Black & White Audiobook (Unabridged)

" Every time I read Dani Shapiro, I'm impressed all over again. This one takes a very complex look at family vs. art. Very well done. "

" Amazing novel that I got to review for Conversations with Famous Writers "

" This story was so compelling, I finished the book in just a few hours. "

" not my favorite by her "

" Very good book. She explores family dynamics and the messiness of life. From the start we learn that the mom in the story takes pictures of her daughter. Some may say these pix are works of art while others may say that they were child pornography. Loyalty and family obligations to one another are challenged in the story. "

" What if your mother was a world famous photographer, and the subject of her photographs was you, as a child, nude? Very well done, although each reader will have to decide what is art and what is abuse. "

" Couldn't decide what to rate this one, but went with 3 stars, lol. It was a good book...not GREAT, and probably not what it could have been. Still a good read, though. I felt sympathetic to the character, but at times it felt like I didn't know what she was thinking/doing, or her reasoning behind things. But I liked how through the story it flashed back to the days when she was a child being photographed, and gave us the back story, too. "

" Enjoyable, although the photographs described were disturbing. Given how disturbing the images were, the ending was a bit too facile for my taste. But the writing was good and the characters were mostly believable. I really enjoyed the descriptions of NYC (esp. Soho) in the early 1980s. "

" Really intense, as good as her last novel, Family History. "

" interesting loose interpretation of Sally Mann's photographs of her children and the resulting criticism and perhaps strained relationships "

" This is a good story, but there is just something in Shapiro's voice that is overly dramatic, and too angst-y, and that was the case here. "

" one of the most interesting books ive read in a long time. subject matter was fascinating, and if you have ever been interested in photography def pick up a copy! "

" This was an incredible story. The author did such a good job capturing the feelings of Clara and how it would feel to be "that girl in the pictures." Her struggle with her feelings as her mother is dying is so heartwrenching. I loved this book. "

" It was a good story, I just found the topic disturbing. I couldn't get over that. I found the ending very unsatisfying. Also what happened to Nathan? Too many things left unresolved for my liking. "

" I really found the subject matter - a mother chosing her art over her daughter - fascinating, but I found myself wanting more in this storyline. I'm not quite sure what it was, but I felt like she could have done a little more with it. Still, I enjoyed reading it. "

" Very disturbing but great read "

" Story of a young woman that was exploited by her mother when she was a child. Could have been a great book but it didn't go deep into the relationship of the 3 main characters. Too wordy. Quick read. "

" I wish i had read another of the authors books first because i like her writing and short stories. The subject/storyline of this book, which to me is unquestionably about exploiting kids, was too disturbing for me to enjoy it. I finished it but almost did not. "

" Not great literature by any means but exceedingly readable. "

" Our book club read and discussed this book at length with the focus on one central question: Was, or was not, Ruth Dunne's picture taking of her nude daughter Clara child abuse. Although an intriguing story, I Personally rate the book as borderline chick-lit. "

" Very interesting. Uplifting in the end. "

" Easy read, but kind of hard to get into. The relationship between mother and daughter is strange and confusing. It's hard for me to understand all that resentment the character had towards her mother. "

" Some interesting insights on how a parents willingness to sacrifice her child for her art causes a lifetime of rage. "

" Art, or child pornography and abuse? "

" A great read and Upper West Siders will especially enjoy all the references to the neighborhood. "

" I love her honesty. "

" Do the right thing no matter what people may try to influence you to do. "

" What is art? Who defines it? When does it stop being art and start being exploitation? "

" Art, or child pornography and abuse? "

" I really liked it. Deep dark but sensitive "

" I'm not sure about this one! Dying mother and two adult daughters try to forgive one another for past pain! I wanted more! I think I decided I don't like this author. "

" Gorgeous storytelling! I couldn't pry myself from this sharp and painful novel. "

" A dark look into the blurred lines of what defines art. More importantly, how do you forgive someone? How do you move on? Black & White was really hard to put down - it was well written and I just wanted to know more. This was a selection from the Akron Art Museum book club in 2009. "

" It was an entertaining read on a plane. "

" Not great literature by any means but exceedingly readable. "

" Very interesting story about a mother's photographs of her daughter and whether it was art or pornography. "

" not my favorite by her "