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CAtherine | 2/18/2014
" I loved this book despite its slightly implausible happy ending. "
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Nicola | 2/15/2014
" This is a really good book, it is a smashing read, good story and great characters . It is perhaps not the most considered examination of the treatment of the mentally impaired but it makes a point. "
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Mindy | 2/8/2014
" I thought this book started strong and ended weak. Recommended to those who are interested in institutional life of the disabled in the 1960's. "
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Sylva Christenson | 1/31/2014
" excellent story. touching and thought provoking. "
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Wendy Wowk | 1/27/2014
" NIce story.....Beautifully written. Perfect for a rainy afternoon.... "
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Courtney Taylor | 1/24/2014
" This book was not very good, in my opinion. Actually, I have stronger sentiments about it that I will keep to myself. The topic was interesting and enlightening, but the story line was completely unrealistic. I caught myself saying "oh come on!" out loud several times while reading this. "
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Jess | 1/8/2014
" I felt fairly incredulous towards the end, but it was still an enjoyable read. "
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Kim | 12/19/2013
" Ok story but it moved soooo sloooowly......... "
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Rachel | 12/16/2013
" The writing itself was mediocre, but the heart ache of the characters did not need clarity or fancy prose. Raw cruelty and ignorance need few words. Hope too. Hope grew with each page. "
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Pamela | 11/13/2013
" Interesting story, but slow. Writing wasn't stellar. "
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Rebecca | 11/6/2013
" I did enjoy this book, however found the conclusion very dissatisfying. Maybe I missed something, but there were a few inconsistencies and the revelation of truth to Julia at the end seemed rushed and far shallower than it should have been. "
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Caryn | 6/27/2013
" I loved this story! Sweet and sad yet really engaging "
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Ann | 4/4/2013
" A sweet, sad, serendipitous book. I felt what the characters felt, mourning the losses and cheering the triumphs as if they were my good friends. "
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Bridget | 12/30/2012
" What an incredible story about Buddy/Homan and Beautiful Girl/Lynnie. I'm saddened about the atrocities of institution life but happy that people change and grow. A heart warming story. "
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Sheri | 11/20/2012
" Wow. Slow through the middle, but it was all worth it in the end. I didn't have enough kleenex! "
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Linda | 8/3/2012
" deinstitutionalization of state schools, changes between 1968 and 2010 in society's treatment of mental retardation "
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Marie | 6/11/2012
" I loved this story and its characters. It was at times completely heartbreaking, but always compelling. Spanning 40 years, the story takes us through the lives of two people who meet while locked away in a mental institution and the events that follow their brief escape. "
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Sarah A | 3/30/2012
" This book is AMAZING! Everyone should read it! There are parts of it that I was absolutely livid others where I was balling my eyes out. It will change your perception of the world I promise! "
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Andrea | 3/5/2012
" This was a surprise hit for me as I "just picked it up" and loved every bit of it. Easy read, well written, and very good tying up lose ends. Enjoy "
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Debbie Wilson | 1/18/2012
" Tells the story of two people, one who is mentally disabled, one deaf. They fall in love and escape from an institution. They are caught and separated, this book tells the tale on one man's search for his true love. I was not disappointed, but at times the story rambled. "
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Julie | 9/10/2011
" While the premise of this book was rather original, the story ultimately became rather formulaic. However, the book did allow for a great deal of discussion in my book group, which made it more enjoyable than if I had just read it alone. "
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Mary Lea | 9/9/2011
" Suggested by a young friend. Mesmerizing! "
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Jamie | 7/16/2011
" good book, shows how people even after many years have passed still stay connected. "
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Michelle | 5/23/2011
" I loved this book even though it is so sad. It made me laugh and it made me cry. I think this book will be one of my favourites. Having visited Woodlands and hearing the stories from people who worked there, this book makes you realize what life was like for people who lived in institutions.
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Pam | 5/22/2011
" This is a beautiful book! I loved all the story lines and the intimacy in which the author conveys all the characters' thoughts. Beautifully written with a simple appreciation for truth and goodness. Read this one!
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Maureen | 5/21/2011
" This is a book that will not quickly be forgotten. Lynnie, Homan, Martha, and Julia and their story, just incredible. While the ending is a bit contrived, it ties things up fairly nicely.
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Dawn | 5/20/2011
" This story totally sucked me in and I read it in just a few days!! I want to suggest this book for bookclub if I can get my hands on enough copies.
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Brittany | 5/19/2011
" beautiful story! a must read!
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Michelle | 5/19/2011
" Both book and author worthy of library reservations.
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faeriecrone | 5/17/2011
" This is a beautiful and moving book. It reminds me of Forrest Gump, but from a woman's point of view ... a woman institutionalized for over twenty years.
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Nikki | 5/17/2011
" Very touching story beautifully written. Through the different voices of the novel, you really come to see things through the characters' eyes. Although the ending was a bit "far-fetched", I really enjoyed the read.
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