See, I still do read fiction.

This was a well-expressed portrait of a woman. The author managed to vividly描绘 the character, making her come alive on the pages.

However, I just couldn't identify with why she would leave her baby. It left me with a sense of confusion and perhaps a bit of disappointment.

Nonetheless, I did feel some sympathy for the character, which was probably due to the skill of the author. The way the story was told and the emotions were evoked were quite remarkable.

I was also impressed that a man could write so accurately and convincingly about a woman. It showed that the author had a deep understanding of the female psyche.

It is not a book that I will keep, though. I don't want to add more to my boxes for the next move.

The exact date I read it is uncertain, but the overall impression it left on me still lingers.

All in all, it was an interesting read, but not one that will stay with me for a long time.

I read this many years ago for my book club.

At that time, it left a certain impression on me. Now, for the sake of reference, I thought I should reread it.

Surprisingly, it did not take me long to recall why I was not especially fond of it during the first reading.

As I delved into the story again, I saw Kate as a rather self-centered individual.

She seemed to always put her own interests first and often overlooked the feelings and needs of others.

However, what was somewhat frustrating was that she always managed to come out on top of things.

No matter what challenges or difficulties she faced, she always found a way to turn the situation in her favor.

This made me question whether her success was truly due to her own abilities or if there were other factors at play.

Overall, my second reading of this book did not change my initial perception of Kate, but it did give me more food for thought about her character and the events in the story.

I was supposed to read this book for the book group, but unfortunately, I didn't make it to the meeting.

It's a first-person narrative of a Southern girl who was born in the 1930s. When she was just nine years old, her father committed a tragic act. He killed her mother and then took his own life.

To be completely honest, I can barely remember the details of this book. It's been a while since I read it, and my memory is a bit hazy.

I do recall that it was a very emotional and disturbing story. The girl's life was forever changed by the events that took place that fateful day.

I wish I could have gone to the book group meeting to discuss it with the others. Maybe they would have been able to jog my memory and help me understand the book better.

Nevertheless, it's still a book that made an impact on me, even if I can't remember all the details.

In 2002, I read a particular book. However, at that time, I wasn't on Goodreads, so I didn't write a review.

Nevertheless, I did make some notes, which clearly indicate that I had a great liking for it.

This book was rather strange in nature. It had the power to transport me back to a specific period in my life that it vividly reminded me of.

Surprisingly enough, though, when I try to recall what exactly happened during that time, I can remember only a little.

It's as if the details have become模糊 (vague) over the years.

Yet, the overall impression and the emotions that the book evoked in me still linger.

Even now, whenever I think about that book, it brings back a sense of nostalgia and a hint of mystery.

I often wonder if I were to read it again today, would it have the same effect on me?

Would it once again take me on that journey to a forgotten time in my life?

These are questions that I hope to find the answers to someday.

I truly relished this book. Price is a talented writer who has the remarkable ability to transport the reader to the very place he vividly describes and introduce the reader to his diverse cast of characters.

Initially, I found myself quite fond of Kate. However, as I reached the conclusion of the book, my feelings towards her had completely changed. I repeatedly thought that she would make the right decision, but she never once did so. She transformed from a character that elicited sympathy to a rather unpleasant one.

Nonetheless, I still had a great appreciation for the book. In fact, there were several instances where I couldn't help but laugh out loud. The story had its flaws, but it also had its redeeming qualities that made it an enjoyable read overall.

Despite my annoyance with Kate, the book managed to keep my attention and engage me until the very end. It was a testament to Price's writing skills that he could create such a complex and interesting story, even with a character that I didn't ultimately like.

I would highly recommend this book to others, especially those who enjoy a good story with well-developed characters and a touch of humor.

One of the best novels I've ever read is truly a remarkable piece of work.

I am constantly in awe of how authentic and genuine Price's voice is as a young woman.

The author has managed to capture the essence of a young female's thoughts, emotions, and experiences with such precision and finesse.

It's as if Price is speaking directly to the reader, sharing her joys, sorrows, dreams, and fears.

The way the story unfolds, with its vivid descriptions and engaging plot, keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Every page is filled with anticipation, wondering what will happen next to Price and how she will grow and change.

This novel is not only a great read but also a profound exploration of the human condition, especially that of a young woman in a complex and ever-changing world.

It has left a lasting impression on me and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and thought-provoking novel.

Reynolds Price is my absolute favorite author.

I have read most of his books and poems, and now I am re-reading them, delving deeper into his literary world.

Kate Vaiden, in particular, holds a special place right at the top of my list.

