May/June Group Read - A Drop in the Ocean

[Karen]

Chapter 18 - Chapter 20. (view spoiler)[ First of all, what are the chances that in two books I am currently reading there is a character named Hamish (this one and A Discovery of Witches and a Haymitch in The Hunger Games which I just finished?

The Huntington's Disease connection is made clear in a convoluted kind of way and, as I suspected, Tom is at risk although he refuses to be tested to be sure one way or the other. This, of course, drives our scientifically driven Anna crazy but I can understand Tom's logic. Anna continues to grow as she comes to the realization that she did her research and her research assistants a huge disservice in not connecting with the subjects of her own research project. This sad bit of hindsight comes about when Anna is unexpectedly brought face to face with Toms "friend" Morrie (don't get me started on why he would introduce himself as Tom's best friend since childhood instead of Tom's cousin or even cousin and best friend - I'll give Ogden the benefit of the doubt and pretend to believe that Tom orchestrated this just in case Anna should come across Morrie in an unexpected way in order to divert Anna's (and our) attention from Tom's health yet again.) I wish Ogden did red herrings better - instead of WOW, I come away from her red herrings irritated.

Hamish has his seemingly unnecessary seizure and Anna joins the turtle rodeo nearly losing an arm. Anna is such a seriously flawed human being - I guess all of these seemingly unnecessary, often overly dramatic, vignettes and interludes serve to illustrate her growth as she comes out of her shell and connects in a larger way with the world around her. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Chapter 21. (view spoiler)[Tom opens up a bit about his family history. This, in turn, opens Anna's eyes to what she is really taking on if she pushes her forever together agenda and it turns out Tom does succumb to the disease. Realistically, I think, she wonders if she is up to the challenge. She realizes she is promising him something she might not be able to deliver. More growth.

Of course the birthday party couldn't come off crisis free - word is Mum has had a heart attack and it could be serious. Anna's cavalier reaction is unexpected and shocking to her Turtle Island friends but given her chilly and distant relationship with her mother since her father's death, I found it believable. Despite the widely held belief that the mother/daughter bond is sacred, sadly that isn't always the case. Pat sets Anna straight and off to the Shetland Islands we go. (hide spoiler)]

[Denise S]

Karen wrote: "Chapter 18 - Chapter 20. First of all, what are the chances that in two books I am currently reading there is a character named Hamish (this one and A Discovery of Witches and a Haymitch in The Hu..."

lol - on your Hamishes

[Jan, Moderator]

I've read through Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[

This book REALLY needed a good editor. I see the glimmer of a good book amidst the mess. It could be so much better if someone had helped the author understand that Anna's growth as an individual over the course of the year did not require her to experiencing every possible disaster there is to experience. The baby seizure was just so not necessary!!

But I have enjoyed seeing her grow and to be able to open up to Pat and baby Hamish. Her disconnect with her father's family was odd - I haven't figured that out yet. Was it needed or just another vehicle to throw in to try and have all Anna's issues resolved. I've had the thought that her dad might show up again but that would just be too much! Hope it doesn't happen.

I have mixed feelings about how the author handled the Morrie situation. I agree it was odd that he lied up front about his relationship with Tom but I wouldn't be surprise that it was something Tom has asked him to do. He seems to want to keep his connection to the disease a secret and doesn't want to talk about it. I understand that to some extent. The chance of finding out you are free of the gene may not overcome the fear of finding out you are not. Especially since there is nothing that can be done with early detection.

But I'm glad that Anna has the chance to interact with a "real life" person with Huntington's disease and come to the understand how poorly she handled her relationship with her research families and her assistants.

