Rated of 5
by Mary Ann B. (Louisville, KY) Still searching
I think this book is well written. It has two main characters, and it is interesting on how and why they meet. However, the characters themselves did not engage me. I didn't seem to care about their journeys.
Rated of 5
by Julie M. (St. Paul, MN) Nothing to Lose
The book examines how unlimiting knowing you have nothing to lose can be. An entertaining speculative look at Russian history, the game of chess and death and dying. The question I kept asking myself was what would I do with my life if I knew it would end at the age of thirty?
Rated of 5
by Judy W. (Tucker, GA) Partial History of Lost Causes
Reading this novel proved to be laborious. The theme is strange. Readers seeking in-depth character analysis will enjoy this book. Ms. Dubois painted a bleak picture of present day Russia. Yet, the facts are accurate, reflecting the political climate. Often authors have difficulty with the conclusion of a story--not so with Ms. Dubois. I liked the ending, only wishing it would have appeared after 200 pages instead of 400 pages! Ms. DuBois writes every well. It is always nice to read an author possessing a fine command of the English language.
Rated of 5
by Kelly H. (Martinsville, IN) A Partial History of Lost Causes
I agree with so many other reviewers! I know the author is a wonderful writer, but I didn't care about these characters, and I found a lot of the book to be tedious because of the chess element. I didn't truly like the characters, or care if they helped each other or not - and I really wanted to and tried. I will certainly look for her next novel, as there were a few parts I was able to get on somewhat of a roll and enjoy her writing.
Rated of 5
by Vicki O. (Boston, MA) A Lost Cause
Overall, this was not one of my favorite books. I almost abandoned it. I found the writing burdensome and the pace slow. Even though the characters were well developed, I really didn’t care what happened to either of them. I didn’t believe that they could help each other find the meaning of their lives.
Rated of 5
by Suzanne G. (Tucson, AZ) Fate
This is a great book. The time frame of the story is 1979 through 2007. Two main characters meet in Russia in 2006; Irina finds Aleksandr, a former chess champion who she hopes has answers for her questions regarding the outcome of fate. Irina was in first person while Aleksandr’s story was told by the author—definitely a change of style that I enjoyed. I’m anxiously looking forward to reading the next novel of Jennifer duBois.
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Judge rules unused Borders gift cards to be worthless(May 23 2013) Borders owes nothing to holders of roughly $210.5 million of gift cards that had not been used by the time the bookstore chain shut down, a Manhattan federal...
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by Mary Ann B. (Louisville, KY) 
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by Julie M. (St. Paul, MN) 
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by Vicki O. (Boston, MA) 
