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Sep 05, 2007

LeAnn rated it:

Basic premise: Two estranged sisters reach mid-life and are compelled together by their mother and other circumstances to spend several weeks together, thereby allowing them the opportunity to air old grievances, acknowledge personal responsibility, and resolve their differences. The main reason they fell out is that the eldest is defined a math prodigy at an early age, changing family dynamics and seeding resentments between them both.

I'm hard pressed to say why this is only 3 stars More...

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Feb 07, 2008

Stephanie rated it:

Fabulous read -- so good! I checked out this book at the recommendation of Chinaberry.com. I love their Good Reads for Adults section and this was a great recommendation.

Connie and Estella are estranged sisters who re-unite to help clean out a family home so that their mother can sell it. Meanwhile, Connie's perfect life is crumbling around her and the tension between the two sisters finally comes to a head. They both learn a lot about themselves and each other.

To m More...

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Apr 08, 2008

Denise rated it:

I could not put this book down. It is about two sisters whose lives have gone in opposite directions and they must come together with their mother to sort out their family home and untimately their lives. One sister is a math prodigy and the way nuymbers are woven through the story is wonderful. There is much to reveal along the way, mostly told from the younger sister's point of view but interspersed with the mystery of the older sister. It is about family and pain and consequences of choic More...

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Sep 12, 2007

Pantea rated it:

Another fast read - finished it in less than two days. Great story about 2 estranged sisters coming together at a time when both are experiencing some major life problems. I liked how the story was told from each sisters viewpoint (alternating chapters!). Also liked how each had developed their own separate sense of family and how that family is affected by the issues facing each character. And I really liked how the ending seemed to bring everything together. This is the author's first novel a More...

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Apr 11, 2010

Frosty Dahlia rated it:

I found the first 100-150 pages really hard to get through but kept going since my sisters said Catching Genius was such a great book. I'm glad I did because once the story started to come more alive I couldn't put it down, especially the last 100 pages. I love Kiernan's flow in her writing and also all the small metaphors such as Connie taking off her wedding rings while playing the violin as a necessity to play but also a statement against her husband. I really feel for Connie but I can't seem More...

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Sep 13, 2011

Natasha rated it:

This novel had been sat on my shelf for a few months. When it arrived in the post I read through the first pages, but I wasn’t pulled in, so I put it down and didn’t go back to it. Then I decided that I needed some discipline – I can’t keep buying books and then not reading them – so I tried again, skipping that prologue, and, to my surprise, the book turned out to be a good, really fast read.

Good Points –

•The characters are written in first person, alternating between C More...

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Mar 24, 2009

Loralee rated it:

Connie and Estelle seem to have a very close relationship as young girls until it's discovered that Estelle has a genius IQ. Estelle immediately pulls back from her younger sister because she's afraid that her "eyecue" could be catching. Connie is hurt that not only her sister has changed, but the relationship she had with her father seems to have changed as well. He seems consumed to help Estelle develop her full mathematical gifts.

The book fast forwards until both wome More...

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Dec 16, 2009

Michelle rated it:

Oh my gosh, absolutely awesome book! I loved this story of two sisters, semi-estranged, and their tale of reuniting when packing up their parents' beach house for sale (secrets unveiled, etc.) Just very beautifully rendered and as good "southern fiction" as I've read. Man, I've read a lot of great books this summer. It's rare for me to give something higher than a 3 but I've had a couple of 4s lately. Yay!

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Dec 16, 2009

Larramie rated it:

We all have secrets that need to be shared with those we love because -- in doing so -- there is understanding, acceptance and an even stronger bond.

Kristy Kiernan's writing is pure magic as she tells a tale of relationships -- ones we can relate to -- and captures the essence of how all individuals are "relative" geniuses or not.

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Jul 10, 2009

Becky rated it:

This book was unexpectedly good. Not that I thought it would be bad....but I didn't really expect it to grab me the way it did. I had a hard time putting it down.

Kiernan manages to explore the depths of family issues and relationships, the truth of how past experiences affect our everyday lives, and the controversy over what it means to be a "genius" without getting bogged down with excessive exposition.

The plot moves. Connie's divorce proceedings take severa More...

