The daughter of beloved novelist Carol Shields ("The Stone Diaries") delivers her first novel--a bittersweet and comic story on the unexpected powe...
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reviews
Aug 02, 2008
Judy
rated it: 
I loved the bits of this book where nothing much was happening - but felt it wasn't quite as good when there was an unlikely plot twist! Giardini does remind me a bit of her mother, Carol Shields, as a writer - that's a good thing, as Shields is one of my favourite authors, although I feel I'm being somewhat unfair in comparing them.
Aug 27, 2009
Shelleyrae
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Aug 19, 2010
Catherine
rated it: 
I so love the title of this book that I hoped the content would follow but it was not meant to be. Giardini writes simple statements in a way that catch in your mind and that should be enough but the plot of this book takes such simplicity to improbable heights. And there I was lost.
If the book had begun as a flight of fancy or whimsy with extravagent circumstances then I could have accepted it but when you contrast some one who performs mammograms and the pathos that situation can e More...
If the book had begun as a flight of fancy or whimsy with extravagent circumstances then I could have accepted it but when you contrast some one who performs mammograms and the pathos that situation can e More...
Jul 30, 2009
stacy
rated it:
Update-I liked the book and had read some of the reviews so the 'twist' wasn't such a surprise but I was still disappointed. It was...interesting, but I felt like the story could have been two different tales. In any case, it kept me busy for a while.
I'm liking this book. Sorta reminds me of The Edible Woman (one of my all-time faves) by Margaret Atwood. I'm only about a 1/3 of the way through but I like it. It's not terribly interesting (maybe it'll get better?) but I like it becaus More...
I'm liking this book. Sorta reminds me of The Edible Woman (one of my all-time faves) by Margaret Atwood. I'm only about a 1/3 of the way through but I like it. It's not terribly interesting (maybe it'll get better?) but I like it becaus More...
Jun 13, 2010
Ilse
rated it: 
The more I think about the errors in the book, the more I just want to slap Anne Giardini for subjecting people to her writing at all.
Alas, I was in a forgiving mood at the time when I started reading it and could be lenient to common first time author mistakes.
But then it started escalating, and snow balling into a disaster waiting to happen.
Maggie’s character flaws (and by character flaws, I don’t mean a character which I merely don’t like, I mean a character which has been More...
Alas, I was in a forgiving mood at the time when I started reading it and could be lenient to common first time author mistakes.
But then it started escalating, and snow balling into a disaster waiting to happen.
Maggie’s character flaws (and by character flaws, I don’t mean a character which I merely don’t like, I mean a character which has been More...
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Jul 26, 2008
Janet
rated it: 
It must be hell to be Carol Shields' daughter and a writer. In fact, if I were Anne Giardini, I wouldn't admit who my mother was, no matter how much I loved her as a writer and as a parent. Not to say that Giardini is not an good writer (she is), but her mother was brilliant.
I'm nearly halfway through the book, and really liking the women in it, even the difficult ones.
I love Carol Shields' Stone Diaries so much, and I would prefer just to enjoy this book on its own merits. However, More...
I'm nearly halfway through the book, and really liking the women in it, even the difficult ones.
I love Carol Shields' Stone Diaries so much, and I would prefer just to enjoy this book on its own merits. However, More...
Jan 29, 2011
Erin
rated it:
This book starts out very interesting and beautifully-written. I got almost to the end and had very high hopes for my final thought upon reading the last sentence to be "Wow" but the last few chapters completely lost the voice of the book and seemed rough and thoughtless, like the author put too much effort into the beginning of the book and didn't feel like following through to the end.
Sep 05, 2007
Sue
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This book is written by a (female)lawyer, takes place in Canada (Vancouver, specifically, one of my favorite cities) and is published in Great Britain. I checked it out from the library because I liked the cover & title.
Another review says it's not recommended because it takes a bizarre twist & never returns to normal. I tend tolike books like that (see review of Bee Season) - isn't life like that really?
The writing style is unusual in a good way - the author has control of the cha More...
Another review says it's not recommended because it takes a bizarre twist & never returns to normal. I tend tolike books like that (see review of Bee Season) - isn't life like that really?
The writing style is unusual in a good way - the author has control of the cha More...
Feb 06, 2010
Peggy Donnelly
rated it:
I really enjoyed reading a book about a middle child perspective as I am one of those high maintenance first borns. The primary characters journey to self realization was pleasant and after a turn in the plot suspenseful. It was also interesting to have it set in Canada and learn a little bit of the culture there, especially Quebec.
