I'm old enough to remember watching the original TV series when it first came out in 1976, and the performances of both Sally Field and Joanne Woodward were just stunning - I had to read the book. Now, forty years later, I found the book again at a Little Free Library, and it's just as riveting.

One part that still infuriates me is Willard, Sybil's father, and his refusal to see anything wrong as Sybil was growing up. Yes, she kept showing up with burns, bruises, all kinds of trauma, and yes, her mother Hattie's behavior was frighteningly erratic, but still "it's a mother's place to raise her child." In other words, don't blame him, men don't have any responsibility for children. It's kind a civilian version of "But I was only following orders" and has just as much moral value.

If you like this, I also recommend 'When Rabbit Howls' by Truddi Chase. The writing is a bit smoother, but then I wonder about the veracity of some of the actions of the modern-day Truddi.

Burt that's just one person's opinion. Future readers, what do YOU think?

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