And at least she and Tom are now talking about the big elephant in the room. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

A further thought on Chapter 21. (view spoiler)[It's interesting that Anna's first instinct was to tell Fran to throw her philandering husband out (a few chapters back) but instead listened to Pat and Tom and went the more mature route, taking her own feelings out of it and offering Fran support whatever she decided to do. Now here's Fran telling her that it was Anna's letter that changed her mind about booting her husband and now Anna feels like a fraud, upset that Fran is going to try and make a go of it. Poor Anna just can't win. I wonder if we will find out which way it goes for Fran. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Chapters 22-24. (view spoiler)[

The Shetland Islands. I enjoyed these chapters. I liked the description of the islands and their history. I'm glad Anna finally found some peace with her mother. I'm glad her mother didn't die and that all three chapters were crisis free. It was funny that Anna was so shocked that her mother wondered if perhaps Anna was gay and then so defensive wanting to know what kind of negative reaction her mother would have had if Anna was, only to find out her mother was so much more liberal about it than Anna and that the aunt that Anna had dismissed all of her life as a prude was, in fact, gay. Her mother telling her, Anna, that it is time she got rid of all those stereotypes.

The discussion between Mum and Anna about Dad's lies was interesting - I didn't remember that the grandmother had committed suicide. It was a very realistic conversation - the kind you have when you know you are never going to know the actual truth and can only put together the pieces after the fact to try and make some sense of it all. They had both been gob-smacked when they learned that everything they thought they knew about him was a lie - and now they can only guess at his motives. I thought the moment was at hand where the father was going to re-appear when Anna was putting together the photos and focused on the holiday photo in Brighton eating ice cream "two years after Dad died." I thought sure she was going to recognize him standing in the crowd behind them in the picture. Time is getting short if Dad is going to reappear!

I liked Mum and Magnus' peaceful, loving relationship and I love Magnus' accent although I can't figure out "dinna fash yer thoum" and that made me angry. :) And I also love the name and now have to go and see Muckle Flugga! Preferably during high Puffin season.

Truer words were never spoken, "That's the lot of mothers, I fear. Anna, it's all water under the bridge, and you're here now."
I hope their relationship continues to grow. (hide spoiler)]

[Jan, Moderator]

Through Chapter 24: (view spoiler)[ These were nice chapters and as Karen mentioned- pretty much crisis free.

I think Ogden does a beautiful job with setting and descriptions of places. I really got the sense of the Shetlands. Maybe she should be writing travelogues instead.

I'm so happy that Anna and her mom have connected at last. I was never close to my mom until she was battling cancer. She moved in with me and sadly it was in those last few months that we became close. So it warmed my heart that they found a bond. Magnus was lovely too!

Her mom gave Anna wise advice about being honest with Tom. But honesty doesn't always bring the answer we want to hear. (hide spoiler)]

[Jan, Moderator]

I finished this today :)

Chapter 25 - Epilogue: (view spoiler)[
I'm glad that Tom was happy to see Anna at the funeral. And that he eventually told her that he loved her. But he did end up having the genetic test done and it came back positive so he stuck to his guns and told her they could not be together. So the story didn't end all "happily ever after". It had a realistic ending which made sense.

The epilogue let us know that Anna's life did not fall apart because she & Tom didn't get married. She went on to do a lot of good things - things she would never have attempted without her time on the island.

Over all, I enjoyed this though it could have been better with a good editor. As I mentioned in earlier comments, I think Ogden does a beautiful job with creating her setting and all of her descriptions. I wanted the Great Barrier Reef experience and felt like the book totally delivered on that.

The writing was uneven at times and Anna had a tendency to make things all about her. But then, if we are honest with ourselves, most of us do the same but it's hard to forgive our characters when they blatantly do it.

The end notes about turtles and HD at the end of the book were very thorough and I found them quite interesting.

I'm giving it 3 stars. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

I finished it too, over the weekend... Chapter 25-Epilogue and Notes
(view spoiler)[ Another red herring? This one worked a bit better. "I looked at the email address. It began GwenScarlett@ so I supposed it was his mother's." I immediately assumed it was his wife's and Anna was in for quite a surprise at the funeral. But no. It was Mom's. And Anna's father never made an appearance. I guess he is dead after all since he doesn't show up in the last 25 years of her life either.

There is a lot of information in the last couple of chapters including entirely too much information about Anna's funeral outfit. Good Lord, who cares?

Tom, watching his father die and watching what his mother is going through, realizes it is time for him to get tested and sort out his relationship with Anna based on the results. I liked what he told Anna at some point along the way when Anna was trying to make the testing all about her, yet again. He said, "Living in hope soon becomes a burden. Once I knew, every day without the disease was a gift." That was one of the better lines in the whole book.

