lvw22's review against another edition
4.0
The matter of fact narration of a young man's pretty wierd family dynamic makes this a little creepy, but compulsively readable.
judyward's review against another edition
2.0
This is the third book that I've read by Jane Hamilton and, unfortunately, it's the one that I enjoyed the least. I never really was comfortable with the premise--a young man, Aaron Mciver is married to a beautiful young woman named Madeline. She suffers an accident early in their marriage, is brain damaged, and is left with the mental capability of a 7 year old. A tragic event, but one that takes on bizarre aspects when Aaron divorces Madeline, marries Julia, who is one of Madeline's nurses, and then the three adults form a family unit. Yes, Madeline is treated as if she is one of the children in the family. The book is narrated by Mac, Julia and Aaron's son, who views Madeline as an older sister with special needs. Julia reminds the reader of Eleanor Roosevelt, both in her social awkwardness and in her extremely liberal political views. The novel explores issues such as the effect parent's political views have on their children and also follows two generations of the Mciver family as they deal with the political world from the 1950s through the Iraq War and with the interpersonal relationships among family members.
lori_mw's review against another edition
I am not rating this book, because I did not finish it. I absolutely could not get into this book! The premise of the story seemed interesting enough, but just didn't do anything for me once I got into it. I read about half of it and then decided to stop.
valerief's review against another edition
2.0
Meandering, weird story of growing up with father's ex-wife who is treated as a sibling. Received as part of Elle Reader Prize jury selection.
amylynn1031's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
pepper1133's review against another edition
3.0
Eh, it was ok, but I just couldn't find myself caring about the narrator. Julia's perspective would have been far, far more interesting.
blahmarley's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book. I like the story line. I can't say why exactly, I just didn't like this book.
litdoes's review
2.0
Disappointing. For a novel where relationships are central, how the narrator relates to his mother, his cousin Buddy, and with his father's first wife, Madeline, fall flat.
When Hamilton uses political affiliations to justify the divide between the characters, they appear contrived to this reader.
Like Madeline, who is raised as the narrator's sister after she suffers brain damage in an accident, the plot meanders from character to character without offering much new insight.
When Hamilton uses political affiliations to justify the divide between the characters, they appear contrived to this reader.
Like Madeline, who is raised as the narrator's sister after she suffers brain damage in an accident, the plot meanders from character to character without offering much new insight.
qofdnz's review against another edition
4.0
I was slightly mortified by the topic of this book but it becomes less of a problem as the story becomes less about Madeline and more about the entire family. The book rambles in a number of directions having no clear purpose but despite that is an enjoyable reminiscence of times past. It leaves you thinking about your own family for better or worse.
sarahbowman101's review
2.0
I am still moved and intrigued by Hamilton’s Book of Ruth, but several of her other books have been pretty forgettable to me (and I think I’ve read them all). This book tracks the story of a family who takes care of the dad’s first wife who becomes brain damaged after a bicycle fall. The family relations are interesting, but I didn’t really ever get completely engaged. I enjoyed this read, but it will gloss over in the coming months and eventually become forgettable.