I really enjoyed reading about Joyce Johnson's childhood family. What a crew! I enjoyed reading about her life with Jim Johnson -- her descriptions of their marriage made his death really poignant. But I wasn't all that fascinated by Peter Pinchbeck. I realize the book is "Missing Men," but he was just too missing for me. I never really understood him. I would have preferred to know more about her career in publishing and the fascinating people I'm sure she met. But that wasn't the point of the book, I guess. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about women's lives.
I enjoyed listening to this on CD, but doubt that I would have completed it in book form. Too slow. Hardly anything happens in the mystery and too much time is given to excessive details about the main character's antique print business. I liked the main character and the atmosphere, but the mystery itself was laughable. It was all wrapped up in a few pages at the end. The killer had good reasons for the deed, but one aspect of the plot which I won't reveal here, was totally unbelievable.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The descriptions of food were mouthwatering. I appreciated the view into the lives of Italian immigrants and their lives in Italy. The family interactions were well described. Each chapter was a gem of an essay. Unlike many memoire writers, this author sustained the high level of writing and self-exploration to the very end. I really admire her ability to dig into her real feelings and to try to understand her parents and grandparents. I plan to look for other books by this author.
