" A gripping psychological thriller...In the winter of 1919, a young mother named Mathilda Neumann drowns beneath the ice of a rural Wisconsin lake. The shock of her death dramatically changes the lives of her daughter, troubled sister, and husband... Told in the voices of several of the main caharacters and skipping back and forth in time, the narrative gradually and tantalizingly reveals the dark family secrets and the unsettling discoveries that lead to the truth of what actually happened the night of the drowning." Francine Prose UsWeekly

On its way to CynthiA

This arrived today as part of a trade from Honey1982. I am looking forward to reading it soon.

Oh what a wonderful book! There wasn't a single thing about it I didn't enjoy... even the difficult or sad/tragic parts were engrossing and fascinating. The characters were so wonderfully unique and yet realistic. Especially Amanda. She was incredible. It was possible to love her and hate her all at once. The best compliment I can give a book is -- it seemed so REAL.

I've set this aside as a bookray (April 1, 2005)

Here is the Distribution List for the BookRay.

loveamystery

bakerwhencan

glade1

cat02886

Neuilly

spiderchic

MmeClinton

This is the end! so far...

Received in the mail today from CynthiaA as part of a book ray. Am looking forward to reading it.

RELEASE NOTES:

This was an excellent book! Amanda seemed to be consumed by guilt, jealousy and hatred much of the time and Ruth could not be anything other than who she was considering Amanda's influence on her. This was quite the tale and well worth the read.

Received today as part of a bookray. Thank you for sending loveamystery!

I started and finished this today, Memorial Day. It was definitely an engrossing read that kept me wondering and wondering, and curious about the characters developing. Overall, a tragic story, and the strong attachments were in a strange way, the uplifting aspects of the book.

I will send off to glade1!

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent off to glade1--- thank you CynthiaA!

Received in the mail today, along with another bookring book. Now to decide what to read next...

Excellent story! I found myself puzzling over it when I wasn't reading it, so it was hard to put it down. I thought it would be fun if we try to answer some of the reading group questions at the end of the book. What do you think? Here's my response to one:

"1. Throughout the story, Amanda seems to be alternately portrayed as either sinister and mentally unbalanced or as a sad woman who is a victim of circumstnaces. What are your feelings about her? Were you mostly sympathetic to her or turned off by her controlling spirit?"

As CynthiaA said, it is possible to love her and hate her at the same time, but mostly I was sympathetic to her. I think she was BOTH mentally unbalanced and a sad woman who is a victim of her circumstances. Obviously, mental illness runs in her family--her mother is portrayed as having depression at least, if not other mental illness. And circumstances have led her to carry a lot of guilt, shame, and worry. I actually think she holds up pretty well considering all she's been through. And I live in a family with a number of "controlling spirits" :), so I don't think her behavior is that unusual. One thing I really liked about this book is that there are really no "bad guys" (except perhaps Clement). Everyone is doing the best they can, as we all do, without knowing if what they are doing will turn out to be right.

Will mail to cat02886 today.

Update 6-16-05: OK, so I've toted this package around with me all week! Finally, actually put it in the mail today.

Received in the mail today. Thank you!! I am currently reading a book now and when I am done I will get to this one.

06/28 Started this book today.

07/07 Done with the book. Will PM next on list.

Received. Have 1 bookring ahead of it.
Thank you

Read and finished this book over the weekend. Really enjoyed it - found it very gripping and intriguing. Thanks for sharing!
Have pm'd MmeClinton for her address.

Sent to MmeClinton today

Have just received this (thanks!!!) from Spiderchic, hooray. I am the last one on the list, but I think after I read it I may give it to Neuilly who didn't have time for it earlier.... and then we'll release it somehow!