A good read
'The False Friend' is a well written book. The author's use of language is wonderful; the story is interesting. I rated the book "good" because I found the main character's rapport with her parents unrealistic - although that may be a style choice by the author. It would be a very good read for a book club as it will generate heated discussions.
Rated of 5
by Carrol Ann S. (Ventura, CA)
The False Friend
Definitely thought provoking, causing you to look back to your school years, analyzing friendships and events and their affect on the adult you. The beginning of the story drew you in, but I soon felt let down and even though I wanted to continue reading, I was in no rush, happy when the end was in sight. Celia's interaction with Mommy and Daddy made me sad for her. There were several welcome surprises in the tale. I'm glad I read the book and would recommend it to anyone with a diverse reading list. It would be great for a book club selection.
Rated of 5
by Kim B. (Arlington, TX)
Didn't disappoint, but....
Based on the description of this book, and it's relatively short length, I had expected to devour it in one sitting. But I never really 'bonded' with the characters, even though I did like them. I rated this book a 4 because this might have been the wrong time for me to read such a book. The author did fascinate me with her exceptional prose; the kind that make you go back and reread a phrase, look up from the page and chew on it for a few minutes. If ever I have a rainy day with nothing to do I'd like to pull this book down and give it a second go.
Rated of 5
by Roni S. (Pittsburgh, PA)
The False Friend The False Friend is a good psychological mystery. It is well written and I liked it better than Bee Season which is another book by Myla Goldberg. The book deals with relationships - boyfriend, parents, and middle school friends from 20 years ago. It would be a good book for book groups. I was disappointed with the ending. However, once I reread the ending and concentrated on every word, I understood it better but still was disappointed.
Rated of 5
by Melissa H. (McKees Rocks, PA)
Expected More
While I appreciated Myla Goldberg's beautiful prose and lyrical, descriptive writing I felt this book didn't live up to my expectations. Expectations garnered from the book jacket as well as my reading of Goldberg's other works. For me the characters fell flat and were either one dimensional or simply unrealistic. The suspense of the psychological drama was attempted but never materialized and the ending was sadly dissatisfying.
Rated of 5
by Julie D. (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)
Wanted to like it....
After reading the description of this book, I thought it would be great. I loved how it started and then it seems as nothing really happened in the story. I kept waiting and still nothing. The characters didn't really interest me either. Sorry to say this wasn't a great book for me.
Rated of 5
by Margaret M. (Troy, NY)
The False Friend
I did not like this book as much as I had hoped. The pacing dragged and the characters were not interesting to me. However, it was interesting to consider whether traumatic childhood memories are accurate and how events when we were children affect us as adults. And why, as adults, do we revert to childlike behavior when returning home to parents? I would not recommend this book to my book club but would to friends that I thought would like to give it a try.
A bold, mesmerizing novel about the woman known as "Typhoid Mary," the first known healthy carrier of typhoid fever in the burgeoning metropolis of early twentieth century New York.
Z, the novel about the life of Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald is at points charming and; like another reviewer, I kept thinking of the movie, "Midnight...
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Although heavy on the scientific details, which slowed down the story for me (OK, I admit, I was one of those liberal arts majors who skipped out on...
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Loved this book. Magical, quirky, enchanting I could go on. All books do not have to be literary fiction, sometimes it is just so comforting to read...
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British Parliament asks Amazon to clarify why it pays $9 million in income tax on $23 billion of UK sales.(May 20 2013) Amazon will be called back to give further evidence to members of the British Parliament "to clarify how its activities in the U.K. justify its low corporate...
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of 5
by Mary S. (Bow, NH)
of 5
by Melissa H. (McKees Rocks, PA)
