Jane Hamilton was among the very first writers to truly awe me.

However, as the years passed, that initial admiration seemed to wane a bit. I vividly remember loving her "A Map of the World" and having a liking for "The Book of Ruth". But "Disobedience" I found to be just middling.

The premise of "When Madeline Was Young" seemed very Hallmark-y to me at first. I actually thought that I would never be able to finish this book without throwing it at least once.

Thankfully, I managed not to. The novel's plot, which is about an accident ruining someone's life and those of all the people around her, is quite common. But Jane Hamilton, bless her career, has this amazing ability. She made this common plot stand out through her lyrical prose that just cuts through the heart.

Just when I thought the book was heading in the corny Nicholas Sparks way, something wonderful happened. The plot suddenly got hooking, and the juxtaposition of words was getting better and better.

In the end, Jane Hamilton managed to make me her fan all over again.

Aaron and Julia Maciver live in 1950s suburban Chicago. Aaron's first wife, Madeline, also resides with them. Madeline unfortunately suffered a brain injury shortly after their wedding. As a result, she now functions at the level of a seven-year-old.

The story is told through the eyes of the couple's son, Mac, who is now an adult. Mac reflects back on this rather unusual family arrangement.

One can only imagine the complex dynamics that must have existed within this household. Aaron and Julia had to take on the responsibility of caring for Madeline, while also raising their son.

Mac, growing up in this environment, likely had a unique perspective on family and relationships. His memories of this time in his life are sure to be a mix of confusion, love, and perhaps even a touch of sadness.

As the reader delves into Mac's narrative, they are drawn into a world that is both familiar and strange. The 1950s setting adds an extra layer of authenticity to the story, making it a truly engaging read.

This is the worst book I have read in a long, long time.

I have decided not to finish it - something I rarely do. I've endured through half of the story, hoping against hope that it would improve. However, I'm now pulling the plug.

The storyline is extremely weak. It's almost as if it's wallowing in the sick and perverse side of human nature. Take, for example, the situation of a husband and wife who share their bed with the first wife who has suffered head trauma.

But what truly makes it completely unreadable is the fact that after reading half of the story, I still feel no emotional connection whatsoever to any of the characters. This is just a sign of bad writing.

It's a real disappointment, as I had high hopes for this book. But unfortunately, it has failed to deliver on all fronts.

I think this might be the best example I've seen of what people mean when they refer to "women's fiction."

This is a book in which, basically, nothing happens. And not even really in the Seinfeld sense where a great deal happens that is internally, or conversationally, noteworthy. No, nobody in this story changes their heart or mind. Like people do, they get older and think they understand more and they talk deprecatingly about their wives but you can tell they love them a lot, in a very pragmatic way. And that's all.

At least one review has dismissed this as a "situation story," as in, that's not a story, it's a situation. But I don't even think it's that. The flicker of Seinfeld absurdity which even the jacket flap takes to be the "situation" of the book - that the narrator grows up with his father's first wife, who was brain-damaged into childishness early in their marriage, living in the same house as his mother and father and treated by both parents as another child - is not the main situation. This isn't even one of those (irritating) books where the weird thing that happened in youth goes on to inform and affect everything else, even the most seemingly unrelated experiences.

The main situation is, simply, the life and surroundings, feelings and thoughts, people and places, of Mac Maciver, the narrator. The narrative structure of the book is best described as that of a long friendship, close enough to hear intimate thoughts but distant enough for lengthy updates. There isn't really any plot build - again, not even the back of the book can tell you what HAPPENS in this story. There aren't even any of the wacky scenarios typical of, ahem, chick lit, which is what people probably mostly define women's fiction as these days. The kind of thing that, in theory, you could explain quickly to a nearby man: "And Luke DIDN'T KNOW that Becky had planned this whole other wedding at the same time..." There isn't anything to encapsulate. There is just the whole; there is just what is. Nothing happens... but it's still pretty interesting. Mac Maciver... nice guy.

How do I feel about a book like this? How do I feel about calling it feminine? Well, in the words of Teddy KGB of the film Rounders (which my male partner has been known to watch more than once IN A DAY): "I feel ahkay."

It's a book that doesn't follow the traditional rules of storytelling. It's not about big events or life-changing moments. Instead, it's about the little things, the everyday experiences that make up a life. And maybe that's what makes it so appealing. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most interesting stories are the ones that are right in front of us, if we just take the time to look.

Maybe this is what women's fiction is all about - not just stories for women, but stories that capture the essence of what it means to be human. Stories that are about more than just the plot, but about the characters and their relationships. And if that's the case, then I'm all for it.

So, while this book may not be for everyone, I think it has a lot to offer. It's a slow burn, a book that you have to read with an open mind and a willingness to let go of your expectations. But if you do, you might just find that it's one of the most rewarding reads you've had in a long time.

I picked up this book with the thought that it sounded really interesting. I had the impression that it would predominantly focus on Madeline and the impact she had on those around her. However, up until now, she has turned out to be nothing more than a supporting character.

Even so, hers remains the most captivating storyline. It's quite unexpected that despite not being the main protagonist, her story manages to draw one in and hold their attention.

One can't help but wonder if there will be more to her character as the book progresses. Maybe her role will expand and she will take on a more central position.

For now, though, she is like a bright star shining in the background, adding a touch of mystery and allure to the overall narrative.

