Terrible

The word "terrible" holds a great deal of power and significance. It describes something that is extremely bad, causing distress, fear, or horror. A terrible event can leave a lasting impact on those who experience it, whether it is a natural disaster, a tragic accident, or a heinous crime.

Terrible can also be used to describe a person's behavior or character. A terrible person may be cruel,自私, or dishonest, causing harm to others through their actions. Their actions can have a negative impact on the lives of those around them, leading to feelings of anger, resentment, and sadness.

In conclusion, the word "terrible" is a powerful descriptor that should not be used lightly. It represents the worst of what can happen in life and serves as a reminder of the importance of kindness, compassion, and respect for others. By being aware of the potential for terrible things to occur, we can work to prevent them and make the world a better place.

This book was a little slow at the beginning.

However, as I delved deeper into its pages, I ended up completely loving it!

I adored Walter's character. He was so unique and full of charm. His friendship with Susan was truly heartwarming.

The way they portrayed the complex emotions of adolescence was also very impressive. It felt so real and relatable.

Moreover, I have had a similar experience with a summer home. I could really identify with what Walter went through related to it.

Unfortunately, my own family summer house had a far different and sadder ending. It was a place filled with memories that are now bittersweet.

Overall, despite the slow start, this book managed to capture my heart and make me reflect on my own experiences.

I started reading the article, but I had to quit about half way through.

I just couldn't get into it at all.

Especially all the blahblahblah about ballet really turned me off.

It felt like such a chore to keep reading.

I was hoping for something more engaging and interesting, but unfortunately, this article just didn't do it for me.

I think maybe the author could have presented the information in a more captivating way or focused on different aspects that would have been more appealing to a wider audience.

As it was, I found myself constantly losing interest and having to force myself to continue reading.

In the end, I decided it was just not worth my time and gave up.

Maybe someone else with a greater interest in ballet would have enjoyed it more, but for me, it was a real disappointment.

I truly relish the manner in which Jane Hamilton constructs her narratives.

This particular story holds even greater allure as a portion of it is set in Wisconsin, the very place where both she and I reside.

The way she toggles between the childhood and adulthood of the main character and his friends is quite captivating.

It gives the reader a comprehensive view of their lives, showing how their past experiences shape their present selves.

The seamless transitions between the different time periods add depth and complexity to the story.

Hamilton's writing style is engaging and immersive, making it easy for the reader to become fully invested in the lives of the characters.

Overall, I find her work to be a delight to read and I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

As an adolescent, Walter McCloud has a burning desire to be a great dancer. He dreams of dancing the role of the Prince in the Nutcracker. However, he soon discovers the limitations of his talents and realizes that his two best friends, Susan and Mitch, are more gifted.

Adding to his troubles, his older brother, Daniel, is diagnosed with cancer. As if that weren't enough, Daniel falls in love with Susan. Meanwhile, Walter finds himself falling in love with Mitch.

The book beautifully alternates between Walter's adolescent and adult voices, allowing the reader to experience his growth and transformation over time. It explores themes of love, friendship, and the challenges of growing up. Through Walter's story, we see how he copes with his insecurities, deals with the illness of a loved one, and navigates the complex world of relationships.

Overall, it is a captivating and poignant tale that will resonate with readers of all ages.

I'm an enormous fan of Hamilton's. She has an uncanny ability to truly understand and convey the innermost thoughts and emotions of her protagonists.

Walter, the central character, has endured a lifetime of frustration and inauthenticity. Despite his youthful passion for dancing, he is forced to confront the harsh reality that he is a failure in this regard.

Adding to his turmoil is his complex relationship with Mitch, who is bisexual. Mitch can only express his homosexuality in secretive encounters, longing for a meaningful partnership that he struggles to maintain emotionally.

Now, Mitch is on the verge of embarking on a teaching career that seems doomed to failure.

The heart of Mitch's world remains his dysfunctional family, symbolized by the lake house and its impending loss.

Although he is reluctant to admit it, many readers can likely identify with the complex web of emotions that Mitch experiences.

Hamilton's storytelling is both engaging and thought-provoking, drawing readers into the lives of her characters and making them care deeply about their fates.

What a wonderful treat it is to come across such a beautifully written book!

The prose within it is truly wonderful. I took great pleasure in savoring the beautiful phrases and vignettes that were scattered throughout the story.