I was happy to find out how Francesca's life worked out, was sad to find out that Pat and Basil had died and was glad to hear that Kirsty and Hamish had kept in touch with Anna. Above all, I’m happy that Tom wasn't just a player but a genuine soul who knows his own mind. Seems a little excessive that Anna makes two trips a year half way around the world but that's her business I guess. :) Seems like the best of both worlds for both of them.

The information on Huntington's Disease in the endnotes is chilling. I do hope it is a disease we see and end to in our lifetime. The study in Venezuela is amazing.

I agree with Jan - a three star book. There was a lot I didn't like about the book which mostly had to do with Ogden's writing, but it did smooth out a bit as the book progressed. The subject matter was interesting both the natural world setting and the disease and the intertwining of the two. Nature does heal. I absolutely believe that. A few too many coincidences and far too many crises, but not a bad book, all in all. And it got me out of my USA/United Kingdom rut for a bit! (hide spoiler)]

[Kathryn]

Just started this one coming home from work! nToo early to form any impressions yet.

[Kathryn]

Can't get into this, whenever I read it I nearly fall asleep. It's just \slow and uneventful. I hope everyone else enjoys it, but I won't be one of them.

[Linda]

I’ve started this one today. So far I’ve read up to chapter 3. (view spoiler)[ I’m not sure what I think of Anna yet but I think the remoteness of the island was what appealed to her. I liked Fran right away, I think she is a good friend to Anna and was very concerned for her after finding out about the grand being denied. (hide spoiler)]

On to chapter 3

[Jan, Moderator]

Linda - (view spoiler)[ Anna is a tough one to figure out. I liked Fran too!! Looking forward to more comments from you :) (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

Jan - regarding your up to Chapter 5 post (view spoiler)[I’m actually enjoying reading Anna’s story - for me it gives us a glimpse into her life which shaped her to be the person that she is now. I was surprised that she talked to her dad about being a journalist like him, she didn’t really seem like that type of person, but maybe she is - I think what her life was like after her parents divorce changed her personality and then when she lost her dad I think it changed even more. After she and her mi. Had t move and the kids treated her badly, I’m not surprised that she ended up being introverted, but I don’t think she started out as a shy kid - if that makes sense. (hide spoiler)]

[Jan, Moderator]

Linda (view spoiler)[ Her "writings" got better as the book progresses - at first they seemed a little juvenile but they improved as the book continues.

I agree that the loss of her father had a huge affect on her and something that she never really got over. (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

Regarding Denise & Jan’s Chapter 2 - 5 posts (view spoiler)[ I agree with both of you even with Anna being a big time loner - the quickness of Anna settiling into to island life is far fetched to me as well - I did like though that after get Inge to know Tom a bit more has brought Anna out of her shell and she is craving time to be more social, even with being an introverted person I feel like you would have more more friends in your life, Anna really only had Fran, she even spent her birthday completely alone, I don’t think people do that. (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

My comments up to Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ I was also missing learning more about Anna before she went to the island and was glad to read that the ladies encouraged her to write a more personal story. I enjoyed reading about her parents and her life as a little girl I can see why she became so into herself, with the kids picking on her she did have her dad to help during those sad times but after she lost him. What is she going to do now??? Her mom did not appear to be as outgoing as her dad was but we will see. I’m also happy that Anna is hanging out more with the “locals” and building relationships. Watching Eve create her nest was so interesting, I have seen many videos of all of those little babies hatching and toddling off to the ocean and it is such an amazing thing to watch.

I’m enjoying the “romance” of Tom and Anna as loosely as it is right now and I’m not minding it at all. I’m don’t mind some romance but I’m not really a romance reader either.

I am glad to see that Anna is feeling really comfortable being at the island and can wait to see what happens next. (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

Up to and including Chapter 12. (view spoiler)[ I can’t remember how old Tom is but it seems a bit weird that Anna is 50 (well just turned 50) and Tom is what somewhere around 30???? Maybe he is I,dear than that but Anna talked about him being younger but I like their relationship. I was surprised that he go so upset with Anna about her Huntingtons research, I wonder if someone close to him has it??

