I still cannot decide whether I liked this book or not. The writing and characters are odd enough to capture your attention so that you want to learn more. After reading the review of the book, I was prepared for a sentimental journey of two close friends over the span of 20 years. From the beginning I sensed something odd about these two "friends" and their relationship over the years. The novel takes several weird turns picking up similar "interesting" characters along the way. It's the sort of book that you start and want to finish for closure. Consequently, you then find yourself wondering what interested you in the first place. In my case, I "misinterpreted" the book description with my own expectations of what a long term friendship might entail.

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I'm only giving it three stars because it does have an interesting storyline about two women who become friends and through the struggles they have, their friendship endures. However the writing style was hard to follow and often times I found myself asking who's actually talking. Not to mention a lot of left out detail that I felt the writer just abandoned because they didn't want to take the time to work those parts in. I would not recommend this book! ( )

I had high hopes for this book. Yes, the "book-within-a-book" technique is one that I don't usually struggle with. While the story has some great themes running through it - radical politics, anti-semitism, family tensions and a deep examination of friendships - I just could not fathom how this was a best seller/notable book. Thank goodness for reviewers! Having skimmed some reviews, it appears that this book has a divided audience. Probably best appeals to readers who tend to study the structure, style and technique used by the writer while reading. I tend to read for entertainment (or informational purposes when reading non-fiction) so while I appreciate Mattison's thoughtful portrayal of Toby and Deborah's friendship, and I found the 1920's trolley strike and radical politics focus of the Trolley Girl sub-story interesting, this was just a "Meh" read for me. I had some thoughts that maybe the book is not best suited for an "audioread" - it was a bit difficult to notice when the story shifted to to the "Trolley Girl" - but that still doesn't address the fact that Toby has a lot of unappealing qualities about her. I tend to have difficulties appreciating a story when the lead character does not appeal to me.

Overall, this one can be chalked up as being a rather challenging read and probably will not appeal to readers like me who just want to sit back and enjoy a good story. ( )

Because I stopped reading on page 182; not completing book, no rating.

Normally I'm okay reading novels with some 'stream of conciousness' but I found this style to be confusing and distracting in The Book Borrower. How can a book with a name The Book Borrower and (its vintage cover) not be readable to me? I usually feel guilty not completing a book. In this case, at this time in my life I acknowlege that I don't want to just 'get through" a book I want to do one or more of the following: enjoy it, learn from it, identify with the characters, or absorb its richness, goodness and creativity.

The beginning was fine but before long it was not. I kept going thinking it would get better despite feeling a disconnect. And at page 182 I thought: I have hundreds of books on my shelves waiting to be read, thousands more out in the world of libraries and bookstores so why read a book that is not giving me something I want or need. So sad!

The story is set in Boston and begins in the 1970's. Toby and Elizabeth meet at the park while there with their children and form a lifetime friendship. Toby who is an avid reader is given a book by Elizabeth called "Trolley Girl" and hence begins the "bookception" if you will, a book-within-a-book.

"Trolley Girl" is made to believe it's based on a true account of a union activist in the 1920's in Boston. It tells her story of tragic events that changes the lives her she and her family.

I felt the character development in this story was superb. Toby and Elizabeth's friendship spans the decades from when their children are infants until they are grown. Definitely one of the best books I've read about a friendship. It was believable and palpable.

As I began this book I found it difficult to follow due to the unusual dialogue construction. Fighting it at first it was beyond frustrating but once I grew accustomed to this style it became easier to follow. I would recommend this a book to a true reader. Someone who loves reading simply for the sake of reading.

How I acquired this book: Half-price books
Shelf life: Guessing more than 4 years ( )