I really enjoyed it and become entangled in the women's lives so much so that I keep wondering what is happening to them today. Like so many readers, I am impressed by Josh Henkin's ability to write from a woman's perspective with such clarity and empathy. His ability to craft this family in crisis is amazing. I look forward to his future successes.

This was a somewhat difficult book for me on many levels and while I could speak volumes about it ill try to be brief. First, I'm the mother of three girls. The older two were very close while the third was cut out and felt it. I could understand acting out, but I had a hard time with her promiscuity. I understand that the loss of a child often results in divorce, but couldn't see any reason for Marilyn seeking to end her marriage to David. I didn't particularly care for Amram Or Noelle His lack of responsibility in running off particularly during this emotional time for his wife was unjustifiable. Her turning to orthodoxy made me question whether this was an act of atonement for her promiscuity. Her refusal to accept her mothers attempts to accommodate her dietary restrictions reminded me of how my third daughter would act out as a child to try to get the attention that her siblings denied her. While fertility problems are gut wrenching I could sympathize with until it was explained that she was reluctant to have a child initially. It seemed to become more important to her when she started having difficulty conceiving. Of all the characters, my favorite was Thisbe. She was the most real and the most sympathetic. Her refusal to accept Gretchen's money was indicative of her strong moral fiber

I liked it. I think he captured the essence of the Frankel family. He took a tragedy, and showed no matter how fractured a family can become, there is still hope that they will be a family in the long run.

Overall, I thought the book was a good examination of the different stages of grief and how family members can help each other or hinder the grieving process. I used to be a hospice volunteer and saw that it's often hard for some to remember that it's so important to let people grieve in their own way and in their own timing and not judge--especially within a family that's close.
I thought it was interesting that Henkin decided to bring this far-flung family together for the one year anniversary of Leo's death to show how each member's grieving can affect the others in a family over time.
I will definitely recommend this book to friends and my book clubs.

I've given this book a lot of thought in the last few weeks. I had read Matrimony and not liked it very much - too depressing - so I didn't request this book right away. I decided to give Henkin another chance and read this one carefully. I have decided I like his writing ability. He is a great wordsmith. That said, I don't like his books very much. His characters are too damaged and don't seem able to move on or cope with their dysfunction (see Noelle). Overall I find his novels dispiriting. I prefer to read books that allow for an uplift to the human spirit. That is not to say I want a "happy ending," I just want a note of hope. This book doesn't do that.

I did like the book BUT I was uncomfortable with all of the George Bush bashing. I think the book and whatever message it was trying to show would have been just fine without it.

I loved the book. It felt as if I was watching a movie. The characters are very well developed and I mourned the loss of Leo. I believe this author did a wonderful job of creating the dynamics of family, the fact that even though brothers and sisters come from the same womb, they are often totally different and sometimes become estranged, especially after they marry. I would recommend it for book groups, it was a fast read because it was totally enjoyable and fast paced.

Found pleasure in reading this character driven novel. Liked the multiple narrators so we, the readers, got a glimpse of family dynamics through many perceptions. Also liked that we learned via first person how characters dealt with personal grief.
Rate this book 3 stars on a scale of 1-5. The storyline and prose earned 4 stars until, imo, the author lost a star for throwing in unbelievable part that Amram able to convince Gretchen to come to the cottage for a few hours. Would have been credible for Marilyn to change her mind about marital separation solely based on experience of family gathering.

I found it a bit hard to get started but once reading I was involved and what would happen to the characters. I'm not sure that some of my friends would have liked it as the events were downers. I liked his writing, I felt like I was at the house and in the town. It was interesting how he was telling a current story but bringing in the past and how the family had grown. I was glad that Marilyn and David were gettin.g back together and liked the way the author jumped ahead a year or so to show that they were. All in all it was a good read and I will recommend it to some members of my reading group

I read this book when it first came out it in hardcover. Everyone in my book club loved it. I am a voracious reader and often forget a book after reading several others. There are, however, some books I remember well, and this is one of them. It is very well-written and contains many situations ripe for discussion: family relationships, sibling relationships, interfaith marriage, religious differences. How do early life experiences affect you, whether shaping who you become as an adult or as something to escape from (e.g., Noelle)? I have recommended this book to many people, and no one has yet to berate me for it! Perhaps being Jewish made it a bit more relevant to me, but I don’t think so. There is a universality to the book that should resonate with most readers.

Davidv, I hope you continue to enjoy it. Do let us know what you think once you've gotten further/finished.