The hurricane was so scary! And Kirsti giving birth out there! Whew!

Collette, I wonder why she is so rude? Does she like Tom and he isn’t showing an Interest? Maybe she is just a rude person! Ha! (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

Everyone’s comments up to Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ of curse the baby would come during this cyclone, I called it a hurricane before especially after Anna questioned Kirsti about being on the island so close to her time to have the baby - enter bad weather - and boom! The baby comes.

The hot flashes! Yeah they are not quite like that at all, she wasn’t even 50 yet when they came, but I do think they can come a bit early.

The difference in Anna’s Birthday this year and last year are like polar opposites! She does seem very introverted then she comes to this island and all of a sudden she is Miss social butterfly! LOL!!! So maybe being an introvert is not really her personality??? Who knows! But I’m like you guys I am enjoying this book more than I thought I would. (hide spoiler)]

[Jan, Moderator]

Linda - in response: (view spoiler)[

This comment made me laugh: She does seem very introverted then she comes to this island and all of a sudden she is Miss social butterfly! LOL!!! It was so true!!! Like night and day. Though maybe being on the island you can't hide from people. It's easy to hide from people in the city. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Linda and Jan (view spoiler)[yes - funny how you can remain completely anonymous in a city of a million plus people and can't hide on an island of less than 100. (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

LOL Jan!!!

I know Karen! So crazy!

[Linda]

Up to Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[ How scary for Pat, I like her and was happy that Anna made the trip into Brisbane with her. It’s good to have friends around when going thru hard things.

For some reason I was a little surprised that Anna’s dad and family s from Australia - not sure why? I think because Anna didn’t know!?!? Maybe since he was estranged from them, he didn’t talk about them but now Anna can try to track them down since she is going to stay in Melbourne with Pat for a bit. (hide spoiler)]

[Jan, Moderator]

Linda (view spoiler)[ I was a little thrown off by the fact that his family was from Australia. That seemed a little "out of the blue" for me. I don't think it was mentioned previously...unless I missed it.

I liked Pat a lot too!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

Jan - (view spoiler)[It wasn’t mentioned at all until Anna had been at the island for several months and her mom just seemed to casually mention it in a letter! It seems like her mom would have talked about it when Anna told her she was going to the island - like hey your dad is from Australia, let me look around and see if I can find out more information for you, maybe you can look them up. (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

Chapter 18 & 19 (view spoiler)[ When Anna arrives back to the island unannounced, I have to admit that I thought Tom would be canoodling with another woman! Sorry! I should have had more faith in him. But I guess I was not really taking him and Anna’s island fling serious, he doesn’t seem to want to be in a relationship with Anna, he has told her that before but then we get a clearer understanding after meeting Morrie who has Huntington’s and finding out that friend Morrie is really cousin Morrie and that Tom may or may not have the Huntington’s gene and everything comes together as to why Tom had a vasectomy and why he doesn’t want to be in a relationship. I suppose I understand that but I don’t think he is being completely fair, as long as the person he is in the relationship with knows the situation then how can you live your life like that? And now It is time for Morrie to go home and Kirstie has arrived with Hamish, since Tom is taking Morrie back maybe he will get the test to see if he does have the gene- that is if he wants to know.

I loved that everyone shaved their heads for solidarity when Pat comes home for a rest before the next round of chemo. (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

Thoughts on Karen’s #47 post - (view spoiler)[it does seem odd that the author keeps mentioning the fact of Anna’s dad dying at sea but that his body was never recovered. He has disappeared before but could he really do that to his daughter??? He did make up those wild stories about his parents, well his dad. But if he isn’t dead and he does come back - what a wild story that would be, and Anna would be big time mad at him, she is not too happy with him at the moment. (hide spoiler)]

[Jan, Moderator]

Linda - regarding 18 & 19 (view spoiler)[ Tom starts making sense when we find out his connection to Huntington's disease. But I agree that deciding he won't be in a relationship because of it is a little tunnel visioned. We need people in our lives whether we are healthy or not. And who's to say that helping him would be a blessing to that loved one. (hide spoiler)]

[jingles]

I started this last night and read through chapter 4.

