horribly sappy - just the kind of shit Oprah would praise.

A map of her world, her imaginary world kept her going as a child. That same map may have contributed to a tragic event. That, coupled with accusations of sexual abuse lead to a complete change in her map of the world. It’s a sad story, so much raw emotion but worth the time to read. How can people find it in their heart to forgive when a small action or inaction destroys their world.

I was initially put off by some of the negative reviews I had seen about this book, but I ended up really enjoying it because of J. Hamilton’s writing style. I did find the pacing at the end to be a bit slow and prolonged, but I think that’s just because J. Hamilton is a descriptive & detailed writer who likes to show rather than tell. My favorite aspect of this book was J. Hamilton’s ability to describe both the most trivial/minute/mundane moments in engaging detail, while simultaneously exploring grand, overarching themes like grief, memory, and relationships.

I'm not a hater, but I can honestly say I absolutely hated this book when I read it several years ago. Hated it.

The entire point of the book was to chronicle a person's downfall and complete undoing after making possibly the biggest mistake a person could make. Nothing gets better. There are no rays of sunshine. It made me want to throw it against the wall in frustration, and I have never felt that way about a book before. If you enjoy self-flagellation, this is the book for you.

If I could have given more stars I would have. Another reviewer wrote that it was the “voice” that made it and I agree. Several reviewers wrote “depressing and dark”. Well life can be depressing and dark and very real. I cared about every character and some weren’t so lovable. I just wonder what Mary Poppins fiction these people are reading. I would recommend this to anyone who truly appreciates good fiction.

A wonderful read. In depth characters, timely subjects, thought provoking feelings and circumstances.

Dear God, the exercise in bleakness that was "A Map of the World" - what possible point was there in forcing us through the baby-drowning, the molestation accusations, time in jail, and so on? In the words of Dorothy Parker, a book that should be flung away with great force.

A Map of the World examines the aftermath of a tragedy and how it affects the two families involved. Some people have said that it is too bleak of a read. I can certainly understand that perspective, though I found the book to be much more than a catalog of a family's hardships. It is also a story of grace and forgiveness. Hamilton explores how much tiny acts of mercy matter to others and the price of misunderstandings and assumptions.
I can't say if the characters' stories ring true because I have not endured what they did. But, I did find it possible to empathize with each (even when disagreeing with some of the choices that they made.)

The book has three parts. Parts 1 and 3 are told by Alice. Part 2 is through Howard's eyes. I think this was effective in this story because it made the reader consider an alternative perspective on both the events and the other characters. Theresa's perspective is not shown, except through her dialogue with Alice and Howard. Although it would have been interesting to hear Theresa's side of the story, I don't think it would have been necessary.

The writing about love, mercy and forgiveness is beautiful in parts. I meant to write down some of the passages, but did not. Here is just one that struck me:

"Maybe heaven is whatever you want it to be," she said. "For me it's mothering even the bad parts. I'm very clear about that now. For Lizzy it should be just about the whole nine yards except baths...Hang in there Lizzy, I'll still be your mom when I'm eighty. I'll remember everything, absolutely everything about you and when I get there we'll pick up where we left off."

The story takes places against the backdrop of a changing rural area. The details about farm life and the surrounding society added depth to the story. The scenes on the farm and by the pond were full of beauty and melancholy.

Side note: This was written in 1994. I read it in 2012 unaware that it was an Oprah selection. I like Oprah but I am a bit suspicious of the adulation she tends to receive. One prison scene incorporated a little genuflection at the altar of Oprah's wisdom. Although it may be in keeping with the characters and the moment it described, I have grown a bit tired of all the public flattery of Oprah. Though should I ever get a novel going, maybe I should weave in a compliment or two just to cover my bases.

This novel describes the impact on the lives of a young farmer’s family, of a tragic incident (the drowning of their neighbor's girl on their property during a play date). The Goodwins (Alice, Howard and two young daughters) have been regarded with suspicion by their small rural community who always considered them outcomers. Now, the family is overtly ostracized as their neighbors feel that Alice should have been supervising the girls at the time and therefore she is ultimately responsible for the death of the child. The rumor mill starts and accusations spread quickly, when finally a claim of abuse lands Alice in jail.

The book is divided in three parts, two from Alice’s point of view and one from Howard’s.
The psychological effects of the tragedy and the lengthy trial on these characters is very well done, however, I couldn't warm to them. The mood of these two adults is very maudlin, they seem to be completely involved in their own troubles, Howard in the dying dreams of a successful farm and Alice being twisted by guilt.
I wanted to shake them both, as they seem to be sleepwalking through the ordeal, and not act responsibly towards their own family, they show no concern or interest in their own two daughters, who are innocent victims too. Well written novel but a very bleak and depressing read.

Alice and Howard Goodwin own the last dairy farm in Prairie Center, WI, and have two young daughters. On a particularly stressful summer morning, Alice is babysitting for her best friend's daughters who have come to play when one wanders off and falls into their pond and is later declared brain dead. Everyone is terribly devastated but Alice blames herself and falls into a deep depression, barely able to function or care for her family.

In the midst of this, police begin questioning Alice about her job as school nurse, in particular about one very difficult 5-year-old boy who is quite often sick. Alice is ashamed to remember that she once slapped the boy out of frustration at his behavior and in her emotional funk, she runs off yelling "I hurt everyone!"

Taking that as an admission of guilt of sexual abuse, Alice is arrested and a high bail is set, which Howard cannot afford to pay. The community shuns him and the children so he must try to hold everything together on his own.

The pov of the story alternates between Alice and Howard, which is quite effective, letting us understand each one's innermost thoughts and feelings and how they deal with these crises in their lives.

What a powerful and devastating story which illustrates how quickly a good life can fall apart. Highly recommended for those who enjoy books like A Thousand Acres.

#book-vipers-book-hunter-challenge: MAP
#dusty-bookshelf-reads

I read this book when it first came out. Twenty years later, I still love it, but found myself somewhat impatient with the protagonist, Alice. She is meant to sound intellectual and hip, but I found her annoying in the first part of the book. After the initial crisis and meltdown, she is far more stoic and easier to relate to. Still, it is a worthy read.

The experience of reading this book was akin to that one dream where you are trying desperately to run away from some unknown menace but your legs refuse to move. In the dream, the menace just keeps getting closer and closer but no matter how hard you struggle you can do nothing but watch it as it fills your field of vision and you know for certain that your end has finally come. At the instant before being eaten, you wake up full of anxiety and have a haunted, uneasy feeling for the rest of the day. It's like that but, you know, in a well-written book.