Rated of 5
by Jinny What were you thinking?
I would recommend watching out for future works by this author, but I can only halfheartedly recommend this book.
The author's use of language is poetic and compelling, especially regarding a sense of place. However, I never really felt like we got to know the runaway surrogate mother, Susannah, even though we tagged along with her halfway across the country. The tension of wondering what she was thinking kept me from losing myself in her misadventures.
I also had a sense that, as John Irving sometimes does, the author tried to pack too many quirky characters into one place. I will still watch for Amy Shearn's next work.
Rated of 5
by Sandra In My Humble Opinion....
This is the first book about surrogate motherhood that I have ever read. How Far Is the Ocean from Here is very well written and thought provoking. The author captured, for me, the real feeling of the desert and the feeling of isolation within Susannah. I enjoyed this book very much although I was frustrated and sympathetic at the same time (confusing for me!) with most of the characters! It would make for a great book club discussion.
Rated of 5
by Geralynn Interesting Book How Far Is The Ocean From Here was a different, yet interesting read. Susannah, a somewhat lost and impulsive young surrogate mother, flees to Thunder Lodge to contemplate her situation. There, she meets a cast of offbeat and quirky characters that added plenty of humor and took the story into interesting directions. I can't say I truly liked Susannah. There were times when her actions baffled me. But I do think the author did a good job with this story. I'll keep an eye out for her next novel.
Rated of 5
by Melanie How Far is the Ocean from Here
A beautifully written story about a surrogate mom who just wants to see the ocean. Leaving her life behind, Susannah sets of for nowhere, anywhere, wherever the road leads her just weeks before the baby she is carrying for Kit and Julian is due to arrive.
Although Susannah's thoughts aren't always clear, the reader can understand the wonderment and uncertainty she is feeling about turning over this *stranger* once he finally arrives. We see the deals she makes with herself throughout the book, if she makes it to the ocean, she'll keep this baby, if she doesn't Kit and Julian were meant to have him. It's truly a roller coaster ride of emotions for both the reader and all the characters involved.
We as readers get to peer into the lives of these characters: Into the road trip Susannah feels the need to take, Feeling the fear and uncertainly Kit and Julian experience not knowing what is to come. And of course the thoughts and feelings from the rest of the cast of characters who we are introduced to as the story progresses.
How Far is the Ocean From Here is a delightful book filled with a few questions, some answers and a whole lot of entertainment!!
Rated of 5
by GM How Far Is the Ocean From Here
Amy Shearn has created a memorable character, Susannah Prue, who is searching to belong to someone. Her journey takes her across a desert that is so vividly described by Shearn that you can feel the heat and right into the hearts and lives of five strangers who show Susannah what family really is: imperfect, forgiving and unpredictable. I would highly recommend this book for book clubs. There is something about each character that I could relate to thus making this a book I couldn't wait to read.
Rated of 5
by Marcia Delightful journey
Author Amy Shearn takes readers on a delightful journey which explores relationships, family, parenthood, love, and the unique and strange bonds that connect people. Readers who appreciate beautiful and insightful writing as much as a good story line itself will find a lot to like about this novel. I know I'll go back over passages to enjoy again Shearn's way with words and observations.
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by Jinny 
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by Sandra 
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by Geralynn 
