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All He Ever Wanted

All He Ever Wanted
by Anita Shreve
Hardcover: Apr 2003,
320 pages.
Paperback: Jan 2004,
352 pages.

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Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by shirley r. ottenstein
I have just finished reading "All He Ever Wanted" and found the book rather disappointing. The theme has been done before, If you read "A Man of Property" by John Galsworthy and study the relationship between Soames and Irene, it is the same as between Van Tassel and Etna, two women who truly do not wish to wed the man that they do marry and how disappointing the relationships turn out. John Galsworthy does it better than Anita Shreve. "All He Ever Wanted" is well written and very easy to follow. I have rated this book "3" though it was disappointing, one does want to see what happens. Nicholas turns out to be a rather weak character and Anita a cold woman with secrets. You truly cannot like any of the characters.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Morag Sutton
A new approach for Shreve. Writing in the first person as a male from 100 years ago, she weaves the poignant life story of Professor Van Tassel and his love for Etna Bliss. Van Tassel is a stuffed shirt, a snob and a man consumed by his only real passion, Etna, and his position at Thrupp College. His love pushes him to the edge in a tale that explores human nature's darkest corners. This book reveals the depths of feeling that are in people who seem devoid of emotion.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Melanie
I have read all of Shreve's books and this one did not disappoint. She had an interesting way of telling yet another compelling story. The characters, plot and setting are all very strong. As always, what isn't said, is just as intriguing as what is said.

Rated 2 of 5 of 5 by PAT
VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS BOOK. LOVED FORTUNE ROCKS, SEA GRASS, THE LAST TIME THEY MET, THE WEIGHT OF WATER, PILOTS WIFE, BUT THIS ONE DID NOT DELIVER. SHE IS A GREAT WRITER AND I WONDER WHAT WAS DRIVING HER IN THIS BOOK? WOULD LIKE TO READ ETNAS STORY......

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