Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
This is the first book I read by Alice Hoffman and I love her writing style. LOVE it. A very quick read with an engaging plot. The only reason I gave it 3-stars (instead of 4) was that the ending just didn't hold up the plot of the book. It just ... well, ended. Bummer. I can't wait to read some of her other books though.
It's written well. But it's kind of a downer.
I don't need a lot of sad in my life. And this book is like literary Kleenex. Or depression. I don't know.
I don't need a lot of sad in my life. And this book is like literary Kleenex. Or depression. I don't know.
I do really love Alice Hoffman’s writing between her imagery and the way she draws you into these sleepy New England towns, but I found myself getting frustrated with some of the characters (which I guess could be a good thing but is not something I look for in a book).
I listened to this as an audiobook, and I may have liked it more if I'd just read it, but who knows? I think that the story was relatively uninteresting and I didn't feel that the book did much justice to "Wuthering Heights" (I'm assuming the parallels were intentional)--maybe the dark, meloncholy tale just doesn't lend itself well to modern interpretation, but Hoffman's versions of the characters just felt flat to me. Gwen had some life, but March? My god, she was just annoying. I know I've never been a battered woman and therefore have nothing to draw on, but it seems like she should have been smart enough to see what was coming. I mean, come on, she's a grown woman! I'm sorry, but this book was a dud for me.
I agree with the review I saw which called this the "darknest" of Hoffman's books. I haven't read all of her other books, but this definitely goes to dark places. What I liked best about it, however, was Hoffman's ability to capture the experience of being in love, and of being obsessively in love.
Where I feel the novel fell short was in the darkness. I've been in something like the situation March ends up in, and while Hoffman captures it accurately as far as she goes, I feel like she didn't have the nerve to remain deep in March's emotional experience. Her portrayal pulls back, gives only the surface, the easy-to-see reactions. Without those, the book stays at three stars rather than going to four or more.
I also liked the way Hoffman portrayed Hollis, the object of March's passion. I felt she did a good job capturing the intense, bitter experiences that made him the man he was, both dangerous and tragic.
Where I feel the novel fell short was in the darkness. I've been in something like the situation March ends up in, and while Hoffman captures it accurately as far as she goes, I feel like she didn't have the nerve to remain deep in March's emotional experience. Her portrayal pulls back, gives only the surface, the easy-to-see reactions. Without those, the book stays at three stars rather than going to four or more.
I also liked the way Hoffman portrayed Hollis, the object of March's passion. I felt she did a good job capturing the intense, bitter experiences that made him the man he was, both dangerous and tragic.
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Why did it take me so long to discover Alice Hoffman? Loved this and the Probable Future. Just great story-telling with complex characters, good dialogue and interesting locations. All the elements that appeal to me.
This is an Oprah Book Club pick.
I have typically been an Alice Hoffman fan.
We have discussed a few of her books in our Library Book Discussion Group.
She has a way of sharing a back story and giving you in depth characterizations, some magical realism, that gives the reader the opportunity to dig deep and feel yourself pulled into the richness of story…sometimes hoping for a happy ending, or at least a satisfying conclusion.
But this book, what happened?
There wasn’t anybody to like.
This was dark.
Disturbing.
What was Oprah thinking?
What was I thinking in continuing to read it?
Needless to say, I extricated myself from it early.
I have typically been an Alice Hoffman fan.
We have discussed a few of her books in our Library Book Discussion Group.
She has a way of sharing a back story and giving you in depth characterizations, some magical realism, that gives the reader the opportunity to dig deep and feel yourself pulled into the richness of story…sometimes hoping for a happy ending, or at least a satisfying conclusion.
But this book, what happened?
There wasn’t anybody to like.
This was dark.
Disturbing.
What was Oprah thinking?
What was I thinking in continuing to read it?
Needless to say, I extricated myself from it early.
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes