1 comments about American Empress: The Life and Times of Marjorie Merriweather Post.

1. Superb biography which open the window (and the door) into Marjorie Merriweather Post's fascinating life - - and shows that "money cannot buy everything" ....

5 comments about Mother Teresa: A Complete Authorized Biography.

1. A life such as Mother Teresa's is deserving of an insightful vibrant and skillfully told biography. I found Kathryn Spink's "Mother Teresa: A Complete Authorized Biography" left wanting. It did not live up to the magnitude of Mother Teresa's life of service and giving throughout the world but especially in India's Calcutta in the formation and running of the Sisters of Charity.

   Spink's "Mother Teresa," reads, at times, like a laundry list of events with no coherent effort made to illuminate the person behind the events. The best biographies I have found don't rely so much on the cold hard history to build a story around, but rather insight as to who the person is and how they interacted with the world. I think of skillfully told biographies in which I walked away from the reading of them with insight, motivation, and the feeling that I knew the subject and was engaged in their life. Benson's "John Steinbeck: Writer," and Morris "Theodore Rex," come to mind as examples. Spink's "Mother Teresa," does not do the same.

   I credit the writer for tackling some tough issues in the last two chapters. She addresses criticisms of Mother Teresa and the Sister's of Charity co-workers and does so without sidestepping difficult points of contention. Some social work critics fault the work of Mother Teresa for not wielding her influence to address the root causes of poverty and only tackling the end-product of suffering in a simplistic manner. In addition, Mother Teresa was loyal to the Catholic Church and stood staunch in support of difficult traditional stances espoused by that organization to include pro-life in all cases. Spink's does a good job of pitting Mother Teresa's perspective of service and belief to explain why she did what she did and why she believed as she did. However, this isn't until the last two chapters of the book and this illuminating approach could have been begun on page 1.

   All in all, I would only recommend this book if you are attempting to delve deeply into the life and times of Mother Teresa and have read other books on that subject. If you want a good read and are just scratching the surface finding out what Mother Teresa's life was all about, look elsewhere dear reader.
   --MMW




2. What a great biography about this great Albanian nun.
   In her own words "I am Albanian by birth. Now I am citizen of India. I am also a Catholic nun. In my work, I belong to the whole world. But in my heart, I belong to Christ".



3. This is one of my favorite books about the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. It is very descriptive and detailed. The book also includes many old photographs of Mother Teresa, as well. This is a beautiful book about a beautiful person.



4. Spink has created a serious biography of Mother Teresa, which covers her life fairly comprehensively from birth to death. Mother Teresa's creation of the Missionaries of Charity, and her tireless efforts on behalf of the sick, and the poorest of the poor are well illumined by the book. Refraining from much criticism or praise, Spink also illustrates Mother Teresa's uncompromising stand against abortion, divorce and birth control. The style is a bit wandering and digressing (and as always I wish there were footnotes!), but nonetheless relays essential facts of Mother Teresa's life. The book is accessible, and recommended to anyone seriously trying to appreciate her life, in or outside an undergraduate context.



5. "During her lifetime, Mother Teresa resisted having her biography written in full...in 1991, she gave Kathryn Spink, who had known Mother Teresa and been involved with her mission for thirteen years, to proceed with a full account of her life...It was also understood that the book would be completed only after Mother Teresa's death." This is part of the text from the inside of the front dust jacket of the book.
   
   Few authors received this imprimatur of Mother Teresa. If for no other reason, this reason calls the inquirer of Mother Teresa's "life and views and of the work" (front jacket) to consider the book seriously.
   
   It may amaze some Catholics to know that an authorized biographer of Mother Teresa is not a Catholic. Kathryn Spink is a Christian of sorts but not a Catholic. However, she loves the words and work of Mother Teresa and quotes Mother Teresa's opinion of the Missionaries of Charity as the, "most disorganized organization in the world" (Preface, vi). In that quote, it could be said, Mother Teresa was giving, indirectly, an answer to Christopher Hitchens caustic critique of her. It is hard for unbelievers to understand how disorder in the Church is evidence of the order of God--and yet it is, because God can write with broken pens.
   
   There are no footnotes, no notes at all. However, there are many quotes that are gems in the thought and work of Mother Teresa including her Nobel Peace Prize Lecture (Appendix B). Some quotes are what Christian readers expect, "I said that even if they helped one person, that was all right. Jesus would have died for one person, for one sinner" (p. 87). Others quotes only non-Christians will appreciate, "You call him Ishwar some call him Allah, some simply God, but we all have to acknowledge that it is he who made us for greater things: to love and to be loved" (pp. 155-56). There is a short but adequate Index.
   
   The style is intimate, enjoyable, and flowing from an obvious depth of knowledge of the subject addressed. There are a number of pictures in the center of the book that historically progress through her life as if taken from the family album.
   
   There are a couple of criticisms about the book that need to be addressed. First, it does not confront Mother Teresa's adversaries. There is only an illusion to Mr. Hitchens and not by name (p. 275). Second, there is a lack of comments, interviews, and commentary from colleagues and associates. Third, there is plenty of data about her life but the depth of how each subject is handled sometimes seems a little thin.
   
   In response to the second and third criticisms, authors are painfully aware of this formula, pages plus cost equal higher price plus less audience. Most people do not want to pay a fortune for a book and the numbers of books sold declines as the page number increases. In this instantaneous age, few have the attention span for longer books.
   
   Those interested in Mother Teresa's thought should inquirer into Kathryn Spink's book, The Miracle of Love. It is a shorter work but a fruitful read.

5 comments about The Heart of a Woman.

1. The heart of a woman was not an easy read for me, i just couldn't get into it, it did not grab my attention.



2. I have just finished The Heart of a Woman and I could not put it down once I started it. Angelou lays bare for all of her readers her heart, her life and her truth. What an amazing life she has lived. I read some reviews that criticized her for her honesty in regards to whites during the 60s. It was the 60s, racial barriers where still up strong and bared anyone of color from living the lives they so richly deserved, why should she be criticized for this? Would it be better that she lied and said how wonderful life was for blacks in this country during that time? It wasn't and that is the point that she is making in this book. That is the point that she is making as an African American woman, called to the forefront in the battle of discrimination.
   I had to look on the cover to see when she wrote this book, it was 1981, how sad that in 26yrs we still see white America carrying the flag of superiority! I am truly glad that Angelou is still walking this earth to see that though the gains for civil rights are slow coming they are coming,regardless of what her criticizers are saying. Because if they are criticizing her for telling it like it was, then there is still a long path to journey to get us beyond the need for civil rights.
   If you want to know what the 60's Civil Rights movement & Aparthied in South Africa was about this book will give you an accurate picture of one womans involvement. Two thumbs up for Angelou!



3. Another slice of Maya Angleou's memoir, The Heart of a Woman, brings you through her hardships of raising her son Guy in California and continues during her move to New York City, her stint in the Harlem Writers guild, her intimate involvement in the Civil Rights movement, her marriage to South African Freedom Fighter, Vusumzi Make and subsequent move to Egypt, Ghana and ultimate divorce. A book that will speak to men and women on all levels, The Heart of a Woman is truly a phenomenal read.



4. i was so excited to get this book. it arrived fast and was in good condition. thank you



5. Maya has such an impeccable method of penning and conveying her prose!! This was a wonderful installment in her biographical sequence(s). I recommend this book to ALL (those mature and aged enough to handle the sometimes-explicit subject matter) because it brings so many pieces of American history together in such a uniquely stated manner!

5 comments about Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles.

1. While corporate America was just discovering the big-hairy-audacious-goal (BHAG) , a spunky little nun from Ohio was living it out. Mother Angelica has taken Jesus' instruction to be "as wise as serpents yet gentle as doves" to heart. Do not let the doughy grandmother face and infectious smile fool you into a false reliance on her being a simple gullible little nun. Beneath that soft exterior is God's iron lady. Many have underestimated her determination and her influence and made the mistake of raising her fiery indignation when she perceived an attack on her spiritual spouse. Truly, Mother's temper rises from time to time but also truly she seems to know how to use that reputation to further the cause of Christ. Miracle upon miracle documented in this book and elsewhere would seem to convey the favor of her Lord on all that she attempts in His name.
   
   Mr. Arroyo does a nice job of remaining neutral in the church politics and ego battles that have surrounded the Eternal World Television Network (EWTN) story from the start. He chooses to focus on Mother Angelica's life, her philosophy, her faith, and her amazing accomplishments. At the same time, he gives us a peak into her troubled youth and how those emotional wounds might have played out to shape her incredible life. The story tugs the emotional spectrum, one page leaving you heartbroken and weeping, the next inspiring you to overcome every obstacle through faith. The message that comes through is that God works miracles despite, and sometimes even through, the weaknesses of poor health, bruised egos, and other human frailties. The message is the story of Mother Angelica's life and one of which she would approve. Her life is a reminder that saints are still imperfect human beings and that no refining fire is as intense as our loving Lord's. But, the resulting joy and peace far outweighs the heat of those flames.



