book data
99 ratings, 3.60 average rating, 9 reviews
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published
October 9th 1996
by Harper Perennial
binding
Paperback, 256 pages
isbn
0060927542
(isbn13: 9780060927547)
description
Hijuelos' novel tells the story of Mr. Ives, who was adopted from a foundling's home as a child. When we first meet him in the 1950s, Mr. Ives is very...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 140)
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I bought it last year when it was highly reccomended at a Socrates in the City lecture; I've put it right on the coffee table this year, in hopes that I'll actually read it before December 25th.
I bought it last year when it was highly reccomended at a Socrates in the City lecture; I've put it right on the coffee table this year, in hopes that I'll actually read it before December 25th.
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Read in January, 1996
This simple, yet beautifully written book deals tenderly with ethics. The eponymous hero has lost his dear seventeen year-old son to murder and is left, with his wife, to test the strength of his Christian values as he meets with his son's murderer. The enormous loss strains the Ives' marriage, and Edward struggles both with his terrible sorrow and with the deterioration of his marriage. This story is quietly written, but the book packs an emotional wallop. This book would be a good choice f...more
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Read in May, 2008
Hijuelos must be a great writer, seeing as he writes in restrained prose about relatively good/normal person and yet manages to make it interesting. Or, perhaps what Hijuelos does is bring the mystic down to earth, make the spiritual real.
That's all.
That's all.
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Read in April, 2006
I loved this book- really has very little to do with Christmas. It's the story of one man's struggle with life and trying to find a sense of himself and his spirituality, and to maintain a good relationship with his wife, etc. Very "realist." Great read.
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This is a terrific book. It's about the challenge that is presented to one's belief in God when life shits on you. Hijulos is a wonderful writer and was deserving of the Nobel Prize. Everyone should read this book.
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This is a tender, emotionally open book that's almost surprising in our age of cynicism. I appreciated that. Even as a non-believer, I found this book extremely appealing and am grateful to have read it.
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If there were 10 stars, I would give this one all ten. I loved it as much the second time around.
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Read in January, 1996
recommended to allisonfm by:
my mom
I lent this to a colleague of mine. I guess she really liked it because I never got it back.
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