Negative Positive
Title: Very good -- perhaps not for everyone
Review: Although I found the story to be heavily (almost overly) detailed and full of flashbacks, I appreciated the way that Oates allowed the reader to get to know each character intimately. How sad that a family so close and seemingly unbreakable could let tragedy stand in the way of strength and healing. Any book that makes me want to jump inside the pages and react to a character or situation -- have my say, punch them out, hug them, tell them they are wrong -- is a book that has heart. Throughout the book I felt a closeness to Judd -- the baby of the family -- as I am. His eagerness for information and acceptance touched me. I felt sympathy for Marianne, although she certainly didn't ask for it. Corrine and Michael Sr. were a mixed bag -- if only they could have be realistic in their expectations of child-rearing and life in general! Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a story -- but not to anyone looking for immediate fictional gratification.
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