who loved her and cared for her for 19 years. Unfortunately, I really enjoyed this strange and twisted story. My favorite character was Gwen... in all of the craziness her mother was imposing on her life I feel that it was the best thing she could have done for Gwen. Gwen completely turned her life around when she realized that she was the one controlling where she would go. I found her character to be very strong and intelligent which is usually the case with teenagers who act out in childhood. What I didn't understand however was March's character. I kept trying to figure out what had happened in her childhood that made her so attracted to this dark and abusive man. Her father seemed to be very loving although he was absent a lot which could explain it. This book opened me to what goes through abused women's minds... they rationalize their lover's behavior... they only see the apologies. This book has been compared to Wuthering Heights which I am embarrassed to admit I have never read... but I bought it yesterday and I will definitely read it now.

Rating:
Summary: What's with the rabbits?
Review: Nope ... didn't like it. I'm reading all of these 5-star reviews and thinking that maybe I just missed something. This town and the characters in it were pathetic. Infidelity, physical abuse, alcoholism, incest ... and they're worried about RABBITS?

Rating:
Summary: True to life
Review: Having witnessed a love/control/abusive relationship growing up and having been a social worker, I thought the author did a realistic job of portraying emotions and fear spun out of control. That kind of love is wrong, but heartbreaking for all involved. I especially understood the blindness of the heroine to what was really going on, but was relieved to see her finally "wake up". A really good book, though for me, sometimes a heartbreaking read. These kinds of twisted relationships are never simple, as some would have you believe.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: A quick and meaningful read...enjoyed every bit of it! This is the first of Alice Hoffman's books I have read and I will now be scrounging for more. One really cares for the characters -- even the ones who deserve pity or disgust.

Rating:
Summary: A savior of mine
Review: To compare this book to Bronte's is a shame, different time periods, different situations, same shameful male. You gotta read this, a tale of spousal abuse that can save women.