The book began. It continued forward and reached a middle with the appearance of about half the pages read. Occasionally, I mused about the paper that filled the space between the covers. In the end, however, those other books that I didn't read caused an emotion to hit me. The end plodded up and stopped. I recommend that words are the goal when you read this book.
Great title, though. ( )

When I took this off the shelf the other day I thought it might be chicklit and wondered what I was doing with it. But the back suggested another story, so I dug in.

It's about death. Death of a 30-year-old woman who was struggling to find her place in the world, who knew she had hardly begun. Sara Swerdlow was close to her mother and close to a few friends, and her death affected them all profoundly. Her closest friends, her mother, and a few young people who didn't really know her find themselves hooked together in a summer house on the east coast. There they try to cope with their loss, ultimately letting each other know them a little bit better.

It's full of little moments and revelations. It's the type book that I should love. But I didn't. I didn't hate it but I had trouble really liking any of the characters, including Sara. I hope it finds another reader or two who love it. ( )

Aftermath of the death of a central figure. Gripping and interesting look at real life? from outside my own experience.

Aftermath of the death of a central figure. Gripping and interesting look at real life? from outside my own experience. ( )

I read this in anticipation of reading Wolitzer's new book and to prepare for an interview with her. Although I think it's a bit slight, it does have so many elements that I've come to really admire in Wolitzer's work - the emphasis on friendship, the bonds between parent and child, and the willingness to just go there, no matter what the emotions are. And I think it's really gutsy to kill off your main character in the first chapter. ( )