Customer Reviews

Sparkledoll Always Into Something-2004 Edition

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Being a 23 year old college student, I was clearly looking forward to reading Sparkledoll as I thought I would clearly relate to the elements and themes in this book. Sadly, I was proven wrong as I am left wondering what message was truly conveyed.

Loosely based on a true story, Sparkledoll focuses on the story of Lori Baldwin, a young woman who falls into trouble, running the streets and eventually getting caught up in the legal system. In the midst of her trials, she realizes that she wants more out of her life and decides to pursue flim in college. From the moment that she starts, she clearly sees that the world around her is one "wild and crazy" place. Throughout the story, She shares with us her past, present, and desires for the future. We are also introduced to the people that made an impact on her life, both positive and negative.

With a unsolid plot and unneccessary grammatical errors, this story has left me wondering "What was this author truly trying to say?", "What is the point of the story?". Although we were introduced to Lori's story, I regretfully feel that the author missed the mark in truly bringing what could have been a strong tale. I felt very disconnected and was dissapointed. If a sophomore novel indeed comes forward from Ms. Wheeler, I would really like to see a much stronger plot and content, free of grammatical errors that are common sense. To take a word from the FOX smash "American Idol", this book is not "a golden moment".

I could not stop reading this book. I was about to start another book first when I received Sparkledoll and read the first page-I was hooked.

This book is chock full of drama. The main character Lori must have 9 lives and then some. It's unbelieveable the stuff she gets herself into.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be totally engrossed in a story that forever has you on the edge of your seat.

Christina

Sparkledoll-Always Into Something is a daring novel to say the least. The first time author, Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, takes a risk. She has written a story in first person about a young woman named Lori Baldwin. The author claims this story isn't autobiographical, but the story is so gripping and real and over the top it's hard to believe that the author didn't actually "live" this story.

There are a few flaws. For one, I didn't really feel that the author resolved the characters problems at the end of the book. At the same time, I'm not mad at the author because the book was so good I truly hope there is a sequel. So much happened in a short book and there truly was not a dull chapter or moment in this book.

I also didn't understand the characters motivation, why did she do the things that she did? But then after thinking about it and reading the book again I realized that the woman in the book was just a young girl finding her way in life.

I also applaud the author for taking a risk when it comes to topics like sex, and drug and alcohol use. She doesn't exploit her characters, you really feel for the main character and her friends. I felt myself wanting to have a serious talking to to the main character and telling her to straighten up and fly right.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. It's a keeper and I know this author is going places.

"Sparkledoll" was by far the most inadequate novel I've read in a LONG time. I borrowed it from a friend who warned me about "a few typos", but I was NOT PREPARED for the grammatical mess that awaited me! PROOFREADING IS NECESSARY!! The chapters were so short that it should have been easy to go back and correct any errors in grammar or punctuation. What made it worse was that the story had potential to be an entertaining read, but the chapters never really tied together for me. I got to the end of the book and found myself wondering how the plot managed to escape me. I would NOT recommend this to anyone above a junior high reading level - a real disappointment.

I love the gritty and sometimes raw emotion that this book brings out. It makes you want to cry with the charcters at times and laugh with them. It a good book for young adults and I would certainly recommend it. I can't wait for the sequal!

I really liked this book. I had the opportunity to see the author speak recently in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The author claims the book is fiction but it's hard not to believe that some of the stories in the book weren't based on real life events because the story is told so passionately. Sparkledoll Always Into Something is almost a collection of short stories, but really it is a book where each chapter explores a part of the characters journey from a junior high aged teen to a college graduate. The main character Lori Baldwin has to deal with problamatic relationships with both males and females, verbally and physically abusive relationships and just normal angst and drama that people go through in high school and college. Now don't read this book if you are looking for some deep read. It is a light easy read and it's not out to change the world. It is entertaining and I did not notice any significant typos. This is the revised version that was released in the fall of 2002. I would recommend this book to anyone aged 15-24. People in this age group could really relate to this book, at least I think so.

Dorrie Williams-Wheeler tells the story of a young African American girl that touches you. Lori, the main character, struggles with life, school and trying to grow up in a harsh reality. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to know that things will be OK and that there is life after the highs and lows of young adulthood. As a Caucasian reader it still pulled me in and strung me along! I recommend this book!

When I finally got a hold of this book, I could not put it down. Being a college grad myself, I saw how Dorrie took the real life situation of growing up and college life and brought it to life on paper for so many people. It was real, the experiences were real, the issues addressed were real, Lori was as real as they come. I can't wait for Dorrie's next book.

This was a really good book. Lori Baldwin, where do I begin. The book begins with Lori as a young girl and in the matter of a few chapters she has gone through adolescence and straight to adult hood. She grows up pretty fast and the majority of the book takes place during her college years.

What struck me most about the book was Lori's relationships with her friends. I am sure that we all have had friends that we knew were bad influences or not good for us but still hung around them. Then when it came to her boyfriends, she picked them for frivilous reasons like how cute they were. She was a loyal friend,

I think this was based on a true story even though the author says it's fiction because when she described some of the things she went through with her friends I felt her pain. This book is sad at times. It made me cry in some parts.

I recently graduated from college and I could relate to the characters in the book. Good job!

I think this book by Dorrie-Williams Wheeler was fantastic for a new writer. It was exciting and hard to put down. I will be looking forward to more books from her in the future.