Customer Reviews

Three Lives to Live

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My dad purchased "Three Lives to Live" for me when I was nine. I didn't want it. But somehow, I ended up reading it anyway. And I read it over and over and over for the next 4 years. The story is totally original and the telling is very fresh. I really fell in love with that book. Whenever I was feeling down, I'd pick it up and read it because it would always make me feel better. I've recommended this book to many friends over the years and I haven't found one who didn't enjoy this. Great book.

It is a great pity that Anne Lindbergh has been forgotten so soon after her death; she was one of the few writers who carried on the wonderful tradition of children's literature that started with E. Nesbit. Lindbergh writes the kind of children's fantasy that doesn't involve elves, dragons, or even wizards. In her books, ordinary children (or teens) stumble across something magical and make the best possible use of it. The magical something, in this case a laundry chute that transports you (or replicates you - it's complicated) fifty years ahead of your time, is not always fully explained. Why a laundry chute should be a time stutter, or why a height chart should allow everyone who is 5'5" to travel to the future, is left unclear, and in Lindbergh's fiction that works.

The basic plot of Three Lives to Live is this: Garet Atkins is an orphan, living very happily with her grandmother Gratkins, who is also her best friend. Then one day, when Garet is peacefully reading in the basement sink, a girl her own age comes flying out of the laundry chute, wearing an old-fashioned peach-colored party dress. To Garet's surprised resentment, Gratkins knows the girl's name (Daisy), takes her in and insists on enrolling her at Garet's school as Garet's twin sister. Garet documents all this, including her increasing jealousy of the pretty, popular, and opportunistic Daisy, in the autobiography she is writing for her English class. As as result, Garet spends a lot of time struggling with Mrs. Magorian, her well-meaning, incompetent teacher, who patently doesn't believe a word of the autobiography. These scenes will induce flashbacks in anyone who has ever had a truly terrible middle-school English teacher. When Garet writes a hilarious conversation between herself and Daisy using only "said" and "asked" as verbs, Mrs. Magorian insists that she rewrite it. She gives Garet, as examples, a list of verbs starting with "beg, bellow, blubber, blurt," and Garet duly sticks them into the dialogue at random. This is funny even for younger children; as read by older children it becomes very pointed satire. The entire book is like this - perfect for many different ages, and worth re-reading as an adult.

This is wonderful book written by Anne Lindbergh (the daughter of Charles Lindbergh)about a girl, Garet Atkins (age 13) and a mysterious laundry chute. Garet lives with her grandmother Gratkins (short for grandmother atkins) when suddenly a third person enters their lives. Daisy Atkins, a strange girl wearing an old fashioned peach-colored party dress falls into Garet's basement and into her life. This story is a autobiography that Garet is writing for her 7th grade english teacher. Daisy's true identity is never explained to Garet and she is determined to figure out just who this prettier, smarter, more polite, "twin" is.

I first read this book in third grade and have loved it ever since. It's cute, mysterious, and humorous. The narrative is frank engaging, and full of energy. The main character is someone you can identify with, as she's a normal middle school student whose life as been totally messed up. It's worth buying and reading.

I think that this book is an excellent story. It helped me to realize my own identity and overcome my fear of books and dyslexia. Furthermore it helped my to firmly master the English language! Thank you Anne!!! Anne Lindbergh should be awarded a prize for this masterpiece of writing!

I choose this book because I needed to do a report. At first it was a little confusing, but when I got farther in the book I couldn't put it down! This is a must read for everyone! You'll never guess what happens to Garet!

Hi. This is one of my favorite books. I recommend this to any kid who likes books. It is fabulous, creative, interesting, and it keeps you turning the pages. It is a classic of the 90's.

My favorite aspect from the novel is the setting. It is a great setting because you can picture what the people are wearing and what they're doing This book is fantastic. It is mysterious. Once you read the first chapter you won't let the book down. It is a good book is about a girl named Garet and her grandma Gratkins, but there's a girl who comes through a mysterious chute. Could that be Garet's sister or is it Gratkins? You'll have to read the book and find out. I recommend this book to other kids because it is a mysterious book and it has action in it. This book is great; you should read it.

As an English teacher, I found this book to be humorous and educational! Lindbergh succeeds in teaching children to use numerous literary elements, including foreshadowing and flashback. The main character, Garet, writes in a wonderfully satirical tone that leaves kids and adults hysterical! The plot can be confusing at times, and my students appreciated it most when they read it in pairs or small groups so that they could discuss the plot! I have yet to hear a negative review of the book! :-)

I loved this book! The end was a little disappointing, but I still loved it. I definitely reccomend it for anyone.