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I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb
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If I liked Lamb's writing/books, your review would almost convince me to read one of them!
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Great review, Cathy.If I liked Lamb's writing/books, your review would almost convince me to read one of them!"
JoAnn, I am not sure what set you against his writing. Of the three novels, his first to me was just a three. I thought they got progressively better.
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JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "There are lots of dysfunctional folks out there....but I don't particularly want to read about them. Not that I only read "happy happy" books, but his books just seem to go to the extreme."
This is the sort of book I get the most out of!
JoAnn>Enough already. I get it. There are lots of dysfunctional folks out there....but I don't particularly want to read about them. <Ahh, JoAnn, thank you for this comment. I'd been curious about Lamb since a lot of people seem to like his books. But now I know. Like you, enough already.
This I Know is True I thought was great. I gave it a top rating. I found it to be a fast read.
As for She's Come Undone, I thought it was just ok.
Alias Reader wrote: "This I Know is True I thought was great. I gave it a top rating. I found it to be a fast read.
As for She's Come Undone, I thought it was just ok..."
Have you tried The Hour I First Believed yet?
No I haven't read The Hour I First Believed. Though I do have it on my TBR list.
Alias Reader wrote:<"This I Know is True I thought was great. I gave it a top rating. I found it to be a fast read.
As for She's Come Undone, I thought it was just ok...">
Alias, I agree with you on both those books. I'm putting my 2¢ in because to say "This Much I Know is True" is about "disfunctional folks" doesn't begin to do justice to what I considered an absorbing novel. However, I respect each reader's choice of what to read and what to avoid.
As for "The Hour I First Believed," Lamb again shows his ability to meld psychology and family relationships into a good story...and does so with with the skill of an accomplished writer. Seems to me he has the ability to write plots that are completely believable, which is one of my priorities in choosing a novel. Obviously, I don't read fantasy.
Lois
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I Know This Much Is True (other topics)She’s Come Undone (other topics)
I Know This Much Is True (other topics)
It's a good thing for me that Wally Lamb isn't more prolific or I'd be mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted. His sweeping story of dysfunctional family makes you look at your own family differently and if you're lucky realize it wasn't as dysfunctional as you thought. But more than he invokes lots and lots of introspection. His books aren't "Christian" books, per se, but there is a lot to make you think about REAL morality. Love vs. indifference. People really doing the best they can. Forgiveness for the weaknesses of others - and yourself. His books are torture to read. They make you look in the mirror. WANT to be a better person, more caring, less judgmental. The biggest sins: self-absorption to the point where you can't see others' point of view or feelings. Indifference. But yet we are what we are and overcoming our own weaknesses to be that better person - much easier to vow than to follow through.
The frame of the story is a set of twins, Thomas and Dominick. Thomas develops schizophrenia. Dominick does not. He's the "stronger" twin but comes to resent his strength that made his brother his mother's favorite, the protected one. The strong do get tired of being strong and come to resent it. But yet that strength is ultimately what pulls him through. Gosh, so much I could say.....I rooted for Dominick all the way through though and to me with all his "issues" that's a testament to how good Wally Lamb is.