I reread this one twice because the story was so wonderful and addictive.

Although it is quite a long book, it is well worth the read. I recommend the book to anyone. It's a deep book and develops the characters very well.

Well-written and absorbing book with characters so alive you feel you know them. Lamb really explores how our past influences our present. One of my favorite books of all time.

It took me almost 200 pages to really get caught in this book. Until you get into it, it might be a little confusing. However,it is a very real look into the feelings of a person who is close to his brother who is very mentally ill.

What an amazing story. What an amazing message. This book examines human nature and the way that on elife can affect others in so many ways. On the surface, this is a story of a man and his schizophrenic twin brother. But the deeper meaning of this book is so far reaching that I was truly blown away. The book ended and I was choked up. If I'd been alone, I likely would have cried.

This is a very long book, and unfortunately, that prevented most of my book club from actually finishing it. (three out of eight finished). I was very saddened by this because I suspect that there would have been some amazing discussion if everyone had finished. This book could have led to so many insightful conversations. I highly recommend this book to others and in fact I have every intention of reading additional Wally Lamb novels because of this experience. Mr Lamb's writing style keeps the reader incredibly engaged, his characters are very realistic and thoroughly developed. From a technical perspective, I loved the fact that every single character introduced to the reader has a resolution of some sort. The characters grow as a result of the events that take place in the sotry. Everything truly comes full circle, which ironically is one of the themes of the story, the circular nature of life.

Awesome book. Pick it up and read it. You'll be glad you did!

A long and detailed account of identical twins: one is the narrator and the other a paranoid schizophrenic. After delving into the lives of ancestors and his own past, the protagonist finds some enduring truths about his life and life in general. Maybe not for everyone, but I liked it! The ending was a little pat. I almost thought the last chapter should have just been left off!

I read this book a very long time ago, but remember really enjoying it. I was intimidated by the length, but it was very easy to read once I got going. well worth the effort.

If you love family drama then you will love this book.

One of the best books I have ever read. Even though it is close to 900 pages, the book is hard to put down. The story is involving, extremely well-written and moves along.

I too hated the first 200 pages. The book reminded me of Prince of Tides. The caretaking sibling's self wrapped up in demands of life with the mentally ill. The comment- two little boys are lost in the woods. One can never come back, but one of them just might--describes the theme of the book. Once I got about halfway through the book, my involvement with the characters finally caught me. Very insightful about physical and emotional drain of caretaking---and the guilt involved. Language bothered me.

An emotional roller coaster. Loved it!

This story potrays just how convoluted life can be.Like a pebble in a pond, the ripples continue on and on. In intricate detail Wally Lamb shows us how much more there is to our lives than we see on the suface.

Way too long, for the story it told. Every dysfunctional aspect of society was covered. Most of our group did not finish it, yet we all got the same message out of it. Another Oprah book that just wasn't great.