Rating: 
Summary: A complex novel in a lifelike space
Review: Ms. Lamott's novel tackles the big questions--the possibility for grace, family dysfunction and the hypnotic, self-destructive ways that families avoid coping with the poison, and the day to day struggle to find a compassionate way to live. These are "big", heady themes, but the writing here is strong,and the story is a simple, old-fashioned "good read". The protagonist, Mattie, is anything but a poster child for sainthood. Recently divorced, dealing with a troubled past and an unsettling present,
her story is very "down to earth", a rambling set of small adventures and family mysteries which tell rather like an afternoon in a small town engaged in "visitin'". Ms. LaMott, though, is a gifted writer, whose sure wit and deft ability to weave metaphor and symbol into a family narrative succeeds here far more often than it fails to excite. Ms. Lamott pursues spiritual themes, and in some ways the symbolism reminds one of very different novels, such as "The End of the Affair" or even "Brideshead Revisited", but Ms. Lamott's vision recognizes all the dilemmae of faith while steadfastly refusing to develop "tidy" resolutions which eliminate all the ambiguity. So many times today, stories about the Christian virtues and resistance to vice are easy, "G-rated" affairs in which the good come to realize the error of their ways, and their lives redeem into suburban bliss instantly. Ms. Lamott's characters solve mysteries, sort out tragedy and find ways to live with themselves. But they do not transform into saints from being sinners, and Ms. Lamott squarely addresses the moral ambiguities which affect this story of people hunting for ways to live a meaningful life. Although Ms. Lamott writes from an explicitly Christian perspective, this is not some work of theology or conversion set piece. To the extent she touches on theological themes, she will frankly dissatisfy many Christians and intrigue those without faith. I think this novel is best read not as the dreaded "Christian novel", but as a novel by an author who happens to be Christian. God seems indeed to be an unseen character as to some of the plot developments, but this is anything but some tract for the perfect life. No altar calls sound out, no heavenly choirs sing. I think this is a book to read for many reasons, but one in particular appeals to me. This is a book which without undue moralizing sets out in stark tones how important realization of family flaws can be, and how much damage can be transmitted down generations by "the sins of the father". Ms. Lamott uses a combination of literary writing, easily accessible 'magazine fiction' and a light sense of mystery to tell a worthwhile tale.
I must admit that before I read this novel, Ms. Lamott's non-fiction had never captured me--she seemed a bit too NPR-perfect in her witty repartee about her spirituality among her imperfections. This novel suggests she understands the difficult tightrope her ideas try to walk, and though it arguably tries to do too much, it is still a quiet, worthwhile must read. Even if one dislikes "Christian writers", family soap opera, and protagonist-as-dysfunctional-divorcee-coming-of-belated-age novels, this novel is not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: A lot like my own life!!! I loved it..
Review: I heard about this book in a magazine that I was reading. I bought it, and just put it in my bookcase. Just recently I was looking for a good read. I pulled it out, and could not put it down for a minute. Anne is the best Author of her time. The main person in the book is Mattie. I could relate to her so well, as I too was a single parent. I would recommend this book to all women. Whether you are single, married, with kids or without. It will touch your heart.
Rating:
Summary: This book came along at the right time in my life
Review: Also it is a rather gentle easy read, I enjoyed Anne Lamott's story telling immensly.
My life at this time is going through a very similar experience as her caracter: Mattie Ryder. I find Anne Lamott's insight in this phase of life very helpful and reasuring. It is a feel good book. It offers hope. Feelings of ambivalance concerning the many phases of divorce are gently handeled through Mattie Ryder. I recomend this book to anyone going through a divorce and the numerous life changes that take place.
Caracters that populate Mattie's life are handled, much the same way, with gentleness and understanding. This is my first book by Anne Lamott, her real life aproach to her caracters and story telling will have me certaintly return to check out her other books...
Rating: 
Summary: Bravo, Anne!
Review: Anne Lamott has brought a shining example of writing to the forefront. Her characterization of Mattie is real, genuine, and it's life at the end of the day. It's the little things that we try to overcome in our own lives that she has written about. Being rejected by a mate, being applauded by children, being disappointed by our parents...all of those equal the grand scope of our lives. Thank you, Anne, for a job well done.
