Reading now.

Ultimately disappointing! This book seemed to start out with promise and then just disintegrated along the way. By the end of the book, the writing seemed downright amateurish to me and I was wondering how it ever got published. I found that the characters didn't quite gel for me. And I'm not sure what the reader was meant to take away from the book. There was very little in the way of plot, which doesn't bother me, but I don't think I understand what the actual purpose of the novel was -- and that does bother me.

Overall, a letdown. I've read other books by Hoffman that I enjoyed much more, such as Blackbird House and especially Turtle Moon.

Reserving for the General Literature VBB.

Description from Amazon:

"Beginning on the night of the Grand Illumination, a festival of lanterns held each summer on Martha’s Vineyard, Illumination Night follows the lives of a young blond giant who is as beautiful as he is frightening; an old woman at the end of her life whose last mission is to save her granddaughter’s soul; a family torn apart by a wife’s fears and a husband’s unrealized desires—and the high school girl who comes to Martha’s Vineyard against her will, who steals husbands and cars, and who will bring everyone together in a web of yearning, sin, and ultimate redemption. Both riveting and reflective, this is a story of 'parenthood and friendship, self-protection and generosity, dream and disillusionment' (Newsday) that brings to light the talent that has made Alice Hoffman an acclaimed bestselling author."

This is headed out to jlautner as a selection from the General Literature VBB. Enjoy!

Arrived some time in the last few days. Thank you!!

Initially, I had a hard time relating to the characters or understanding what I was reading. But as I read on I became more and more involved, and by the end I felt fulfilled. Interesting, most peculiar characters, drawn with love and care. I liked their stories.

Inside the box.