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Feb 12, 2012

Coralie rated it:

This was a good book about two very different sisters. Connie is pretty and musical, and Estella is plain and a mathematical genius. Estella's high IQ takes up most of her parents' energies, and they give her too much responsibility at a young age because she is so smart. There isn't much communication in the girls' family, and unresolved issues end up driving them apart. Their mother decides to sell the family's beach house, and she forces the girls to reunite and get the house ready to be More...

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Jul 09, 2008

Darcy rated it:

What is it like to be the 'less than special' child in a family? And what defines 'special'? This book addresses the rivalries and love between two sisters. One who is a genius and one who isn't. A truly wonderful look at a different kind of sibling rivalry.

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Sep 05, 2007

Kerri rated it:

This book deals with relationships, between sisters, lovers, parents and children... And it redefines what your perception may be of "genius." Having never read anything by this author I was pleasantly surprised and look forward to more by her.

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Sep 05, 2007

Jennifer rated it:

The wonderful book follows two sisters, Constance who was raised in the shadow of Estella, a math prodigy. The estranged sisters reunite as adults to close up the family home and reveal secrets long buried. Very moving and well written.

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Feb 06, 2009

Cindy rated it:

While I enjoyed this book a great deal, the ending was unsatisfying. I had so many questions about what happened to the characters at the end of the book! I can only hope that the ending leaves room for a sequel.

I also do not agree with the comparison to Jodi Picoult. Picoult's books provide a higher level of detail in the characters as well as in the story lines. If Picoult had written this book, there would have been more detail about Estella's medical condition and childhood. More...

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Jun 29, 2008

Jessica rated it:

Great book. I picked it up in the bargain book section of Barnes & Noble and loved it. I didn't like how it ended, I wanted more information about all the characters and especially Connie's divorce, but overall, a great book.

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Apr 16, 2008

J.D. rated it:

I'm pretty much a mystery/thriller/sf kind of guy, so this one's a little off my beaten path. It was worth straying for. Gorgeously written, with a story of sibling rivalry that subtly draws you in and won't let you go.

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Apr 22, 2008

Marcy rated it:

This book was about two sisters who were best friends until one of them was diagnosed as a "genius". It made me decide I wanted a magnolia tree and an island guest house.

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Jun 27, 2008

Jess rated it:

Nothing Earth shattering about this one but it's a great beach read and an interesting view about the lives the impact of gifted children on family relationships.

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Jan 14, 2008

Pam rated it:

Given to me by a friend, this book was a relaxing read with good character development. First book by the author. Writing reminds me of Anna Quinlan's books.

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Dec 16, 2009

Jaime rated it:

In reviews I've read, this book was compared to others by Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve. It was a good read, but fell short of meeting this status.

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Jul 09, 2008

Jena rated it:

This was an interesting look at how a sibling rivalry situation looks in adulthood. Sisterhood never looked so complicated.

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Apr 16, 2008

M rated it:

Two sisters dealing with a painful past and also current life situations and how to relate to each other. Excellent read.

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Sep 11, 2009

Cbpax rated it:

Kiernan's first novel and a good start - A story of two grown sister's now dealing with taking care of their mother's estate. One sister is a math prodigy and was perceived by the other younger sister to have been the "favored" sister because of her high IQ. The younger sister got to stay at home and have a more normal life and the older sister envied her life. Now grown the two sisters attempt to reconcile and both find they did not understand the childhood world of their sibling. More...

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Oct 04, 2007

Dot rated it:

I loved it. If you love Picoult and Shreve you will too. Great debut novel. I look forward to her next one.

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Feb 19, 2008

Jane rated it:

Since I struggle with my relationship with my sister and sometimes family in general, I loved this one.

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Sep 05, 2007

Robyn rated it:

This book really does catch the spirit of family. A bit dysfunctional, but isn't everyone?

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Dec 17, 2009

Rebecca rated it:

Great beach/vacation read. Sad and sweet at the same time, but with a generally uplifting ending.

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Jul 16, 2008

Dogfaeriex5 rated it:

another great read, i read in a day
couldnt put it down!

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Dec 17, 2009

Wendy rated it:

i really enjoyed this book. quick read, but moving at the same time.

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