2. I wondered what Mother Angelica was like in her spiritual life. On television broadcasts, she always presents herself with common weaknesses and failings, yet communicates plausible remedies to overcome every obstacle. She's as true to form as one might imagine. Raymond Arroyo's writing style is captivating as he shares the life story of this amazing woman of faith. It's inspirational and humorous with so many twists and turns that I've found myself enjoying my second read as much as the first.
   
   Raymond's ability to discover hidden qualities of Mother Angelica, is noteworthy; a masterful writing of a deeply spiritual woman.



3. Thank you, Raymond Arroyo (and all those who helped him), for writing this wonderful biography of the much loved Mother Angelica and narrating the story with such sincerity. I laughed, I cheered, I cried ... Few books cause one to do that. Her story needed to be told to remind us all of the powerful love of God, His will to do miracles for our salvation, and the astonishing things that can happend when we step aside and let Him work through us, weak and miserable as we are.



4. Mother Angelica reminds me of my Mother.
   I've watched her on EWTN for many years. I never realized what she had to go through to get her ministry to the point it is now.
   A real page turned that has inspired me to visit the Abbey in Hanceville, AL this Fall.
   Buy it, borrow it,(but, don't steal it). You will enjoy it.



5. This book describes the story of a seemingly common nun who achieved what no money or famous tycoon could have accomplished. Catholic programming 24/7 throughout the world - radio, TV and website. God works marvels thru his weakest servants!

1 comments about Lost Women of the Bible: The Women We Thought We Knew.

1. The Bible's words in the realm of feminism are not one of strict antagonism; there are positive messages as well. "Lost Women of the Bible: The Women We Thought We Knew" is a look at the iconic women of the Bible and their message to the women of today. A book of solid encouragement for women who still hold their faith dear, "Lost Women of the Bible: The Women We Thought We Knew" is a top pick for both Christian and women's studies community library collections.

2 comments about Claudette Colbert: She Walked in Beauty (Hollywood Legends Series).

1. I must admit that I was apprehensive about purchasing this book after reading Bernard F. Dick's rather routine and dry bio of Rosalind Russell. However I figured the likelhood of any future bios about Ms. Colbert would be unlikely and thought I'd give it a chance.
   
   Unfortunately this book suffers from the same faults as Mr. Dick's other bio - boring, boring, boring. Much too much detail on the plot summaries of Ms. Colbert's movies with very little information or insights into the making of the films and Ms. Colbert's feelings and opinions about the films (or anything else for that matter).
   
   Finally, the chapter discussing Ms. Colbert's sexual orientation - homophobically entitled "The Stigma" is just plain offensive. The author should realize it is 2008 not 1958!



2. I've waited years for a biography of Claudette Colbert and this book was a major let down. There was very little biographical information in this "biography". It would be better called a filmography. Chapter after chapter of detail about her film & stage roles. Details of the plots, her co-stars, her directors but very few details of her life. You have to stay awake until chapter 15 before you get anything that might be considered biographical.
   The book is a bore and a big disappointment.

3 comments about Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer's Life (South Dakota Biography).

1. I can hardly say enough good things about this book. It's exactly the sort of Laura Ingalls Wilder biography I've been wishing for: straightforward non-fiction (footnotes and everything!) with a steady focus on Laura, giving equal weight to both the true details of her life and to her writing.
   
   As an author of children's historical fiction herself, Pamela Smith Hill gives ample insight into the craft of Wilder's writing, drawing attention to a great many elements of the structure and theme of the Little House books that I'd never put together myself. Based on those observations, Hill presents a compelling case that despite being steeped in historical and autobiographical details, Wilder's books are indeed fiction -- a personal history consciously trimmed and molded to fit the form and countours of the novel.
   
   Hill also tackles the fascinating editorial partnership between Laura Ingalls Wilder and daughter Rose Wilder Lane, pointing out with concrete examples how the combination of each woman's natural strengths and gifts contributed to the overall shape and tone of Wilder's novels. Thankfully, Hill manages to keep Rose's dynamic and voilatile personality from overpowering the second half of the book, all the while giving an uncluttered assessment of Rose's role in bringing the Little House stories to print.
   
   I have no complaints about this book. Not a single one.



