Rated of 5
by Elizabeth W. (Newton, MA) Clear your schedule, and prepare for a treat . . .
Christina Schwarz's The Edge of the Earth is a wonderful treat. Schwarz's prose is crisp and vivid. She makes the California seashore, the lighthouse where she lives, and all the creatures around them materialize on the pages. The story of Trudy, her husband Oskar, and the other residents of the lighthouse is compelling. The characters are original and believable (except Oskar at a time or two), and the dialogue is done well. What keeps the book from being perfect? Very little. The frame chapters at the beginning and end of the book don't fit as seamlessly as one might like, and the final dramatic event has a bit of the "deus ex machina" about it. Nonetheless, those are mere quibbles. Get the book, and clear your schedule.
Rated of 5
by Loren B. (Appleton, WI) Secrets
This was a very enjoyable read; part family saga and part mystery. I found the characters to be believable and well-developed, especially Trudy who seems to discover the secrets of her habitat and fellow inhabitants little by little like an archaeological dig. The history of the area was also very interesting and never intrusive,but part of the story.
Rated of 5
by Colleen L. (Casco, ME) Secrets and more secrets....
I liked this book very much. I loved the way the book opened with the youngest daughter, Jane, narrating the chapter. It was soft and appealing and served as a great springboard into the story of Trudy. Trudy's story kept me very interested throughout the entire book. As a reader, you know the author is leading into many secrets but she doesn't disclose them until she is ready. I totally disliked Trudy's husband and wanted to shake her to wake her up so she could 'see' her husband for what he really was.
I found the author's writing superb. You felt like you were in this isolated setting along with Trudy and the author kept the pace moving quite nicely. There was suspense building and when it broke, you were ready for it. All in all, a charming book, a quick read and I think book clubs would enjoy this book as the symbolism is so rich in the story.
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