Chapter 1 - 4:
(view spoiler)[

I find Anna very fascinating. I so agree...had I lost my job after that many years of work, I would be devastated. Anna seems like a lonely person.

I know that she finds making friends difficult, and I think perhaps she encountered many difficulties growing up that has contributed to that. It seems like the after her mom and dad split up and she had to move, the other children seemed to be a bit harsh and perhaps even mean to her.

She seems to be attracted to Tom.
(hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

Yay Jingles!!! Looking forward to reading your comments,

[Linda]

Up to Chapter 22 (view spoiler)[ I agree with everyone regarding the authors approach to Anna. It is quite a lot for Anna to be on this island and bear all of these things, she gains a “family” that she never had and learns how important and special it can be. She falls in love with a man who loves her for her even though he might have Huntington’s but don’t want to have a relationship with. She delivers a baby in which she kinds of ends up as a surrogate grandmother to, she gets a best friend (even though she has Fran) It seems different with Pat. She is experiencing a career crises - I’m not really sure what she is going to do when she goes back to Boston - if she does go back. At one point I even thought maybe she will stay with her fathers family but she didn’t feel the least bit close to them - but maybe that was her dads fault since he told those lies about them. Now her mom has had a heart attack and she doesn’t want to go and be with her. She may not have had the best relationship with her mom but they have kept in touch since Anna has been on the island. And can I just mention how irritated I am with Anna when she wakes up from Tom’s birthday dinner and realizes that she is naked in her bed and she seems to be so appalled by it! Tom has surly seen her naked since they have gone to bed together and well Pat is a woman to and they have the same things! And this isn’t the first time Anna has gotten weirded out my the state of herself, when Tom showed up during the time Hamish was sick she ran from the room to change her clothes, and I feel ,Ike there were other times as well - seriously Anna!

I didn’t mind that Morrie introduced himself as a friend of Tom’s instead of his cousin, that had Tom written all over it again to keep Anna from finding out about his family’s history. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Chapter 17 comment... (view spoiler)[ I was not surprised by the fact that Anna's relatives were from Australia which leads me to believe that it had already been mentioned - I think I would have found that a bit too coincidental or, as Linda said, I would have expected her Mom to say - Hey, what a coincidence. Did you know Dad's family is from Australia? I'll see what I can find in the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

Up to Chapter 24 (view spoiler)[ I’m so glad that Pat insisted that Anna go visit her mom! So this is probably going to sound crazy but the author keeps talking about how small Anna’s mom’s house is - and in my mind I keep thinking that is is like a Hobbit’s house! LOL!!! Sorry, but I just keep picturing that.

I’m shocked that Anna’s mom asks Anna if she is a lesbian! Why would she think that!?!? Because of her friendship with Pat??? I know that Anna never talked to her mom about any men that she may have dated but Anna didn’t really talk to her mom at all until she went to the island. And I guess that Anna didn’t mention Tom to her mom. So yeah! Anna has gone thru a lot in this book! I don’t know if I find it odd that Anna had a lesbian relationship with a woman, I guess after the divorce from Anna’s dad and it seemed like that relationship was different, we find out that Anna’s parents were married because of the baby, I wonder if she had not gotten pregnant if they would have gotten married.

I was happy to read that Tom had written to Anna even though I felt the letter was a tad bit generic. At least he told her that he missed her. I think Tom is fightin the fact that he is in love with Anna and that he wants to have a long term relationship with her but Huntington’s is scaring him away. (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

Finished!!!!

The ending - (view spoiler)[I liked that Anna out that photo album together for her mom but while she was pulling the photos together, I kind of thought it was odd to put pics of her mom and dad’s wedding in there, but after she gave the album to her mom and realized that actually the album was everything Anna and then it all made sense, except maybe the pic of Anna’s mom and Magnus, but whatever.

That was nice of Anna to go to Sydney to be with Tom for his dads funeral. And I agree with Karen regarding shopping for the “funeral” clothes, that did kind of go on and on and when she made reference to Pretty Woman! I was done! It wasn’t like Pretty Woman at all!!!

