Oprah's Book Club

A beautiful, rather slow moving story, about a boy who chooses not to speak and his great, big-hearted dog. The writing is very dense, almost lyrical, and so much packed into each paragraph that at times it's overwhelming.

I found myself skimming through the last chapters because I couldn't wait to find out how the book ended. Now that I know, I'm going to go back and read it again, to savor the writing and immerse my self in the atmosphere.

Love love love this book!!! It takes you back in time and shows how life was in the Renaissance period, how people fought to survive, the cruelty among men, the rise and fall of "royalty," and what true love and determination can do to change your life. I've recommended this book to everyone I know! A definite must read!

This is an excellent book that is so detailed. You will fall in love, get sad, laugh, become happy, as you watch this love story unfold.

I could only read it in stages because it was that intense!

Enjoy!

This is probably one of my favorite books. The three generations worth of family stories was unbelievable. I loved how distance the oldest generation was in Greece and how familiar the second generation in Detroit was. And I really enjoyed how the book starts out in Greece to tell this love story between two siblings (as unappealing as that sounds, it wasn't). And I loved the descriptions of the riots in Detroit. And then to finish it off by really focusing on the main character, a hermaphrodite, working in San Francisco’s Haight. It was so interesting.

This book is a grim projection of our possible future. In his typical stark landscapes and sparse dialogue, McCarthy offers a rich tapestry of contemplation for the reader. We are left with questions to which we will never have answers — and that is perfectly fine. At the end of our character's journey we are hopeful, but left with the bitter taste of the crimes we are capable of committing.

Night is haunting in its simplicity. Such a little book delves into one of the greatest human tragedies in modern history, the Holocaust, but through the eyes of a young boy. I knew this book was an autobiography when I began reading it, but there were still times that I worried Weisel wouldn't make it. Children and adults could benefit from this powerful reminder of the damage humans can do to each other — and what hope can make us survive.

Amazing story. Although I didn't enjoy the writing style, the topic of drug addiction was interesting and really did open my eyes and soften my heart to those affected. A story of growth, family, support, friends and life in general — a great beach read.

When we read this book in our book group, I was wary at first 'til I got into the story. The characters were real and they hop off the page.

I feel as though I have a better handle on the Chinese culture; why they are so vigilant and why they seem to keep going no matter what stands in front of them. I also got a better understanding of the political system in China, as the family was experiencing it.

This book is worth the read. A classic.

Simply: beautiful. It deals with the life of the wealthy and the humble, the wanting and the content, the charming and the simple. It has ugliness, beauty, love, hate, family, ruin. It's pretty long, but it has a lot of twists and turns, and the characters you'll meet are unforgettable. Awesome read :)

Regardless of whether or not it's on Oprah's book club list (and if that's your benchmark, stop reading) this book is an interesting look into the world of a deaf mute man,who on the surface seems to be unassuming and kind. As the story progresses you learn much more about him and his relationship with the young woman he 'befriends'. It was made into a film w/Alan Arkin playing the lead and Sondra Locke as the female protagonist. Read the book, rent the film.

This book was not fun to read; it was very slow going for me. I had no idea what I was reading at the beginning. Every time the magical realism popped up, I skipped it, and got excited that I was closer to the end of the book. But somewhere, toward the end, I stopped skipping, and I realized that I was able to appreciate the weirdness of the story. This was when I realized I could process big ideas on my own, without a professor to guide me.

A 2003 book about South African history and its people, which is still relevant and informative today. It's beautifully descriptive and filled with sentiment and authenticity.

Ohhh it’s a meaty tale, this one and sometimes feels like an epic soap opera-slash-biblical journey-slash coming of age-slash-well... it’s great, trust me.

In this sequel to The Bluest Eye, Sula, as an adult, has eschewed the conventional roles of wife and mother to pursue what those in her hometown perceive as a decadent "big city" life. Her choices — and, indeed, her very presence — come under scathing scrutiny upon her return to her hometown. In typical Toni Morrison fashion, this book is gritty,and for fans of this genre, enthralling.

Disturbingly captivating. If you like a story that grabs you by your shirt and pulls you in — and you are brave — check this out. As Oprah said to the author, "Where on earth did this come from?"

When I was working at a volunteer operation in India I met a lovely librarian (doesn’t that just roll off the tongue?) named Heather who told me of all the thousands of books she’d ever read, this was her favorite. I can see why. Not only is this compelling writing with a strong narrative, it also sums up life in Mumbai in the 1970s more succinctly than any history book you could ever hope to read.

This is a wonderful — if sometimes bleak — saga of an American family from the viewpoint of various different family members. Witty, compassionate, and thought-provoking, this is a great book for discussions.

The deep South comes alive though the experiences and emotions of this multi-generational family. Based in historical fact, this is a beautifully written story about strength and sharing the sorrows and joys of life, beginning in slavery, surviving the Civil War and moving into the 20th Century. A very impressive first novel.

Very powerful story! It made me feel very sad that I was living a life of fun, innocence, etc safely in my corner of the world, while this family was being subjected to this treatment because of who their father was, the job that he did, and what he believed in.

Even sadder that this was around the 1980's. I could not believe that some humans would still treat others this way or even think that they could. Well worth the read!

An amazing story of a child that goes through life without ever truly fitting in until she finds what her "problem" really is. She grows up with loving grandparents who tell her she's "special" all the time, in a good way; but the way her school mates tease her makes her realize she's "special" in a very different way.

You will struggle with her as she tries to figure out her life and in the end, sees the real truth behind living with her "special" needs issues.

Heart touching, gut wrenching and simply an outstanding book!

First, Joyce Carol Oates is a fabulous writer; have to say that up front! This book weaves a story around a family, the Mulvaneys, and the dynamics between the trauma suffered by the daughter and how it affects each member. I found myself horrified by the father, then slowly coming to understand who he was and why his reaction was such. It's the see-saw of a young girl growing up where facing reality and her father's response (and non-response) to her intimate trauma. The family, individually, is so affected by what has happened that it slowly rips apart, one person at a time. This story felt so true to life, almost as if I were reading about someone I knew or heard about.

This is classic excellent story telling of Joyce Carol Oates. I loved the story so much that when it was released as a movie for TV, I wanted to see if they were able to capture the interior of this family as well as Oates' writing. They did... but reading the emotions of each member was far better than just hearing the dialogue. Read the book; it will capture you! And you won't forget the Mulvaneys.

When the county mistakenly takes possession of Kathy's house, a series of events are launched that change lives forever. As Kathy fights back, the house is sold and soon she's no longer about to distinguish who the actual enemy is — the county, the new owner, or her own demons.

The even cadence of Dubus' prose keeps the plot moving as paths cross and stories intertwine in a story that is compelling and haunting.

I was hesitant to read this book for years, but once I did, the story captured me. The story of a family of missionaries in Africa was compelling, and the use of multiple narrators kept the plot moving and allowed for differentiation in the structure. It is both sad and uplifting, but ultimately well worth the time. I have since read all of Kingsolver's novels, but this is the one I return to most.

This book took me back to my hippie days and the culture of dropping out, then growing up after being slapped in the face by a tragedy. The author finds her way out from her escape, and enters her perfect life, only to be dragged back to the scene of the crime in a way she didn't expect.

Intermingle a self-hating definition of beauty with abject poverty and the self-destructive behaviors that can accompany poverty's misery and you have the potent, disturbing brew that comprises this book. As Sula's young black life is heaped with horror and sadness, her mind begins to snap under the weight of these issues. Having read this book long ago, I still recall how profoundly affecting it is.

For lovers of historical fiction, "Daughter of Fortune" is a must-read. This gripping story of an orphaned girl who ends up traveling far from her native Chile in search of love was hard to put down. The characters are all well developed, interesting, and complex. The story's settings range from Colonial Chile to Gold Rush-era California. A satisfying novel.

