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The False Friend

The False Friend
by Myla Goldberg
Published in USA Oct 2010,
272 pages.

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Page 2 of 4 There are currently 23 reviews
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Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Kathy S. (Danbury, CT)
Very Disappointing
The back-cover synopsis of this book was enticing, and I was mentally prepared for a great book. What a disappointment! The characters were flat, the ending was vague, and I had to force myself to finish reading.

Rated 4 of 5 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 3 of 5 of 5 by Lee M. (Creve Coeur, Missouri)
Not Just a Mystery
How much do incidents from our childhood influence our characters and our lives? Can one life-shattering event, remembered or not, be instrumental in causing commitment phobias and other problems later in life? These and many other questions Myla Goldberge tackles in 'The False Friend' as her main character, Celia, struggles to understand what is happening to her. More than a mystery, this exercise in psychology will have you tuned in until the last word.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Mary S. (Bow, NH)
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 4 of 5 of 5 by Florence K. (Encino, California)
The False Friend
Crisp dialogue and well-delineated characters make this book a fast and keep-your-interest read. The aftermath of a twenty-one year old fateful event makes for a buildup of suspense and an interest in knowing what actually happened. It will lead to spirited discussions by book clubs.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Annette S. (Duluth, GA)
The False Friend
Have you done something as a youth and now in your adult years you feel the need to correct or amend it? That is the problem for Celia in "The False Friend". When she returns to the place of her early years she is thwarted in her attempts to make amends. Goldberg's portrayal of the young girls inter-actions with each other was very accurate. Her other main characters, Celia's parents and boyfriend were weak and too self-centered to help. I enjoyed Goldberg's occasion challenging vocabulary (zoetrope, divaricated, and augury). Confronting one's past in order to attain peace in one's life makes an interesting plot for this book.
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