The main characters were annoyingly excessively neurotic; I can't stand to be around even mildly neurotic people, so the beginning and 1st half of the end of the book were like running in deep loose sand, just dreadful, waiting for the drama around trivial matters to end. I only pushed through because I figured the book must be better than this if it won a handful of awards. The "event" in the middle was interesting, the end of the book, the part with the nuns, was hilarious. I just couldn't relate to the main characters, just so very neurotic, just annoying. I very much disliked the main charachters.

A very existential and even absurdist story. I enjoyed it, not as much as "Cat's Cradle," but it was still very good. Kurt Vonnegut is very funny, but this text is more philosophical than funny, in my opinion. Being employed as an engineer, it definitely had me reflecting on the ethics of my own work.

This book, for me, was very rewarding. Simone's emphasis to not accept being labeled, and to not label yourself, or others, because labeling, or accepting a label, limits your potential to be, and the potential of others; this was what hit home for me. There was a lot more rewarding stuff in the book, it is well worth the read. For a book of philosophy, it is actually a very easy read relative to other philosophers that can be quite dry. Simone, for me, is on the same pedestal that I place Rouseau, Camus, and Thoreau; compelling, but not dry, and rewarding to read.

I was forced to read it around 30 years ago when I was in highschool. I couldn't relate to the main character; agreeing to marry an old man, "Roger," I think, to get passage to America. That's just stupid; what a stupid decision. Then the rest of the book is about complaining about Roger. Roger is stupid too. Did he really think a young girl will stay loyal because he paid for her ride? I read it when I was a kid, but I mostly remember being astounded by how stupid and unrelatable the main characters were. A symphony of stupid decisions in a background of dogmatic puritanical society.

I was forced to read this in 9th grade, maybe it was 10th grade, about 30 years ago. I hated this book. I just remember it being ridiculously boring, peoples' interactions just being boring, and very slow paced. But, I was a kid back then, with my attention a bit focused on what teen boys like, such as Star Trek TNG, Quantum Leap, Beavis and Butthead, girls, football, etc. So, my review probably isn't worth much. I was a very different person back then, 30 years ago, so I wouldn't give this review much weight if you are interested in this book. I love the thinking/writing of Michelle Foucault, so I'm surprised I found this book so boring, but I did.

I read this about 35-36 years ago, when I was in 3rd or 4th grade. It was ok, but it was required reading, so.... if it was good, it was tarnished by being required. I though it was OK. All I remember is some dogs named Old Dan and Little Ann, I think, if I remember their names right, I think they were siblings. I think somebody dies, it's in the Ozarks, something like that, and something sad happens, but I don't want to ruin that for future readers.

I read this when I was a kid, maybe 25-30 years ago, but I remember really enjoying reading this; I think I remember her eating welks or something of that nature to survive.

Read this a few years ago, a more fitting title would have been "Mother," as it most revolves around Cheryl reflecting on her relationship with her mother as she happens to be hiking. A bit "meh" for me. Meh.

This book will motivate you to go beyond comfort, to even despise comfort, and to become more... however you personally would define more.

I only read this as it was recommended based on Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian;" but it just doesn't compare to Blood Meridian. Yeah, this book was fun, but it didn't challenge me or leave me wondering about characters, motivations, or philosophies like in Blood Meridian. This book felt like it was spoon feeding me. There was certainly funny moments, endearing relationships, and some very cool clashes with mythological, biblical, and supernatural creatures, which was fun. This book would make for a fun movie, but it wouldn't leave any lingering questions to ponder upon once finishing. It was fun, but simple, too simple for my taste I guess.