Scan barcode
justacatandabook's review against another edition
4.0
Very compelling and riveting story of a family in crisis. I read this book in less than 24 hours... just couldn't put it down!
anndouglas's review against another edition
4.0
The structure of this novel works well. The novel is sliced and diced so that the action is constantly moving from the present to various points in the past. The non-linear structure hooks the reader at the plot level while allowing the reader to engage with -- and be intrigued by -- the various characters at various points in the history of this family-in-progress.
The novel is complex because the family's problems are complex. Most of what Dani Shapiro has written rings true. My only quibble? Rachel's mother is more caricature than character -- and given her impact on the plot, the reader is left wondering how she became the person she is when we meet her; and why Rachel and her family even considered staying with her during their holiday trip to New York City.
The novel is complex because the family's problems are complex. Most of what Dani Shapiro has written rings true. My only quibble? Rachel's mother is more caricature than character -- and given her impact on the plot, the reader is left wondering how she became the person she is when we meet her; and why Rachel and her family even considered staying with her during their holiday trip to New York City.
More...