Difficult at first to get into. But once I got started, I wanted to know more and more. Clever, quirky characters intertwined together yet seperate. Ending was somewhat of a letdown, as I wanted to know more about the daughter, but liked the surprises of how other aspects tied together. Overall a good read.

Not the easiest book to read but definitely worth the effort. I connected so strongly with the characters, and the story evoked in me an overwhelming sense of loss. Amazing writing!

in the last three for Canada Reads 2011. The writing is wonderful.

This was my first Carol Shields book. Like so many of the Canada Reads selections it is about social injustice and oppression and other Worthy Themes. Well written - with a few too many adjectives and fancy sentences that don't quite work. Most of the images DO work. But it left me feeling like I had read a feminist speech. And a whiny one at that. The ending deserves our attention (don't want to give anything away). But the contrast between it and Reta's life just makes her seem petty. Maybe that is the point of the book?? Shields shows us that Reta is not thinking clearly -- at some points. But the balance of the book's message seemed to be : poor oppressed women, whatever are the/we to do. Will be interesting to follow comments on CBC Canada Reads web site on this one.

This book has made the Top 40 list of the 2011 CBC Canada Reads pick!

Not sure if I really got all of the levels of this book, although I definitely enjoyed reading it. Male characters were almost absent. As a parent some aspects were very disturbing. I have enjoyed other Carol Shields books more.