Helpful Score: 2
If you have read my previous reviews, the Virgo comes out in me when I read and review. I can't help it. Which is why it amazes me when I see that I am actually writing that I loved this book on so many levels...that...wow!
Basically, this 280 page novel follows Bella Grandelli "from a pudgy, insecure eight year old to a Madonna worshipping co-ed in the 80's to a martini sipping journalist in the nineties". Each chapter covers a certain time period. It really stirred something in me because I am Bella's compatriot in age, so the cultural references to music, clothes, shoes, movies---they made me laugh because I REMEMBERED! But you can't just base a book on legwarmers and Manolo Blaniks---Bella has a twin brother, Bobby, who is autistic. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give away any of what I found to be an enthralling story, but obviously Bobby's condition affects her life in so many ways and levels.
I love the cultural references in the book---it really helped me to connect---I really "got" Bella and where she was coming from and where she was going---and I found the ending very satisfying. All around, great book. 4 1/2 stars, baby, which is a pretty rare rating from me!
Basically, this 280 page novel follows Bella Grandelli "from a pudgy, insecure eight year old to a Madonna worshipping co-ed in the 80's to a martini sipping journalist in the nineties". Each chapter covers a certain time period. It really stirred something in me because I am Bella's compatriot in age, so the cultural references to music, clothes, shoes, movies---they made me laugh because I REMEMBERED! But you can't just base a book on legwarmers and Manolo Blaniks---Bella has a twin brother, Bobby, who is autistic. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give away any of what I found to be an enthralling story, but obviously Bobby's condition affects her life in so many ways and levels.
I love the cultural references in the book---it really helped me to connect---I really "got" Bella and where she was coming from and where she was going---and I found the ending very satisfying. All around, great book. 4 1/2 stars, baby, which is a pretty rare rating from me!
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of the best books I have ever read. I felt like I was back in the 1980's.
It was okay, while I enjoyed the cultural references, the parade of boyfriends and celebrity encounters started to get on my nerves. I felt that this took away from the serious aspect of the book, namely that of having an autistic sibling. I felt that Bobby was by far the best and most carefully constructed character, but everyone in his wake were boring including the main character and each boyfriend of the year. Still, it is fun to read a book in which the character is the same exact age as you and you can relate to the brand names and cultural phenomena of that time. All in all, it will travel well to the beach or the pool
What a great uplifting book. A fast read with plenty of humor & you will be thinking (been there done that). Definately a good read.
I really enjoyed this book. It starts when Bella is 8 during the 70's and ends a few decades later. Bella is searching for the someone special in life. And she had a few boyfriends in her life. Bella is a twin and her twin brother is autistic. This story explores her relationships with her parents, brother, guy friends, boyfriends and career in her search for happiness. I recommend this book to my friends. I might even suggest it for my bookclub next year even though I have read it.
My goodness, I cried all the way through this. Normally I hate books that make me cry but this was excellent. The protagonist has a twin brother who is autistic. The book starts at the age of 8 and a half and progresses through her adult life, chronicling her efforts to achieve popularity, find love and come to terms with her brother's illness.
I loved this book - if you are a child of the 80's, it will bring back some great (and not-so-great!) memories.
Great book!!! I was sad to see it end!
Paperback is NEW and in Great condition. Wish is a story of one girl's life chronicled with humor, hope, utter exasperation from the 1970's to the present, You will root for Bella every step of the way as she deals with family, romance, career, on the wild rollercoaster to adulthood.
