Journal Entry 1 by spiderchic from Droylsden, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Thursday, July 07, 2005

'For more than a century, the small town of Haddan, Massachusetts, has been divided, as if by a line drawn down the centre of Main Street, separating those born and bred in the 'village' from those who attend the prestigious Haddan School. But one October night the two worlds are thrust together by an explicable death and the town's divided history is revealed in all its complexity.
The lives of everyone involved are unravelled: from Carlin Leander, the fifteen-year-old scholarship girl who is as loyal as she is proud, to Betsy Chase, a woman running from her own destiny; from August Pierce, a loner and a misfit at the school who unexpectedly finds courage in his darkest hour, to Abel Grey, the maverick police office who refuses to let unspeakable actions - both past and present - slide by without notice.'

Just read this and really enjoyed it. It was the first of Alice Hoffmans's I have read and will definitely look out for her others. 

Journal Entry 2 by spiderchic from Droylsden, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Monday, July 18, 2005

Starting a bookring. Participants so far:

Heaven-Ali UK Pref Europe
Virgulina Portugal (Intl)
Luintaurien USA (Pref US)
LyekkaMarengo USA (Intl)
sunlightbub UK 

Journal Entry 3 by spiderchic from Droylsden, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Monday, August 01, 2005

Sent out to Heaven-Ali today. The bookring begins - Enjoy!! 

Journal Entry 4 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Arrived this morning. I started reading it earlier, its a lovely new looking copy of the book, which always makes a TBR all the more exciting. The coaster was a nice surprise too. Thanks Spiderchic! 

Journal Entry 5 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, August 04, 2005

Great!! a well written page turner, with some well used plot devices - nothing wrong with that, but also some things I didn't expect - I was surprised by who I considred the real hero to be - I won't say any more - no spoilers here. I have not read Alice Hoffman before and will look out for again as I this was a really enjoyable engrossing read. Thanks for sharing it. 

Journal Entry 6 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, August 04, 2005

Released by post - sent to Virgulina this morning. 

Journal Entry 7 by usedtobe on Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Received today, this will be my first Alice Hoffman book, I'm curious. :o) 

Journal Entry 8 by usedtobe on Wednesday, September 07, 2005

I've just finished it. I'll come right back with my comments. The book will be sent to the next in line tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 9 by Luintaurien from York, Nebraska USA on Friday, September 30, 2005

Got it today. Thank you. Will read and pass on asap. 

Journal Entry 10 by Luintaurien from York, Nebraska USA on Monday, October 31, 2005

Couldn't get into it so sending it on. 

Journal Entry 11 by Luintaurien at -- By Hand or Post, Ray/Ring, Rabck in York, Nebraska USA on Friday, November 04, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (11/4/2005 UTC) at -- By Hand or Post, Ray/Ring, Rabck in York, Nebraska USA

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Journal Entry 12 by LyekkaMarengo from Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Received safe and sound in PA. One book ahead of this one. Finished and mailed on to spiderchic. I'll be back with a review when I have time. 

Journal Entry 13 by LyekkaMarengo from Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Back with a review: This was not my favorite Alice Hoffman partly because I wasn't too fond of the male lead character. As with most Alice Hoffman books she brings in a supernatural element that either works for you or doesn't. Sometimes she writes so compellingly that you totally forget to question as in my to date favorite (The Probable Future), this one I noticed it and didn't hold too much stock in it. That said, I did get sucked into the story, as I usually do, was rooting for the "good guys"and racing to the end to see what happened.

Note: I have in my notebook (that tell me when to breath) that I sent this back to spiderchic but don't have any note of why I didn't send it to the next person on the ring. 

Journal Entry 14 by spiderchic from Droylsden, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Received back home - thanks everyone! 

Journal Entry 15 by spiderchic from Droylsden, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Sunday, January 08, 2006

Sent out yesterday - enjoy! 

Journal Entry 16 by merimag from Shrewsbury, Shropshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 10, 2006

This arrived in the post today just as I was going to choose my next book! Many thanks. My reading of these journal entries is that sunlightbub got missed out of the ring. I will contact them to see if they want to read it. 

Journal Entry 17 by merimag from Shrewsbury, Shropshire United Kingdom on Friday, January 20, 2006

A wonderful tale full of Hoffman's telltale touches of magic. It tells the tale of the search for the truth behind the violent death of a 15/16 year old school boy. I liked the main male lead. I thought he portrayed well the longterm effects of profound grief. 

Journal Entry 18 by merimag at BBC Radio Shropshire reception in Shrewsbury, Shropshire United Kingdom on Thursday, February 02, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (2/2/2006 UTC) at BBC Radio Shropshire reception in Shrewsbury, Shropshire United Kingdom

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