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servada's review against another edition
1.0
I can't finish this book. I have tried and tried, but it's so awful I give up. None of the characters have any redeeming qualities. The synopsis of the book talks about how once you're friends with Tully, you're friends for life because she's loyal or some crap. (SPOILER) she constantly cheats on Robin her boyfriend with (surprise surprise) her professor who both happen to adore her regardless of how irritating or inconsiderate she is. The writing is repetitive and boring, and the characters are so one-dimensional. I tried to keep reading, thinking she must be deeper, that she would have trust issues because of her abusive mother but I gave up. In my opinion, don't waste your time.
thatclaregirl's review
5.0
The only book that has ever made me sob. I always list this as my favourite book. Simons has this amazing skill of positioning readers to feel strongly negative feelings towards her main characters at times, but it doesn't alienate. Her characters are so rounded and human (at least in this book). Highly recommend.
sammy234's review
5.0
I wrote a whole review for this book and then deleted it.
There's really nothing to say that can explain how marvelous and heartbreaking this book is. No words really describe how I feel about these characters, about this story.
All I know is that only Paullina Simons could have written something like this.
I mean, you've got to be tough stuff to get through this book. You've actually got to grit your teeth against the pain of it, and also against the humanity and love inside of it.
I got through it, and I feel the same way I did when I finished The Bronze Horseman and Lonestar and The Summer Garden. I feel drained emotionally and like I lived a whole beautiful, horrible life in one book.
Many authors are my favorites, but nobody can write like Paullina Simons.
I truly don't think I'll ever give a book of hers less than five stars.
How can I, when this was the first book she ever wrote and it was still so brilliant?
There's really nothing to say that can explain how marvelous and heartbreaking this book is. No words really describe how I feel about these characters, about this story.
All I know is that only Paullina Simons could have written something like this.
I mean, you've got to be tough stuff to get through this book. You've actually got to grit your teeth against the pain of it, and also against the humanity and love inside of it.
I got through it, and I feel the same way I did when I finished The Bronze Horseman and Lonestar and The Summer Garden. I feel drained emotionally and like I lived a whole beautiful, horrible life in one book.
Many authors are my favorites, but nobody can write like Paullina Simons.
I truly don't think I'll ever give a book of hers less than five stars.
How can I, when this was the first book she ever wrote and it was still so brilliant?
kayjamieson's review
3.0
This reminded me a lot of Anna Karenina in some ways with the story line. I was interested enough to finish it but I didn't like it nearly as much.
chrissireads's review
4.0
Tully took me a while to get into, but I am pleased I read it.
I found Tully extremely selfish but when you look at what she had going on in her life it isn't any wonder really why she wants to put herself first! The story is based on friendship, betrayal, family, pain and love. These topics are interwoven together well, sometimes you laugh at Tully's antics, sometimes you wonder what on earth she is doing!
If you can put aside the fact that Tully is a very selfish character then I think you'd enjoy this read. She's driven by the need to be loved and whilst other characters think she's strong willed and independent she's actually rather dependent upon men. The ending is not what I expected it to be at all. I think Tully is well worth a read if you don't get aggravated easily by a selfish character.
I found Tully extremely selfish but when you look at what she had going on in her life it isn't any wonder really why she wants to put herself first! The story is based on friendship, betrayal, family, pain and love. These topics are interwoven together well, sometimes you laugh at Tully's antics, sometimes you wonder what on earth she is doing!
If you can put aside the fact that Tully is a very selfish character then I think you'd enjoy this read. She's driven by the need to be loved and whilst other characters think she's strong willed and independent she's actually rather dependent upon men. The ending is not what I expected it to be at all. I think Tully is well worth a read if you don't get aggravated easily by a selfish character.
bibliobethreads's review
I thought this was a pretty damned good book to be honest! Don't really agree with the other reviews as feel quite sorry for the character of Tully, yes she is a pain in the ass, selfish and makes so many mistakes, but I think that only makes her more human and "real." I agree with another reviewer though - you'll either hate it or love it!
asorrenti's review
1.0
I'm still reading this book for my book club.. I'm really not enjoying it at all... For me its just a gross, white trash-esque paperback you'd see for sale in the back of a drug store while waiting for your prescription. Ugh. I can't wait to be finished!
finally "finished" this book... had like 50 pages left, just read the end. Worst book ever? possibly! if i could give it negative stars i would.
finally "finished" this book... had like 50 pages left, just read the end. Worst book ever? possibly! if i could give it negative stars i would.
jessicakatesbookshelf's review
4.0
A classic favourite of mine that will never not live in my shelf. That being said, it also harbours a certain toxicity and ability to negatively affect your mood and thinking pattern, in my case anyway. While I did enjoy the dramatic elements and storyline, hard hitting taboo life subjects that opened discussion and propelled deep thought, I also found the some characters to be graceless and rather tacky.