Jay

This book was a test of endurance for me to finish it. Way too much skipping and hopping back and forth in the story. I can't even imagine someone thought it would even make a good movie. Don't waste your credits on this one- I almost feel like I should be due a credit back for this poor choice.

Could be a better read if the narration wasn't so monotone. I'm really trying to get through this. The story is good but probably better to read than listen to.

Has to be the worst I've ever tried to get through. I endured the first part of the book and not far into the second part I decided enough was too much. Every character is more disfunctional than the last and reading about a guy spending his college time jerking off isn't my idea of a good read. Call me a square but if that's what you want to read about buy the book. Had I known ahead of time I wouldn't have wasted my credits on such garbage. I can't even give this one star but I had to just to give this book a review; that's how bad it is.

Having grown up in an institution run by nuns I felt a close kinship with the characters. The deepest love, hate and angst is revealed in each character as they strive to make sense of their lives. The role the Church played in Bernadette's decision to give up her child and become a nun, the decision made by Kathleen to go with her parents and leave James behind and the choice Tom Kelly made to be close to Bernadette without the pleasure of having her marry him made the characters real, vulnerable and heartbreakingly believable. I cried for them and couldn't stop listening to the book.
Great story, great narration.