The life of a Midwesterner named Walter is explored in this novel, both during his teenage years in the 1970s and as an adult 20 years later.

As a teenager, Walter faced numerous challenges. He struggled to come to terms with his mediocrity as a ballet dancer, which was a significant blow to his dreams. Additionally, he had to deal with his brother's terminal illness, a heartbreaking situation that no one should have to endure.

Furthermore, Walter realized that he was gay, which added another layer of complexity to his already tumultuous life. These struggles, however, ultimately helped shape the introspective man he would become.

The novel is a poignant look at Walter's journey, told in a melancholy tone. While it is well-written, it lacks a certain spirit or grit that would make it truly compelling.

As a result, it fails to leave a lasting impression on the reader. It is a story that may resonate with some, but for others, it may simply be a forgettable tale.

When attempting to explain and put into words my feelings regarding this book, the word "Hmmm" immediately comes to mind.

I have an absolute adoration for the way Hamilton constructs scenery and dialogue. It's truly remarkable how an entire paragraph can, in an instant, transform into written art that compels the reader to earmark the page, just so they can revisit and reminisce about it later.

However, that being said, the story itself doesn't possess a great deal of inherent interest. It takes an excruciatingly long time for the narrative to progress or reach a significant point. And by the conclusion, I'm left with a sense of uncertainty as to whether it actually went anywhere at all.

Perhaps, though, that is precisely the point. Maybe the pointlessness of it all is what Hamilton intended. But who can really know for sure? Certainly not I.

Overall, this book presents a rather complex and somewhat confounding experience.

I read this novel and while I thought some parts were okay, my overall impression was that it was mediocre.

Clearly, the author had something he wanted to convey about family, growing up, change, and what is important. However, the story is a rather unlikely family narrative centered around a summerhouse. In the absence of primogeniture, the summerhouse will be sold and divided as the original family members age and pass away. The bonds that hold the disparate cousins (originally first cousins but increasingly second and third cousins) together don't amount to much.

The narrator, and perhaps the author as well, seem to be trapped in an illusory golden age of the past - before TV, before the internet, before whatever. It's an illusion. I can't help but think that this novel was intended to say something significant, maybe even evoke strong emotions in the readers. But in reality, it's a silly melodrama, more like a soap opera, that has no connection to real life.

In conclusion, my final assessment of this novel is that it's a waste of time.

Heartbreaking, yet filled with compassion, this is a story that delves deep into the themes of loss and hope.

It is truly a beautiful, beautiful book that has touched my heart in ways I never expected.

The author's ability to convey such powerful emotions through words is simply remarkable.

As I read through the pages, I found myself completely immersed in the characters' lives, sharing in their joys and sorrows.

The story takes you on a journey that is both painful and uplifting, leaving you with a sense of hope and renewal.

I am so moved by this book that I am buying it right now.

Oh, man, I can't wait to have it on my shelf and share it with others.

This is a book that will stay with me for a long time, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a touching and inspiring read.

By all accounts, this coming of age story should have deeply resonated with me.

It tells the tale of a gay man who finds himself grappling with multiple aspects of his life. He struggles with his sexuality, constantly questioning and trying to come to terms with who he truly is.

Simultaneously, he faces doubts about his competence as an artist, wondering if he has what it takes to succeed in the highly competitive world of art.

Adding to his turmoil is the loss of his brother to cancer, which forces him to reevaluate his place within his family.

However, despite these potentially powerful themes, the story lacks the emotional intensity and complexity that I have come to expect from the other books by Jane Hamilton that I have read.

It fails to fully draw me in and make me feel the depth of the character's emotions and the weight of his experiences.

Perhaps it is the way the story is told or the lack of development in certain areas that prevents it from reaching its full potential.

Nonetheless, it is still a decent read, but it simply does not measure up to the high standards set by Hamilton's other works.

I've given it a try, but I simply can't seem to continue.

At the conclusion of the first section, I felt a sense of relief as we were about to leap forward to the later life of the character, rather than having to endure hearing about his entire adolescence.

However, at the end of the second section, I discovered that we were going to jump back and forth.

Regrettably, I don't have a strong enough affinity for these characters to listen to that much about them.

The writing style is indeed very pleasant, and if I had entire days to dedicate to reading.... perhaps.

