tracy

I changed my rating on this book from 4 stars to 5 because I have been continuing to think about this book for many months and not in a bad way. It is not super scary like in the movie, but it is about vampires or some kind of monster like that. I really like the ending of this book and that is why I have been thinking about it so much. I think Richard Matheson is making a social statement with the book and I totally agree with him. When our culture changes, some of us are left alone. I don't want to ruin the book for anyone, so I'll leave it at that. Read it. It is very good.

I am amazed that in the 1700's a young girl and an old woman could actually cross the wild frontier that none other but the Native Americans had done before them. The story of Mary Ingles is riveting. She is strong, kind, and focused. Her relationship with Gretta is at times wonderful and at others quite intense. I like to read period books, and while this one was written in the 1980s, it was taken from a real person from the colonial times. I am sure that it is not all factual, but still an amazing story. Read it, you won't be sorry.

I think, after watching the movie, it was a bit of a let down. The movie was downright scary. The book was at times a bit slow, and did not keep that feeling of intensness going. It was definitely a take it or leave it kind of book. But that being said, a ghost story is always good for October.

I find myself thinking of this book often. The past is always beautiful in our eyes, like George Minafer's mother. The present is drab and plain like his aunt. The future is fast, bold, and unwanted like Mr. Morgan. Life moves on, whether we want it to or not. I love the line "Get a Horse!" because those unreliable automobiles are just a fad. -- While this book was written in 1918, it's moral is certainly timeless which is in and of itself is quite ironic. The book does seem to drag just a bit which is why I have given it only 4 stars instead of 5.

Yes - there are a lot of themes addressed that can not be understood in one reading

I liked the reality of the situations that the boy had to face and the strong manner in which he did so.

This book is written in an easy manner that a child can follow, but the subject matter, while written about a young boy on a farm, is deep. The main character, Robert, takes the reader on a journey to manhood through his experiences on his farm. There are times when he shows more strength and understanding than the grown men around him. He learns of the realities of life and death, the joys the small things in life, the love of family, the strength to do what is necessary for the greater good, and many more interesting and sometimes difficult to listen to experiences. Life on a farm does show in beautiful, and sometimes brutal ways the realities of life. I suppose that is why some of the hardest workers I have ever met were raised on a farm, milking a cow every morning and night. In some ways this book reminds me of "All Creatures Great And Small" only not humorous and focusing more on the meaning of life.

This book surprised me. A 7th grade boy in 1968 going to school. It started out just as cute as I expected, but by the end it had turned into something much deeper. It addressed the social issues of Vietnam, religious prejudice, love of money over family, marriage and family relations, and reaching your potential. All of these were addressed in a way that a 7th grader and an adult could laugh and cry at. This is a great book. I will probably read this one with my kids on the next road trip. There is a lot to laugh about and a lot to talk about.

I guess I missed it. A young boy has a father of miracles for a father and a "murderer" for a brother. I kept thinking the author was going to bring in some great spiritual insights with a premise like that, but alas, no. It was all just symbolism without a real point to it. I could take the narrative or leave it. Thus, a three star.

the book was Dickenson fun until the end and then it just was way too cheesy for me. Watch the movie it is much better.

This one is hard to put my finger on why I enjoyed it so much. It drew me in much like the painting. The author's choice of symbolism was quiet and intriguing. The book to me was a coming of age story I liked what one editor said, "when Griet was forced by Vermeer to pierce her ears, there is a symbolic deflowering of the young girl. She is forced to sacrifice her position in the household for art. And Griet is well aware of her sacrifice, ``he used what he wanted for his paintings, without considering the result''. And, ``I should have begged him not to ruin me".
Griet connected with Vermeer at the place where his heart was and her heart was too. Vermeer's wife couldn't get there and neither could the butcher boy Peter. There was more sensual excitement in the painting of the earring than the backstreet encounter with the boyfriend.
I will be thinking of this book for a while and enjoying the "small strokes of light" that will come as I decipher the different angles to look at it

I think listening to this book really added to the atmosphere of the writing. The reader was SOOO good! I think it would be harder to understand if I had just tried to read it myself. It is written in black southern dialect. -- I can't believe this book was written in 1934. It was definitely way before it's time. I liked the characters and I liked the message of being who you want to be, not just what everyone else wants you to be. --There were funny parts, sad parts, and somewhat intense parts. This book is definitely a five star read!

Was it life changing or so thought provoking that I have thought about it for days? No. But it was a fun read that was clean and well done. I especially appreciated that it was written in the 1800's. It just goes to show a good book endures. I enjoyed the mystery, I laughed at the "reenactment" of the crime and I especially enjoyed the narrators. If you like mysteries, give this one a try.