This book was selected as the "One Great Read" by our local libraries. Our book club reads that selection each year. We receive many responses concerning the book. For myself, I enjoyed the book. It involves the destruction of the whaling ship "Essex" by the largest whale known existing in the Pacific Ocean. It was informative from the historical point of view and also in learning about the once poplar occupation of whaling and how it affected the lives of the men and their families.

I found myself having to push to get through some portions of the book. I thought it interesting in realizing there was such an apartment that was not fiction and learned of the actual people involved in the "real" apartment. I felt the last 70-80 pages were the most interesting. The character interaction was at times hard to follow. This was a free book from Book Movement for our book club.

Interesting group of characters that our book club members enjoyed discussing. A mystery that didn't really appear that mysterious until the final chapters. An enjoyable read.

It would be difficult for anyone to imagine what a patient with any type of memory illness might be thinking, but I think the author was very insightful in relating her thoughts on that subject. She presented very realistically how various members of the family would be affected by this type of illness and their reactions. It was hard to perceive this book as fictional because the characters seemed to come alive.

No substance. I prefer books that draw me into it. This is one that was easy to put down. I wasnted to finish it (and I did) so I could say I did. Even in our book club, I felt it wasn't of interest to other members as we became detracted easily on other issues and not at the fault of our reviewer. It must have been difficult for the individual who formulates discussion questions, too.