When I first started reading this, I thought that it was probably exaggerated to the point of being more of a novel that a memoir. But later I changed...moreWhen I first started reading this, I thought that it was probably exaggerated to the point of being more of a novel that a memoir. But later I changed my mind. No fiction writer would create an ending like this one. This is ineresting and quite well written.(less)
This book had me enthralled from beginning to end. It's told in first person from the view point of a brilliant surgeon who is working her way through...moreThis book had me enthralled from beginning to end. It's told in first person from the view point of a brilliant surgeon who is working her way through the middle and late stages of Alzheimer's disease. She was somehow involved in a murder, but did she commit it? Even she doesn't know. Can she trust the people she loves, when at times she doesn't even recognize them? This fascinates on all levels. It's a work of art. (less)
I was fascinated by this book until about half way through it when there were so many references to mythical characters and events that took place bef...moreI was fascinated by this book until about half way through it when there were so many references to mythical characters and events that took place before this story started that I found myself totally lost. I loved the three main characters. But I felt as if I'd wandered into the middle of a series that everyone else had been reading from the beginning, instead of reading the first book in an up-coming series.(less)
A hodge-podge of disconnected story lines that never went anywhere and an unsympathetic protagonist. The entire first half of the book is devoted to M...moreA hodge-podge of disconnected story lines that never went anywhere and an unsympathetic protagonist. The entire first half of the book is devoted to Maggie's carefully detailed plan to commit suicide, despite the fact that she is gorgeous, healthy, well-to-do, and adored by everyone. Then a skeleton is interjected into the story in an apparent attempt to create a mystery. There isn't one believable character in this story or anyone the average reader can relate to.
The one thing I did find interesting was the question this story raised about what happens to those whose lives peak when they're very young. This could apply to beauty queens, athletes, people in the performing arts, etc. That's a legitimate issue. Unless they close the door on that chapter of life and recreate themselves -- as Shirley Temple Black did in real life -- it's all downhill after that, which is very sad.(less)
When I started reading this book I thought it would be your average, chick-lit story of a group of women friends (whom you couldn't tell apart) sharin...moreWhen I started reading this book I thought it would be your average, chick-lit story of a group of women friends (whom you couldn't tell apart) sharing the ups and downs of each other's lives. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that I COULD tell the women apart, they had distinct personalities and interesting personal stories, and -- the bow on the package for me -- they all wanted to be writers. The book itself was well written, and I enjoyed it a lot.(less)
This certainly isn't what one would consider a typical "novel". I'm very interested in psychology and always wondered how the subject might be taught...moreThis certainly isn't what one would consider a typical "novel". I'm very interested in psychology and always wondered how the subject might be taught by a practicing psychologist. I sure got my dose of THAT. But a lot of it seemed like psycho-babble--a man preaching to hear himself talk--and he certainly wasn't making it easy for his students (or readers) to grasp. The "story" itself was a non-story.
Having said all that, I'm glad that I read this book. It supports a theory that I have often suspected--that most "shrinks" are egomaniacs and get their sense of worth by playing God to people whose emotional problems may be far less severe than their own.(less)
I did like this book. By that, I mean I kept turning the pages without setting it down and clicking on the TV. At the same time, I found the way it wa...moreI did like this book. By that, I mean I kept turning the pages without setting it down and clicking on the TV. At the same time, I found the way it was written disconcerting. There were so many surplus characters it was hard to sort them out, and the author kept switching from first to third person and even, one time -- for no good reason tht I could see-- to second person. We knew from the start of the book how it would end, so there weren't any surprises waiting there. The mystery that held me was the identity of the cameraman. And that turned out to be a total let down.
Still, am I going to read another Anita Shreve book? Yes, I'll look for one the next time I'm at the library. So that says something.(less)
This book was historically interesting, but I didn't care for the style. It was written in first person like a diary, but then leapt ahead 40 years, s...moreThis book was historically interesting, but I didn't care for the style. It was written in first person like a diary, but then leapt ahead 40 years, so the reader knew how it ended. Then the author went back and filled in the story line. That technique eliminated all the suspense. (less)
This is the type of book I really get caught up in. What goes on in the head of a psychotic killer? To me, that subject is fascinating.
