The main character was driven and had "gumption"...that's for sure, but she lacked a sensitivity chip that left you feeling either sad or mortified for the people around her. This lady probably created the term "If theres a will, there's a way"... but at what expense? The news reviews touted this book amazing and portrayed Lilly Casey as a western superwoman, I don't know if I agree. You can do a lot in your life, but if your kids hate you when you get old because of your heartless ways, what does it all matter? This book makes me rethink the way I want to treat my daughter when she gets older and it reminds me that it's ok to show some heart.

I was really excited to read this book. I truly believed that I would gain a whole new perspective for the study of Alzheimer’s and a man's struggle to find himself after his loss. Well I learned nothing of Alzheimer’s, the brain, or anything I thought I would. I thought the book was poorly executed in the point that he could have gone many places with this theme, yet he chronicled specific instances that really didn't connect whole heartedly to anything else, except that he was living his life unaware of the world around him. Sad. In the end Victor had a meltdown and realized he hadn't grieved and or disconnected properly, which was possibly realistic. His bizarre relationship with Regina was completely confusing, and he ended up looking like the bad guy when she was the freak...bizarre. At the same time, I couldn't connect or relate to the main character, nor did I find myself caring for him either way. In order for me to like a book I need to feel for the characters, like the theme, or really become mentally a part of the world that the author created. I kept finding myself anticipating something huge or ground breaking, none of that happened. Quite disappointing.

I really enjoyed reading about the Outliers in this book. A lot of light was shed on the success of some of the most famous names around. It was interesting to see why some flopped while some flourished with near identicle backgrounds and talent. In the end, it appears that a lot is left to fate/chance or in your cultural history. 2 thumbs up!

This book started off semi interesting although I was put off by the gloominess at the begining and then throughout. I convinced myself that it would amount to something fascinating, but it left me wanting more at the end. It was a anticlimactic to say the least. I felt bad for all of the characters who seemed to all be in their own little unique, depressed world. It seemed like the only normal one was Josephs friend George. It was a very sad story and they all just ended up unresolved messes amongst themselves. I also completely missed what exactly happened to Joseph. Was he psycho, or beyond this physical world into metamorphosis? Or was Rose seeing things? I thought the author wrote exceptionally well and she developed her characters thoroughly, it was just the closing of the book that I had a problem with. I didn't need a happy ending, just not a dead ending. I didn't get a good sense of closure or resolve to say the least...
On another note, The theme of Rose being able to taste the emotions of others from their food reminded me of “Like Water for Chocolate”...interesting.