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robinhigdon's review against another edition
2.0
listened to this in the car and I enjoyed it. it kept my interest throughout.
emilyjbridges's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I can't really argue with this book as far as its being compelling and well-written, and even pretty moving, and yet, it didn't feel that significant for me. Nancy Pearl said it was Sue Miller's best book; if this is true I'm glad it's the one I read, but I don't need to read any more.
meli65's review against another edition
3.0
It was an unusual story (a 15-year-old has an affair with an old man) told from a variety of viewpoints and for me the emotions seemed to ring true. The lack of reality in the everyday details bothered me though -- do 30-year-old women work as underwear models for Marshall Field? Would an independent bookstore owner not notice that $10-20 were missing from her cash drawer every day? Did conscientious mothers drive around with their two-year-olds wearing a seat belt in the front seat of their car in the 80s? That stuff kept distracting me from the story.
spinesinaline's review against another edition
4.0
I'm surprised so many people have given this book poor ratings but that's likely due to the slightly disturbing content of the story. It's about a family that goes through a rough time and some members of the family act out. There are some 'icky' moments among, especially, the children that probably put people off. I found the book well-written and felt that the author was among those who found the events disturbing, as they were portrayed that way. There was no attempt on the part of the writing to excuse these acts. Some may prefer that these events didn't occur but they do go on in the world and it was good to see them from the 'victim's' perspective as a way of seeing why it happens, what leads people to these choices.
A story about a broken family, more suited to older readers.
A story about a broken family, more suited to older readers.
canadianbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Needing something to listen to, I grabbed this audiobook last week. I've read one other of Sue Miller's books and enjoyed it, and I found this one a good story as well.
In this book we see the life of Eva, divorced from Mark and now happily married to John, and Eva's three children, Emily and Daisy with Mark and Theo with John.
When John is killed in a car accident, everyone's lives change dramatically. Mark becomes involved in Theo's life. Daisy, who was very close to John, feels resentment against her parents. Emily takes on new responsibilities. Theo has trouble accepting his father's death, even though he was present when it occurred.
While the book touches on everyone, we see most deeply into Mark and Daisy. Mark tries to find a way to be a dad again, and struggles with his image of his role in everyone's lives. Daisy finds her world unstable, and enters a disturbing relationship with a family friend.
A story of people and relationships and how we see things in different ways.
In this book we see the life of Eva, divorced from Mark and now happily married to John, and Eva's three children, Emily and Daisy with Mark and Theo with John.
When John is killed in a car accident, everyone's lives change dramatically. Mark becomes involved in Theo's life. Daisy, who was very close to John, feels resentment against her parents. Emily takes on new responsibilities. Theo has trouble accepting his father's death, even though he was present when it occurred.
While the book touches on everyone, we see most deeply into Mark and Daisy. Mark tries to find a way to be a dad again, and struggles with his image of his role in everyone's lives. Daisy finds her world unstable, and enters a disturbing relationship with a family friend.
A story of people and relationships and how we see things in different ways.
nakedkitties's review against another edition
4.0
I stumbled across Miller in an attempt to find authors who had a similar style to Wally Lamb. I checked out 2 of her works from the library, The World Below and this one. I read World Below first and wasn't impressed so I was hesitant to even read this book...but I'm really glad I did. I felt the characters in this writing were far more developed. I felt for and loved almost all of them (with the exception of Emily, the eldest, but I think that's due to the fact she wasn't given much "airtime").
One reader comment stated that this book was "disturbing", which I think is highly dramatic. Yes, while it does deal with some heavy issues...death, divorce, sexual abuse, family dynamics... it was far from the type of book that makes you feel as though you need a shower after having read it. In fact (and I might be entirely alone in this) I didn't hate the abuser in this book...actually I didn't even dislike him. I'm not saying I condoned the actions, just simply that it's written in such a way that you can almost see the humanity in the situation.
Overall, I think it was a beautiful book that though simply written still managed to be thought provoking and touching.
One reader comment stated that this book was "disturbing", which I think is highly dramatic. Yes, while it does deal with some heavy issues...death, divorce, sexual abuse, family dynamics... it was far from the type of book that makes you feel as though you need a shower after having read it. In fact (and I might be entirely alone in this) I didn't hate the abuser in this book...actually I didn't even dislike him. I'm not saying I condoned the actions, just simply that it's written in such a way that you can almost see the humanity in the situation.
Overall, I think it was a beautiful book that though simply written still managed to be thought provoking and touching.
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