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Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter, a novel [Hardcover]

Alice Kuipers
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

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Book Description

August 28, 2007

Claire and her mother are running out of time, but they don't know it. Not yet. Claire is wrapped up with the difficulties of her bourgeoning adulthood—boys, school, friends, identity; Claire's mother, a single mom, is rushed off her feet both at work and at home. They rarely find themselves in the same room at the same time, and it often seems that the only thing they can count on are notes to each other on the refrigerator door. When home is threatened by a crisis, their relationship experiences a momentous change. Forced to reevaluate the delicate balance between their personal lives and their bond as mother and daughter, Claire and her mother find new love and devotion for one another deeper than anything they had ever imagined.

Heartfelt, touching, and unforgettable, Life on the Refrigerator Door is a glimpse into the lives of mothers and daughters everywhere. In this deeply touching novel told through a series of notes written from a loving mother and her devoted fifteen-year-old daughter, debut author Alice Kuipers deftly captures the impenetrable fabric that connects mothers and daughters throughout the world. Moving and rich with emotion, Life on the Refrigerator Door delivers universal lessons about love in a wonderfully simple and poignant narrative.


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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kuipers's haunting debut unfolds like a flip book of half-drawn images too swiftly ended, a compilation of tantalizing notes posted on a refrigerator by a single working mom and Claire-bear, her wistful teen daughter. Bittersweet, funny and achingly real, the nameless mother (an overworked obstetrician) and bubbly Claire communicate through these notes instead of talking, e-mailing or text messaging. Missives range from the daughter's plainly impassioned (Hi MOM! (Who I never see anymore EVER!)) to her mother's soothing, tough-upper-lip responses written during her breast cancer treatment. Kuipers captures the anxiety surrounding tragedy and conveys the importance of fully experiencing life. Although the format has its limits (notably in character development and narrative momentum), Kuipers delivers a strong, emotional reminder about the importance of loved ones, even through times of unceasing complications and challenges. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“Very original and touching” (Joanne Harris )

Product Details

  • Age Range: 12 and up
  • Hardcover: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Harper (August 28, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061370495
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061370496
  • Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,206,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Emotional August 27, 2007
Format:Hardcover
I wasn't sure I was going to like the note style of writing but it was actually very easy to read. Because you can read the book in 20 minutes it almost doesn't feel like a 'proper' book. However it has both a story and characters who I found engaging.

It gives an insight into a relationship between a mother and her 15 year old daughter, not just a glimpse of their everyday lives but their worries and concerns when the mother has a health scare. The author captures the confusing and conflicting emotions both of them experience and although short, it's to the point and gets across what I feel was intended; Not only to appreciate and enjoy those we sometimes take for granted but also to communicate with each other. That doesn't mean just telling someone we love them but appreciating that we need to share our happiness and our inner worries with them too sometimes.

It made me cry (I think you'd have to be made of stone not to be moved by it), but maybe the last couple of pages were over too quickly because I would have liked to have felt more uplifted by it.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting concept, but falls short March 16, 2008
By Michael
Format:Hardcover
As most of the other reviewers have stated, this is an extremely fast read. I didn't find the characters particularly compelling, in spite of the tragic circumstances of the novel; Kulper's unconventional (but interesting) method of letting the story unfold solely through notes left on a refrigerator limits the depth of the characters and their story, and leaves the reader feeling somewhat detached from the whole experience.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Glad I didn't pay full price for it October 21, 2007
By Meesha
Format:Hardcover
I finished this while having my breakfast one morning, and it only took me 20 minutes. There's 240 pages, but each page has a note on it. Which can sometimes only be a line or two, occasionally, a paragraph.

The story's about a mother and daughter, who never see each other, they're like ships in the night, they pass each other. The mother's a busy doctor, the daughter's busy at school and her social life.

The mother discovers she has breast cancer, and suddenly, the relationship between the two changes. It's painstakingly honest, but too brief. You're made to feel like the daughter's selfish and doesn't care. Which didn't feel quite right.

The note style of the book is quite original, much like Cecelia Aherne's Where Rainbows End, but it does feel you leaving empty afterwards. And by the time you get to the last page, and keep turning, and there's no more, it's even worse. I did actually start crying, which wasn't pleasant (soggy cornflakes lovely), but at least I hadn't my face on for work yet. It was twice in twelve hours I'd cried, so don't read this book if you're already feeling emotional. I'm definitely going to pass this book onto my mum to read, and then onto a couple of my friends, as it's an excellent read, just too short.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Small book that delivers a swift punch
Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers is a small book that delivers a swift punch. The words are limited but speak volumes as a busy mother and her teenage daughter... Read more
Published 7 days ago by ReadingintheGarden
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good
This is a very touching book about the mother daughter relationship & a quick read. You won't be disappointed but you can read it in about an hour or two.
Published 4 months ago by Kah
2.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the effort
This is described as "a novel in notes", I'm not sure a 20 minute read constitutes a novel but maybe I'm just being picky. Read more
Published 18 months ago by SHR
5.0 out of 5 stars White space
An original to be sure. I experienced intimacy and truth through this book's simple (yet poignant) use of personal notes. Read more
Published on October 6, 2010 by David Lorell Hoskins
4.0 out of 5 stars A Peak Into Their Lives....
Life on the Refrigerator Door is about the relationship between a mother and daughter who get along but both have very busy lives. Read more
Published on September 26, 2010 by StarReviewer
4.0 out of 5 stars A great novel about mother daughter relationships and hardships
Claire and her mom don't have a lot of time with each other. Claire's parents are divorced and her mom works a lot delivering babies. Read more
Published on September 18, 2010 by Brittany Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars Life on the refrigerator door- review
One of my friends lent me this book 'Life On The Refrigerator Door', when I was in 4th grade. I absolutely loved it. I felt that it was such a touching, original story. Read more
Published on February 11, 2010 by Liz Stewart
4.0 out of 5 stars Touching
I read this book at the library while my children played (It only took about 1/2 an hr or so) and it was well worth it. I found most of the "notes" realistic and touching. Read more
Published on July 5, 2009 by Jennifer Annalise Garcia
4.0 out of 5 stars Short, sweet, and sad
I love epistolary novels, so I was predisposed to like this book. I wish it had been longer, though - and more fleshed out. Read more
Published on December 9, 2008 by BeachReader
1.0 out of 5 stars Drivel, Drivel, Drivel
It took me longer to drive to the library, peruse the shelves, check out my books, drive home and unload than it did to read this book. Seriously. Read more
Published on November 3, 2008 by Stacey @ Tree, Root, and Twig
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