But as it stands, my interest has waned, and I'm finding it difficult to maintain my focus on the story.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to push through and finish the book at this point.

A beautiful coming of age story

This is a tale that unfolds with grace and charm, guiding us through the journey of a young individual's growth and self-discovery.

The protagonist, at the cusp of adolescence, embarks on a path filled with challenges, uncertainties, and moments of pure joy.

As the story progresses, we witness their transformation from a naïve child to a more mature and understanding person.

They face difficulties that test their courage and resilience, but through it all, they learn valuable lessons about life, love, and friendship.

The narrative is rich with vivid descriptions and engaging characters, making it easy for the reader to become fully immersed in the story.

We cheer for the protagonist's successes and empathize with their failures, feeling a deep connection to their experiences.

In the end, this beautiful coming of age story leaves us with a sense of hope and inspiration, reminding us that every journey of growth is unique and precious.

It was an enjoyable read indeed. The story had its moments that were often touching and provided great insights from a character perspective. The characters were well-developed, and their emotions and motives were palpable. However, I couldn't help but feel that more could have been done to strengthen the storyline. There were times when the plot seemed to drag or lacked a bit of excitement. It felt as if there was untapped potential to make the story more engaging and thrilling. Maybe some additional subplots or more intense conflicts could have been added to keep the readers on the edge of their seats. Overall, it was a good read, but with a bit more work on the storyline, it could have been truly outstanding.

This was not my favorite Jane Hamilton novel.

It is the writing style that leads me to make such a statement. The sentences are extremely long and convoluted, making it quite challenging to discern the essence of the writing.

The story revolves around a young man who desires nothing more than to become a danseur, like Balanchine, Tchaikovsky, Baryshnikov, or Nereyev. However, he comes to the realization that his dreams will never materialize. He constantly feels like an outsider and clings to a few friends to give some semblance of meaning to his life.

In addition to this disappointment, he becomes aware that his older brother is seriously ill. His life is presented both before and after his brother's illness.

This book left me feeling rather depressed. The main character, Walter McCloud, seemingly never finds true happiness except at the family's summer home in Lake Margaret, Wisconsin. It is a home that is old and in a state of disrepair, yet it holds all the family's stories and has stood the test of time for generations.

Overall, while the book may have some redeeming qualities, the combination of the difficult writing style and the rather melancholy storyline made it a less than enjoyable read for me.

Hamilton is truly a remarkable writer.

I have a great admiration for the way she skillfully crafts her phrases and the intentional manner in which she writes. However, every single one of her books is incredibly dense and heavy.

All the topics she explores are extremely depressing. This particular book was a bit easier compared to "A Map of the World", but still, I constantly feel as if she makes me do an enormous amount of mental labor.

I have to struggle through each and every page of her books. So far, despite the arduous journey, it has been worth it.

But it is truly a lot of work to persevere and reach the end of her novels.

Nevertheless, I continue to be drawn to her writing, eager to see what new and challenging stories she has to offer.

I find myself in a dilemma, torn between awarding this book two or three stars. It earns only two stars initially because it took an extremely long time for me to truly get to know the main character and develop enough concern for him to be eager to read the remainder of the story.

However, by the conclusion, I had cultivated a certain fondness for him, which is why it could also merit three stars. This also reminded me of why I had liked at least two other books by Jane Hamilton.

I can only envision what it must be like to be a writer. To create characters and entire worlds that exist solely within one's mind. "He said this, she said that and they were here when they said it" - that's the best I could manage. And that, of course, is precisely the reason why I read books written by others.

I firmly believe that I will read more of Jane Hamilton's books in the future. Her writing has a certain charm that, despite the initial slow start in this particular book, manages to draw me in and make me eager to explore more of her literary creations.

A remarkable novel delves into the life of a teenage boy who is grappling with multiple aspects of his identity. He is coming to terms with his sexuality, which is a complex and often confusing journey for him. Simultaneously, he has a deep love for classical music and ballet, finding solace and expression in these art forms. However, his life is not without turmoil. His beloved brother is on the verge of dying, a heart-wrenching situation that adds to his emotional burden. Compounding his difficulties, his best friends are betraying him, leaving him feeling isolated and hurt. Years pass, and he evolves into a family man and a great teacher. But his past still haunts him, and his rich fantasy life and constant introspection weave together to create a truly wonderful and captivating story.