This was truly very enjoyable once I delved into it a little more.

Walter is such a character. For the majority of his life, he has found himself left out or alone because of a plethora of different circumstances.

However, he is a remarkable survivor. Despite all the challenges and hardships he has faced, he has managed to persevere.

Moreover, he is also quite funny. His sense of humor shines through in the most unexpected ways, bringing a smile to those around him.

It's truly a pleasure to get to know Walter and see how he navigates through life with both resilience and a touch of humor.

His story is one that is both inspiring and entertaining, and I can't wait to see what else he has in store.

I firmly believe that Jane Hamilton is an exceptionally brilliant author. However, this particular book just misses the mark by a step.

Had she chosen to write this novel from the perspective of her protagonist, I am certain that I would have been completely engaged and utterly dazzled.

Every single time she allows her Prince to speak, I find myself truly loving what I hear.

Regrettably, the flat, neutral, midwestern tone of the omniscient narrator seems to do a disservice to the story and the characters.

If only this were merely the penultimate draft and not the final, polished product.

There is such potential within these pages, and it is a shame that it didn't quite reach its full glory.

Perhaps with a different narrative approach or a bit more fine-tuning, this could have been an absolute masterpiece.

As it stands, it is still a good read, but it leaves me longing for what could have been.

To be fair, I should give this 2 1/2 stars.

I listened to the abridged version on tape in a long afternoon while doing yard work. It was truly an interesting book. It delved into the coming of age of a young gay ballet dancer. His character was so well-developed that it did elicit sympathy and understanding from me.

I think if I'd read the non-abridged version, I may have been bogged down by too much detail. The abridged version seemed to capture the essence of the story quite well. It was engaging enough to keep my attention even while I was occupied with yard work.

The story of the young ballet dancer's journey was both touching and thought-provoking. It made me think about the challenges and struggles that he had to face as a gay person in the world of ballet. Overall, I would recommend this book, especially in its abridged version, to those who are interested in stories about self-discovery and acceptance.

I do indeed recall having a great liking for Jane Hamilton's previous literary works. However, this particular offering is not her finest.

I don't usually gravitate towards books that explore so profoundly into the thoughts and actions of a gay man. As Seinfeld would famously say, "not that there's anything wrong with that." It's just that this isn't a genre that I actively seek out.

Of course, it comes as no surprise that Hamilton would dare to venture into territory where other authors might hesitate. By remaining open-minded, the reader is able to step into Walter's shoes and gain an understanding of just how lonely, sad, and arduous such a life can be.

The book also delves into the tragic death of a sibling at a young age, yet it manages to be filled with humor. At times, this humor can be rather dark and sarcastic, adding an interesting layer to the overall narrative.

Despite not being my typical choice of reading material, I was still able to find some value and depth in this book. It made me think about aspects of life that I might not have otherwise considered, and for that, I am grateful.

I truly relished this book. Jane Hamilton is an extremely perceptive and captivating writer.

She crafts highly believable characters and possesses a genuine talent for delving to the core of matters and revealing the humour or the poignancy in any given situation without the need to overly blatant.

She vividly portrays Walter's isolation, both during his adolescence and as an adult. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of the ballet classes and Walter's excursions to the ballet, as I myself had taken ballet lessons in my childhood.

I felt that by the conclusion of the book, Walter's circumstances were resolved, and I had a sense that he would progress to find happiness. However, I desired a greater sense of resolution for some of the other characters.

The story was engaging from start to finish, and I was constantly drawn into the lives of the characters. Hamilton's writing style is both accessible and profound, making this a book that I would highly recommend to others.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read that left me with a lot to think about.

The Book of Ruth, penned by this author, holds a special place among my all-time favorite books.

However, I find myself in a bit of a quandary when it comes to this particular work. While I still have an unwavering love for Hamilton's language, the first half of the book felt excruciatingly slow to me.

I was rather frustrated with Walter, the main protagonist. He seemed a bit too whiny for my taste.

On a more positive note, I adored the vivid description of the summer home at Lake Margaret and the profound attachment one can have to a family home. This aspect truly resonated with me.

It made me reflect on my own memories and emotions associated with the places that hold a dear place in my heart.

Despite the slow start and my qualms with the main character, the overall beauty of the language and the relatable themes in The Book of Ruth continue to draw me in and make it a book that I will cherish.

I have a deep affection for Jane Hamilton. Her works have always managed to capture my attention and engage my emotions. However, when it comes to the narrators in her books, I have to admit that I'm not as enamored with Walter as I was with Ruth from The Book of Ruth.

In the current narrative, it constantly jumps from the past to the present by chapter. This kind of structure sometimes makes it a bit challenging for me to fully immerse myself in the story. I often find myself longing for a different approach. I wish that Hamilton would have chosen to use the adult Walter and his insights to tell the story retrospectively.