I was really looking forward to the book being mainly about Madeline, the character with a brain injury who is mentioned in the title.

However, to my great disappointment, she was pushed into the realm of supporting characters.

The story seemed to lack a proper ending and any clear point.

Moreover, there was very little plot to keep the reader engaged.

It was as if the author had failed to fully develop the potential of the central character and had instead created a rather disjointed and unfulfilling narrative.

I had such high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.

Perhaps with a stronger focus on Madeline and a more coherent plot, the story could have been a truly memorable one.

As it stands, it is a disappointment that leaves the reader feeling unsatisfied.

Re-read this for Carleton 40th reunion in 2014.

I was still deeply impressed the second time around. The family dynamics presented in the story were truly captivating, and the time line seemed almost eerily similar to my own. This is perhaps not so surprising, considering that the author is also approximately my age.

It's as if the story was able to capture the essence of our shared experiences and emotions.

Additionally, I have always had a soft spot for Spencer's Light in the Piazza, upon which this work is loosely based.

The original play had a certain charm and elegance that translated well into this adaptation.

It was interesting to see how the author took the basic premise and added their own unique twists and turns to create a story that was both familiar and fresh.

Overall, this re-reading was a thoroughly enjoyable experience that made me appreciate the work even more.

I truly had a profound affection for this book.

What I adored was the way the main character seamlessly traversed between his childhood and the present, vividly narrating the tale of his'sister' Madeline.

Moreover, he shared his perspectives on what he believed to be his parents' marriage.

Adding to its allure, the book is rich with great political references.

These elements combined to create a captivating and multi-faceted reading experience.

The exploration of different time periods and relationships provided a depth that kept me engaged from start to finish.

The political references, in particular, added an interesting layer of context and made the story even more thought-provoking.

Overall, this book was a remarkable piece of literature that I would highly recommend to others.

I awarded this story four stars. The reason is that I firmly believe Hamilton is a highly talented writer. Her adept use and selection of words manage to construct exquisitely beautiful imagery. It truly enriches the reading experience and allows the readers to vividly envision the scenes she描绘s.

However, I refrained from giving the story a full five stars. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, I was not fond of the profanity present in the text. It seemed rather out of place and could potentially be off-putting to some readers. Secondly, the sexual images that were incorporated appeared to be unnecessary for the overall narrative. I felt that the story would have been more engaging and focused if it had concentrated more on Madeline and less on Mac. By doing so, it could have delved deeper into Madeline's character and her experiences, making the story more meaningful and impactful.

Overall, while the story has its strengths in terms of Hamilton's writing skills and the creation of beautiful imagery, the presence of profanity and unnecessary sexual images prevent it from reaching the five-star mark in my opinion.

Reading at the beach is a truly heartwarming story that beautifully showcases the power of family.

Here, the family is not the traditional one we often envision. It includes the father's first wife, who unfortunately suffered brain damage in an accident and now lives with the family as if she were another child.

Cared for by the father's new wife, this unique family structure presents a premise that is initially hard to imagine. However, Hamilton's excellent writing skills bring this story to life, revealing the interesting dynamics that unfold as the family navigates within the odd parameters of their situation.

We see how they adapt, support each other, and find love and unity in the most unexpected of circumstances. It is a story that reminds us that family comes in many forms and that love can overcome even the most challenging of obstacles.

As we read, we are drawn into their world and are left with a sense of warmth and inspiration.

When I initially perused the summary, I was captivated by the plot line.

Growing up with your father's ex-wife as your sister is indeed a rather distinctive concept, isn't it? However, that wasn't truly the focal point of the story. This read more akin to the diary of the younger brother, Mac, yet it contained an excessive amount of detail, particularly in the dialogue, to be a believable diary entry.

Mac's parents were always forthright with him and his sister regarding Madeline's identity. They showed them photos of her as their father's bride and recounted her tragic accident. In fact, they were so honest that Mac didn't perceive anything strange about his upbringing until his cousin, Buddy, made some inappropriate remarks about Madeline, causing Mac to question his upbringing.

The story progresses with a greater emphasis on the relationship between Buddy and Mac, while relegating Madeline's life to a mere side story. The segments about Madeline intrigued me, but those about Buddy were rather lackluster. I also noticed that the story took a political, anti-Vietnam turn, which was quite distracting and not at all what I had anticipated.

Hamilton has a unique writing style. It requires a few chapters to become accustomed to before things start to flow smoothly. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing in Map of the World. Years after reading it, I still find myself reflecting on that novel, whereas I'm certain this story will soon fade from my memory.

(as posted at readingforsanity.blogspot.com)

In this book, Hamilton's narrator is a male, yet a sensitive one.

It seems that the book has a drawback in having three focal points. There is Buddy, and then there is Madeline, and also Mac's parents' marriage.

Each of these aspects tries to hold the reader's attention, but at times it feels a bit fragmented.

Overall, it is still a good book. The story has its engaging moments and the characters are well-developed.

However, it cannot be considered Hamilton's best work.

There are other books by Hamilton that have a more cohesive and impactful narrative.

Nevertheless, this book still has its own charm and is worth reading for those who enjoy Hamilton's writing style.

It offers a unique perspective on relationships and family dynamics.

Despite its flaws, it manages to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences.