Pre-numbered label used for registration.

Beautifully written, but not exactly my type of novel.

RELEASE NOTES:

Left on a planter box/bench in the lobby.

I was given the book by a friend, Grace, whose native tongue is Korean and she knew she'd never read the book. I was given the book in August or Sept. 2012 and finished the 310 pgs. in a week, having enjoyed every word! I was intrigued by the idea of the story written by Mr. Nicholas Van Tassel, whose name has changed to Nicholaas by the end of it. How he ends up destroying "All He Ever Wanted" was so cleverly written by the author Anita Shreve. I will gladly seek out other books written by this author because I enjoyed her very detailed and descriptive writing style. I felt like I was in the room when Nicholas and his wife Etna Bliss spent their courting time. For e.g., Nicholas questions his feelings for Etna, pondering "was I fond of Etna Bliss? Did I actually like her?" Anita explores well the nuances of "love" &/or affection between two people and whether they should be in a relationship - or not? I enjoyed this book for its being a relaxed, intriguing, easy read. Whenever I put the book down (to cook or do chores, whatever) I always couldn't wait to get back to reading the book again. The twists and turns of the story were thought-provoking, as well as it gave me insight into a friend of mine who died as a result of alcoholism. The idea of Etna needing a place of refuge from her life, essentially with Nicholas and 2 children, gave me a little more insight as to how my dear best friend died at 48 years, 7 mos. of age, essentially seeking refuge herself through alcohol. Obviously, her refuge through alcohol was not healthy and she paid for this mistake with her life, but my best friend (best friends since the age of 14) "had it all" the way Nicholas saw that Etna "had it all" in terms of children, donated some time to a charity, fabulous job, big house, etc. From the outside, life was sublime, for both Etna & my best friend. However, if there's no peace on the inside, the outside stuff just doesn't seem to matter. I really got that message through reading this awesome book.