I didn't like a...moreThis is the type of book I really get caught up in. What goes on in the head of a psychotic killer? To me, that subject is fascinating.
I didn't like a single one of the characters, so I really didn't care who got killed. But, then, that's an earmark of Jason Starr novels -- the characters are seldom likeable. (less)
An excellent dystopian novel and apparently the first in a trilogy. I went to the library today to look for the second book, MAGIC STUDY, and found th...moreAn excellent dystopian novel and apparently the first in a trilogy. I went to the library today to look for the second book, MAGIC STUDY, and found the third book instead. I didn't want to wreck the adventure by reading them out of order, so came home empty-handed.(less)
I seem to be the only one posting here who was not enthralled with this book. The author may well be a marvelous woman, I don't think she's that good...moreI seem to be the only one posting here who was not enthralled with this book. The author may well be a marvelous woman, I don't think she's that good a writer. This account wandered all over the place, as if she'd never made an outline. She addressed an important subject, but could have made it much more interesting to read about.(less)
This book was very well written. I found the concept of "left neglect," a brain condition I had never been aware of before, fascinating. But once I di...moreThis book was very well written. I found the concept of "left neglect," a brain condition I had never been aware of before, fascinating. But once I digested that concept, there was really nowhere left to go, other than to follow the heroine throughout a lengthy and tedious period of partial recovery. And I thought the end was too pat--the solution too simplistic.
This was a good book but, in my opinion, didn't carry the impact of STILL ALICE.(less)
I liked the concept for this book, and it was well-written. The problem for me was that it peaked in the middle. Once the shock value of the protagoni...moreI liked the concept for this book, and it was well-written. The problem for me was that it peaked in the middle. Once the shock value of the protagonist's discovery (which I wasn't expecting)wore off, the story seemed to run downhill to sort of a non-ending. (less)
Having lost three long-time friends to Alzheimer's Disease over four months time, I found this book fascinating, heartbreaking, and illuminating. It a...moreHaving lost three long-time friends to Alzheimer's Disease over four months time, I found this book fascinating, heartbreaking, and illuminating. It amazes me that the author was able to write this in first person and have it ring so true. (less)
I found the historical "story-within-a-story" fascinating. But I found the story that encompassed it both tedious and unbelievable. I couldn't relate...moreI found the historical "story-within-a-story" fascinating. But I found the story that encompassed it both tedious and unbelievable. I couldn't relate sympathetically to any of the characters, and the ending was so contrived that it destroyed any authenticity the book may have had.(less)
I found the subject matter fascinating but the writing tedious. The theory that psychopaths are born, not made, is one I hold myself, and this story c...moreI found the subject matter fascinating but the writing tedious. The theory that psychopaths are born, not made, is one I hold myself, and this story certainly supports that. I imagine many people have wondered what it would be like to be the parent of such a person--to, at one level, know that your child was pure evil, yet be unwilling to let yourself believe it--but I've never before read a book written from such a parent's viewpoint.
But the book could, and should, have been 50 pages shorter. The horror of the facts would have had more impact without the rambling self-analyzing narrative. (less)
Peter Abrahams' books are "good reads." But I always come away feeling as if there are missing pieces, undeveloped characters, conflicting pieces of i...morePeter Abrahams' books are "good reads." But I always come away feeling as if there are missing pieces, undeveloped characters, conflicting pieces of information. Things seldom seem to fall together properly. This doesn't mean that I don't intend to read more of his books, because I enjoy his writing, but it does mean I don't feel comfortable giving this book four stars. I wish I did.(less)
This was a good mystery novel, but too gory for my particular taste. That says nothing about the author's rendition of the story, but about my sensiti...moreThis was a good mystery novel, but too gory for my particular taste. That says nothing about the author's rendition of the story, but about my sensitivities as a reader. I found myself skipping entire paragraphs that contained detailed descriptions of the injuries inflicted upon the tortured victims. But I did keep reading because I wanted to see how the book ended.(less)
I was delighted to discover a book by Nicci French that I had not read before. I really enjoy her writing. Part way into this I was even considering r...moreI was delighted to discover a book by Nicci French that I had not read before. I really enjoy her writing. Part way into this I was even considering rating it 6 stars, which is something I almost never do. But the end let me down. I wasn't surprised by the revelation of the killer, but I didn't find the motive credible. It required a lot more foreshadowing in order to work.(less)
A beautifully written novel about Astrid, a teenage girl thrust into the Foster Care system after her brillient but insane mother goes to prison for m...moreA beautifully written novel about Astrid, a teenage girl thrust into the Foster Care system after her brillient but insane mother goes to prison for murdering her estranged lover in a very original way. Astrid is affected by each new family she lives with and winds up with only one important question to ask the mother she hasn't visited in years. But the mother has something to ask of Astrid also. (less)
A heart-breaking story with chapters alternating between 1942 and 60 years later, with two intertwining stories running simultaneously. In 1942, Sarah...moreA heart-breaking story with chapters alternating between 1942 and 60 years later, with two intertwining stories running simultaneously. In 1942, Sarah, age 10, is taken with her parents by the French police as they go door-to-door arresting Jewish families. Sarah locks her 4-yr-old brother in a cabinet to keep him from being taken, promising the return for him as soon as they are released. Sixty years later Julia Jarmond, an American journalist, searches for suvivorsof that time period to discover the outcome of Sarah's tragic situation.