2. I read this book out loud to my husband as we are both Laura lovers, and we were both fascinated. It was nice to learn the facts about how biographical the little house series is and isn't after years of hearing that it was her true story and then all the complaints that it wasn't.
   
   After reading this book, I feel that I know and understand Laura much better. It turned her from a literary character into a real woman who lived the life of a farm wife. Such facts, like the true story of the long winter, were amazing. I only felt that it sort of left Almanzo out of the picture most of the time while concentrating on Laura and Rose. In my mind, you just can't have Laura without Almanzo, and I would have liked to hear more about him.
   
   Over the years I've read everything I could get my hands on about Laura. I have also visited all the sites in her books as well as Mansfield, MO a number of times. I thought I knew all there was to know, but this book proved me wrong.



3. This really covers the real back story of beloved author Laura Ingalls Wilder. A very interesting read.

5 comments about Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II.

1. An inspiring story of a young missionary woman and her complete surrender to the Lord under unbelievable adversity. God's tenderness and mercies are real in her life and it encourages every believer to move into such intimacy with the Lord. One biography you will not want to put down!



2. What amazing faith in God this young
   woman had. I could only hope to be that brave and strong.



3. Evidence Not Seen is one of those books that make you just go wow! This is a must read for any Christian especially with so much made for TV christianity going around. This book is about the real thing. Darlene shares with us her experiences as she and other missionaries try to survive in a Japanese prison camp. She shares her close personal relationship with God and how He is there in her times of trouble and need. When you finish this book you will know that she serves and Awesome God and so can you!



4. Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose is a beautiful story of a missionary wife who gave her life to God and through her trust witnessed His work in her life and the lives of those around her. She sacrificed her comfort to reach out to others and glorify God, and was blessed for it innumerably. Darlene's courage is challenging, encouraging, and inspiring.



5. This is an amazing book and a brilliant testimony to the faithfulness of God during unimaginable times. My own faith is stronger for reading Darlene Rose's book and I'm thankful for it.

5 comments about Insomniac.

1. I am so glad I found this book. This book is practical, informative, and gives a voice to insomniacs. The research in this book is very thorough, and the personal perspective balances out scientific information with human experience. I have been disappointed and frustrated with the medical community's treatment of insomnia, and it was such a relief to read that I am not the only one. In fact, we learn from this book how this a fundamental barrier to effectively researching and treating insomnia.
   
   As an insomniac, this book has helped me tremendously. I recommend it for anyone suffering from insomnia, as well as anyone who knows someone with insomnia, or anyone interested in the fascinating subject of sleep.



2. On every page, I kept saying, this is my life. Her information on the whole problem of insomnia and the sleep medicine industry was eye opening and right on target. so much useful information. And it reads like a novel! Fantastic book that should be read by all MDs in the field, as well as all people who have sleep problems. and all politicians as well.



3. This is a 300 page , 50 page book. The continous repeating of the same anecdotal comments about an insomniac soon leaves the reader wondering what is being said.
   The call for more research and a list of suggested research topics would have been sufficient and taken only a few pages.
   See Jim Horne's review in Nature, which I thought was overly generous.



4. Professor Greene's book, Insomniac, is a riveting memoir. As I read -- devoured, actually -- page after page, I felt vindicated, infuriated, dismayed, hopeful inspired, encouraged. This is a maelstrom of emotions indeed. The majority of books about insomnia offer the same hackneyed advice: regularize and restrict sleep, reduce or eliminate caffiene consumption, exercise, and ad nauseum. Not Gayle's book, however. As a lifelong insomniac, she has tried virtually every pill, treatment, technique that promises to "cure" insomnia -- all to no avail. In impassioned and somber prose, she guides the reader through a gripping and moving narrative of her lifelong battle with this "beast." She doesn't stop there, however. She shares the stories of other insomniacs --
   insomniacs less fortunate than she.
   
   Gayle is a tenured professor at a private liberal arts college. She has job security unlike the majority of insomniacs. Doctors and behavioral therapists exhort us to regularize and restrict our sleep and avoid so-called "sleep-incompatible" behaviors, but how, as Gayle asks, do you tell a single mother with children to feed, and struggling to make ends meet, to set aside time for what we insomniacs call "the program?"
   
   When Gayle set out to write this book and search for answers, she was disconcerted to discover that insomnia is a poorly understood and often stigmatized affliction. Even today, insomnia is widely considered a psychological, not a neurobiological, disorder. If only WE reduce the stress in our lives; if only WE restrict and regularize our sleep; if only WE exercise more; if only WE don't obsess about our sleep (or lack thereof); "If only WE... If only WE...." WE are to blame.
   
