Jane Davis (5)

Poor parenting turns this novel about love into a long drawn out drama (that may do well in the movies). Laura is beautiful and encouraged to depend on her looks to find a good match but never taught confidence in anything else. She is friendly and popular. Sister Faye does well in school but doesn't receive encouragement and actually irritates her mother. She becomes independent, cynical and critical.

Peter had been trained early on to repress his emotions. He learned well. The world knows whom he loves but he plays the gentleman for most of book. When he finally does act on his feelings he causes severe emotional harm. Of course, he realizes his mistake and takes responsibility to reverse the harm, sacrificing his chance to be a parent.

Years later the truth comes out after a tragedy, and the family decides to live together in a 4 apartment home.

While I found the book to be very readable, I still would like to kick Peter and remind myself he's fictional. I would also like to know if all the other people of the world had been kidnapped by aliens. Didn't Peter, Faye, Nana and Andrea have acquaintances, colleagues, friends, lovers, clients etc to befriend, date and talk to? Did they live in a shtetl?

The major shortcoming of this book is that they are all TOO close. Why? And surprise, a neighbor ends up being related.… (mehr)