Customer Reviews

Fault Lines (Windsor Selections S)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This book has a lot of promising character work in it, but is undone by its own lack of subtlety. I was drawn in to the characters' lives during the first half of the book, and found myself caring about what happened with the mother-sister-daughter trio. My involvement remained, even though I was put off by the author's tendency to beat the reader over the head with points she felt were important. I could have gleaned much about the main character through her actions; instead, I was told, over and over, what kind of person she was. I kept wanting to edit those passages down -- "I get it already!"

Still, I was happily reading along. Unfortunately, a little more than midway through the book, the story grew more and more melodramatic. A relationship was developed -- a pivotal point for the main character -- but it pulled her out of the family context and into an overblown, false-feeling love story. Again, it's the author beating the reader over the head with what could have had more power through subtlety.

The book kept me reading, but I couldn't help but wish that these interesting characters were given a more thoughtful and restrained treatment.

I made the mistake of trying to read this as a "distraction" during finals week my sophmore year of college. In the end, my finals, my packing, and even sleeping became secondary to finishing "Fault Lines". Possibly, I was simply homesick for my own hills in Washington, but I fell in love with the forested California setting and the thought of running away from it all to hide in the forest. I cried at least three times, causing my roommate, who thought I was immune to emotion, to decide that I had finally gone off the deep end from stress. Later that summer, when I was coming to terms with breaking up with a boyfried who never quite was one, I was hearing, in the back of my head, "Be my same stars, Gavin," and it seemed that Merritt and TJ were splitting alongside Gavin and I.
I've been a fan of Anne Rivers Siddons ever since I stumbled across "Heartbreak Hotel" in the public library, but this has got to be the most engrossing book of hers that I've ever read. I read it again, when finals were over and I didn't have to deal with classes and my roommate, and I loved it just as much the second time. I don't often gush about books (or anything) but this definitely deserves it.

Just a good book, not trash like Steele, but intelligent and thoughtful

This book, just like all of Ann Rivers Siddons books was great.
I really felt for the main character in the book, and when she was happy
I was happy, and when she was sad, I was sad. I really couldn't put the
book down, and read it in one sitting. There was always something going
on, and no boring parts in the book. I recomend it to anyone who likes
this author. She's great.

I've enjoyed other books by this author but I thought much of Fault Lines was a waste of time. It was as though she had ideas for two books and thought she could get away with combining them. The story line about her mother-in-law, daughter, husband and sister was warm, funny and moving (book one). But she interrupted the story with (book two) a melodramatic, romance-novel, Bridges-of-Madison-County interlude that inspired me to roll my eyes and flip pages until I could find a plot again. The only reason I bothered to finish the story was because I cared about the original characters. If you like romance novels, you'll love this book. Otherwise, don't invest the time in it (or just skip the pages with the romance in it -- you won't miss much.)

One of my favorites of Ms. Siddons. I have read all but two of her novels, and I found this one to be as good if not better than most of her books. I loved the characters immediately. I love Anne Rivers Siddons.

This is the first book I have read of Siddons. It was a slow beginning, but picked up in a few chapters. I found that the author hit on many of my emotions. Definitely worth reading.

I began this book on a Saturday, when my weekend company was out during the day. I think their early departure on Sunday was, in part, due to my picking-up and putting-down the book quite often! I am, once again a redevoted fan; my last ARS book being Outer Banks... which exhausted and frightened me. This one delights and redefines "steel magnolias".

I found this to be a wise and healing book. In many ways I think it is a 5 star book. It is full of beautiful images, great metaphors,fine humor, and a vast amount of emotional truth. Perhaps the emotional truths house the author's intent and purpose. The rats were great in this book!

It started out as a typical ARS plot--aging southern married

woman contemplates family life and ends up growing and learning.

But the overly sentimental characters were sickening after

awhile, and the plot became less believable as it progressed.

Tedious storyline--main character rhapsodizes about meeting

her wonderful husband, but typically falls for an ugly or

deformed man who's somehow beautiful inside, as the plot

progresses.

Why should we care about a hairy woodsman with a pet rat who

has a deathwish concerning California earthquakes? Like we

couldn't see his death coming. And could the main character

gush anymore about her love for her perfect beautiful daughter?

A potential Hollywood movie star at 14? Come on.

Cliches, cliches--the sweet gay man dying of AIDS, the self-

involved physician husband, the beloved, long-lost sister,

the sleazy Hollywood producers...can't Siddens do any better

than this?

I don't think I'll read her anymore, and its too bad...I loved

Downtown and Nora, Nora.