So Tom did end up getting the test and of course he has the gene, but I was proud of him for doing it, then he was able to make an educated descision regarding him and Anna. I was. It surprised that he stuck to his own ideas, im sure with what his mom went thru with his dad, he did not want to put the woman that he loved thru that.

There were a lot of things wrong with this book but the story was interesting enough to keep you engaged to the story, and I did enjoy it and I’m also giving it 3 stars. (hide spoiler)]

[Jan, Moderator]

jingles wrote: "I started this last night and read through chapter 4."

Glad you started this jingles! Keep coming back with comments - you know how we love them!!!

[Jan, Moderator]

Linda - through 24 (view spoiler)[ I was really glad that Pat insisted that Anna go to her mom. I think Anna would never have forgiven herself but more important I think that there was healing that needed to be done between them. (hide spoiler)]

Regarding finished (view spoiler)[ Another 3 stars with the same kind of comments...lol. It was definitely a really interesting book with some issues!! (hide spoiler)]

Thanks for reading it with us Linda and for for sharing your thoughts.

[jingles]

I just finished up chapter 10.

Chapter 5 - 10:
(view spoiler)[

I really like how the story is unfolding. I do have to agree the parts where she is writing are a bit stiff, but since there isn't a whole lot of that, I'm okay with it so far.

Also, I have to agree that the transition from Boston life and life on the remote island just seemed to happen too quickly and seamlessly to be honest. I'm sure in real life things do NOT transition that quickly or smoothly, but alas we are reading friction so it's to be somewhat expected I guess.

I really like Anna, and I find myself liking Tom. I'm glad that Anna has found herself in this little adventure with Tom because she seems to have had such a lonely life to this point. So I'm happy for her in regards to that part of the story.

I get the impression that there's something I don't know about Tom, and I'm wondering if I have somehow missed it, or perhaps I've just not come across it yet. It's almost like waiting for the other shoe to fall....like it's something big and life-altering.

Anna was there to help out with the birth of Kirista's baby, and I thought that was awesome. Even though it had been so long ago that she had worked (very briefly) in obstetrics, she was still able to deliver the baby safely.

I know it must have been pretty scary to wait out that storm. I can't imagine being in a storm like that. (hide spoiler)]

[jingles]

Got through chapter 15.

Chapter 11 - 15:
(view spoiler)[

I was glad to see Kirsti and Hammish move to Anna's cabin as Kirsti really had nowhere to go at the time, and I think it helped to see a whole new side to Anna.

I like Anna. Though I do understand the difficulty of her being portrayed as a loner in Boston, then suddenly she is no longer one when she moves to the island. It's like we're seeing two different people, and it's difficult to believe.

I like Anna though, and I like how she is on the island. The Anna back in Boston does seem a bit cold, and not really connected even with the researchers she worked with. I'm not sure that side of Anna was very likable...she certainly wasn't personable.

I'm not sure about the "fight" that happened with Tom. I don't see the point of that yet, but maybe I just haven't gotten to it. Like others have mentioned, maybe it's something to do with his father's illness, and hits too close to home for him.

We do get a bit of insight into Anna's life when she was first out of school and starting her research career, where she wound up having an affair with her boss I believe it was. He was married, they had an affair, Anna wound up pregnant, and he basically told her if she wanted to continue working she had to get rid of the baby. So she had an abortion. I found that part very sad. I think perhaps it helps to explain the Boston Anna a little better

On another note - I feel like I'm waiting for something bad to happen. Like something bad is going to happen to Anna or to Tom. (hide spoiler)]

[Linda]

Jingles regarding your comment for chapter 11 - 15 (view spoiler)[I can see Anna being such an introvert could cause her to be an unfriendly “boss” its like she doesn’t know how to relate to people, I liked Anna as well, what I had a problem with was the complete shift of Anna, it is like 2 different Anna’s which maybe caused the story to be a bit unbelievable, (hide spoiler)]

[Jan, Moderator]

In response both jingles comments: (view spoiler)[ I liked the island Anna too but it was hard to switch gears from the Boston Anna. I did get irritated with her at times. She seem very teenager at times but maybe that's because she didn't have the relationship skills that you would think a 50 year old would have.