Rating: 
Summary: amusing, barely
Review: I didn't find the characters so hateful, but I did think the plot meandered to the point where I was surprised when the book ended. nothing gets resolved, it just ends. mattie's final decision regarding daniel is really baffling. and the final foot-washing thing was really over the top. also as is common in anne lamott books, there is a lot of praying and good-hearted people smiling warmly/shyly at each other. Which is nice in a way but also getting a little old.
Rating:
Summary: Agree, not her best
Review: I am a big fan of Anne Lamott, but this book was not very good. It seemed to be much the same as the Rosie books, but with different characters with different problems and none of the magic. There are lots and lots of seemingly extra characters who aren't developed. The plot si pretty sketchy and it didn't seem to pick up until the last 85 pages. My favorite works of hers are Rosie, Crooked Little Heart and Traveling Mercies.
Rating: 
Summary: Not her best work
Review: I am a big fan of Anne Lamott, though I agree with several reviewers here that her nonfiction is far superior to her fiction, most of which I've found to be worth reading once, but not worth keeping on my bookshelf.
Blue Shoe is probably my least favorite of Lamott's books that I have read. I did enjoy the honesty of her characterization of Mattie--the fact that she thinks one thing and does another and that she sometimes has truly wicked thoughts. That honesty is refreshing in a world where precious few Christian writers allow their Christian characters to do--or even think--something inappropriate. (If you don't believe me, head to your local Christian bookstore and pick out a few of their top sellers--talk about preachy and unrealistic.)
That said, I still felt that Mattie never lets her faith really change her. Her self-absorption grows wearying throughout the book. The only indication that time has even passed is the fact that her kids have grown older and seasons have come and gone. Mattie herself never seems to grow or learn or develop. I don't mind "slice of life" types of books that just show characters where they are at a particular time, but over a period of years, as depicted in this book, I would expect a character to show some signs of growing and changing.
Though Blue Shoe is perhaps Lamott's weakest effort to date, it is worth reading if you're already a fan, but I would suggest starting with her nonfiction (especially Traveling Mercies or her Salon.com columns) if you're just looking for an introduction to her work.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I'm a huge fan of Anne, but this one lost me. Four years of self-centered whining? Missed the insight. Guess the one mind-thread of the protaganist discussed the fact that she couldn't care for an aging mother's advanced care needs unless she sold the mother's house. Catch? The self-centered, minimally employed daughter now called mom's house "hers". Sign of the times? Had trouble identifying...
Rating:
Summary: A disjointed story about families and their secrets
Review: Mattie Ryder feels like her life is unraveling; she's recently divorced from Nicky, who she can't seem to stop sleeping with, she doesn't have a lot of money coming in from her modeling work at Sears (she's a perfect size 12, although that this job was her main means of support was pretty implausible - I mean, who shops there anymore?) I didn't find Mattie a particularly sympathetic character - sometimes I wished I could reach into the book and give her a good shake; she's always on the verge of coming unglued at the hinges. Mattie falls in love with Daniel, who was supposed to be an exterminator but couldn't bear to rid her house of the rats infesting its walls, but Daniel is married. Her two children, Ella and Harry, have problems - the former gnaws habitually on her flesh and the latter is a hostile weirdo. To top it off, Isa, her mom, is going crazy. Mattie leans on her closest friend Angela, a lesbian who has moved south to be with her lover, her brother Al, and God. Along with the typical craziness of being a single mom raising young children, Mattie and Al come to discover their late father had a big secret. And the harbinger of this secret comes in the form of a little rubber blue shoe that was found in her Dad's old car. Mattie becomes attached to the little shoe, carrying it around, using it like a rabbit's foot, until she discovers who the real owner is. The explanation of her father's secret life felt hurried and not fully fleshed out. I felt that way about much of this book. It sort of drifted and meandered, not really sure of what it wanted to say. Lamott thanks an awful lot of people in the acknowledgements for helping her get this book out. Maybe it was a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth.
Rating:
Summary: Quirky characters, no plot
Review: The book presented quirky, likable characters living with all of the complexities of modern life...but there was no real plot in the book,it just seemed like a little slice of life. The narrator was unusually honest about her own flaws, and the voice of the novel was sometimes funny, other times just too mired in her own self. The ex-husband character was almost too nice to believe. The blue shoe talisman was probably supposed to center the book, but it failed to do that, it just became a meaningless token that people wanted to believe would bring them through the worst of their problems. This book was a pretty good read, but there was really nothing outstanding or memorable about it.
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