 2008-11-20 - I was left confused
In many ways, this book left me confused. I read along, following the story closely and with great interest. It moved in strange ways, with different voices, but it all seemed to flow just fine. And then the ending brought me to an abrupt "huh?!?!"
I went back and read large portions of the book thinking I must have just missed something, but in the end it just confirmed that although some of the twist was in the text, a lot of it was not. Too much of the fiction was fiction, or otherwise left completely open ended. I could make sense of some of it, but in the end the reader is left to decide how much of the narrative was a figment of Sophya's mind, and how much was "real". It was pretty unsatisfying, I have to say, and I don't know that it was necessary to the story. I think some of it could have been explained better in the end.
I enjoyed Sophya's story, the hope and circle of life quality of it and I enjoyed reading about her relationship with Rafferty (although I have to say that was telegraphed with the very first appearance of Rafferty in the story). The sense of place was well developed and I felt pulled in, just in the end the whole thing got very tangled and left me with more questions than the text could answer. I believe in leaving some things to the imagination, but I think this one went a bit too far.
In the end, I can't even clearly say whether I really liked it or not - is it a mess, or is it a forgivable twist in an interesting story? Maybe it's just a bit of both.
 2008-11-19 - Interesting twist and held interest throughout
Thoroughly enjoyed this book - the tidbits at the start of each chapter about Lace/Lace Readers was a nice change up to the story. Could picture each of the characters, appreciate when that connection can be made. The ending did make me want to go back and reread the whole book again! Well done, Enjoy!
2008-11-15 - Different!
I didn't think I'd like this book, but got hooked from the beginning. I live in New England, and am very familiar with Salem, so I was happy to see it in the spotlight of this book. The sense of place truly played a role in the lives of the characters.
I did *not* see the twist coming in this story, and it will keep the book with me long since I've finished it as I will continue to review what happened.
All in all, I think this is a good book with interesting characters, including place as a character.
Good job!!
2008-11-13 - 3 Star Should Have Been 5
I read this book because it was my Book Club pick. I loved the first half of the book and thought it reminded me a little of "Prince of Tides". I really liked the characters and the setting but soon was completely confused. There were so many discrepancies and surprise endings. There could have been some hints along the way.
My Book Club felt the same way.
One big Question no one could answer was?
WHY DID TOWNER/SOPHYA REFER TO EVA AS HER "GREAT-AUNT"?????
WE UNDERSTOOD THAT EVA WAS G.G. WHITNEY'S SECOND WIFE AND MAY AND EMMA WERE HALF SISTERS, BUT EVA WOULD BE TOWNER/SOPHYA'S GRANDMOTHER IF SHE THOUGHT EMMA WAS HER MOTHER OR EVA WOULD BE HER STEP-GRANDMOTHER IF SHE THOUGHT MAY WAS HER MOTHER.
THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A SMALL THING, BUT IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF OTHER INCONSISTENCIES.
We think Brunonia Barry has a best seller in her, but not this one.
 2008-11-04 - Disappointed
I'm sorry to say that after longing to read this book because of the title, I was disappointed when I read it. It seemed to me to just go on and on, never captured my interest.
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