Breathing Lessons: Amazon.ca: Books

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Customer Reviews

71 Reviews

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(11)

Average Customer Review

3.3 out of 5 stars (71 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars What?, Jun 26 2004

By	Roberta (Columbia, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breathing Lessons (Paperback)

Did I miss something? I kept waiting for something to happen. I would have stopped reading it but I kept waiting for something to happen. This woman, Maggie, was everything a mother should not be: too permissive, a push over, dim-witted...the list goes on and on. This book is not worth your time.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Completely Credible Characters, Mar 8 2004

By	Sidney Rosenberg "Sidney-r" (Israel) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Breathing Lessons (Paperback)

So many reviewers have gone over the plot, so I shall spare you yet another repetition. Like many, I was annoyed throughout at the level of dysfunction displayed by all the characters and not just Maggie; but this proves a point. Like most reviewers, including those who disliked this book, Anne Tyler thoroughly involves the reader in her story. I enjoyed this book as I have other Anne Tyler's books, basically because I find them "easy reads", stories that hold my attention, make me laugh and keep me turning pages. If I am any judge, then I feel that Breathing Lessons comes through as a deceptively simple story, as Anne Tyler is a master in control of her novel which is technically brilliant, humorous and filled with completely credible characters.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Haunting and Fascinating Book, Dec 12 2003

By	AliBelle (Bowling Green, OH~Go BG!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breathing Lessons (Paperback)

It is interesting to see how people review this book and how some loved it and some hated it. I personally love Anne Tyler and this book is an amazing work.
The book has just the right amount of humor and drama. I felt by the end that I really knew the characters. I read it when I was 15 and reading it three years later I have learned to appreciate it more. I don't feel Maggie was condescending at all, she just desperately wanted to hold onto the past. Ira, although tactless, truly believed the truth would set people free. He was just that kind of person. Maggie had such high expectations for her son and truly believed he could do no wrong, whereas Ira probably saw a person who was living a life free of responsiblity. The book was so intricate with people's lives it seemed so real. I know people just like them. No one had bad intentions, no one was malicious, they just all had faults and I think the moral was that you just love people for who they are.

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Most recent customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
What a disappointing book especially after reading The Accidental Tourist, which I liked. I admired the character Ira for his love and loyalty to Maggie, but both are losers who... Read more

Published on Jul 7 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Soooo special
Ann Tyler specializes in opposites and what attracts them to each other. The bulk of Breathing Lessons takes place during a car ride from Maryland to Pennsylvania that a... Read more

Published on Jun 11 2003 by Peggy Vincent

1.0 out of 5 stars Most annoying book I ever remember reading...
This must be the most annoying book I can ever remember reading. The lead character Maggie just made me feel like slapping her! Read more

Published on Jun 7 2003

1.0 out of 5 stars God Awful
I must say, this book was the worst book I have ever read. Where to begin? Ah yes! It seems only logical to start with Maggie. Read more

Published on April 23 2003 by Eric Fecho