Helpful Score: 12
I really enjoyed the writing style, got into the book by the first page, but was somewhat disappointed by the ending. I seem to remember feeling the same way about Buffalo Soldier but not about Midwives. Definitely thought provoking and worth reading. A good book club discussion book.
Helpful Score: 9
This book is fast-paced and somewhat haunting! It deals with a lawyer, a homeopath, and a tragic death. While starting out as a simple story on holistic medicine it grows into a reflection on life's choices and personal growth. The history and practice of homeopathy provides an interesting backdrop to this story. I bought this book just on a "whim" at a bargain bookstore and I am glad that I did!!
Helpful Score: 7
This is the third of Mr. Bohjalian's books that I have read. This is his typical style of setting up a situation that doesn't have an easy way out. I liked this book, but felt it was a little weak in two areas. First I felt as if the dialogue of the daughter was beyond the age she was suppose to be. A small thing, but that always bothers me. The second was that I had a hard time understanding why Leland would make some of the decisions that he did. All that said, Mr. Bohjalian's books always make me wonder what I would do in that situation and I'm always glad that I read them.
Helpful Score: 6
Prosecutor Leyland Fowler is raising his young daughter alone after the death of his wife. He becomes involved with the local homeopath and after a tragic death, he finds himself facing many legal and moral choices. I thought this book was very well written and I enjoyed it. I especially loved the relationship between Leyland and his daughter.
Helpful Score: 4
Great read, very hard to put down
Helpful Score: 2
This book was so irritating to me and I couldn't wait to finish it. The writing was absolutely excellent, the ingredients (plot, characters, background and setting) were all there. Immersive! (Is that a word?) But I got SO irritated by the main character, Leland. Some of the foreshadowing probably contributed to that because that set up a disaster waiting to happen that really never did happen. Paraphrasing..."the beginning of the end." It should have been a fascinating read and in most ways it was. I was left anxious and unsatisfied though. Not a response I'm usually looking for. The book will stay with me, for sure.
Helpful Score: 2
I really wanted to like this book. I loved Midwives, and I had high hopes for this one being just as good. However, I had a hard time liking the main characters - I found both Leland and Carissa to be unethical and immoral, and just not all that compelling. The one relationship I did really like was that between Leland and his daughter. However, I just wasn't really able to root for Leland and Carissa in their dilemma. As a consequence, I really didn't enjoy this book all that much.
Helpful Score: 1
Bohjalian gives thoughtful treatment to complex and delicate issues and has a wonderful skill for great character developement.
Helpful Score: 1
I favor Bohjalian first because he is a fellow Armenian and I'm all about supporting my culture (since its not that widely known). Secondly, I love how in both this book and "Double Bind" he incorporates thorough knowledge of the subject matter being discussed. You are not only reading a plot but learning about a specific topic, illness, occupation etc. Its refreshing to see an author who goes outside his own imagination and creativity. As far as plot, this book seemed slow at times (in comparision to Double Bind and I felt like I kept waiting for a twist that never came. At the same time, it was very informative about the history of homeopathy.
Helpful Score: 1
I liked Midwives better, but this is still a very interesting book.
Helpful Score: 1
I am on a totally different wavelength from the other reviewers on this one! I found it to be extremely slow-moving, especially the first 1/4 or so of the book. It's rare that I give up on a book that's been recommended, but on this one I almost quit reading many times. I found the main character to be just too silly to believe. It was difficult to slog through, and I will not be seeking out any of this author's other books.
Helpful Score: 1
Love this author. I've been reading all of his books. He reminds me of Jodi Picholt. Controversial subject matter that makes you think but still sort of lighter reading.
Helpful Score: 1
A fascinating look into holistic medicine, by one of my favorite authors. But this story was a little flawed by the obsession of the main character with finding the perfect (sexual) partner. A little off-putting in an otherwise good novel.
Helpful Score: 1
Grabbed my attention within the first few pages and kept it until the end. Read this in a matter of days - loved it!
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite authors! Always good character development and interesting stories.
Leland is a lawyer and Carissa is a homeopath. Leland and Carissa start to date and become lovers. One of Carissa's patients lapses into a coma after eating cashews that he is allergic to. Leland's lawyer firm starts to investigate the case, and Leland has to lie to show that he is not involved. When Carissa feels that she can no longer trust Leland, she leaves town and never comes back. Leland is forced to be alone yet again because his wife died over two years ago, leaving him to raise his daughter by himself. I didn't feel that the book ended the way that it should. I think that Leland and Carissa should have ended up together. Leland goes to Paris to try to find her but doesn't. I wish the book would have had them meeting in Paris and then have their lives start together from there. It was a very good book but I would change the ending if I could.
Good book. I wouldn't know what category to put it under, but I guess if you like suspense, sticky situations and bear any interest in homeopathy, you'll like this book. I read Bohjalian's Midwives, and I wouldn't say I liked it AS much, but it definately held my interst.
I've loved several of Bohjalian's books but not this one! The main character is completely unbelievable. He's supposed to be a respected, mature lawyer but behaves like a lovesick horny teenager. Falling in love with a woman in a matter of days and risking his career made absolutely no sense at all. I was disgusted with this character all the way through. I did read to the end only because I hoped for some kind of redemption, but it never came. Don't waste your time. This book is not worthy of his talent. Bohjalian's Skeletons at the Feast and Sandcastle Girls are excellent. Check them out.
I was disappointed with this book, the main character was not at all relatable or believable since he was supposed to be a respected lawyer for the state prosecutors office, instead he was a horny, obsessive, lying wack job.
He meets and becomes obsessed with a homeopath, talks her into destroying her notes on a patient that is in a coma to cover her butt better and becomes hooked on arsenic.
Lack luster, a bit boring and the ending sucked.
Loved the Midwife so kept reading hoping for more but nope.
He meets and becomes obsessed with a homeopath, talks her into destroying her notes on a patient that is in a coma to cover her butt better and becomes hooked on arsenic.
Lack luster, a bit boring and the ending sucked.
Loved the Midwife so kept reading hoping for more but nope.
I really liked this book. I read it straight through because I had to see how it was going to end.
Great book--Set between the on going clash between conventional and alternative medicine "The Law of Similars"is a haunting Tale that I did not want to put down
Good book; hard time putting it down.
a page turner.
This is by the author of Midwives. Goes into homeopathic medicine, and a little bit of law....and a conflict of interest...
Definitely Bohjalian's best book!!
Have yet to read a bad novel by him. Received this from another PBS member. Very compelling and a great twist at the end
Interesting book--involves the unlikely relationship between a skeptical lawyer and a homeopath who is under investigation.
another great Bohjalian book--about a homeopath accused of malpractise. POV = her boyfriend. Very moving, not a typical plotline. Recommended.
Good writer- if you like his other work, you will like this. Very specific style. I though this book was a little slow so I didn't read it all.. but would still recommend it if you haven't tried his writing.
Excellent!
Another good book by Bohjalian. Not the best but still very good.
This is the only book I've liked by this author.
Another great book...if you liked Midwives...you will love this book!
Easy read, interesting idea, plot line a little unbelievable.
From the author of "Midwives" another medical mystery.
