She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

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Anyone else read this book? I liked the first 200 pages or so but found myself getting disappointed as it took some rather predictable turns in the third part and became increasingly melodramatic. There are moments of astonishing realism followed by scenes so unlikely you're instantly snapped back to the realization that you're just reading a book - I hate that. The frustrating thing about it is that it's so uneven - the author does seem to have a lot of potential, though. He's written another book since then, anyone read that?

― Justyn Dillingham, Saturday, 8 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

― Mike Hanle y, Saturday, 15 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I like it a lot Justyn. Have read it 2 or 3 times. The other one, I Know This Much is True, I liked a lot except for the end which seemed trite and hurried.

What do you mean by "uneven?

― Samantha, Monday, 17 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Basically, I thought the first two parts were superb but the third part just dragged on and on and was very trite and predictable compared to what had come before. It almost seemed like two different books. I did like the last scene, though, very apt.

I guess it could just be that my expectations were impossible, since the blurb on the back cover compared it to Salinger, and he's my favorite author. Compared to most contemporary fiction, it's still pretty good.

― Justyn Dillingham, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I see Justyn. I think the scope of the book was ambitious. i wasn't as crazy about the last part since it seemed the character development was stunted and there was a bit of a rush to the end. I think Lamb is a great author but comparisons to Salinger are a bit of stretch.

also the oprah connection probably reduces his cred but that's another thread. . .

― Samantha, Wednesday, 26 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

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