Tom is easy to like to but you do get a sense that he is keeping something hidden. (hide spoiler)]

[jingles]

I finished!

Chapter 16 - End:
(view spoiler)[
Well...the other shoe certainly did fall. What kind of gets me though is this....of all the places for Anna to end up and of all the people for her to be involved with, really how likely is it that she would end up on an island involved with a man who has the very same disease she has been researching for over 20 years? It doesn't seem entirely believable, but then, this is fiction.

I have to agree with what Karen said about Hamish's seizure. Exactly what was the purpose of that? It did nothing for the story at all.

I was glad that Pat could talk Anna into going to see her mother after she had the heart attack. I think Anna's eyes were opened to many, many things after her visit with her mother, as well as her father's family.

Anna's mom seemed to be a real trooper. I think Anna treated her mother badly for many years. She was so cold toward her mom, but her father was her entire world. Yet in the end, it was her father that turned out to be dishonest. Granted those were decisions made in his early years, and we all make mistakes. It just seemed Anna had been so unfair to her mother all that time. Again, maybe I'm seeing that in hind-sight after finding out about the father.

What I really, really liked about this book were the descriptions of the island and island like. Like many others, I think this is where the author really did a great job.

The story was choppy. There was absolutely no transition at all between the Anna of Boston and the Anna of the island. Again, it's like we're dealing with two different Anna's and that part never smooths out. At least not for me.

Still, it was a story that kept my interest. It's a three-star read for me. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

On liking Anna... (view spoiler)[Anna never really grew on me. Well, that's not entirely true. She was difficult to like as Boston Anna. I give Fran credit for sticking with her as her only real friend. What I most disliked about her on the island is what Jan alluded to above - her constant tantrums every time Tom - well - did anything! I guess 50 years of no relationship skills will do that to you and I'm sure a lot of it was her own insecurities, but she just came across as possessive and shrewish where Tom was concerned.

I was surprised at how easily she let her father's family go once she found them. She did do some serious growing up as a result of going to visit her mother. Those were my favorite chapters. That event seemed to finally launch her into adulthood.

She did seem to develop a life of her own once it was clear that she and Tom were never going to move forward together. It's sad that she never opened herself up to the possibility of another relationship and instead made do with a twice a year visit to Tom but they both seemed comfortable with that arrangement.

Lets just say Anna wasn't my favorite protagonist ever. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Jingles - (view spoiler)[Agreed on the unlikely coincidence where the Huntington's Disease was concerned. (hide spoiler)]

[Jan, Moderator]

I'm really glad you enjoyed it Dee! It did paint a great picture of the GBR.

[Cecile]

I enjoyed this book very much. Although I think of Tom. So athletic with such a zest for life and only to end his days with that terrible disease. Prior to reading this book, I have to admit that I had heard of Huntington’s Disease, but really knew nothing about it. When I was in Costa Rica I travelled two hours to a beach arriving at dawn to watch turtles climbing out of their nests and learned about their migration habits. What a treat. This book helped fill in gaps like how the nesting takes place, how often they lay eggs in a season and how long it is before the babies come back home to lay their own eggs. Thank you for picking this one Jan.

[Jan, Moderator]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it Cecile! And that's so cool that you witnessed the baby turtles. I bet that was an awesome sight!!

[Linda]

Cecile wrote: "I enjoyed this book very much. Although I think of Tom. So athletic with such a zest for life and only to end his days with that terrible disease. Prior to reading this book, I have to admit that I..."


Another good book that I read about Huntington’s disease was - it was really good if anyone was interested in learning or reading more about this illness.

[Jan, Moderator]

Thanks for the recommendation Linda!! I had never heard of it until I read this book.

I just started a new book and I had no clue it all turtle laying stuff in it. Surprise!!

[Linda]

Jan, That turtle laying business is pretty cool.

[Karen]

Anything Lisa Genova writes terrifies me - her Still Alice was so spot on, realistic, and terrifying that I haven't been able to bring myself to read anything else by her!