A review by clockless
Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman

2.0

It's a story about forgiveness, yes, but it's not a story about forgiving, if you see the distinction. I just wish the book had some uplifting thread you could hold on to, rather than the monotonous dreary outlook of every single character at the worst point in their lives. It was just too dark for me. I don't mind darkness if there's a hint of a sunrise on the horizon at the end, but this book doesn't even allow you a rumor of the potential for a sunrise. The message seems to be that the darkness, once it sets in, is eternal.

Plus, the eponymous diary

Spoiler

was a huge disappointment

, and the constant switching of perspective from one character to another (sometimes another character in the same scene, sometimes no relation) made the entire act of reading a chore.

It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't recommend it.