Reviews

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb

alisha247's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

4.5 ☆ would’ve been a 5 if it wasn’t for grandpas boring memoir! all in all, beautiful and utterly heartbreaking.

abbeyhar103's review against another edition

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4.0

A sprawling and fascinating three generation family history, which was hard to put down. Deals with themes of self-forgiveness, as well as forgiveness of others.

My only minor complaints were that it all wrapped up a little too neatly at the end, and also that it bordered on schlocky very occasionally - specifically thinking of the psychiatrist sessions

But it was gripping and moving, for sure. May read another

its_me_roxy's review against another edition

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5.0

Read this in high school and I loved it!

abbeylane's review against another edition

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3.25

3-3.5 stars. Interesting read…very flawed main character…but that is part of the story and he does experience some growth. Almost gave up around 300 pages in because of something he did. I had to put the book down for a day, but then decided to finish it anyways while just acknowledging that he’s done shitty things. Honestly I wish the book was from the point of view of the other twin (who is the more likeable one imo). Possibly questionable depictions of mental health. I wasn’t a fan of how heavy the end of the book was with whole chapters from his grandfathers memoir. I don’t know if I’m going to go around recommending this book, but I did enjoy reading it (for the most part). Longest book I’ve ever read and I only felt like giving up once, so that says something!

billymac1962's review against another edition

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5.0

It's a very rare thing for me to come to the end of a 900 page novel without the feeling of "enough is enough" and more than ready to finally leave it and move on to something else.

This novel is the best I had read that year; I simply did not want it to end. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it was that kept me glued to the pages, was it the characters? the story line?
I think it was Lamb's compulsive readability. He's one of those talents that can write about nothing and still keep you whipping through the pages. Luckily, this is not about nothing; it's about a pair of identical twins, one of whom is a paranoid schizophrenic.
Don't let the size of this novel daunt you. You will whip through this and be sorry when it's over. I can't wait for Wally Lamb's next novel.

apol27's review against another edition

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5.0

One of my favorites of all time

hlntn's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

rebeconda's review against another edition

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5.0

This is a riveting, 900 page novel about identical twins, one with paranoid schizophrenia. It spans three generations, and is woven together like a tapestry. This book will break your heart and will inspire you to face your anger & resentment. This was my first Wally Lamb book and I am hooked.

marissa_nicole's review against another edition

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

nikkiehippie0's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25