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mrisner's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this story. It was interesting to find out how siblings can grow up together, and have different views as to their family history.
janeteacher's review against another edition
4.0
Nice exploration of the experiences different siblings have with their mother. The ending was rather abrupt, though, and I didn't think the story was quite finished.
liloud0626's review against another edition
3.0
I sometimes wonder why I keep reading Elizabeth Berg's books. I usually find them just so-so: the description that draws me in almost always leaves me disappointed because the book doesn't play out as well as I thought it would. This one, however, would get 3.5 stars if I could give them. Family secrets-themed books tend to get on my nerves, but Berg did a good job with this one. The characters have plenty of gray area, none of them are completely likable, and yet much of the story was completely believable. A good, quick read for the summer.
audrarussellwrites's review against another edition
5.0
She captures the human spirit so well. Her characters capture the good and bad of human nature.
canadianbookworm's review
4.0
Quick read.
Woman's sister brings up childhood emotional and physical abuse at family reunion.
Woman's sister brings up childhood emotional and physical abuse at family reunion.
jes77librarian's review
3.0
I enjoy Elizabeth Berg and her stories of intimate relationships. Either friendship, family or love.
I struggled with this book. The topic was intense and the characters weren’t necessarily likeable. Neither of those elements turn me off from a book, and where Berg went wrong was not putting us inside the head of the main character. It seemed as if she would think one idea and then contradict herself on the next page. As a reader I wanted to journey with the character but I often felt left behind.
I struggled with this book. The topic was intense and the characters weren’t necessarily likeable. Neither of those elements turn me off from a book, and where Berg went wrong was not putting us inside the head of the main character. It seemed as if she would think one idea and then contradict herself on the next page. As a reader I wanted to journey with the character but I often felt left behind.
dashausfrau's review
3.0
Author is very deft with the fun family traditions and using photographs for the flashback memories. I also appreciate her understanding of complexity in humans understanding themselves, let alone others, her accurate depiction of the interaction (& sometimes blindness) between siblings, and sympathy even for the most guilty person in the family, which I'm sure most readers (me included) do not want to feel.
The takeaway for me was that the drawn out (50 years) piecing back together of a child / self might be avoided if people didn't work so hard to conceal things that should be out in the open.
The takeaway for me was that the drawn out (50 years) piecing back together of a child / self might be avoided if people didn't work so hard to conceal things that should be out in the open.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
4.0
When Elizabeth Berg strikes, she cuts
deep into your heart; sometimes she draws blood.
This book drew blood. I deeply identified with the characters. After
I finished the story, I felt like I understood misunderstood children
better. I want to pass this on to misunderstood children; somehow, I
think it helps.
deep into your heart; sometimes she draws blood.
This book drew blood. I deeply identified with the characters. After
I finished the story, I felt like I understood misunderstood children
better. I want to pass this on to misunderstood children; somehow, I
think it helps.