   As Gayle poignantly points out, however, narcoleptics were often blamed for their affliction. If only THEY had more will power; if only THEY weren't so indolent; if only THEY were more disciplined; "If only THEY... if only THEY...." But as it turned out, THEY weren't doing anything wrong. Similarly, WE may not be doing anything wrong. Why is this so difficult to see? And why is the medical and scientific world oblivious to this?
   
   An unfortunate penchant for parsimonious explanations permeates our world. The simplest of explanations is usually correct, we are told. Indeed, it is easier to believe that our broken sleep is the consequence of a psyche in distress rather than defect in our brain -- an astoundingly intricate neural forest. Amidst 100 billion neurons and 100 trillion synaptic gaps, where should researchers begin? As Gayle notes, sleep is more complex than we thought. . .
   
   IN THE ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE, parsimony reigns. IN THE ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE, humanity believed the earth was flat, the earth stationary, the universe geocentric. Humanity believed these things because they were easy to accept and it did not collide with our common, OBVIOUS intuitions. It was OBVIOUS that the earth was flat, it was OBVIOUS that the earth didn't move, it was OBVIOUS that the earth was the center of the universe, just as today it is OBVIOUS that insomnia is depression and anxiety. But as someone once said, "OBVIOUS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS WORD IN SCIENCE."
   
   I cannot recommend Gayle's book enough. Insomniacs, psychologists, psychiatrists, and sleep researchers will benefit from reading this book.



5. Finally, a book written by an author who totally understands chronic insomnia! This book is for those of us who have had this problem for years. Thanks Gayle Green!

5 comments about Riding the Bus with My Sister: A True Life Journey.

1. Okay, so maybe not the most original title in the world, but the story sure is. The author decides to spend some quality time with her mildly retarded sister, Beth, (whom she never fully understood). Simons basically takes a very long leave of absence from work and totally immerses herself in Beth's world - which consists mainly of riding the bus system in an unnamed Pennsylvania city. But this is not just a simple journey. She experiences how Beth has carved out a life for herself, the people she has connected with, the joyful outlook she has on life, and realizes that maybe Beth's life is fulfilling in its own way. This is also a journey through her childhood as she
   reflects on her memories, her relationship with her family as well as her sister. By slowing down her fast-paced existence and taking the time to experience a year with her sister, Simons certainly discovers a lot about herself, and comes away with a different, more appreciative view of her life. Hopefully you will too. I know I did.



2. This book isn't for everyone, but anyone who lives with a mildy retarded family member will see this book as an eye-opening and touching memoir of the highs and lows of living and coping and dealing with a person such as Beth, the author's sister, with whom she agrees to ride the city buses with over the course of a year.
   
   The chapters are beautifully interweaved with flashbacks to the author's childhood with Beth, who is 18 months younger than the author. The parents' coping with Beth, and how the rest of the family deals with this headstrong and independent girl without once ever mentioning the words "mild retardation" and yet determined to keep together as a family in the early 1960s bring this book to life for many Babyboomers. Rachel did a lot of research on the subject to write for this book, and inserts statistics at logical moments without ever tiring the reader.
   
   Along with the encounters on the bus are small vignettes of the various and varied drivers who deal with Beth on a daily basis. Bus drivers are profiled coming from all aspects of society. Some like Beth, others do not, and many came forward to talk about Beth and her incessant chats while sitting in the front of crowded buses with strangers all around her. Bus drivers are her friends, are her mentors, are her romantic interests and Beth at times reminds us of our girlish teenage crushes...and she is 39 years old while the story takes place.
   
   Although this book mostly deals with Beth and her daily bus rides around town, the author also talks about her own failings; her recent break-up, her move to a new apartment, and we see how dealing with Beth, and talking with bus drivers, help Rachel find the answers for her own troubles.
   
   This book may not be for everyone. One must have a close experience with a person such as Beth to understand the many detailed and sometimes long-drawn-out episodes of city bus travel to truly appreciate this book. Beth is beautifully portrayed in this book, and with all her flaws and handicaps we can see a bit our ourselves through her daily bus journeys.
   
   Read this book with patience and understanding for the mildy retarded people in our society. We all know and have dealt with our own Cools Beths.