Very well written. But, if you're looking for a "fun read," this isn't the book for you. (less)
Of course, I loved this book. It's my style of writing and my kind of subject matter. It's like a "Lois Duncan book for grownups."
The one problem I ha...moreOf course, I loved this book. It's my style of writing and my kind of subject matter. It's like a "Lois Duncan book for grownups."
The one problem I had with it was a cast of character so huge and so inter-related that I had difficulty keeping them straight. It would have been easier if so many of their names hadn't begun with the same letter: Marina, Madeline, Max, Michael; Cooper, Cassie, Ceil; etc. After I finished the book I went back and reread it, and everything fell into place for me.
A painful but well-written novel from the viewpoint of a 13-yr-old girl whose mother was killed during the attack on 9/11. I felt there was an over ab...moreA painful but well-written novel from the viewpoint of a 13-yr-old girl whose mother was killed during the attack on 9/11. I felt there was an over abundance of sub-plots, as the author tried to cover all bases by including every issue from blended families to autism to awakening adolescent sexuality to teenage motherhood to an adopted child finding and rejecting his birth-mother, etc. However, as I said, this book was very well-written and provided a credible portrayal of the profound grief that was suffered by all who were personally affected by that terrible event. (less)
I picked it off the library shelf because of the title. Who could resist leafing through a book called THE NEIGHBORS ARE WATCHING? What are they watch...moreI picked it off the library shelf because of the title. Who could resist leafing through a book called THE NEIGHBORS ARE WATCHING? What are they watching, and why? And what are they going to do about it?
I stopped myself from flipping pages after the first chapter and checked out the book. It's a very good read, with the mystery secondary to the character development. The bottom line is that anything can happen in suburban California, even if "the neighbors are watching," because the neighbors are so busy concealing their own dark secrets that they don't NOTICE.(less)
A well-written story about family relationships. It's definitely a "Woman's Book"--can't imagine many men would relate to it -- but, being a woman, I...moreA well-written story about family relationships. It's definitely a "Woman's Book"--can't imagine many men would relate to it -- but, being a woman, I enjoyed it. (less)
I found what might otherwise have been an ordinary horror story, (I'm not a fan of horror), surprisingly interesting because of the thought provoking...moreI found what might otherwise have been an ordinary horror story, (I'm not a fan of horror), surprisingly interesting because of the thought provoking concepts it contained. I've written a number of novels that involve the paranormal--(THE THIRD EYE, STRANGER WITH MY FACE, SUMMER OF FEAR, etc.)--as well as one non-fiction book, PSYCHIC CONNECTIONS: A JOURNEY INTO THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD OF PSI (now out of print) which I co-authored with parapsychologist Dr. William Roll. During the course of that project, with Dr. Roll as my guide, I was given an in-depth look at the type of scientific research that is now being done on the very subjects that are dealt with as fiction (?)in David Ambrose's novel. Mr. Ambrose must have done the same sort of research, because in very disconcerting ways this story has the ring of truth. What do we truly know about the nature of reality? About the effects that the energy of our minds might have on the world around us?
Besides that, the story -- as a fiction story -- contained what I considered a fascinating twist.(less)
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