Rebecca

The history lesson was great. I love books that, after I finish, have me researching more about the topic. With The Sandcastle Girls I walked away feeling like I had learned something new.

There were parts where I was a little lost as to who was who, exactly. There were some characters who had potential, but were never fully developed and others that were developed more than they needed to be.

I purchased this book since I enjoyed "Midwives" so much, but I don't think this one had the same punch. I felt like nothing ever "new" really happened. The story was told, but the fictional characters weren't overly interesting. The ending was anti-climatic.

The book, yes. The audiobook, maybe. This is one of those books that has a lot of names, places, etc. that can be difficult to keep up with in audio format.

I think we all have a morbid curiosity when it comes to Jonestown and People's Temple. As others have said in reviews, there are scenes that are hard to listen to (child abuse, etc.)

I liked this book. I really liked it, in fact.

However, I was at the last minute of the book and music starts playing behind the narrator's voice.

If the story isn't strong enough to hold up without accompaniment, it shouldn't have been published. Background music is one of the most distracting things in an audiobook and can ruin an otherwise ideal experience.

This is a YA novel about teens thinking for themselves - I like these. I don't care what the eventual outcome of their decision is - I just like the fact that they are encouraged to have a decision at all.

The book is a bit slow going at first, but picks up later on and by the last 1/4 I was anxious to learn the outcome (I even resorted to wearing my headphones in Wal-Mart!)

I listened to this book because it was being read for a faculty book club. This was my first John Irving book and I found myself captivated - stopping occasionally to text someone else who had read the book to share I thought or question I had.

The narration is wonderful. I was worried at first that Owen's voice would become tiresome, but it doesn't.

This is one of those books that I'll seek out a hardcover copy of for my personal collection.

As all of Jodi Picoult's fans know, her books come with a twist.

However, this one really doesn't. I mean, the things that others may call a "twist" aren't a typical "Jodi Picoult twist."

If you've read some of Picoult's best work and are looking for another such experience, then this book isn't for you. It's not bad, it moves along nicely, and there are some quotes in it that make it an overall worthwhile experience, but it's definitely not among her best work.

The narrators are good and I like how the story is told in voices - it helps distinguish the characters and makes the overall experience more enjoyable.

While I admit the writing is good, I just wasn't into the book. I finished it, but it felt more like a chore than because I really wanted to listen.

The narration is OK, but the accent is so thick at times that it is difficult to understand.

The overall story is full of turns and complex ideas and while the ending is obviously supposed to be one of those tear-jerkers, I just wasn't feeling it.

This is now one of my all-time favorite books.

The writing is so compelling I felt transported to the world of the novel at all times. My house was cleaner than it had been in months because I would look for things to do (clean) so I could listen just a little bit longer!

Overall this book is a win!

The narration is well done and the story keeps you listening.

The story is a page-turner - no doubt! Kept my attention the entire way through!

The development of Jake's character was superb.

The narration was one of the best I've ever heard. The voices were done well without being overdone.

I'm not a Stephen King fan, but I loved this book. I originally downloaded it based on positive reviews and I wasn't disappointed.

I read this book because of the great reviews and I really wanted to like it. The story is good, I guess, but I just couldn't get into this book at all. I finished it and, unlike other books I've recently read, I was excited to be at the end (so I could at least say I read it) instead of sad to see it end.

The transitions between events are awkward and I found myself frequently rewinding to say, "Wait, where are they now?" If you lose attention for a moment, you're lost.

I typically love books that span many years / decades. However, the writing is a little too choppy to span so much time.