Parts were very hard to read, but the story was so well written that I wanted to (needed to) read it all because I was so invested in the story and characters. Recommended reading, but with this caveat: I’m able to compartmentalize pretty well and don’t usually have emotional reactions to fiction. However, there were a few passages about animal mistreatment and cruelty in this story that made me have to put the book down to take some deep breaths and wipe a few tears away before I could continue. Still, it was a very satisfying read.

I read a lot. This book a class unto itself. Beautiful! Highly recommended.

Do not look up the premise of this book before you read it. You want to be surprised. The language is captivating, heartbreaking and hilarious. and the way the story contracts and expands as the author tells it came at me like nothing I’ve ever read. At first the protagonist might seem shallow but she’s an undergrad in the 90s. We all seemed shallow. The story of her life and the lives around her is ocean deep and the relationships she has with the inhabitants of the story as well as herself go deep, then surface as if for breath and barrel down again. So powerful. Hint: look up words, ideas and phrases you don’t know because they often come back like very meaningful lost children.

I read a lot. I’ve been moved by many books. This was more than a book- it was a beautiful experience. Every word sings to you. The characters are realistic and poignant and the way they are written implants themselves into you, you quickly become invested in them. I had sadness that the story had to end at all. Read it. Read it, read it.

This is a book in a class by itself. So beyond the norm of story telling. Heart wrenching yet so rewarding it gives the reader much to ponder. Wow. Just, wow.

This book has a lot to recommend it, but it gets so incredibly dull and drawn out by the final quarter that I simply walked away from the last 50 or so pages -- something I VERY rarely do. If the primary character were the author, I would say this is unbelievably self-serving, but in the case of fiction there is simply no reason for so much droning on. If you're ok with putting an unfinished book down, then by all means start this one. But I guarantee you won't be compelled to finish it.

I finished the book in 2 days. After I was done I wept on and off for hours.

Thought provoking and heart-wrenching, I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. There is so much to take away from it. The book's message is loud and clear, love and respect for all creatures, big and small.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Please do everything you can to avoid reading the back and any spoilers, it truly makes it so much more enjoyable!

Transcendent