Rated of 5
by Anonymous 'I Know This Much Is True' is absolutely ENTHRALLING!
In one magnificent novel, Wally Lamb manages to beautifully portray the arrogance of men, the violence of egotists, the inevitable betrayal of those deemed trustworthy, the meaning of wholeness and family, the freedom that comes with forgiving, and the love hidden deep inside those who were once our tormentors. Must-read book for anyone searching for life's deeper meanings.
Rated of 5
by PaulyWally A long, emotional, but worth-while read.
As a woman who works in a shelter for abused women and children, I certainly found the book to be particularly violent. I however believe that the vivid descriptions of domestic violence was a purposeful aspect of the novel. The novel, to me, was about the interconnection between parts of the self, between individuals, between families, and between generations. I believe that Lamb must have a realistic understanding of the intergenerational cycle of abuse and racism. To me, Lamb represents how the cycle can be broken, although Dominick still has the deep anger of his grandfather, he does end up breaking the intergenerational cycle of abuse. I see the book as being a step in the right direction for racial issues, and well as political issues, allowing the reader to see how we are all inter-related, connected, and part of one circle. If I was to change a part of the book, or delete a section, it would be where Dominick date-rapes his future wife as a teenager. I don't think that part was necessary for the point to get across to the reader.
Rated of 5
by Mary S. Mixed Messages
While I enjoyed reading parts of this book, and the author's literary technique was quite good in places, in the end I felt there were too many ideas and characters (and just plain "stuff") crammed into it. It was like a cow's mouth and, for that reason, hard to take. For me, Dominick's grandfather was a terrible role model (even if you accept the idea that his was a "confessional" memoir which I had trouble doing).
There is entirely too much violence contained in this book in an ambivalent or concealed way. It is essential in the present state of our society that violence should be unambiguously and unequivocally condemned and denounced, not played around with in a way that is partly an aggrandizement, partly a hidden endorsement, and partly comical.
For example, it wasn't at all clear to me that Tempesta's desire for "forgiveness" and to "come clean" was sincere, but, rather that he was arrogant, boastful and just the opposite of penitent.
Many other aspects of the book seemed to contribute to what Dominick's therapist might call a "bifurcated" (or mixed) comprehension (perhaps purposely done by the author but still in poor taste in my book).
This is because, to my mind, tongue-in-cheek mixed messages involving violence to women (i.e., to the Monkey--hunted down like a criminal and precipitiously incarcerated in a mental hospital for attempting to protect Tempesta's wife who was ultimately driven to suicide--almost killing her own daughter Constantine in the process) are in poor taste (no matter how concealed behind a veil of grandiose "literary" achievement).
Many other books I have read in fact show lesbianism (Tempesta's finding the Monkey and his wife together in bed) as a credible outcome of a socially underwritten code of male chauvinism and arrogance that has no mercy.
After all, who do oppressed and persecuted women have to turn to if not each other?
In conclusion it is easy to say that "mongrels make good dogs," etc. and that "love grows from the rich loam of forgiveness," but actions speak louder than words, and I have the distinct feeling that if, by some miracle,Tempesta, Dominick (or even, maybe especially, Ray) were given the opportunity to live their lives again less violently or oppressively that they would flunk the test hands down and be supremely incapable of ever doing so.
Although it was somewhat of a fun read, this dishonest aspect ultimately turned the book into just a lot of double-talk and empty words for me, no comparison whatsoever to Dostoevsky.
Rated of 5
by LupeP I KnowThis Much is True
I just finished reading this book today and it was truly amazing going through the emotional rollercoaster that this book makes you go through. I recommend it 10 times! And thank goodness for Mrs. Patel's therapy and closing session. It really helped me put this book down! Thank you Mr. Lamb.
Rated of 5
by J K Fallen I Know This Much Is True
I read She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb and immediately obtained "I Know This Much Is True'. I'm have just a few pages left and I so hate for this story to come to an end. Need more books by Mr. Lamb! Both books are absolutely great! Absolutely Amazing. My 16 year old daughter is pursuing writing and I'm amazed at her also...what do the thoughts come from to put down on paper such great reading! Mr. Lamb is truly blessed with the gift of creative writing.
Rated of 5
by John Siu Monkey, rabbits, and manuscript
The book has many insteresting developments in the storyline and the characters that kept me thinking and dreaming even after finishing the book two weeks ago.
The images and references of the monkey and the rabbit(s) were obvious sybmols that linked the story of grandpa Dominico, Concettina's "little bunny rabbit", Dominick's dreams, and the closure with Princess Evil Eye. In a twisted way, I was amused how it all tied everything together.
My favourate part of the book is Dominico Tempesta manuscript. The way the manuscript was "translated" makes each and every sentence subtlely comical and yet honestly reflecting how Dominico felt about his parents, siblings, the church and God, his cousins's neighbors, his wife and daughter, and the Monkey.
I felt for Diminico hard life as an immigrant and I shared his feeling of achievement. I could not help to think of an alternative ending to Dominico's story where he treated his wife nicely and lived happily ever after. And for the Monkey, I wished that he asked her to rest and took care of her if she was sick instead of abusing her.
And much like Dominick, I was afraid to finish reading the manuscript to find out who his father was.
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of 5
by Anonymous 
of 5
by PaulyWally 
of 5
by Mary S. 
