Second Nature

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Summary: Absolute Magic!
Review: SECOND NATURE is a modern day take on BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Alice Hoffman has such a way of taking a fairy tale and weaving it into a thoroughly believable and compelling story. Her writing is easy and lyrical, and all of her books are so wonderful, you find yourself lost in the stories. Alice Hoffman is truly a remarkable storyteller, and my favorite author.

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Summary: A quick read that re-awakens thoughts of humanity.
Review: The title says it all - Second Nature. What is natural in one situation is not so natural in another. Stephen's lessons from living in the wild are transferred to a small Carolina town. Hoffman reawakens the humanity in us all as tragedies of individual's love, confusion, and frailities unwind. Believable? No. Moving? Yes.

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Summary: This book was great, but not my favorite
Review: This book by Alice Hoffman was a wonderful book, about love, and relationships. Saving Stephen from the psyciatric ward was probably the most helpful and wonderful things that Robin could have done. Throughout this story, Robin a Stephen both taught each other a great deal. Not only did Robin teach Stephen the wrongs and the rights of civilization, they taught each other about love and devotion. I think that Hoffman should have developed her charachters a little bit better. At some points I found myself confused, but mainly just loved it. I laughed, cried, and felt heartache for all the characterswhen Stephen had to leave their lives. I do reccomend this book to people who have not read it. Please respond, I'd love to know what others thought of this book.

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Summary: Captivating Story that is Magical Regardless of its Flaws
Review: This book was absolutely beautifully written! Yes, I found it unbelievable how one could walk out of a mental institution with a "deranged" individual that was cared for by wolves. Once you put that aside and let the magic of a well written story captivate you, it does not seem to matter as much. It makes the reader question our "normal" society and the superficial world we live in. This novel will thrill you and is a must for anyone who loves great writing!

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Summary: I found it a great read
Review: This is the second Alice Hoffman book I've read. Although it's not as brilliant as her "Blue Diary", I still found it wonderful. I read it in a night. No, I didn't think I'd ever read a story about a man raised by wolves and like it. Hoffman treats her subject so well however, that I was drawn right in, facts be dammed. It's a story about relationships and how we as humans often times act like animals and vice versa. Try this book, I think you'll like it!

Rating:
Summary: I found it a great read
Review: This is the second Alice Hoffman book I've read. Although it's not as brilliant as her "Blue Diary", I still found it wonderful. I read it in a night. No, I didn't think I'd ever read a story about a man raised by wolves and like it. Hoffman treats her subject so well however, that I was drawn right in, facts be dammed. It's a story about relationships and how we as humans often times act like animals and vice versa. Try this book, I think you'll like it!

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Summary: IT TOUCHED THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
Review: This story is ideal to me .I found myself in absolute harmony with Alice.I love her.

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Summary: Lyrical and wonderful as always, Hoffman brings us more
Review: This was the first Hoffman I've read via audiobook, and I must say, it had a different feel to it than reading her work with my eyes.

The story is also quite different from most of her tales, though I've noticed there's a murder or death in nearly all of her books now. Basically, in this tale, a 3 year old boy survived a plane crash, and lived in the wild for very many years. He is found when some hunters accidentally 'trap' him with one of those cruel and terrible beartraps, and taken to mental institution, where he is slated to be locked away.

The sister of one of the psychiatrists goes to visit him for advice, and sees this 'wolfman' and - on random impulse and affected by something the wolfman says - takes him home.

This is the spark to the story - what sets everything else in motion, a trick that Hoffman has down pat. From there, everyone in the book has their lives ricochet off from this one event, and as always, Hoffman delivers wonderful metaphors, allegories and pathetic fallacy to an almost magical level. It's a beautiful piece of prose to read (or listen to).

Though I didn't quite find it as wonderful as 'Local Girls,' 'Practical Magic,' 'The Blue Diary,' or 'The River King.' Perhaps I'm overloading on Hoffman, or - more likely, as I adore her writing - it is the 'abridgement' that took some of the shine from her words. I may have to find the physical book and read it as well.

'Nathan

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Summary: A surprising look at relationships of all kinds.
Review: When I began the book about the "Wolfman" I was disappointed. As I read on I was enthralled and moved. The "Wolfman" changes and enriches every life he touches. Alice Hoffman explores relationships of every kind: friends, parent-child, sibling, lovers, husband-wife, and more through their encounters with the story's main characters. I couldn't put it down once I met them. Take it to the beach!

Rating:
Summary: absolutely fantastic!
Review: Wow, I've read all of Alice Hoffman's books and they never cease to thrill me. What an incredible writer to bring to life such characters as to make me fall in love with them all. This is a lady who doesn't seem to conform to the traditional "happy-endings" -- the endings satisfy while remaining realistic and true to life. Of all her books, this rates #3 on my list. I also recommend Property Of and White Horses.