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There are currently 46 member reviews
for Outside Wonderland
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Debbie M. (grand junction, CO)
Outside Wonderland
Outside Wonderland is the story of 3 siblings, who lose their parents while they're growing up. They've become adults and are struggling with relationships. I didn't see a real connection between their struggle and their loss of parents. I think the author could have spent more time expanding the characters. I enjoyed the book, but wanted to know more about the sisters and brother.
As a second story line, we find the parents watching over them from wherever they've gone after death. I found this annoying. Since it was part of what makes the book unique, it was needed, but I tended to skip these parts after the first few. I didn't feel they added much insight.
The author holds your attention and I look forward to reading more of her work.
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Eileen L. (Danvers, MA)
A lovely story about family
I really liked this book. The premise is endearing, and I for one love the idea that the ones we have loved and lost are watching, cheering us on as we strughgle through life. The siblings are so different but the author accurately depicts the ties that so often bind us. I found myself cheeering them on and did not want thier stories to end. The author uses detail very effectively to give you a true essence of her charactars. I felt like I knew them all well. Highly recommend this for anyone who loves a story about a real family.
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Beth C. (Sioux Falls, SD)
Outside Wonderland - An Unusual Book
First, I want to say that I enjoyed this book, for the most part. It is unusual in that it is written from two perspectives; the three adult siblings who were orphaned as children and their deceased parents who observe them from the afterlife. Unfortunately, there is no delineation between the two, thus causing confusion for a paragraph or two each time the voice switches to the afterlife. I thought the writing itself was excellent. The characters are well drawn and engaging. The afterlife perspective has a poetical quality to it that is also well done. This could be a good choice for a book group because there are several points of contention that might make for an interesting discussion.
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Annie P. (Murrells Inlet, SC)
outside wonderland
Outside Wonderland is a most interesting book. Its point of view is unique, drawing on our natural curiosity: What happens to us after death? To our loved ones after we’re gone? Will we ever see those already gone before us? Will we see those we leave behind?
The characters were easy to relate to and follow along with during their adventures and misadventures. I wish there was more time spent with the parents and their point of view as well as their reactions to their new surroundings.
Although not for the younger set, young adults on up should have an enjoyable relaxing read.
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Pamela F. (Grants Pass, OR)
Outside Wonderland
This book caught my eye as I thought that the plot point of parents having passed and watching their children as they grow was an interesting one. However, although the book and the stories of the children kept me reading to find out more, I found the switch to the view of the parents to be distracting and not a very interesting contribution to the story. Having said this, I did enjoy this book and it kept me interested, but the one thing that drew me to it the most was the only thing that I really did not care for.
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Mary Lou C. (Shenandoah Junction, WV)
Keep Reading!
After reading the prologue, I convinced myself that I wouldn't like this book. Fortunately, I kept reading and found that it was impossible not to become totally immersed in the lives of these characters. In the end, I found myself wanting to believe that we are being watched over.
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Ariel F. (Madison, WI)
Interesting Read
It took me some time to get in the flow of the book. I got through the opening chapters where both parents have died and the 3 children are left alone. Each of the children has a story to tell and does it in their own style. Initially, I found it distracting to have the parents in the afterlife discussing the lives and mistakes of their children. I feel that it would be a good book for a book club or discussion group to read. Interesting discussions would center around this book.
