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on May 15, 2017
This is a story about how a dysfunctional mother can affect her children. I believe many people can relate. Even though this plot is out of the ordinary, all families have events which became turning points in retrospect. Narrative, dialogue, character development - all perfect.
I'm going to try to find if there's more by Nancy Star.
I'm going to try to find if there's more by Nancy Star.
on June 7, 2017
This could almost be a cautionary tale. This is the story of what happens when families don't talk, when things get out of hand and are you swept under the rug. A terrible tragedy in childhood leaves these three sisters torn apart and it isn't after their mother passes away that they find out the truth and find each again. So many years gone and so many things left unsaid . This book will not when any major awards, but I did enjoy it and I do recommend it. The story is well written and the characters are relatable.
on December 19, 2016
Like many Kindle fans, I read the one-star reviews first and then decide what I want to do -- and the ones on this book condemned it pretty well. But what those reviewers said intrigued me -- this family is so complex there were many times I thought Mimi should just get out of town and begone forever! Never fell in love with her, or anybody else really. The thing is: sometimes families are pretty darned dysfunctional and there is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Heck, sometimes there isn't even a rainbow... the rainbow at the end of this story isn't great. There were complaints about lying by Glory, and secretiveness in her family. Folks, I've known families like this, and believe me, you do not want your child marrying into one of them!
If I were to re-read the ending right now, I am sure I'll find a few untied dangling threads and at least two unlikely coincidences. I imagine Nancy Star grabbing all those threads, tying knots in them to stop the unraveling. But sometimes life is actually like that, and I hope to see Star writing more layered books like this, but a little smoother, please. So why five stars? Five means Excellence, and frankly, Star wasn't an excellent writer, not yet. But she had the guts to conceive of a book about this messy family, so I admire her for that. Besides I did like Callie, even if I didn't fall in love with her.
If I were to re-read the ending right now, I am sure I'll find a few untied dangling threads and at least two unlikely coincidences. I imagine Nancy Star grabbing all those threads, tying knots in them to stop the unraveling. But sometimes life is actually like that, and I hope to see Star writing more layered books like this, but a little smoother, please. So why five stars? Five means Excellence, and frankly, Star wasn't an excellent writer, not yet. But she had the guts to conceive of a book about this messy family, so I admire her for that. Besides I did like Callie, even if I didn't fall in love with her.
on July 4, 2017
It took a bit for me to gain a grasp on the story line of this book. My problem not the author's. Family conflict is uncomfortable and the characters in this book were all in conflict either with each other or with themselves. The resolution and understanding of these conflicts and the confusing and sometimes frightening incidents that influenced the behaviors of each person kept me engrossed to the end. A story of people schooled to "stuff" their emotions and keep silent about problems and losses.
on January 27, 2017
So, initially I didn't feel like I was going to like this book. The main protagonist and her mother were irritating me to no end! But as the story unfolded I started to understand Ginger and why she was the way she was and I started to empathize with her. This was a very well written story about family secrets and how they can mold people. Honestly I was crying so much in the last couple chapters that I had to put it down for a bit and come back. I will definitely be following Nancy Star.
on March 13, 2017
I grew in in a broken family and can relate to these three sisters. We never lost a sibling but 3 of were in a home for a year. I'm thankful we were not adopted out and still live close to each other. That's why this story touched me so much. It's a story of the healing power of love. This book is a masterpiece and I highly recommend reading it
on June 5, 2017
This book starts by spinning confusingly back and forth between present and past. When it becomes clear, though, present is influenced by the past that was hidden. I'd recommend this to anyone who is interested in the twisted treatment of psychological problems in the seventies.
on December 10, 2016
Do families really need to keep secrets? Some of the choices made by the characters made me mad. I think it is interesting how Ginger comes to realize that raising children is similar to flying a kite. You let out more string to allow them to fly high even if they may crash once in a while. But you always hold on so you don't lose them forever.
on June 11, 2017
This was an interesting book and a great insight into the relationships between sisters and their family especially their mother. I thought it was also great at pointing out that things in relationships are not always as they seem and differ from each persons point of view. Especially when one member has passed and you find out things you didn't know or see differently than you previously had thought.
