upstatelibrarygal's review against another edition
4.0
Great for people who like to read books for the characters. Also, since it's set in Seattle with many specific Seattle references I found it esp. fun to read. While I think part of the story was implausible, this is one of the books for which you set aside your disbelief and just enjoy the characters and the story they have to tell. Seems like this would also make a great book club book!
casehouse's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I've read many reviews that call this book "charming." OK - I'll buy that, mostly. It's also odd, quirky, sweet at times, terribly unbelievable. I enjoyed the notion that opening up our lives and our very brokenness to other people can enrich and expand our lives in ways we never expected.
silodear's review against another edition
3.0
I'd maybe have given this book 3.5 stars, if possible -- though, honestly, I'm still waffling. It wasn't amazing and it certainly didn't incorporate any sort of critical analysis of ability, gender or race, but it was beautifully written and it elicited some serious emotions from me. All in all, I found it to be worth reading.
nickie184's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it but did not love it. I found the writing to be overblown and just too long in places.
But I think my bookclubbers will enjoy the discussion tonight. Lots of themes to spark group interest!
But I think my bookclubbers will enjoy the discussion tonight. Lots of themes to spark group interest!
gertyp's review against another edition
1.0
I'm not finishing this one. It started out ok, but then got boring.
buymorebooks's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorites...and it was just as good as the first time I read it!
delaneybull's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time. I absolutely loved the narrative style, which jumped from several characters in the beginning and crucially broke the divide between narrator and reader 3/4 of the way through. It was a lot like Wanda's mosaics--jumpy, colliding, confusing, but eventually finding harmony and meaning in the chaos. I loved each character, they were all so unique and multifaceted, and none truly fell into a cliche, which was a nice change of pace. This book was emotionally touching in a way I didn't expect, one feels revulsion and acceptance of the destruction in this book--both literally to characters and objects and also of the narrative itself at the end, especially in regards to Margaret. While some probably found the pace unrelentingly slow, leaving the reader aching for all the loose plot threads to weave together, I loved the pace and its ultimate resolution. Heartbreakingly poignant, profoundly meaningful, this book was truly amazing.
Also, Maurice. I love him. Enough said.
Also, Maurice. I love him. Enough said.
givnuapeacesign's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant. Each character is broken and afraid in some way. Margaret opens the story alone in her Seattle mansion dying of a brain tumor. She takes Wanda, a stage manager, in as a boarder, introducing her to the massive collection of priceless antiques filling the home. One by one the plot and the cast of characters grows and changes. Eventually the concrete thick armour the characters have spent a lifetime building cracks and reforms into beauty, satisfaction, redemption, forgiveness, and happiness.
saycheeze37's review against another edition
3.0
The story and the characters were brilliant, and its definitely a book worth reading, but there were some parts that I felt dragged on or were unnecessary.