Perhaps with this alternative narrative style, I would have been able to gain a deeper understanding of the characters and their experiences. The adult Walter's perspective might have added a layer of maturity and wisdom to the story, making it even more captivating. But as it stands, while I still appreciate Hamilton's writing, the narrative structure and the choice of narrator have left me with a bit of a longing for something more.

While reading this book, I had a rather peculiar feeling. It was as if the story had been unceremoniously tossed into a blender, whirled around once or twice, and then unceremoniously dumped back out again and glued haphazardly to the cover.

The story itself was, in fact, good and interesting. However, the somewhat erratic jumping around in just a few places was a bit distracting. I have no issues with a book that reveals someone's history in small snippets. In fact, I find that kind of storytelling truly fascinating. It makes me wonder about what happened in the past and how that past connects to the future. But when you introduce a huge flashback or memory into the mix, it alters the way the book is read.

The characters were all crafted with great skill and remained true to themselves. There were certain individuals that you just had an urge to punch in the face, while there were others that you wished you could hug tightly and reassure that everything would be okay. And then there were those people that you never really had a strong opinion about one way or the other. All of these aspects are true to life and speak volumes about the quality of care taken when creating and maintaining the characters involved. Walter's transition from being a gay teen-dancer grappling with the death of his older brother to becoming a gay adult learning to be a teacher in a rural setting is written extremely well, and the relationships he maintained during that time frame are also captivating to observe.

Overall, I read the book mainly out of curiosity about what would unfold in Walter's life, not because I thought the writing was ground-breaking or beautiful or a flawless work of art. There were moments when I simply wanted to rush through and move on to other books, but I just couldn't abandon the characters. High praise must be bestowed upon the author for the good writing in that regard.

Oh my,

It is truly lovely to have had this story to read during the COVID lockdown.

Walter's coming of age is a fascinating journey. At fifteen, he is on the cusp of adolescence, filled with the excitement and confusion that comes with that stage. Simultaneously, as a thirty-something, he has lived through a great deal.

The wild rocking of ballet, his exploration of his gayness, the crushes, sex, and even his experimentation with hash all form part of his complex life.

The dying of his brother Daniel is a significant event that leaves a lasting impact. Susan, who is a constant presence in his life, provides some stability.

Against this backdrop, we have the intervening NYC AIDS years, which bring their own set of challenges and heartaches.

Walter's love for the old extended family place at Lake St Margaret and his relationship with his mentor aunt are also important aspects of his story.

Finally, he regroups as an English teacher in a small town in Wisconsin. Here, he has a complete recalibrating of goals.

He and his mother come to an agreement that maybe he could have love, whether it be in the form of a dog, a man, or the tranquility of the lake.

Overall, Walter's story is one of growth, self-discovery, and the search for love and meaning in a complex and ever-changing world.

One of my favorite books is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.

This novel is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s. It tells the story of a young girl named Scout Finch and her experiences growing up in a racially divided society.

The book explores themes such as prejudice, injustice, and moral growth. Through Scout's eyes, we witness the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. The trial is a powerful and moving portrayal of the deep-seated racism that existed in the South at that time.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is not only a great work of literature, but also a valuable lesson in empathy and understanding. It teaches us to look beyond the surface and see the humanity in everyone, regardless of their race, class, or background. This book has had a profound impact on me and has become one of my all-time favorites.

This piece of writing is so beautifully orchestrated. It is truly an all-time literary favorite.

The words seem to dance on the page, creating a symphony of emotions and ideas.

Each sentence is carefully crafted, flowing seamlessly into the next, drawing the reader in and captivating their attention.

The author's use of language is masterful, painting vivid pictures and evoking powerful feelings.

It is a work that can be read and reread, each time revealing new depths and nuances.

Whether you are a lover of literature or simply someone who appreciates beautiful writing, this piece is sure to leave a lasting impression.

It is a testament to the power of words and the art of storytelling.

This article is truly quirky.

It presents a unique perspective that might initially seem a bit odd, but as you delve deeper, it becomes a strangely pleasant read.

The author's writing style is engaging and full of surprises.

Each paragraph takes you on a new journey, leading you to unexpected conclusions.

The content is not your typical run-of-the-mill fare.

It challenges your preconceived notions and makes you think in ways you never thought possible.

Despite its quirkiness, there is a certain charm to it that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

You find yourself laughing at the absurdities and nodding in agreement at the profound insights.

It's the kind of article that you can't help but share with others, just so they can experience the same strange pleasure.

Overall, it's a refreshing and enjoyable piece of writing that stands out from the crowd.