Samuel Proulx

I don't struggle with this problem myself, and I don't really know anyone who does. I picked up this book mostly on a whim, hoping for a more compassionate understanding of Hoarders than one generally sees on reality TV. That is, for the most part, what I got. This book does a good job of telling the case stories it provides, making them real people, rather than objects of amusement.

I really enjoyed the setting of this book; based loosely on reality, the surrounding environment and community is powerful and well shown. The characters[return]are interesting and believable, and the premise of the book works well. Unfortunately, the resolution is just a little far fetched and fantastic for my[return]taste. However, it's still worth the read. You'll enjoy every minute you spend getting there, just beware that at the end you may find you did not enjoy[return]where you got.

This is almost universally accepted as Heinlein's best book. A framed story similar to the style of Arabian nights, it manages to keep the overarching plot[return]moving along while including many other interesting stories. the tale of the adopted daughter, one of the tales told, is in my opinion the most touching[return]thing ever to be written in a science fiction novel and the best part of the book. Either this means that I secretly want to read westerns, or I'm extremely[return]sappy. Honestly, I'd rather not analyse it, thanks.

This wasn't the book I expected to get when I started it. Fortunately, I did enjoy what it turned out to be.

Merged review:

This wasn't the book I expected to get when I started it. Fortunately, I did enjoy what it turned out to be.

The plot and writing of this book were OK, and the audio edition was decently read. Unfortunately, I hated the main character so deeply it's utterly beyond description. I have never wanted to slap a protagonist so hard in my life! Maybe she gets less terrible in later books in the series, but I'm not willing to purchase book two in order to find out. I got the first book on sale, and I'm rather glad.