3. I found this book to be very interesting and moving. It has really made a mark on my heart. I have a special needs child who unlike "Cool Beth" is not treated differently by many, yet sees some of the same prejudices. It was nice to read a book that shows how a person can live on their own and have the same things that so called "normal" people can. I appreciated that Beth knew right from wrong and is not afraid to express that to the world around her. We can all learn from that. The annoyance that Rachel gets from Beth is such a tough feeling for a sibling/parent, but a genuine one and written with such truth. This will not be enjoyed by all, but all can learn from it.



4. This is not a book I would have chosen, but I read it for my book club and was pleasantly surprised. When I saw an endorsement from Rosie O'Donnell on the front cover of this book, I was expecting something more sentimental, along the lines of a Lifetime Channel movie, to lie within the pages. Instead, I found a powerful tribute to people on society's fringe and a meaningfully insightful story.
   
   The story centers around a workaholic writer/teacher, Rachel Simon, who runs out of ideas for her newspaper work and decides to spend a year shadowing her mildly mentally retarded sister, Beth. Beth has chucked working and living in a group home for a hedonistic life in her own apartment, filling her days happily riding the city's busses. Simon takes what could be a boring or sappy story and makes something marvelous out of Beth's mundane, repetitive life by her keen observation and analysis of the details of this routine. She does an excellent job of looking at life through Beth's eyes and of showing how the mentally challenged are at times similar to the rest of us and yet at other times vastly different and difficult to comprehend.
   
   Naturally Beth's efforts to live independently in the manner she desires create enormous frustration for her family and even the professionals involved in her "case." How to help someone in Beth's situation is complicated. How much help can family and professionals give versus how much help should they give? How many decisions can she safely, competently make on her own? Simon shows us that there are no easy answers, as she attempts to establish her own place in her sister's life.
   
   The book is beautifully written, hard to put down, and filled with insights and wisdom that would make Irma Bombeck proud. The author was surprised at how much she learned from Beth's limitations and her world, and you will be too.



5. This book is an engaging, fast read. I was especially interested in Rachel Simon's flashbacks. We learn what caused her mental retardation, we see her experiences and Rachel's, we also suffer with the children as mom continues in a downward spiral. All of these flashbacks, distinguished by italic font, are worthy of a book all their own.
   
   Beth Simon is hard to like. She is loud, immature, unhygenic, and self-centered. She is also capable of holding down a job- she just chooses not to. What makes it worse is that she tells her fellow passengers that she doesn't work because she doesn't want to- always reminding them of her disability check. What type of endurance would you need, if you were riding the bus with Beth, heading to your job? Many people can't handle it. And Beth is oblivious to the reasons why people dislike her- she's a capable woman who won't better herself.
   
   In Rachel's relationship with Beth, the story is not sugar-coated. Rachel gets very annoyed with Beth: ' Damn it Beth, shut up! my dark voice erupts. Look at you- same expression, same seat, same stupefying conversation.
   and
   "When I started riding the buses, I remember, I thought of the people who didn't like Beth as insensitive and narrow-minded. Now I find myself more sympathetic to their point of view. Yes, some of them are coarse and offensively vocal. But she is so loud. And she talks all the time. About nothing. I know many of us babble on about nothing, too, but she does it over and over and over- and over and over and over- and it's really eroding the limits of my endurance. Dad used to tell us he came to dread their car rides to work for precisely the same reasons. That was twenty years ago."
   
   However, Rachel's interaction with every bus driver are so profound. She always seems to be learning something from them. And it's always about how they changed their philosophies so they could lead happier lives. Ugh, it was too corny and simplistic for me!
   
   Further, I was uninterested in how Rachel changed in relations to men and other people. I only wanted to see her relationship with Beth. Yes, Rachel Simon gives Beth and the bus rides credit for changing her life- but I really have no desire to know anything else about Rachel Simon in the late 90s (when the story takes place). Tell me more about Beth, including more altercations with drives and passengers, more about her obsessions with the drivers, more about her self-centered domination of every bus ride.
   
   " Beth is ignoring the parade of costumes in the street and gazing adoringly at Cliff- and with a jolt, I know what scares me.
   It's not just the same old crush with a new face, or the same olf song with the same wrong words. It's not just the pattern she doesn't see, or care about, and therefore cannot or will not change.
   It's that Beth seems to need a cataclysmic event for her to change in any way- an event like our mother's complete abdication of her responsibility to protect her own child, Juanita's rejection, or Rodolpho's abandonment. This seems true whether she's being called upon to develop resorucefulness, assertiveness, or just basic self-restraint. I look at her and feel a clutch in my throat. What will it take now?
   Is this all there will ever be to her life? "