7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book sorta is taking me by surprise, July 15, 2009
I say "taking me by surprise" only because I didn't expect it to be such a good read. I've read a ton of John Irving, and I have to say that this story is definitely on par with his. The kind of stories that you're washed along with and though they have their down (read: sad) moments, they're balanced by all other moments--as it is in real life.
In a way, I'm almost upset that it's as good as it is, as I've just received this book that I've been wanting to read for such a long time (found a good deal), but I can't--and don't want to--put Mr. Dilloway's down. But on the flipside, I am rather glad that it has a nice length to it: gives me an opportunity to savor it a bit. That other book will be there waiting for me; I just hope when I'm done with this one, I won't want more of it. Complete sincerity when I say you will not be disappointed. Well worth the price I see listed.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tragic and Triumphant, June 20, 2009
Where You Belong is the story of Frost Devereaux, a writer, named for the nurse who brought him into the world. From tragic beginnings to his formative years and beyond, we are taken on a journey of love and loss, exploring his relationship with both Frankie, the love of his life, and her brother, Frank, who is there to pick up the pieces when she breaks Frost's heart. But who will Frost choose in the end?
This book made me care about the characters like old friends, and kept me intrigued right to the very end. I will be looking forward to reading Patrick Dilloway's next novel.
Highly recommended.
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8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
3 1/2 Stars, July 17, 2009
This review is from: Where You Belong (None) (Kindle Edition)
The Good Stuff:
This book seemed to be heavily influenced by "The World According to Garp" and, more subtly, "Forrest Gump". This is in a good way, as it never felt as though the author was plagiarizing in any way.
The writing was extremely well done (see below for exceptions). The prose was fairly tight with good style.
The first part of this book was so excellent, I didn't want to put it down. Had I been rating just the first third of the book, it would have been five stars; it was that good.
With one exception (explained below), the characters were incredible. Their pasts were explained in detail and all were interesting. Just wonderfully done.
The Bad Stuff:
A simple thing, but annoying: Every time a pronoun followed a preposition, the incorrect pronoun was used. Every single time.
A good 25% of this book should have been edited out. There were parts that just dragged and did not contribute to the story line.
There was a girl that Frost, the main character, goes on a double date with in Junior High named Abby. They double date with Frank. Later, Frost sees her again in college. Even later, he meets up with her with Frank around. But, Frost, Abby and Frank all act as though Abby and Frank have never met. Abby tells Frost that Frank is a <jerk>, and Frost responds that she only talked to him for a few minutes and doesn't know him. They also all act as though Abby doesn't know Frankie, either, even though she did. Even later, Frost runs into Abby again and they talk about old times where she DID know Frank and Frankie. Definite plot inconsistency in this.
All of the characters in this book were wonderful creations, except Frost, the MAIN character. This is where the "Gump" similarities occur. Frost loves a girl he grows up with, but I had trouble believing that Frost could love anyone. He was just so "flat". He didn't have a low IQ, but he seemed to have a lot of 'gump-like' qualities. He never had much of an opinion on anything and pretty much just did what everyone told him. He was not likeable or even memorable.
Overall:
This was a fun read by an author with major writing talent. I truly look forward to his next work.
Length: VERY long novel - 6,620 Locations
Rating: NC-17 - Detailed Sexual Descriptions, both hetero- and homosexual; Language
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