I picked up this book because I had a genuine love for some of Jane Hamilton's short stories that I had read in Harper's Magazine. In fact, I would highly recommend checking out "Rehearsing the Firebird" in the June 1990 issue at your local library. The story of Madeline is truly captivating. As described on the back flap, when Aaron Maciver's beautiful young wife, Madeline, sustains brain damage in a bike accident, she is left with the intellectual capabilities of a six-year-old. In the subsequent years, Aaron and his second wife care for Madeline with profound tenderness and dedication while also raising two children of their own. The book is narrated from Aaron's son's perspective, which offers a very interesting vantage point from which to view the world.

However, for some reason, I felt that this book was lacking something. I suspect that perhaps it attempts to cover too much ground regarding the politics (both within the family and otherwise) of war (both the Vietnam War and the Gulf War). Or maybe it places too much emphasis on the relationship between the narrator and his cousin, Buddy. It seems to me that if Ms. Hamilton had concentrated more on the central story of growing up in this extraordinary family, the book could have been incredibly powerful.

In conclusion, I believe it was worthwhile reading, but it didn't completely wow me. Given that Jane Hamilton is such a talented writer and the subject matter is so engaging, I had expected more.

Madeline endures brain damage as a result of a bike accident.

Her husband, along with his second wife, takes on the responsibility of caring for her.

This story delves into the examination of unusual characters and the complex relationships that exist within a family setting, which is further complicated by the backdrop of war.

The characters in this narrative are strong, filled with conflict and intensities, and are diverse, much like those found in some of Sue Miller's novels.

For those who have a penchant for stories that feature such compelling characters and intricate family dynamics, this would be a highly recommended read.

It offers a unique perspective on love, loyalty, and the challenges that families face in the midst of turmoil and change.

The combination of the damaged Madeline, her husband, and his second wife creates a web of emotions and interactions that keep the reader engaged from start to finish.

Overall, it is a story that explores the human condition in a thought-provoking and engaging way.

I picked this book at the library because the story wasn't like any I'd read before, and the plot was very intriguing.

Aaron Maciver makes a fateful decision that will dramatically change the rest of his life when his new wife, Madeline, is injured in a bike accident and suffers severe brain damage. He chooses to care for Madeline, who now has the mind of a young child.

Ultimately, Aaron remarries to Julia, and they have a son, Mac. As an adult with children of his own, Mac tells the story of his parents' love for Madeline and how he was raised as her brother.

Hamilton vividly shows the sacrifices made by the entire family to care for Madeline and how they treat her with love and kindness. It must've been extremely hard for Julia to have Madeline sleep in bed with her and Aaron or to witness how memories of her marriage to Aaron cause Madeline to act out.

The family could've easily sent Madeline to an institution, but instead, they accept and embrace the burden and the trials of caring for a grown woman who will forever be a child.

Used to watching the daily news and hearing stories of abuse and neglect, "When Madeline Was Young" shows that it is possible to do the right, noble thing - even when it's hard - and still find contentment in life.

I was truly disappointed in the book.

It simply failed to meet my expectations. The story revolves around an unusual family relationship.

Madeline, a charming and beautiful young woman, unfortunately sustains brain damage in a bicycling accident and is left forever in a state similar to that of a six-year-old.

Her husband, Aaron Maciver, later ties the knot with Julia, and together they take care of Madeline along with their own two children.

However, the problem is that not enough of the book is dedicated to Madeline.

The narrative is told from the perspective of Mac Maciver, the son of Aaron and Julia.

Much of the book delves into his life, from childhood all the way through to adulthood.

I firmly believe that the book could have been far better had it placed more emphasis on Madeline.

Her character and her unique situation could have been explored in greater depth, adding more depth and poignancy to the overall story.

As it stands, I can't help but feel a sense of dissatisfaction with the way the book was structured and presented.

Another truly compelling read by Jane Hamilton.

It is the story of a family that is brought together through the twin forces of tragedy and generosity.

The narrative is told from the perspective of Mac, the eldest son of Aaron and Julia Maciver.

The Macivers reside in Chicago, sharing their lives with their two children and Aaron's first wife, Madeline.

Madeline endured a brain injury shortly after her marriage, which has unfortunately left her with the mental capacity of a 7-year-old.

Despite the challenges this presents, the family navigates their way through life, learning and growing together.

The story is filled with heartwarming moments of love, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond that holds a family together.

It is a truly great story that will touch the hearts of readers and leave them with a sense of hope and inspiration.

I've read several books written by Jane Hamilton and truly enjoy her captivating stories. She is an extremely talented writer, and her best-known work, the award-winning "A Map of the World", has gained wide acclaim.

