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casspro's review
4.0
This book was a very enjoyable reading experience. It has a little coming of age, a little mental health, a little body image, a little relationship fodder and mixes it all together to give the reader something that they can get lost in. Kudos to Oprah.
This was the review I wrote the first time I read the book in 2008. I'm re-reading it now, and while I stick by my guns in saying that there's a little something for most readers, I can say with gusto that Dolores Price is an unlikeable character. Whether this has anything to do with a male author giving voice to a female protagonist, I can't say. But I don't think I've disliked a character so much since Ignatius Riley in Confederacy of Dunces. Dolores has very few redeeming qualities, and even as she grows into adulthood, she becomes so pitiful and cringe-worthy. This isn't to say that the book is bad or I regret re-reading it. I think younger readers will find aspects of themselves in Dolores. I however, would rather be Roberta, the tattoo artist who lives across the street and provides advice and secret cigarettes.
This was the review I wrote the first time I read the book in 2008. I'm re-reading it now, and while I stick by my guns in saying that there's a little something for most readers, I can say with gusto that Dolores Price is an unlikeable character. Whether this has anything to do with a male author giving voice to a female protagonist, I can't say. But I don't think I've disliked a character so much since Ignatius Riley in Confederacy of Dunces. Dolores has very few redeeming qualities, and even as she grows into adulthood, she becomes so pitiful and cringe-worthy. This isn't to say that the book is bad or I regret re-reading it. I think younger readers will find aspects of themselves in Dolores. I however, would rather be Roberta, the tattoo artist who lives across the street and provides advice and secret cigarettes.
hazel_oat's review
4.0
i have very bad feelings about the author of this book, but you should (mostly) judge books on their content, not on the author.
emmaroseklem's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jilly7922's review
5.0
Wally Lamb and Joyce Carol Oates are two of my favorite authors. This is Wally Lamb's first book, it is creepy and amazing on how he can get into a woman's mind and write her narrative. Wally Lamb last I knew he lives in Connecticut, was or possibly still is a professor at University of Connecticut, where I grew up in Connecticut, and went to UCONN, I tried desperately to get into his class, but couldn't. Since then I have moved down south. But I did go to his book signings and got an autograph by him on this book.
garyjw's review
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
_rl_'s review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
it took me 4 months to read, in which, i lost the book, didn’t read it for a week and then finished it in less than one week. i like this book, it’s good and funny.
verno's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5