Hi, everyone. I really wish I were there to discuss this book. We also miss you all, and Joe misses his playmates. He hasn't played with any kids in weeks. As for Tacoma, it's great, but I don't like our neighborhood, and I think I've been really spoiled by Tucson.

But back to the book. The entire time I was reading it, I thought, how bookseller-ish, how Hollywood-ish, yet I couldn't pull myself away from it. I finished late Thursday night (in a tent at the beach), and all day yesterday I thought of nothing else. I felt cheated by the ending. Apparently, her 12-year old son was angry at her about the ending. I can see why. I felt cheated in a similar way when I was reading Atonement. I felt emotionally manipulated. But then, again, I suppose that crazier things happen in life.

The main reason I would really like to discuss the book with you is the character of Sara. I did not like her. I thought she was a bad parent to Jesse and Anna, I thought it would have made so much more sense if she had let Kate go. But then I looked at Joe and asked myself if I could let him go in a similar situation. And I guess I couldn't. 

The funny thing is that I think I've been a better parent these past few days, as I've been reading the book. 

I guess the big dilemma is: would I have a child just for the purpose of trying to heal another one? I don't think so. 

Other thoughts:

- I thought the side story of Campbell and Julia was unnecessary, though I admit I was dying to find out what his ailment was. 

- I should have seen that ending coming, but I totally didn't. Had I paid more attention, I would have noticed that the italics in the introduction didn't match anyone's font, so it had to be Kate saying she didn't kill her sister. I also didn't see it coming that Kate asked Anna to kill her. Did you? I kept wondering why that girl (Anna) is so contradictory, and why her actions didn't make sense. 

- I enjoyed Jesse's character, though I thought it a bit of a stretch that he becomes a cop in the end.

- I really wanted Anna to live. 

- Why is it that no one ever gave up on Kate, yet they let Anna go so fast? How were they sure that they couldn't do anything for her?

- Is it a coincidence that Campbell is in two car accidents in the book? How come no one says whose fault the accident was?

So, anyway, none of my thoughts are very deep. Mostly I am interested in what you all thought about Sara, and about the ending. 

ksenija