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How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky


A powerful reinvention of the love story - sometimes heart-wrenching, sometimes ...
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Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

Created: 07/04/14

Replies: 21

Posted Jul. 04, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
debrals

Join Date: 11/28/11

Posts: 39

Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

It was OK. It was quirky enough to keep me interested, but I would not recommend it. There wasn't enough character development for me to really care about the characters one way or another.


Posted Jul. 05, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
BJ

Join Date: 06/11/14

Posts: 16

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

Yes, I definitely would recommend it--to certain, select readers: You have to be open and curious about astrology have a playful approach to life, and enjoy imaginative fiction. If you're one of those, read it!


Posted Jul. 05, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
juliaa

Join Date: 12/03/11

Posts: 276

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

What I liked most about the book was that I kept thinking about it for many days after I finished it, which doesn't always happen with me and novels. There was enough enigma and ambiguity to keep me interested. I would recommend the book to in-person book clubs, since as we've seen here, there is quite a bit to discuss. Among my friends, I would make selective recommendations based upon what I know of their individual tastes. When I finished the book, i was quite happy that i received it for the book club, rather than as one I would have to review, as I'm not sure how I would have structured my review t have it not be almost as long as the novel!


Posted Jul. 05, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

The ambiguity of the ending really made the book for me and has kept me wondering long after finishing it.

Yes, I'd recommend it as a lighter summer read. It was entertaining & well-written.


Posted Jul. 05, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
melindah

Join Date: 12/25/12

Posts: 52

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

I am with juliaa, I think it would make an interesting book club read as there are many discussions trails to follow. That being said, I can only think of one individual friend I would actually recommend it to, it is a little quirky and underdeveloped as debrals said earlier. I cannot say that I have thought much about the story since I finished it (other than to contribute to these discussions). None of the characters had a long term effect on me.


Posted Jul. 05, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

I was not particularly fond of the book. It was sort of too quirky and neither George not Irene were people I felt engaged with or cared about nor even particularly liked. The references and info on astronomy were interesting to me since I know little about it. I can not say I would recommend the book.


Posted Jul. 06, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gwenc

Join Date: 07/14/12

Posts: 94

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

I would recommend it to some of my friends, but certainly not all. I actually liked it quite a bit - enjoyed Irene and George's (and Belion and Kate's) sudden romances, and the swing of the characters between factual science and utter fantasy. Yes, the book shifts all over the place, but that added to its appeal for me.


Posted Jul. 07, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lg4154

Join Date: 07/07/14

Posts: 2

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

I just started reading it, I got off to a late start. I like it so far, will hopefully get to read more tomorrow to get up to speed.


Posted Jul. 08, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kate

Join Date: 01/22/11

Posts: 95

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

I did not care for it. None of the characters were likable and I really did not connect with any of them. The writing was O.K, not great. I am in a book club but would not recommend it as a "good read" There are so many great books out there that I hate for the story to end; this one I couldn't wait to finish it so I could I could be done with it.


Posted Jul. 09, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lindah

Join Date: 04/17/14

Posts: 90

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

Yes, I very much enjoyed the book and have recommended it already. I liked that the story is multi-generational with the actions of the mothers influencing their children's destinies. The underlying tragic tale of Bernice and Sally gives a nuanced richness to what could have been simply a quirky romance novel.


Posted Jul. 09, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
laurap

Join Date: 06/19/12

Posts: 401

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

I'm with joyces and kate. "Quirkiness," which the author seems to strive for, only gets you so far. I didn't see a lot a real depth in the characters, and the plot felt like it was composed of rabbit trails. Most people with whom I share reading recommendations would not enjoy this book any more than I did.


Posted Jul. 09, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Suzanne

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 281

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

I didn't 'specially like the book. The crazy things the characters did gave me a lot of "huh?s." It was just too unbelievable and unhinged to enjoy. (Think of Irene's conception.) And absolutely I know of no one I'd suggest this book to.

I'm not saying it won't be a seller and not enjoyable--but only to certain readers.


Posted Jul. 09, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Retired Reader, NE

Join Date: 09/16/11

Posts: 165

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

I wouldn't select this book for my book groups as I don't think it has universal appealing. I can think of a couple of my reader friends who might like it. It's a good--but not great--book.


Posted Jul. 09, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
alycet

Join Date: 04/23/12

Posts: 182

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

Yes, I liked the book and the topic. However I think it started slowly. It wasn't until halfway through that it turned into a page turner. I would recommend it with the caution that you enjoy more after you get into it.


Posted Jul. 09, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
maryj

Join Date: 03/06/12

Posts: 12

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

I started it thinking I'm not going to like the story. My mind was changed in no short order. It is a quirky story but so well written that I couldn't put it down. Well done well done.


Posted Jul. 09, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianes

Join Date: 05/16/11

Posts: 68

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

Yes I did enjoy it very much, but like many others, I feel it would not appeal to all my friends.


Posted Jul. 09, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Beth350

Join Date: 04/15/11

Posts: 89

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

I was not overly impressed with the book. It got better as it progressed, but it isn't the kind of book I would feel comfortable recommending to just anyone. It has many fascinating aspects, but the reader has to work at getting into it.


Posted Jul. 10, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Lori

Join Date: 09/15/11

Posts: 15

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

I liked the book, enjoyed the quirkiness of the story line as well as the juxtaposition of science and whimsy. Fans of magical realism might enjoy this more than the average reader.


Posted Jul. 14, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
amberb

Join Date: 07/28/11

Posts: 96

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

This was really REALLY hard for me to get into, but after about page 100-something, I was hooked. I agree that the characters were not very likeable... but it was quirky enough and different enough that it was an interesting read.


Posted Jul. 14, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
amberb

Join Date: 07/28/11

Posts: 96

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

Also - even though I wasn't crazy about the characters, I did think the prose was very skilled & poetic!


Posted Jul. 25, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
barbarak

Join Date: 04/22/11

Posts: 24

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

I did not care for this book. While it was beautifully written, I found the story line a bit of a stretch. I could not relate to the characters or the themes.


Posted Aug. 22, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cb

Join Date: 03/19/14

Posts: 26

RE: Did you like the book? Would you recommend it?

For most of the book, I simply could not "get into it." For me, there was a lack of depth. The story line moved too slowly. I found a myriad of excuses not to return to it. In fact, were it not for my commitment to this discussion, I may not have finished -something that has rarely happened in my reading life. But, once I DID finish, I decided it was a worthwhile read. However, because it took so long to find a desire to finish the book, I cannot think of anyone I'd recommend it to.


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