Rating: 
Summary: Not Enough Story
Review: Donna Morrissey has earned my eye with this novel. Set in Atlantic Canada, we find ourselves walking alongside Kit, the heroine of the story, through her often difficult life.Raised mostly by her grandmother, with a mother who is developmentally delayed, Kit struggles hard in the small town world to remain independant and strong. When her grandmother dies, Kit's life becomes entangled with the local populace as she suddenly becomes parent to her mother and tries frantically to navigate the world of growing up, falling in love, and learning of her own confused past. An ultimately triumphant novel, Kit is an incredible character that earns sympathy and empathy alike. The vivid prose that Morrissey uses to describe the Canadian countryside is just phenomenal, and the characterizations of the townsfolk are so sharp they draw blood. I have re-read this book on many occassions, and still find something new within its pages, the true test of a really wonderful read. If you like Alice Hoffman, Joyce Carol Oates, or have ever read one of the Oprah's Choice books about a strong female character overcoming nearly impossible environments and life experiences, then this book is for you.
Rating: 
Summary: A gorgeous book of trials and triumph...
Review: Donna Morrissey has earned my eye with this novel. Set in Atlantic Canada, we find ourselves walking alongside Kit, the heroine of the story, through her often difficult life. Raised mostly by her grandmother, with a mother who is developmentally delayed, Kit struggles hard in the small town world to remain independant and strong. When her grandmother dies, Kit's life becomes entangled with the local populace as she suddenly becomes parent to her mother and tries frantically to navigate the world of growing up, falling in love, and learning of her own confused past. An ultimately triumphant novel, Kit is an incredible character that earns sympathy and empathy alike. The vivid prose that Morrissey uses to describe the Canadian countryside is just phenomenal, and the characterizations of the townsfolk are so sharp they draw blood. I have re-read this book on many occassions, and still find something new within its pages, the true test of a really wonderful read. If you like Alice Hoffman, Joyce Carol Oates, or have ever read one of the Oprah's Choice books about a strong female character overcoming nearly impossible environments and life experiences, then this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book
Review: From the first page I was hooked on this story. The setting is a magic and distant place, and the author describes it in a way that makes you feel you are there. But, the story could happen anywhere, and I found I connected with the 'realness' of the people, as their deepest fears, their bravery, their secrets and untimately their very spirits were exposed through the telling of the tale. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. A definite thumbs up and five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent novel!
Review: I agree 100% with what everyone has written. This is an exquisite piece of writing. I can't wait for Donna Morrissey's next book!!!
Rating:
Summary: Riveting storytelling
Review: I couldn't put this extraordinary book down once I read the first page. It had the most wonderful cast of rough-hewn and larger than life small-town characters - people that touch the heart and made me laugh on one page - cry on the next. It is the soul-wrenching story of three compelling women - their quiet devotion to each other sustaining their simple life amid threats to their unforgettable strength. It is the story of sadness and hope - of love and determination. A terrific tale...a must read. I look forward to more by Morrissey.
Rating:
Summary: Not Enough Story
Review: I hate to be the lone dissenting voice here, but... I'm sorry, I just did not think it was that great. Donna Morrissey writes well. Her descriptions, such as those of the desolate coastal village, are lovely, and the dialect her characters speak in is charming, but those things alone do not make a good novel. There is just not enough happening here. The Shine murder is the only real plot, and there are only fifty pages or so covering his stalking of Kit and Josie, the murder, and the trial. I don't necessarily require complex plotlines to enjoy a book, but if you're going to have this little going on, you need to have well developed characters to carry it along. Most of Morrisey's characters are too one dimensional, either all good (Sid, Loret, and the doctor) or all bad (the Reverend and his wife) and lack believability. Lizzy and Josie are more interesting, but Lizzy is killed off after fifty pages, and with the exception of a few scenes, Josie is mainly reduced to running around and irritating everyone else with her childishness and promiscuity. Kit is the only character that develops much, but she is rather overshadowed by the larger than life secondary characters. The "shocking" relevation about Sid just made me roll my eyes and wonder how many VC Andrews novels the author read before beginning her book. It was at that point that I pretty much just skimmed the rest of the book. I do think that this author has promise, and I'd probably give another novel from her a chance. Now to move on to my next read and duck the hate mail and "unhelpful" reviewer votes that will surely be coming my way! :-)
Rating: 
Summary: Riveting
Review: I have just come from listening to Donna Morrissey read from her acclaimed novel "Kit's Law" and all I can tell you is that she was riveting. Without a doubt the finest author I have heard read from his/her work, Morrissey demands to be heard; she's funny, intelligent, persuasive, but most of all she seems genuinely enthralled at being able to present her work in front of others. If she's in town for a signing, be sure to go to hear her read from her novel. I can't wait until she comes back to Massachusetts.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting
Review: I have just come from listening to Donna Morrissey read from her acclaimed novel "Kit's Law" and all I can tell you is that she was riveting. Without a doubt the finest author I have heard read from his/her work, Morrissey demands to be heard; she's funny, intelligent, persuasive, but most of all she seems genuinely enthralled at being able to present her work in front of others. If she's in town for a signing, be sure to go to hear her read from her novel. I can't wait until she comes back to Massachusetts.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth it...
Review: I loved this book. Donna M took me right into the heart of 50's Newfoundland in a very authentic way. I have friends who are from this rugged, rocky place, and she describes the land, personalities and circumstances with a great deal of authenticity, respect and above all, creativity. The characters involved seemed so real to me that I felt I could head out there and meet them...and I wanted to. And our heroine Kit just had my heartstrings being pulled in all directions. I was almost cheering her on out loud...a very involving book. I can strongly recommend this book to just about anyone who is looking to be taken away to another time, place and culture for an unforgettable read. I myself will be giving this book to numerous family members as a gift this Christmas. I can't lose on this winner.
Rating:
Summary: Kit's Law took me home
Review: I recently completed Kit's Law, and, like many who have read the book, once I started I could not stop. I am a 23-year-old Newfoundlander living in Ottawa. I have always been very proud to be a Newfoundlander, and have always know that being a Newfoundlander meant that I was part of something special. I have always had a great appreciation and interest in the rich culture and heritage of my province. However, this interest deepened when I moved away from the province in June of 2000 after graduating from MUN. Ms. Morrisey's book helped to bring me back to the small outport I grew up in through the wonderful story of Kit's braveness, and the strong development of characters in the story who were comparable to those I remember from back home. I felt connected to Kit somehow, although I am not sure how exactly. Most likely it was through Ms. Morrisey's amazing writing style which made the book such a charming piece of work to read. I am anxiously awaiting Ms. Morrisey's next book. I recommend Kit's Law to anyone looking for an amazing and well-written story.
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