She’s Come Undone
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Why does everyone hate this wonderful book?
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Rhamel
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rated it 4 stars
Jul 12, 2011 05:51PM
I liked it too. I think this is the first book I read by Wally Lamb.
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I read this book when I was in high school, and I remember being in love with the book. I'm careful who I recommend it to, however, as it's not everyone's cup of tea. It's been 10 or 11 years since I've read it, and I'd like to read it again. I tend to be drawn to characters that just can't get it right, and I know I have more perspective now than when I originally read it.I've read "I Know This Much is True" twice and absolutely loved it. I started reading "The Hour I First Believed," but couldn't get into it enough to finish it. I may have to pick it up and try again.
I could have written Tig's exact review. I read the book blindly (had never heard anything about it), paid no attention to the fact that the author was a man, and still thought the book was phenomenal. I find myself still thinking about Dolores from time to time.
I had no problem with it in terms of writing or structure. It's just not my kind of book, really. I didn't like the main character at all--i have limited patience for people who make stupid, self-destructive, or hurtful decisions over and over again, in real life and in stories. I don't fault Wally Lamb's story telling, I just didn't dig the story he chose to tell. That said, I really hate when people bring up the "it was written by a MAN!" argument, and even more when they say "I can't believe you don't like this book---you're a women!" A good writer with good imagination can write from any perspective--and not all women are the same, be they characters, readers, or writers. It's not like there is some universal female voice that can be tapped like a faucet.
I didn't like her at all. She played the victim card whenever possible, made her own bad choices, and for no reason at all killed another persons fish by pouring bleach in their fish tank. What a selfish hateful abusive thing to do. She was weak, whiney, and a dirty slob. Get your @ss out of bed, wash your hair, and take some pride in yourself.
I found the book shallow and tiresome. I finished it, somehow.
This book was so awful that after the obligatory 50 pages, I purposely left it on the bus to torture someone else!
I didn't hate it, I loved it. I thought it was well written, well thought out, the characters were all well developed and real. I think that people probably do not like it because it is about a "fat" girl and many people do not like people that are over weight. Too bad their loss!
What an interesting conclusion Judi.
I really did not like the main character. After all she had been through, she just never seemed to learn! I think he wrote a good book, but not a great one. SHe was just so unlikable that i had to push through to the end. I think either you love it or hate it. Many readers i know, absolutely loved it. just my opinion. :)
this book is one of my all time favorites. i'm new to goodreads and am utterly shocked at how many people hate this book!! i'll try to remember to be more careful at recommending this book to others!
Crystal wrote: "this book is one of my all time favorites. i'm new to goodreads and am utterly shocked at how many people hate this book!! i'll try to remember to be more careful at recommending this book to others!"Crystal wrote: "this book is one of my all time favorites. i'm new to goodreads and am utterly shocked at how many people hate this book!! i'll try to remember to be more careful at recommending this book to others!"
Crystal wrote: "this book is one of my all time favorites. i'm new to goodreads and am utterly shocked at how many people hate this book!! i'll try to remember to be more careful at recommending this book to others!"
Why should you not recommend a really good book. All books like everything else are not suited for everyone. That does not mean that you should disregard the book - you SHOULD recommend it to other kindred spirits. You will be doing them a favor.
I also agree with you goodreads is fabulous. I am learning a lot!
Crystal wrote: "this book is one of my all time favorites. i'm new to goodreads and am utterly shocked at how many people hate this book!! i'll try to remember to be more careful at recommending this book to others!"
Crystal wrote, "this book is one of my all time favorites. i'm new to goodreads and am utterly shocked at how many people hate this book!! i'll try to remember to be more careful at recommending this book to others!Please do NOT hesitate to recommend this book to others!! You enjoyed it and it is a good book, regardless of who did not like it. To each his/her own; these are just opinions and yours counts. So, just look at the contructive criticism and keep on recommending. It will give you and your friends something to debate :D
Hmmm... I loved it.... sorry for the short answer ;) And it was just by accident that I got it in my hands, my Icelandic friend just gave it to me ;)
This was the first Wally Lamb book I read - picked it up while in Borders :( years ago and loved it. Was amazed that it was written by a man and his ability get into a woman' psyche and read it perfectly. He is one of my favorite authors - have read all of his books - such a great storyteller.
Kathy wrote: "This was the first Wally Lamb book I read - picked it up while in Borders :( years ago and loved it. Was amazed that it was written by a man and his ability get into a woman' psyche and read it pe..."I agree! I do not understand what all the hub bub is about. It is like all things in life, either you like it or you don't.
Like you, I enjoyed it very much and have enjoyed other books that he has penned.
I liked this book, but not as much as I liked I Know this Much is True or The Hour I First Believed.
I've often wondered about this...this is one of my favorite books ever but not as popular with my friends...so many people I recommended the book to ended up not liking it like I did so I stopped recommending it...nevertheless it's one of my top 10 books ever.
The worst part about this book was the ending! Everyone in my book club thought the same, so for fun, I wrote an alternative ending that everyone enjoyed. I'd be happy to share my ending with you. Just ask and I'll email it!
sabrudesill@aol.com
sabrudesill@aol.com
I read this book many years ago and still remember that I enjoyed it very much!
