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Summary: Sometimes reality isn't pretty, but it's still reality.
Review: Having read all of Alice Hoffman's books, I look forward to any new release. "HERE ON EARTH" is more insightful than anything I've read in a long while, by Ms. Hoffman or any other writer. I'm disturbed by some of the other readers' comments; it sounds as though her writing is being critized because the depth of the reality of her charactors is disturbing, to say the least. While I certainly did not like who her people were, her insight into the lives of these individuals was intelligently and sensatively described. Not everyone we met, either in realty or in fiction, is someone we want to know. This does not reduce the value of their stories. I think that what was disturbing about this book is being faced with the realty that a woman who appears to be strong, intelligent and self-reliant can be drawn to levels she never expected. Sometimes life sneaks up on you when you least expect it. I would suggest that those who critize the book because they found the charactors to be depressing are, in fact, suppressing a fear of looking too deeply at what we all might become under a given circumstance. I found this book to be another example of Alice Hoffman's insight into who and what people are really all about. Like it or not. I'll look eagerly forward to her next release as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Hang in there, folks!
Review: I agree with the other reviewers that as a whole, March's behavior once she hooked up with Hollis was really sad, crazy and hard to read (especially how she turned away from protecting her daughter). But I've now read 2 other Hoffman books, "Second Nature" and "7th Heaven", and these gave me more insight into March. In both of the other books, there's a female main character whose behavior at times seems immature, irresponsible and downright disgusting, and yet, I think that there are parts of these women in each of us. It's as if Hoffman wants her readers to see ALL of the parts (the dark ones included) we each have inside of us. So my advice is to keep reading her books with this in mind.
Rating: 
Summary: flat
Review: This was the first Hoffman book I have read. In short, I did not find any one of the characters likable or realistic. The plot was flat and did not pull me in to the story line. Really boring! In addition, is anyone else tired of "love" stories focusing on women cheating on their husbands (Bridges of Madison County, Horse Whisperer)? Unfortunately this particular story does not have the emotional depth necessary to pull off the plot line.
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Summary: Hoffman's most spellbinding novel yet!!!!
Review: I'm a big Alice Hoffman fan, but this book captured me more than any of her other bestsellers. Hoffman grabbed my attention from the start, developing an intensely stange yet believable relationship between Hollis and Marge. Marge, who has not seen Hollis since their teenage years of romance, comes back to the Massachusetts town as a grown adult with a daughter and husband (who was left at home) for the funeral of an old friend. Any adolescent female can relate to the growth of the daughter, and anyone who believes or has experienced the power of love can relate to Marge's and Hollis's tumultuous relationship. This book truly is a five star, must read summer novel!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Alice Hoffman is no Emily Bronte
Review: Superficial and cliched character and plot development. Mediocre writing. Overwrought tendency to "tell" the story rather than "show" it. Too blatant a re-telling of "Wuthering Heights", without the complex nuances and contradictions that made that novel timeless. Good example of middlebrow contemporary fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A good read at first
Review: I had never read a book by Alice Hoffman before, and I must say this hasn't dissuaded me from reading others. At first I really liked it, and was enthralled by the writing and the characters. Then I grew to find it almost distasteful. It seemed highly implausible that March would be so out of her head with love that she couldn't see what Hollis really was. His cruelty is shocking, and made me almost not finish the book. That she would nearly sacrifice her daughter, and her own self-worth, is hard to believe. The writing grew more pedestrian as the book progressed, as well. However, I would like to read Hoffman's earlier works.
Rating:
Summary: Didn't care for this one
Review: This book was the first by Alice Hoffman I read. I was disappointed by it. It took me months to finish reading it because I couldn't bear to see what March was to do next. Hopefully the next Alice Hoffman book I read won't be this bad.
Rating:
Summary: Letdown in L.A. , expected more
Review: I watched the episode in which Oprah sat down with Alice Hoffman and the others and could not wait to run out and purchase this book. What a letdown. The characters are so depressing that I didn't find anyone that I really cared about at all. I kept waiting for the big turn around, hoping that it would change my opinion of this novel, but unfortunately it never came.
Rating: 
Summary: I could not put it down
Review: While the story & characters are on the dark side, I found it enthralling. I started it on a car trip and found myself 200 pages into within 2 hours. I was so cold when she described the weather!! I did have trouble with the cousin relationship, but all in all it was a great read. It made me realize that people change and you can't always have what you think you want.
Rating:
Summary: Worst book I ever read
Review: I read this book because it was recommended by Oprah, but I have never disliked a book more. I couldn't wait to get rid of it. The characters are both so needy. Hollis has no redeeming qualities and why March wanted to stay with him is beyond me. He not only treated her poorly, but she allowed that treatment to carry over to her daughter without even noticing. I find it hard to believe anyone could be this oblivious to life around them. Yes, love can sometimes make you blind, but it is not romantic or beautiful when it causes you to cease being human. March gave up her whole life for a worthless man. My recommendation is to never, ever read this book.
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