One True Thing

Rating:
Summary: A Moveing Story!
Review: One True Thing is one of the sadest books i have ever read, but at the same time it is so good. You dont want to put it down. You start to feel for the mom and for Ellen who has to take care of her dieing mom while her husband who doesnt know how to cope goes off and sleep around instead of being home with his dieing wife. I just think that this is a heart warming, very moving book. To see how peoples life is changed and how they can change for the better and how all the people in the book deal with there mothers dieing differently. I really enjoyed this book, but expect some tears!

Rating:
Summary: The Difficulties...
Review: This story describes a young woman named Ellen Gulden, who is a successful magazine writer. While obtaining the label of this occupation, Ellen only seemed to care about her career, however she hopes to justify her father by proving to him that she had a heart to take care of her mother, who was diagnosed with cancer. In the beginning, Ellen was frustrated and irritated, showing that she no longer wanted to stay in her own household with her family. Yet, these emotions eventually altered.

Ellen and her mother Kate had completely distinct personalities. Ellen was intelligent and desired to learn about political/cosmopolitan issues, while Kate adored knitting and designing decorations. However, as the days passed by, these two opposite individuals started to spend quality time together, reading books and sharing views. While these events were occurring, Ellen began to become sympathetic and percieved the world differently. She gradually learned to love her mother everday, and cherished all the days spent with her. Anyhow, as time flew, her silent mother died peacefully, changing the family and society around it.

Ellen Gulden was accused of murdering her dear-loved mother, by overdosing her with morphine. Knowing that this was an untrue fact, she goes to court and was proven innocent. She learned that nobody killed her mother, she had committed suicide to escape the excruciating pain. After all the pain and suffering, Ellen decided to become a psychiatrist to help other patients, in memory of her beloved one, her mother.

This was an amazing novel, aiding me to learn many morals and values. This story assisted me to become a loving daughter, and to take advantage of the time i have with my mother. Because, as soon as your family is left with a disease, the less time you will be able to share valued memories with your precious family members.

Rating:
Summary: A book that leaves me speechless
Review: Yes, I saw the movie first. Then I knew I had to read the book.
I read this book in 2 days. Rarely do books move me to cry, but this one did. The complicated fabric of this family & the seperate relationships inside of it- there are no words.
Quindlen is a wonderful author. She really puts you into the characters frame of mind. You can understand what they are feeling. She did an excellent job with a topic that is so over-written about as of late. She did a great job of describing what happens to someone who is dying of cancer- an honest portrayal. I also enjoyed Black & Blue.

Rating:
Summary: Good book, bad movie
Review: I wanted to see the movie, but decided that I would read the book first. As a result, I was very disappointed when I actually got around to seeing the movie. The best parts were left out. I found Ellen, in the book, to be a very interesting person. I liked the dialogue and the style of writing, neither of which can be translated on screen. Renee Zellweger (I don't care how you spell her name)made Ellen seem like a whiny brat.
I could have seen more complex characters on Lifetime.
As for the book, though, I thought Ellen and her father were very intriguing and very witty. I thought Jeff was also a good character, more important to the text than Brian, and he shouldn't have been cut out of the film adaptation. The best parts of the book were the flashbacks.

Rating:
Summary: A good Book but the movie is better
Review: For once i have come to see that a movie can be better than its basis, i was eager to read one true thing after seeing the movie which i thought was great. I thought that part one was good and basically engaging but once i got to part two i could of cared less relly this book seemed at many times like one of those books writen about a movie like a movie tie in. It was a easy read though and i have reread parts that i thought were good.

Rating:
Summary: Sad But Well Written
Review: This one was tough, but as usual Anna Quindlen writes it so well you become entralled in this memorable book. If you saw the movie, the book was much more engrossing. She is truly a gifted writer.

Rating:
Summary: Simple But True
Review: This book conveyed many of the author's belief of how to lead a simple but happy life. It also doesn't differ much from Paul Theroux's catchphrase of: Simplify, Simplify, Simplify. When the main character of "One True Thing" was thrown into the deep end, she finally realised that what mattered in her life was being able to reconcile with her loved ones. It's true that we always put ourselves ahead of our parents, and that they could be a pain at our backside at times, and that, they could yack from dusk to dawn but ultimately, it doesn't hide the fact that they are still our parents. The author wrote portrayed her thought through the main character that she had the fear of losing her dying mother but what bothered her the most was perhaps, her inability to get to know her as a person before she died. Sometimes, silence speaks volume and only when that one true person (thing) is there no longer that we start to appreciate things that we used to take for granted. Then, she also wrote about misunderstanding through non-communication. As years go by, we only find out later that we tend to think for the worst when the other person doesn't think of us that way at all. Be in touch, albeit how busy or how unimportant the gesture is! A simple book which is written beautifully. I haven't seen the movie yet but I certainly hope that it lives up to this book and my expectation. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: One Truly Great Book!
Review: "One True Thing" is a well-written tearjerker which is very hard to put down. The story is heart wrenching, captivating, and I was sorry to see it end.

Ellen Guilden, is eager to return to her job as a journalist in New York City, when she learns that her mother has cancer. Ellen's father forces her to stay and take care of her mother, by laying a guilt trip on her and telling her that she has no heart. Kate, who was the classic "Donna Reed" type housewife and mother, never really had a close relationship with her daughter. During their time together the two bond and their relationship grows. Ellen discovers what a remarkable person her mother was, and Ellen herself is tranforms into a completely different person.

Anna Quindlen, is truly gifted with her ability to tell stories so poignant that they stay with you long after you finish reading the last page. I highly recommend reading this book and "Black and Blue" also.

Rating:
Summary: A Definite Tear Jerker
Review: I read this book after seeing the movie...something I try not to do too often. This book far surpassed my expectations. Quindlen is definitely one of the best writers of this time period.

Rating:
Summary: A movie of the week saved by good writing.
Review: A dying mother and the daughter called back home to become her nurse, get an opportunity to forge the relationship that they never had before. Add in a mercy killing murder accusation and you have a the blueprint for a "heart wrenching tale of love and loss." What saves this book from drowning in movie of the week pathos is the writing of Quindlen, who skillfully creates strong characters and believable dialogue. The problem is the plot is still has the basic components of a "tearjerker" and even Quindlen can't overcome that. Still, it moves well and the basic testament to the healing power of love can't be faulted.