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kbratten's review against another edition
3.0
All the reviews that say Ann Packer has a gift for details that make words feel like real life are correct. This is a rich story filled with tiny human moments. It's hard to not rate a book poorly because you wish it had ended differently. I wish it had ended differently! Still, I was moved throughout and thought the characters were realistic and unique.
jlange64's review against another edition
4.0
The concept for this book fascinated me. How to deal with such a horrible set of circumstances? Though I find myself a little disapointed with the ending, I guess that is just how it has to be. There isn't always a picture perfect ending to life. My favorite parts of the book take place in Wisconsin. I wasn't a fan of Kilroy and didn't think he was good for Carrie. So I was so happy when she went back to Wisconsin. But as much as I didn't like the NY part, I think it was necessary for the story. It showed the desperation of her life. In other reviews I see that some people just couldn't feel sorry for Carrie, but I definitely did. I may not have reacted the way she did always, but how can you possibly know how you'd react until you're in the situation. Like I mentioned earlier, there were parts of the book I wasn't really into but now looking back over the whole book, I kind of appreciate the author taking us off course for a while, showing that life can throw you all kinds of curves and you don't have to be defined by them. Your decisions don't make you a good or bad person, just the person that you are. I liked that statement by the author in this book.
skyeslibrary's review against another edition
5.0
This isn't a book that I would normally enjoy but I was so caught up in the emotions of the characters: the battle between what they desire vs. what they "should" do. I felt the reality & heaviness of this story as I read it. Spoiler alert: the ending may not be what you want so brace yourself!
whatismollyreading's review against another edition
I cannot read a book about someone who wallows in self pity. Get a grip lady! Go do something, for God's sake.
floryjac's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly enjoyable. It really made me think about how I would react if/when someone I loved was put into a bad situation healthwise.
wyemu's review against another edition
3.0
What do you do when the person you're no longer in love with suffers a paralysing injury? Break-up with them anyway and you become a heartless abandon-er; stay with them anyway and be miserable trying to fit into a life you didn't want even before the accident. Carrie is caught in just such a problem and with everyone around her telling her what she should do her instinct is to rebel. Moving to New York gives her the space and the freedom she was desperately craving but, unfortunately for Carrie, not all the strings to her home town are so easily cut. A thoughtful look at the decisions we are forced to make between personal happiness and doing what everyone else thinks is the right thing.
sarahbelwv's review against another edition
1.0
I've decided though that I'm not going to waste time anymore on books that are just plain tedious to read. No more finishing books out of duty. Life's too short to read boring books.
So the most recent casualty is The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer. I've been wanting to read this book for years. I've been trying for weeks now, and I haven't even managed to get through the first 70 pages. I read the back of the book again last night to see what it was that drew me to it in the first place, and I realized that I really don't give a damn anymore. I don't care what happens; I don't care if the guy comes out of his coma, I don't care if the girl leaves him. There's all these questions and I don't really care what the answers are anymore.
So the most recent casualty is The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer. I've been wanting to read this book for years. I've been trying for weeks now, and I haven't even managed to get through the first 70 pages. I read the back of the book again last night to see what it was that drew me to it in the first place, and I realized that I really don't give a damn anymore. I don't care what happens; I don't care if the guy comes out of his coma, I don't care if the girl leaves him. There's all these questions and I don't really care what the answers are anymore.