Black Box in Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

Jul 28, 2007 Angela rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A dramatic love story, written in an excellent manner, in which the characters torture themselves in the name of love. At a certain point, you can't be sure if love and hate are different notions. Although they are divorced, Alex and Ilana can't go on with their new lives..the past keeps them captives and the strength of their feelings bursts in every letter they send one another.. ...more

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May 28, 2011 Monica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001

Possibly the most sensationalized and publicized divorce in recent history brought to light the horribleness of friends and family and the general public choosing sides. Who was right? Who was wrong? Who failed in the marriage?

Divorce is an interesting thing. Two people once so committed to each other deciding that it no longer is worth it. Worth the work. Worth the communication. Far too often, the games begin- he said, she said - power and control ..... It becomes even more complicated when th

Possibly the most sensationalized and publicized divorce in recent history brought to light the horribleness of friends and family and the general public choosing sides. Who was right? Who was wrong? Who failed in the marriage?

Divorce is an interesting thing. Two people once so committed to each other deciding that it no longer is worth it. Worth the work. Worth the communication. Far too often, the games begin- he said, she said - power and control ..... It becomes even more complicated when there are children involved. Parenting apart requires more communication and more work and less games then if the couple had remained married. One person may have committed a "wrong" against the other. Is forgiveness lost? When does a couple get to that point? What stops a couple from getting to that point? What if only one person in the marriage wants out?

Marriage is an interesting thing. Two people ascribing to be loyal, committed and love each other, until death do us part.

This book is about divorce but it about so much more. It factors in so many aspects of life including religion, children and philosophy.

Questions and discussions in my own head that this book raised were many. Can an individual be in love with two people? How far does the loyalty of marriage, even one that has disolved, go?-til death do us part?

I didn't love this book but it made me think a lot. It was not easy to read, not because it was difficult, but because of the intense feelings that are portrayed by the character's hands. Black Box is written as letters being exchanged. The only other book I have read like this was The Color Purple. In my opinion, Oz did this so much better. It fit. As the reader, I was able to read into the writing and interpret it as I chose to by things that I myself have experienced. Was this a manipulation? Was this true love? What was the intent? Both my husband and I have had failed relationships. I can see the viewpoint of many different parties in this book but yet can't entirely relate to one. My own feelings and beliefs shaped the way I read this book. I don't believe that another person reading it would have the same experience and in my mind that is what amazing literature is made of. ...more

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Jul 08, 2009 Linjea rated it really liked it

Goed boek. Heel mooi en boeiend. Via brieven en telegrammen worden alle gebeurtenissen beschreven. Dit geeft een dieper inzicht in het denk-en gevoelsleven van de hoofdpersonen. Ook een mooie spanningsopbouw. Hoe zit het nu met die relatie tussen de hoofdpersonen en wat is die advocaat toch allemaal van plan?

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Dec 05, 2010 Deanne rated it liked it

Shelves: 1001-books-2008

Sorry couldn't find the love story or much humour, but the ending left lots of questions about the characters and in particular Michael and Ilana. ...more

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