Jul 21, 2011
Ami
rated it:
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a little bit stream-of-consciousness in random places, and I felt like I had to wait quite a while for things to actually start happening. But it was interesting, and I think Giardini has impressive writing skills. Maybe she just needs a better editor.
Aug 16, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
Well, at least I get to use one of my favorite phrases, "Ridiculous book is ridiculous."
<spoiler>Maybe I should make a baby stealing shelf if this is going to become a trend in my reading...</spoiler>
I was looking at the book covers of the books I've read recently..and I could not remember what this book was about...then I looked at the spoiler and it came screaming back to me. What I still don't get is how the <spoiler> death quiz ties into t
<spoiler>Maybe I should make a baby stealing shelf if this is going to become a trend in my reading...</spoiler>
I was looking at the book covers of the books I've read recently..and I could not remember what this book was about...then I looked at the spoiler and it came screaming back to me. What I still don't get is how the <spoiler> death quiz ties into t
Jun 16, 2011
Julie
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Feb 21, 2012
Mary
rated it:
The best thing about this book is the cover. The endless pontificating and introspection make it a tedious read at best and get in the way of a pretty thin plot line.
Sep 07, 2009
Tara
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I didn't really get into it until about 3/4 of the way in. Something exciting and unexpected happened, but then it never went anywhere. I ended up skimming the last bit.
Jan 13, 2011
This book wasn't bad while I was reading it but, on reflection, it was terrible. The language was self-conscious and the major action - when it finally happened - was entirely ridiculous and unbelievable.
Aug 04, 2011
Written by the daughter of author Carol Shields, this book gives a great description of Vancouver, until the plot becomes a little strange.
Oct 31, 2011
Catherine
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Audio recording.....I think I'd give it 2 1/2 stars. OK story...but good thing I was able to do something else as I listened to it.
Dec 08, 2009
Kristi
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I really didn't enjoy this book. It was a read for my book club...we will be discussing next week.
Dec 09, 2009
Nadia
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I was not impressed by the description on the back of the book but I gave it a chance anyway. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it.
Jan 09, 2012
Heather
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I read this book right after a really hard breakup. It was exactly the book I needed to read at that time.
Oct 31, 2007
Jill
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I don't know if I'd recommend this book. The basic premise is unique, and this appeals to me. However, the weight of fate as a shaper of our happiness, even our ability to remain alive, sometimes didn't fit for me.
The main character does something that is completely out of character, and that changes everything. However, fate intervenes in three unrelated areas at the same time, creating this sort of quickie ending.
I wonder if the author might have hit a little closer More...
The main character does something that is completely out of character, and that changes everything. However, fate intervenes in three unrelated areas at the same time, creating this sort of quickie ending.
I wonder if the author might have hit a little closer More...
Oct 04, 2008
Jodi
rated it:
There was a story in here somewhere. It's a pity it never actually surfaced. I really struggled to complete it. It had interesting plot lines that, just as they pulled you in, disappeared into thin air to be replaced by a seemingly random additions to the story in most cases. The author had an incredible eye for detail and description but if was often applied to describe something not at all related to the story line. It resulted in a distraction from the story instead of adding an air of p
More...
Jan 26, 2008
Krista
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I was attracted to this book because of the title as well as the cover art. The painting on the cover is by a fabulous photo-realist painter, Gerhard Richter, whose work I greatly admire. This book was a wonderful aid for me to grieve a recent loss in my life and assist me to find comfort in my newfound solitude. Let me share this quote from the book: "Happiness is more ephermal than thought."
Aug 23, 2010
Erin
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Overall this book was decent. Some parts were boring and I'd find myself daydreaming quite a bit while reading, but the other parts were intriguing. Wouldn't say a great book, but not horrible. Mediocre.
Oct 06, 2010
Kelly
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I had to give it 2 stars because the gal is actually a phenomenal writer as far as putting feelings into words. However, the story just plain sucked.
Oct 18, 2007
Emma
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I always finish books I start, but I had to skim the last 100 pages of this one because I felt the need to get through it as quickly as possible. It started off interesting in the first chapter or two, but progressively got worse and worse. The plot is ridiculous and the writing is forced. I truly wonder how this was ever published.
Dec 19, 2007
Stacey
rated it:
The premise was interesting: a woman finds out she will die in a few month after doing the magazine quiz her roommate has created. The ensuing adventure was kind of fun, but I was annoyed by the author's lengthy descriptions of settings and background that contributed nothing to the plot.
