Dora Lv Lv itibaren Antuco, Antuco, Bío Bío Region, Chile
The reader immediately begins to sympathize with Marnie. She is dyslecsic, a wall flower, and always seems to blend into the background. When she is called to the death bed of one of her oldest and dearest friends, Ralph, all over her childhood memories flood her consciousness. So at Ralph's bedside they relive the memories. Some where joyful, but more often than not they were trials. An enjoyable book.
One of the best Eve Dallas novels I've read in a long time. JD Robb is starting to get her wind back. For a while, some of her books were just treading water - but between this one and the one before it's obvious she's still in love with this world. The wedding storyline was done very nicely and we saw a side of Eve we rarely see. Usually when she interacts with her friends it was all one-way. It always seemed she took more than she gave in those relationships. But in this novel, her relationships seemed to move above the mystery storyline at points. I know that it is probably just me projecting my own feelings, but I wish she would add something more complicated in their life. A baby, Roarke or Eve in peril, having a character from Eve's past, et al. Can't wait for the next one!
This book was my introduction to Joan Didion, so I don't know if it's a good example of her work, but I found it, even for a memoir, a bit too precious for my taste. There were some sections - particularly the ones relating to her daughter's illness - that were very compelling and emotionally wraught, but overall, I felt the book needed more of a balance between Joan-the-writer and Joan-the-mother/wife griever; the best parts for me were the ones that were the least self-conscious.
I think I liked it better the first time, many years ago. That may be because I have seen the movie now and I keep comparing it to that (bad idea I know) Usually when that happens I much prefer the book to the movie....not so sure this time. I'll decide when I've finished it. At least in the book Dad is a much smarter and stronger character than he was in the movie. Finished the book today. Found it much more interesting this time because as a mom and wife I understand the perspectives of the different adults and can look from a distance at the sentiments of the young Elizabeth, Darcy, Jane, Bingley, and others. Though I cannot understand Mrs. Bennet even now. Maybe that is a good thing! Everyone should read it while they are young and then read again after they have tasted a little of life.