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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Good story but very difficult read. Too many details. Get on with the story already.
Despite the horrible subject matter of domestic abuse, Anna Quindlen writes so well that this book sucks you in from the very beginning.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
As much as I wanted a happily ever after ending, the ending was much more realistic. Can't help but hope they are reunited eventually!
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I managed to finish the book, that's about all I can say. Usually I like books from Oprah's book club list but this one just didn't interest me at all. Mostly I guess because of the topic which as the title implies, is wife beating. Can't think of any of my good reads friends who would like this.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars for Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen.
Black and Blue is about Fran Benedetto who flees an emotionally and physically abusive marriage with her son, Robert. Fran's husband, Bobby is controlling, manipulative, and downright nasty to her, and after a particularly severe beating, she has had enough so she takes off.
The plot then relates what happens to Fran and Robert after they are relocated. It is a story of survival, of standing up for one's self, of new beginnings, and of hope for better things in life.
The characters were well developed and believable. I sympathized for Fran and Robert. Bobby Benedetto was well portrayed as the evil, hateful, abusive, drut of a husband. I also enjoyed the other characters like Mike, Cindy, and Mrs. Levitt. All played important roles in the story and they were all interesting characters.
Setting was also well done and Quindlen had quality descriptions that helped me visualize where the characters were and again, it all felt realistic.
So, overall, Black and Blue has a lot going for it and it is a believable story about escaping an abusive relationship. It hit a lot of nerves and some parts of the story made me uncomfortable but that is okay. Sometimes that is what a good book is all about - getting out of your comfort zone a little bit!
Black and Blue is about Fran Benedetto who flees an emotionally and physically abusive marriage with her son, Robert. Fran's husband, Bobby is controlling, manipulative, and downright nasty to her, and after a particularly severe beating, she has had enough so she takes off.
The plot then relates what happens to Fran and Robert after they are relocated. It is a story of survival, of standing up for one's self, of new beginnings, and of hope for better things in life.
The characters were well developed and believable. I sympathized for Fran and Robert. Bobby Benedetto was well portrayed as the evil, hateful, abusive, drut of a husband. I also enjoyed the other characters like Mike, Cindy, and Mrs. Levitt. All played important roles in the story and they were all interesting characters.
Setting was also well done and Quindlen had quality descriptions that helped me visualize where the characters were and again, it all felt realistic.
So, overall, Black and Blue has a lot going for it and it is a believable story about escaping an abusive relationship. It hit a lot of nerves and some parts of the story made me uncomfortable but that is okay. Sometimes that is what a good book is all about - getting out of your comfort zone a little bit!