It has been many years since I read this book but I remember enjoying it.
deleted user wrote: "I loved this book. I'm shocked to see how many people hated it. I can understand some of the reviews from men who can't relate with a woman's perspective, but to hear the amount of dislike from w..."I love all Wally Lamb's book, this one included. His subject matter is difficult, emotions, etc which people do not want to confront. So, it stead of doing some introspection, thinking about things, they just dismiss the book. Pretty sad.
Adri wrote: "deleted user wrote: "I loved this book. I'm shocked to see how many people hated it. I can understand some of the reviews from men who can't relate with a woman's perspective, but to hear the amo..."Adri wrote: "deleted user wrote: "I loved this book. I'm shocked to see how many people hated it. I can understand some of the reviews from men who can't relate with a woman's perspective, but to hear the amo..."
I think that you hit the nail on the head. I loved the book and thought that is was written by a very sensitive woman (I thought that Wally Lamb was a pen name). I truly do not understand the "to do" about this novel. I thought that the message was a good one and that it was very well written.
I really loved it! It was one of my first books that i read as an adult and I really loved it! Though it would surprise people from the other books that i have know read. BUT yeah I really liked it!
It's been quite a few years since I read it but I liked it very much.
Laura wrote: "No, it's not because I'm offended or upset by "rape talk." I loathed this book because I thought it was poorly written, hackneyed, cheaply manipulative, and pretty much amounted to nothing more tha..."Well put, my feelings almost exactly.
I just found it to be very depressing. The main character goes through so much and by the end of the book it seems to have been all for naught.
I loved this book! I want to read it again.
Read it years ago. I remember liking it. I also remember Wally Lamb writes well. Read at least a couple of his books.
Liz wrote: "Read it years ago. I remember liking it. I also remember Wally Lamb writes well. Read at least a couple of his books."I agree, me too!
Wally Lamb is my favorite author. I wish he wrote more.
It has been several years since I read the book and I know I strongly disliked it. However, I can't remember why - I know it had to do with traits of the main character. Now I will have to re-read it to remember why I can't stand it!
Some parts of it are depressing and a little disturbing but the overall storyline is good.
I read this many years ago but loved it. I loved ALL of Wally Lamb's books.
I really liked the book. It has been a while since I read it but I recently bought it at a book sale so I can reread it one day.
I loved it. Read it a couple of years back and remember enjoying it.
It's been some time since I read this one, but I seem to remember thinking that the main character had no arc. My synopsis ending up being, some terrible unlikable girl did some things, had some things done to her, and ended up being some terrible unlikeable girl on a boat.
I read this book back in 1998. I was in the eighth grade. It was summer and we were driving on a family vacation. The moment I finished it I sat in the back seat crying. I tried so hard to not make it obvious that I was back there weeping! I don't know why people on here hate it. It's OK if they do, but it obviously stuck with me because to this day I still think about it. So that says something, I think.
I agree, I loved the book!
I thought this book was wonderful. I was shocked to see all the one-star ratings and bad reviews as well. I read it back in 2008, so it's been a while, but I remember that I absolutely LOVED it. It's one of my favorite books.
I have tried and tried to read this book. I just could never get into it. I was bored to tears!!!! I may try to pick it up again sometime, just not in the near future.
Too Bad. This is your loss but then again, not every book is for everyone!
i loved this book! it is one of my favorites that i can read over and over. at times, i couldn't stand delores and then, there were times, my heart just breaks for her.
I didn't hate or love this book but I was disappointed because I read The Hour I First Believed first and thought that book was absolutely incredible; I didn't feel like She's Come Undone was quite as good. Then again, tons of people hated "The Hour I First Believed" as well, so who knows.
This is also one of my all-time favorite books. If I could have given it 10 stars, I absolutely would have. I was a little surprised by some of the people who "hated" the book, but not really. This book talks about abortion, obesity, rape, AIDS, suicide, and infidelity - I mean, these are things that make people very uncomfortable and when people get uncomfortable, minds shut down. I saw a lot of reviewers complaining that what right did Wally Lamb, a male, have to write a book about a woman. AS if men can only write about men and women about women? This book is brilliant and if people could look at the character a little deeper, they would see that. But, to each his own.
I loved this book, too. I think I listened to the audio book. I liked I Know This Much is True even more. I see that Wally Lamb has another book our and I'm looking forward to reading it.
This was a wonderful book, I loved it!I can see, however, why so many people would say they hated it. I think it's just easier to say that than to admit how uncomfortable they were reading it.
It makes you look inside yourself and question your own moral code, shortcomings,and the skeletons in your own little closet. It reminds us of our own cruelties and predjudices, and brings back memories that we would rather let lie and forget.
This book was raw beyond belief, and I often found myself squirming while at the same time enthralled at the skill and insight of Wally Lamb. Fantastic!
Bravo! I could not have said it any better myself!You are wonderful!
:)
"Everyone" doesn't hate this book. It's wonderful -- the nay-sayers just missed out, is all. It was very well reviewed on publication and well-received. Not sure what's not to like..... I wish Wally Lamb would do more like this one and "I Know This Much is True."
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