I expected a lot from 'Paint it Black' based on Finch's first novel, 'White Oleander', but I was disappointed with not only the content but also the style. While White Oleander was rich in themes and artistic elements, I found Paint it Black very shallow in comparison. However, as far as alluding to detailed images, and promoting participation on the readers behalf in creating those images, this book is successful.

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I have gone back and read White Oleander at least once a year since I first read it six years ago. Paint it Black was a struggle to get through. I finished it, but that was more out of respect to the book than my own desire to finish it. It has glimmers of what made White Oleander so amazing, but it doesn't capture the same soul.

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It dragged a little and was very depressing but I am very glad that I read this! It makes me so thankful that my significant other is still alive. I definitely suggest this book to others but only if you are prepared for a slightly dark look at life.


In the end: definitely worth the few hours it will take you to finish!

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This book was really slow. I feel like everything that happened in the book, happened in the beginning. The rest was just depressing and seemed to drag on. Not anything like Janet Fitch's first book.

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I am still not sure how I felt about this book. It is definitely not as good as White Oleander however, I did feel compelled to read the whole book to see how Josie turns out in the end. It is a dark read as the characters are grappling with a suicide of a loved one.

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My 17 year old says this is one of her favorite books, along with White Oleander.

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This has got to be one of the most descriptively, dark, eye-opening books I have ever read. I tried to think of one part that truly stood out to me, and my mind just kept jumping from scene to scene. This book is not for the faint-hearted, you will cry, you will laugh, you will set it down and walk away from the bleakness.... but you WILL come back. 4 Stars because I think it stalled in places.

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This book was too dark, too depressing and the main character needed to get over herself. Well-written, but not suitable for enjoyment or anyone with a positive attitude towards life. This was a book club read for me, I would never pick this book up and now having read it, wouldn't read anything else by Janet Fitch again. Would not recommend.

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I read three chapters and I gave up. Despite all the drama of the punk scene, I was bored. I definitely liked 'White Oleander' by the author better.

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I have to say to start with, that I am a fan of Janet Fitch's writing style and the way she incorporates the arts into her novels. White Oleander is by far one of my favorite books and will never leave my collection. I'm also a believer in the notion that if someone writes a spectacular book like the latter, that I won't judge so harshly their next book. Who knows if she has another one of those in her, and maybe she didn't want to go back down the same path she did with White Oleander. Who knows? With that being said, I found the book dragged on with the emotional descriptions and cultural references. It was bleak and there wasn't very much going on. Maybe if she would've went on tour with Meridith or something there would've been more substance. I also started hating her boyfriend because the whole book was basically spent describing him and his many idiosyncrasies. I would've liked to have known more about Josie. I'm probably going to give it a re-read and then post it on here.

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This book is written by the same author who wrote White Oleander. The main character is Josie Tyrell. Her boyfriend commits suicide in the beginning of the book, driving to a dessert motel to do so. For the rest of the over 300 pages she is on a quest to try to heal, and maybe put the pieces together about why he did it. I found Michael (the boyfriends) to be a sullen, sour, prissy brat. But I did like the character of Josie. There are some old family secrets uncovered, etc, but it feels like there were so many opportunities for it to get much more exciting. It nver really did. All in all it was a decent book. Just not one I would read again. The last 20 or so pages were downright painful to get through.

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I read White Oleander and was excited to find out there was another book out by the same author. The day I got it in the mail, I dove in. I have to say this is the first book I have ever not finished. I made it about 2/3 or so through before I gave up, because I was so bored. I was extremely disappointed. I think I would have considered a book about the life of an earth worm more exciting.

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