Jeremy Doty Doty থেকে Venecia, Nicaragua
I'm torn... I loved the way Alice Hoffman weaved the stories of the founding families of this small MA town (disclosure: I grew up in a small New England town) through generations from the 1700's through present day... But at times it felt the stories were just left hanging and I wanted more. Sigh... :)
It really is a classic, if you come at it from the right perspective. Don't expect romance-novel style sex, because there isn't any. If you were raised on Lisa Kleypas, and then you read this, it's like looking for Irish whiskey and getting grape juice instead. On the other hand, Bella really is a lot more sensible and down to earth in the book than she is in the movies. Stephenie Meyer really gets what modern family is like, as well. Like so many kids of her generation, Bella is the product of divorce, and her efforts to find a new family (one that can never be broken up and has endured for centuries) probably resonate with a lot of people. The picture of Charlie the single father is knowing and forgiving at the same time. And the author's descriptions of natural scenery in Washington State and in Arizona are really beautiful. And Edward's family are really characterized with amazing skill, especially Alice and Carlisle. And Edward is okay, if you don't mind a "beautiful" boy with a "beautiful" voice and "beautiful" eyes. Who's beautiful, by the way. Can't wait to read NEW MOON next -- already liking Jacob a lot better than Edward!