However, this particular book is one of her lesser-known ones, and quite frankly, it doesn't fare that well in terms of readers' ratings and reviews. I think I have an understanding of the reasons behind this. Although the writing is of very high quality and the concept is also quite interesting, the plot is not developed sufficiently. It's like having a delicious side dish (the good writing and concept) but not enough substantial main course (the fully developed plot).

Again, it's a great concept that just falls short of reaching its full potential. Additionally, I believe some people are put off by the central idea of the story. Madeline, a young wife, sustains a brain injury in a bicycle accident and is left with the mind of a young child. Her husband, who remarries, continues to look after Madeline with his new wife, even as they have children of their own. This is a situation that is difficult for many people to fathom for various reasons, and it makes us stop and think about what we would do in such a situation.

Initially, I was going to give this book 3 stars for the story, but I bumped it up to 4 because I have a genuine appreciation for her writing style.

I'd truly give it 3.5 stars if that were a viable option.

The plot of this story doesn't really have a great deal to it. In essence, it's simply a study of the relationships within a large family.

Just like with other books of hers that I've perused, I thoroughly relished this author's insights into life and the subtleties of emotions that she manages to capture.

Her ability to observe and describe the intricacies of human interactions is truly remarkable.

Although the plot may not be overly complex or action-packed, the character development and the exploration of family dynamics make this a worthwhile read.

It's a book that makes you think about your own family relationships and the various emotions that come with them.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories and a deeper understanding of human nature.

The way this book jumped around in time was truly intolerable to me.

In one sentence, the character was 15 years old, and then in the very next sentence, he was only six.

After that, he was suddenly an adult, and then 15 again.

There was absolutely no ordering to it.

What this implies to me is that there is no plot that is worth staying in any sort of order for.

The whole thing just seems to be rambling aimlessly.

I really hate that kind of book.

It makes it extremely difficult for me to follow the story and engage with the characters.

Without a clear narrative structure, the book loses its coherence and fails to hold my attention.

I much prefer books that have a well-defined plot and a logical progression of events.

Such books are much more enjoyable to read and leave a lasting impression on me.

Despite the title, this book is not really about Madeline.

This was very disappointing because her story held so much promise.

The book centers on the extensive Maciver family relationships and is actually very political.

It is a nice book, but failed to hold my interest for long.

For as much time as the author spends on each character, I never felt that I knew much about them.

I have truly enjoyed two of her other books, A Map of the World and The Book of Ruth.

However, this one was not so great.

Perhaps the author tried to cover too many aspects of the Maciver family and in doing so, failed to develop the characters fully.

Or maybe the political undertones were too heavy and detracted from the overall story.

Whatever the reason, I was left feeling a bit let down by this book.

Nevertheless, I will still look forward to the author's future works, hoping that she will return to the form that made her previous books so enjoyable.

The story appears to be primarily about Madeline. However, as the narrator delves into the account of her, he also discloses his own life and how it was significantly influenced by the very existence of Madeline.

This narrative offers a captivating exploration of the concept of family. It shows how the acceptance of differences can truly enrich the society in which we live.

By sharing his own experiences in relation to Madeline, the narrator provides a unique perspective on the importance of family bonds and the value of diversity.

Overall, it is a well-crafted piece that engages the reader and prompts them to reflect on their own understanding of family and society. Well done!

This was a truly painful read from an author whom I have deeply enjoyed reading in the past. I have devoured and adored almost all of JH's other books, such as

"The Book of Ruth", "A Map of the World", and "The Short History of a Prince". In those remarkable works, the subject matter was distinct and captivating, keeping me thoroughly engaged. Her writing style was simply amazing, with a certain charm and elegance that drew me in.

However, I simply cannot offer any of the same accolades for this particular book. Generally speaking, the subject described on the back of the book does seem interesting. But alas, what is promised on the back is not what one finds within the pages. Madeline is not a focal point at all, and the other characters fail to elicit any feelings of like or interest from me.

So, it is a resounding nay for this one. If you are seeking a truly excellent Jane Hamilton book, look no further than "The Book of Ruth". That one is most definitely worth the read.

Jane Hamilton has an extraordinary ability to vividly bring her characters to life.

You can't help but commiserate with them, and you come to understand them in ways that sometimes surpass your understanding of your own friends.

Perhaps this is the beauty of living in the world of fiction. For the most part, everything is clear, allowing you to view people from a different perspective.

I wonder if Jane wrote this with the intention of seeing if she could write from a man's perspective. Timothy (Mac), who is well educated and sensitive, makes an unlikely narrator.

He comprehends what Madeline has sacrificed to ensure his existence, and he is filled with gratitude.

This is a strange story that spans many decades. It is completely worth reading for numerous reasons.

You discover the strange story within the first 5 pages, and as it unfolds, you realize that it's not entirely as strange as it initially seemed.

You hope that you could be as gracious as Julia.

Thank you, Jane!