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yangyvonne's review against another edition
5.0
An almost pornographic story of Elizabeth, a girl who never finds happiness, but does repeatedly find love.
Despite the soft-core aspects of the book, the characters are well-developed and thought-out. The ending is disappointing, nut refreshingly realistic. An all-around surprise given the sappy title!
Despite the soft-core aspects of the book, the characters are well-developed and thought-out. The ending is disappointing, nut refreshingly realistic. An all-around surprise given the sappy title!
a_lovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly don't know what to think or say about this book. To be honest, I found it kinda weird. What is the plot? I wouldn't know. Then again, for the most part, I wanted to know what happens. So. A somewhat strange read.
onecrab's review against another edition
4.0
I really respond to Amy Bloom's writing and characters. This book was no exception, a gritty tale of life and loneliness and love.
timeunspun's review against another edition
3.0
Jeanette Winterson ruined me for this kind of book truly.
The first part was the strongest, with each following one being diminished slightly. Switching to multiple points of view diluted what was the story's strength and I did feel less tolerant of the characters as time went on but the ending wrapped up well enough.
The first part was the strongest, with each following one being diminished slightly. Switching to multiple points of view diluted what was the story's strength and I did feel less tolerant of the characters as time went on but the ending wrapped up well enough.
merleslover's review against another edition
2.0
I've got to say, I hated this book. The only actual love that seemed to be in this book was with Mrs. Hill. All the other relationships seemed to be all about sex. Plus, Bloom seemed extremely racist and homophobic. She kept making it clear that this is a black man and that it should be a surprise that a black man is successful. Then, when Elizabeth's son comes up, she uses the word queer and faggot, two very discriminatory words. Plus, she made baby Max a stereotypical homosexual, doing cartwheels.
I just found this book very lustful and prejudice.
I just found this book very lustful and prejudice.
jemppu's review against another edition
4.0
Bold, compellingly unpretentious, and pleasantly nonjudgmental, with an authentic main POV to appreciate. Captivatingly lifelike with its fumbling complexity of relations and mixed emotions.
This definitely felt like a good one to start with the author. 4 to 5 stars.
(And, inspired another, long overlooked read, too: [b:Lolita|7604|Lolita|Vladimir Nabokov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1377756377l/7604._SY75_.jpg|1268631], which feels like a completely opposite view in comparison, driven by intimidatingly deceptive moralizing, while ostentatiously sycophantic with its prose; all absent from this here plain-spoken book).
This definitely felt like a good one to start with the author. 4 to 5 stars.
(And, inspired another, long overlooked read, too: [b:Lolita|7604|Lolita|Vladimir Nabokov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1377756377l/7604._SY75_.jpg|1268631], which feels like a completely opposite view in comparison, driven by intimidatingly deceptive moralizing, while ostentatiously sycophantic with its prose; all absent from this here plain-spoken book).
diplopug's review against another edition
2.0
I remember reading this in college — when it first came out — and I guess I liked it enough that I’ve kept it all these years. Just reread it as part of an attempted bookshelf purge and ... oh, wow, it’s really gross and repulsive. Ick. The only good parts are the Mrs. Hill scenes. So, hurrah, I’ve reclaimed some space on the bookshelf.
jkinla's review against another edition
1.0
The main character was undeveloped as a person. I couldn't understand the choices she made or her personality. Was she ugly, pretty, popular or not? It was unclear and changing and the inconsistent passage of time in the first half of the book made it impossible for me to connect with Elizabeth and so I didn't enjoy the book.