The lilting voices of Ireland and their delightful and humorous idiomatic phrases are hallmarks of Maeve Binchy novels and a large part of what set her books apart from others in the so-called “Chick Lit” genre. That’s why this book — set in both Ireland and the U.S. — sometimes loses its voice while in America, yet never fails to entertain.

As Irish Ria and American Marilyn switch homes for the summer, these two despondent protagonists go on journeys of intentional self-discovery and unintentional self-revelation. A fun read!

I had to read this book since I share the name of main character, Astrid. The book is wonderfully written, powerful, sad & strong. It's a very readable book and hard to put down.

Kathryn thought she knew her husband, Jack, until the day the trans-Atlantic flight he was piloting crashed. As the entire family comes under the critical eye of the media, Kathryn must sort through a reality that she was never prepared to learn.

Shreve's characters are real, the friend you would really want to reach out to and offer help. Because of this, the novel draws in the reader. It's a fast-paced read.

Beautiful and touching. "When we open ourselves — you yourself to me and I myself to you, when we submerge you into me and I into you, when we vanish into me you and into you I, then am I me and you are you."

It is not often that a protagonist evokes both empathy and scorn from readers, but then again, Brett Lott is an uncommon writer.

Spanning decades and moving from rural Mississippi (and its subtexts of race and class) to California, where culture shock pervades interactions, the author underscores Jewel’s tenacity and willfulness (opposite sides of the same coin?) and the contribution these qualities make to the sorrows and difficulties that stretch her persevering family to its limits.

One caveat: the epithets used are raw and characteristic of the times.

Nothing like the movie; a great book if you love storytelling. A story of mothers and daughters, the best ones being those you find halfway through life. Letts also weaves in a beautiful love story of two people destined for one another, but circumstances (as usual) get in the way. My first foray into Oprah's Book Club, but not my last.

This is a great book, a la early Jodi Picoult, and combines drama, legal and moral dilemmas wrapped in a story that is compelling and thoughtful.

This is by far the best book I've ever read. The characters are so rich and real. I found myself trying to become more like Ava in her new approach to life. I'm searching for my Eddie — I want that type of love. This book is an eye-opener.

This is one of best books I have ever read. The story thoughtfully explores the relationship of two brothers, one diagnosed as mentally ill and the other not. This book is on my short list of "can't wait to read again."

I read this book after a string of beach books and immediately thought, "Thank god, there is a good writer somewhere out there." I spent the whole book thinking the main character was sort of an idiot for falling back into a bad relationship, I really enjoyed the imagery and the writing style of the author. I ended up recommending this book for a book club.

Read this book, if for no other reason than to experience life through a young girl's eyes again, however difficult that life may be. The point of view is Ellen's, written first person. The style is Ellen's, too; written as she thinks and speaks instead of the typical cleaned-up narration for reading. This is particularly fascinating in this story of a girl who never gives up hope, is flexible enough to adjust to her circumstances, and knows what she wants. The tone is not maudlin, even through hardship, and her observations about life are poignant and appropriate for her time. This is really a story of resilience. A quick read, with flashbacks and other time-bending devices galore.

A very interesting book. There are so many novels about the holocaust, but this one tells a story I have never seen represented before. Don't read it if you're already feeling a little blue, though.

An incredible story. It's an emotional roller coaster but you can't put it down. Amazing how Wally Lamb wrote the novel in the first person as if he were the girl going through what you would thing only another girl could understand.

It's a very cool story with a lot of action and it's full of magic-realism... it's like Gabriel Garcia Marquez but with Southern U.S. slaves. It's inspiring and funny and also a little sad.

This book fascinated me. I read it many years ago but still remember the story. I can't say that for all the books I read. Although it is sad at times (about a missing child), the characters are very realistic and the end is uplifting. As usual, the movie was good but the book was much better.