Helpful Score: 8
This is the best Hoffman novel I've read. Her forte is imagery and this book demonstrates it most of all. In addition to absolutely *having* to know the outcome (What happened to this cerebral and quiet boy?), you slowly draw attachments to the characters. Carlin will quickly become so real to you that you'll swear she's someone Hoffman knows in real life.
There's a movie based on the book, too. It's not bad, but I'd invest the time to read the book first.
There's a movie based on the book, too. It's not bad, but I'd invest the time to read the book first.
Helpful Score: 6
This is the first Alice Hoffman book I'v read. I have truely fallen in love with her writing. It is pure beauty even when she is writing about ugly things. The story here was great as well, heartbreaking and hearwarming at the same time. Beautiful work.
Helpful Score: 5
Magical, powerful, heart-wrenching...this was by far my favorite hoffman book, and i have read all of hers. This book is at times difficult to read, simply because you can imagine and experience the pain and heart-break the characters experience. The writing is vivid and the ending of this story is perfect. I was swept away. A book you will not easily forget.
Helpful Score: 5
Brilliant novel. Deserving of more than five stars. Haunting, brutal, emotional, startling, and, finally, amazingly and wonderfully rewarding. So beautifully written that it makes your breath catch a little. Cannot recommend this book enough.
Helpful Score: 2
I think this is her best book yet. So lyrical and poetic, it's like reading a magical story... Enjoy!