Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Blue Diary

Blue Diary
Blue Diary
Author: Alice Hoffman
The Market's bargain prices are even better for Paperbackswap club members!
Retail Price: $16.00
Buy New (Paperback): $12.79 (save 20%) or
Become a PBS member and pay $8.89+1 PBS book credit Help icon(save 44%)
ISBN-13: 9780425184943
ISBN-10: 0425184943
Publication Date: 8/6/2002
Pages: 288
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 115

3.5 stars, based on 115 ratings
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

36 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Leigh avatar reviewed Blue Diary on + 378 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
This novel beautifully juxtaposes deception with redemption, and makes you question whether or not it's truly acceptable to lie in order correct the wrongs you've done in the past. The theme is similar to that of _The Kite Runner_, but this main character chooses a redemption attempt over the course of a lifetime.

You'll have to decide for yourself if he is successful or if the end of the book is a suitable ending, but you'll be pleasantly drawn in with Hoffman's writing and haunting imagery. Worth the read.
reviewed Blue Diary on
Helpful Score: 5
Mystery, love, deceipt. This book has it all. Set in a small town, this story of one mans past is a page turner. Once you start reading, you're hooked.
reviewed Blue Diary on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
What happens when the town hero's secrets are made public? A wife and child are left to ponder the nuances of betrayal and love. Every character is impacted once the arrest of Ethan is occurs in a small town, and each reels from the knowledge in unique ways. The characters in this book are full and rich and leave the reader with many questions to ponder once the last page is read. An easy read that sticks with you.
reviewed Blue Diary on + 46 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
A very good story, lots of powerful imagery.
astream avatar reviewed Blue Diary on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Haunting tale. A man leaves everything behind to become the kind of man he always wished he could be. But is this enough, or will his past come back to haunt him in ways he could never imagine?
reviewed Blue Diary on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This was a good read and a quick one. Carried it around with me until I finished because it's one of those books that you want to know how it ends. Great story about love and friendships in life!
reviewed Blue Diary on + 47 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Engaging..The characters and their plight are pure Hoffman. Her command of imagery sets you down in the center of the bizarre.
reviewed Blue Diary on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Very well written. I love a book that contains details so specific you actually feel like you're a part of the plot instead of just a reader.
jeepers avatar reviewed Blue Diary on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Full of suspense, but better character development than most "suspense" novesl.
reviewed Blue Diary on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Compelling story as Alice Hoffman spins a great tale
reviewed Blue Diary on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Interesting novel. It made me ask what is justice and whether rehabilitation or punishment is more important.
reviewed Blue Diary on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
really loved this book...one of those "stay up late to read" books
reviewed Blue Diary on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This was a great read. Compelling and complex.
reviewed Blue Diary on
Helpful Score: 2
light read and good story
DebSalanitro avatar reviewed Blue Diary on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
My first by this author and I am HOOKED. It's suspenseful - hard to put down!
reviewed Blue Diary on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Great book, beautifully written.
reviewed Blue Diary on + 80 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book both boring and unreal. We never learn who Ethan really is, which is understandable--but neither do we learn much about Jorie or Collie. (What awful names!) Kat is the only interesting character. I wish she had narrated the entire book.
reviewed Blue Diary on + 120 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Good book club book. It generates lots of discussion. The question raised is 'If someone you have known for years as a wonderful and moral human being actually committed a morally reprehensible crime in the past, could you overlook that act and still care for that person?' Lots of strong opinions on this one!
reviewed Blue Diary on + 88 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Not my favorite Alice Hoffman book but all in all still a good read.
bettyatlanta avatar reviewed Blue Diary on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
My book club read this as one of our monthly selections and we all enjoyed it. More importantly, the book prompted some lively discussions. I recommend it.
reviewed Blue Diary on + 51 more book reviews
Absolutely loved this book!!
reviewed Blue Diary on + 56 more book reviews
From book jacket: "When Ethan Ford fails to show up for work on a brilliant summer morning, none of his neighbors would guess that for for than thirteen years he has been running from his real identity.. But sometimes locks spring open, and the devastating truths of Ethan's history shatter the small-town peace of Monroe, affecting family and friends alike."
reviewed Blue Diary on + 20 more book reviews
well written, keeps you interested all the way to the end. Good take on the psychology behind relationships
2manyb00ks avatar reviewed Blue Diary on + 203 more book reviews
This book makes you wonder how well you really know a person. Great read. Love Alice Hoffman, she never writes a disappointing book!
mwelday avatar reviewed Blue Diary on + 148 more book reviews
How well do you really know the people in your life? What would you do if it turned out someone you loved had a past you knew nothing about? In Blue Diary, Hoffman answers those questions in the story about Ethan Ford. I found the novel interesting, with good character development...from the beginning I was drawn into the story, yet could feel there was something else lurking underneath. I would recommend this book.
reviewed Blue Diary on + 143 more book reviews
Entertaining and fast read about how people's lives are affected by the deceit and evil of one man.
UNCgal avatar reviewed Blue Diary on + 4 more book reviews
very good book. Great insight into how one's life can change in a split second. Characters deal with acknowledging that the person they lived with everyday is not the person they think he is at all. Characters must deal with betrayal, grief, loss of confidence in themselves and social pressures.
reviewed Blue Diary on + 51 more book reviews
Absolutely wonderfull book!!!!!!
reviewed Blue Diary on + 275 more book reviews
This book dealt with some dark topics, deception being the main one, however it was compelling and the ending was right.
reviewed Blue Diary on + 222 more book reviews
Really good book, I read it in one day
cdayzee avatar reviewed Blue Diary on + 113 more book reviews
This one I really enjoyed. I would recommend it.
metipton avatar reviewed Blue Diary on + 17 more book reviews
Really good book, moving story. Alice Hoffman is good!
reviewed Blue Diary on + 257 more book reviews
I couldn\'t get past the first page.
reviewed Blue Diary on + 19 more book reviews
This is an autographed copy!
SoLi avatar reviewed Blue Diary on + 20 more book reviews
This is an autographed copy!
reviewed Blue Diary on
An entertaining story. 2 corners are a little folded but the book is in otherwise good condition.