The book masterfully captures the world of a Midwestern gay teenager whose passion lies in ballet. It then follows his life as he grows into a school teacher in his 30's, still surrounded by many of the same family and friends.

The relationships that the boy, now a man, has with his various family members and friends are more deeply observed and are truly the soul of the book. These relationships are explored with such depth and nuance that they draw the reader in and make them feel as if they are a part of this character's life.

Overall, this is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a well-written story with complex characters and meaningful relationships.

As I am wont to do,

I nearly chucked this one after fewer than 50 pages.

I found it hard to get into at first.

However, I'm glad I persevered.

In the end, it was truly worth it!

The plot of the story follows Walter's life journey,

starting from his pre-adolescence and leading up to his teaching career as an adult.

It flips back and forth by blocks of time,

which adds an interesting layer to the narrative.

Walter comes to realize that his affection for his close friend is more than just that of a boyhood chum.

Moreover, he discovers that he really doesn't have the talent necessary to pursue a ballet career.

I will admit that I found the dialogue a bit stilted at times.

But overall, it was usually believable.

The story is filled with plenty of interesting characters

and real family situations that make it engaging and relatable.

All in all, it was a good read despite the initial struggle to get into it.

The book, at first, was a bit dragging.

The first part made me yawn at times. However, I still persisted.

It was not until I reached the middle part of the story that the narrative started to pound at my consciousness like a hammer.

Wow, Walter's coming-of-age story is poignant and bittersweet. I can truly relate to his losses and gains.

His teenage years were like those of everyone else - full of dreams, disappointments, insecurities, and yes, raging hormones.

His uncultivated relationship with his deceased brother was like a ghost haunting him in the present.

It's much like the relationships we had in the past that went to waste, and we regretted not nurturing them.

The book didn't clearly indicate at the end that Walter will have a life with a happy ending. But it's a good thing that he has finally forgiven himself and decided to move on with life with a positive disposition.

This shows that even though the story may not have a perfect conclusion, the character's growth and acceptance are what truly matter.

This book is an absolute gem. It offers a reading experience that is both quiet and smooth, like a gentle breeze caressing your face. It is truly wonderful, with a charm that is completely unpretentious and almost poetic in nature.

As you turn the pages, you feel as if you are gliding across a frozen pond alone at the break of dawn. The stillness and serenity of the moment are palpable, and you are completely immersed in the beauty of the scene.

The author's writing is so vivid and descriptive that you can almost see the frost on the grass, hear the crunch of your footsteps on the ice, and feel the cold air on your skin. It is a truly immersive experience that will transport you to another world and leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

If you are looking for a book that will take you on a journey of the senses and leave you with a sense of peace and tranquility, then this is the book for you.

This story unfolds across two time periods, 1972 - 73 and 1995 - 96. In 1972 - 73, Walter is a 15-year-old confused teenager. In 1995 - 96, he has become a high school English teacher in a very small town. Each chapter seamlessly transitions between the 70s and the 90s.

Walter is the narrator, sharing his thoughts, ideas, dreams, and fantasies from both his early and later years. At home, he leads a somewhat lonely life. His 18-year-old brother is dying of cancer, and his parents spend 95% of their time with him, at home and in the hospital, leaving Walter to fend for himself and be responsible. Walter resents this unintended rejection and engages in some irresponsible behavior, some of it funny, some destructive, and some sexual.

He has determined that he is homosexual, though he doesn't admit it until much later. His mother is not surprised and accepts his acknowledgment with encouragement. When younger, Walter searches for his place among his beloved ballet classes, school friends, and at home. The older Walter seems to have no trouble teaching English to high school students. However, he is also involved in trying to find a way to buy the decades-old home on Lake Margaret that his family relatives consider their own but can no longer afford the asking price from the main stockholder, who doesn't want more responsibility or taxes.

The final chapter is a beautiful one, with Walter resolving many inner problems, issues of living in a small town, the matter of the house on Lake Margaret, and his relationship with his mother, in particular.

I evidently don’t have the patience for this book right now. It seems that no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to get fully engaged. I've already read more than half of it, but my mind keeps wandering. Maybe it's the writing style that doesn't quite click with me, or perhaps the story isn't developing in a way that holds my interest. Whatever the reason, I find myself losing focus and becoming increasingly frustrated. So, instead of forcing myself to continue, I've decided to walk away. I'll come back to it another time, when I'm in a better frame of mind and more receptive to its contents. For now, there are other things that require my attention and energy.