You may find yourself hating Kate or, on the contrary, falling in love with her.

However, one thing is certain: we all have to make choices during our lifetime.

We don't always make the best choices, but that's life.

We learn to live with the consequences of our decisions and find the strength to move on.

Price's works beautifully capture the essence of human nature and the complexity of our choices, making him a truly remarkable writer.

His words have the power to touch our hearts and make us reflect on our own lives.

I will continue to cherish his books and poems, and explore the rich tapestry of emotions and ideas he presents.

Just a couple of random thoughts:

First, I truly wish that I had been residing in North Carolina during the glorious heyday of Reynolds Price. It would have been an absolute privilege to engage in in-depth discussions with him regarding theology and the art of writing. His works are so profound and thought-provoking that I can only imagine the wealth of knowledge and inspiration I could have gained from such interactions.

Secondly, I am certain that Readers' Guides have already been crafted for this remarkable book. There are numerous questions that a group could deeply ponder. For instance, does Lee ever manage to access Kate's story? If so, what would be Lee's reaction to it? Do we envision them reuniting? And if they do, under what specific circumstances? How would they integrate into each other's lives? In many respects, both Lee and Kate have endured the same heart-wrenching issue of child abandonment. What measures can be taken to shatter the cycles of abandonment and neglect? If Price were to pen this book in the present day, in what ways might he have altered the manner in which he portrayed the relationships between Walter and Douglas, Lee and Kate's mother, and Swift? The book is firmly rooted in the South, predominantly in North Carolina during World War II. In what ways does this setting play a crucial role in shaping the characters and driving the plot? How would the book have diverged if set in a different time and place?

I've always had the intention to read something penned by Reynolds Price, and finally, I did. He is an outstanding writer, incredibly proficient in captivating the reader and leading them forward, revealing just the right amount of what's forthcoming to arouse your curiosity - yet not enough to fully satisfy.

I derived great pleasure from the portrayal he crafted of this peculiar teenager in the 1940s. Her psychology constantly struck me as a bit strange. While I was inclined to give the author the benefit of the doubt, I frequently found myself pondering how well he, as a male author, understood young women.

On the other hand, her story is extremely dramatic - without being overly melodramatic as Kate herself isn't. I think - well, perhaps this does make a certain kind of sense, beyond my comprehension and surely far beyond my personal experience. I believe I'll pick up another one of his books to explore further.

Overall, my encounter with this work has been an interesting and thought-provoking one, leaving me eager to see what else Reynolds Price has to offer.

How can readers here view Kate Vaiden as a heroin??? Gawd, it's truly astonishing.

She callously used those who loved her and then callously threw them away. She was an ungrateful, child-abandoning, unfaithful bitch!

Reynolds Price's writing, on the other hand, seems rather strained.

The homespun southern jargon he employs is stretched out beyond the point of endurance. It feels like long, bad Tom Sawyer stuff that just doesn't quite hit the mark.

After reading this, it will be quite a while before I muster up the courage to try another Price novel. I'm left with a sense of disappointment and a reluctance to engage with his work again anytime soon.

It's a real pity, as I had initially hoped for a more engaging and fulfilling literary experience. But alas, this one just didn't deliver.

I would have given it 3.5 stars but unfortunately, I just couldn't quite bring myself to go up to 4. In my personal opinion, Reynolds Price is truly a master when it comes to writing. He has an amazing talent for creating vivid and memorable characters, and Kate Vaiden is no exception. She is a character that I know I won't forget easily. However, despite Price's excellent writing skills, the story itself just never really had that captivating power to pull me in completely. It didn't reach the point where I was eager to get back to it as quickly as possible. There was something lacking in the overall narrative that prevented me from becoming fully immersed in the story. Maybe it was the pacing or the development of certain plot points. Nevertheless, I still appreciate Price's work and the effort he put into creating this story and character.

I constantly find myself thinking about this remarkable book, and it frequently comes up in my conversations.

The characters within its pages were crafted with such astonishing realism. They weren't perfect; they had their flaws, which made them all the more relatable.

Their storylines didn't neatly conclude at the end, leaving many loose ends.

Take Caroline, for example. Despite being regarded as a saint by some, she left Kate alone on the fateful night her parents died.

And then, in all the years that followed, she never once reached out to Kate after abandoning Lee.

While I would have dearly loved to see a big, emotional reunion scene with Kate, Lee, Caroline, and Holt, it somehow felt more in line with the essence of the story that so many things were left unsaid.

This lack of resolution added an extra layer of authenticity and depth to the narrative, making it a truly unforgettable read.