Abby Rosmarin

• Rated 3 stars

“I feel like this book was split into two and written by two separate people. The first half is methodical and filled with effortless poetry. Its story arch is clear and defined and there is something at the heart of the story driving it forward. The second half meandered and the writing went stale. I must admit: I was expecting a different book with a different second half/ending. I still enjoyed it, but I was disappointed, because the book could've been so much more.”

Abby Rosmarin wrote this review Friday, March 30, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“This book was ... interesting. On the one hand, I was intrigued by the 3 generations of sons' relationships with their father. On the other hand, I felt like I was back in college again, twofold: 1) I felt like I was assigned to read the book and forced myself through at points simply because I felt like that's what I needed to do. 2) It reminded me of creative writing classes, where students would be intentionally obtuse because they thought it was the mark of a genius.

But I guess that's the crapshoot of Pulitzer winners: sometimes, you get an amazing, insightful book -- other times, you get something that gives you a head-ache.”

Abby Rosmarin wrote this review Sunday, February 26, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“I must admit: this book was definitely not what I expected. This is what I get for only reading the back before purchasing the book, but I was a little disoriented upon reading the contents of the short-story-posing-as-chapter chapters. But I was still intrigued and read the entire book over a weekend. I enjoyed Bank's wit and writing style. She really made Jane into a believable, complex character (which, after the last book I read, I needed!). I'm undecided how I feel about the ending, and one of the chapters ("The Best Possible Light") really doesn't seem to fit into the book. The theme in that chapter is roughly the same, but I kept waiting for that chapter to weave its way in to the rest of the story, and it never did. But I still recommend this book.”

Abby Rosmarin wrote this review Monday, February 6, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“Amazing graphic novel. It might not carry the same weight as Persepolis or Maus, but it's poignant, it's enthralling, and I couldn't put it down. And I want to see it take off in the marketplace the same way the other two did!”

Abby Rosmarin wrote this review Wednesday, February 1, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 3 stars

“I must admit: it took me a month to get through Part 1. There was nothing driving it forward. The writing was lackluster and the introduction of Anthony had my eyes rolling. But Part 2 and 3 were definitely worth the work. I couldn't put the book down after they introduced the multiple narratives. Overall, I think the book could've benefited from a more thorough editing. But I would recommend it because the majority of it is a great read.”

Abby Rosmarin wrote this review Saturday, January 28, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“I recommend reading Wells's second book - "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" - before this one. Before the second story about the Walker clan was finished, I realized that I only cared about these characters because I had read about them before. It was an enjoyable read, but it took until part 2 before I was even remotely hooked.”

Abby Rosmarin wrote this review Wednesday, December 28, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I don't think I could adequately describe how amazing this book is. The poetry, the insight, the brutal and raw and beautiful truth. You could pick the book up, find a random page, and read it like a poem or a truism on life.
The story itself takes a while to gain momentum, but when it does, it's an avalanche. I spent two days with my nose in the book, desperate to read on, and ended up reading 300 pages by the end of evening 2 (and unheard amount of reading for a slow reader such as myself).
Above all else, this book provides a refreshing look on religion, Western life, democracy, American influences, and the concept of justice.”

Abby Rosmarin wrote this review Monday, November 28, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“I can sum up this story in one word: heartbreaking.

The beauty of this book is, as a reader, I kept hoping for a happy ending, a sudden turn around, a magic fix, even though I knew deep-down that it's nothing but a descent with Alzheimer's. I felt like I was someone watching a loved one slowly lose who they once were. I felt like *I* was someone slowly losing who they once were. Depressing book, ending kinda socked me in the gut. Great, great story.”

Abby Rosmarin wrote this review Saturday, August 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“I have to admit -- at first, I avoided this book. The premise of this New York big-time director who decides she doesn't know how to love and postpones her wedding? Sounds like a crap chick-lit. I'm glad I persevered. The story of the Ya-Yas is every bit intriguing as it is funny. The insights at times are incredible and there were some chapters that I just could not put the book down until I finished it.

The only reason I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 4 or 5 is that I just did not care for Sidda and her relationship with Connor. Connor was too perfect, too obliging (no man I know would respond to his fiance postponing their wedding three months before it's to happen with, "Oh, okay -- but don't make me wait too long. Let's have sex and orgasm together.") And that's another thing that always irked me -- did we really need to read about all these simultaneous orgasms? One time, sure, I'll take it. But three or four times? Essentially every time they do it? Oi.”

Abby Rosmarin wrote this review Sunday, July 10, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“I'm so thankful I knew nothing more than what the first section of the first chapter was when I got this book. It makes you think you are going in one direction before *bam* it goes in another direction and *bam* it changed on you yet again. Incredible book. At some points, I couldn't put the book down, even if I tried. The only drawback is that I wish I brushed up on my Spanish before reading this book!”

Abby Rosmarin wrote this review Saturday, July 9, 2011. ( reply | permalink )