Saturday, April 4, 2009

Testimony by Anita Shreve




Genre: Fiction


A sex scandal occurs in a private school involving some of the star basketball players and underage girl. The story is told from the point of view of all involved – the players, the girl as well as different members of their family and school officials. We see how this one event leads to the destruction of several marriages and a tragedy the effects everyone. Each person’s point of view is told in a different chapter, each person presents their own take on the situation and how it effects them.

It’s a story that could have been ripped out of any newspaper headline. The tragic events play out in a way that captivates the readers or, in this case, the listener. I listened to the audio version of this book. My only problem was that I felt there were too many different perspectives and I tended to get a bit confused, although each one was presented by a different voice by a different reader. Sometimes I wondered if I would have preferred reading the print version.

This is my first book by Anita Shreve and I will certainly read more. I found this story to be compelling and intriguing.

For reading challenge: Audio Books Challenge

11 comments:

  1. I read this book a few months ago. I can see how listening to it would be confusing! I thought the book was good.

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  2. I read this one...wonder if the book would have been better for you verses audio.

    I've read several books by this author and love her writing style!

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  3. I read this one - and I even got confused a bit about the multiple characters! I did end up thinking it was very good, though.

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  4. I think when you have a book that is told from several different point of views, it's very hard to listen to the audio version. I definitely think I would have done better with the print version. I have a couple of print books by Shreve and they really look good. She's the type of author I would usually always enjoy.

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  5. I keep meaning to read something by this author because I see her books around so much. This might be a good one to start with!

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  6. I am really looking forward to reading this one. I read another of the author's books a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I am glad you liked this one, Yvonne!

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  7. This book has been on my tbr list since I read the first review about, will be getting to it soon.. I hope :)

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  8. I really want to read this. I shall have to add it to my list.

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  9. Recently put this one on my TBR list (a scrape of paper somewhere) after my mom called me and said it was good so read it!

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  10. I love the different perspectives in this novel. I think we often forget how our decisions can impact others in significant ways.

    I would recommend Sea Glass if you are looking for another Anita Shreve novel to read.

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  11. I read this one a while ago and while it wasn't a favorite of hers for me I still liked it.

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