This tale is a modernized, closely observed retelling of George Eliot's Silas Marner: a once-naive young man, devastated by loss and betrayal, spends 15 years as a recluse in a rural society before finding--perhaps--redemption when a lost soul shows up on his doorstep. In Thayer's version (and she doesn't mention George Eliot in her foreword, somewhat to my surprise), it's a neighbor who's the weaver, and the baby is yet-unborn when its mother arrives on a winter's day on the hermit's doorstep. (I read Silas Marner as soon as I'd finished Certain Slant of Light, having recognized the plot and characters from Steve Martin's movie version of Silas Marner, A Simple Twist of Fate). Unlike some other reviewers here, I found the Jehovah's Witnesses in Thayer's retelling--particularly the husband--wholly backwards, stifled, misogynistic, and in all ways despicable, and the girl's decision in Thayer's tale left me feeling depressed, cheated, and disgusted. Thayer makes a vital plot point out of the girl's adamant decision as a J.W. not to allow a blood tranfusion for her child should it be born with a condition requiring such a tranfusion to survive. I found Thayer's resolution of this "plot complication" ethically and dramatically bankrupt. Thayer writes beautifully and evocatively, and I'll read whatever she writes next, but this particular book just wasn't to my taste (which may say more about me than the book, since a dear friend of excellent taste cites this as her favorite book). Happy reading to all...

As a third generation Jehovah's Witness, I was particularly intrigued to see how Ms. Thayer would portray Jehovah's Witnesses through her characters. I believe she has done a marvelous job. Surely, she must have studied the Bible in depth with Jehovah's Witnesses to be able to depict them and their culture so accurately and honestly! By contrasting Witnesses like Oliver Sinclair and his father with Witnesses like Elaine Sinclair and her mother-in-law, Ms. Thayer illustrates the Apostle Paul's differentiation between a "righteous" person and a "good" person at Romans 5:7-"For hardly will anyone die for a righteous [man]; indeed, for the good [man], perhaps someone even dares to die." Ms. Thayer's depiction of Jehovah's Witness elders is, likewise, right on target. By and large, these sincere, righteous men are "unlettered and ordinary." (Acts 4:13) Some of them are even humbled by their own limitations. Beyond the Witness aspect, this is a wonderful story with marvelously developed characters. I heartily recommend this novel!

Peter lives a solitary life along the rural Maine coast; Elaine, eight months pregnant, comes into his life in the midst of a terrible ice storm, seeking a solitude of her own in which to sort out her life. In this beautifully crafted novel, the secrets each carries are revealed early in the plot. It is to see how Peter and Elaine each come to terms with their own secrets that keeps one reading.

Peter has spent the last twenty years living in guilt for the loss of his family to a fire while he was away at a bagpipe championship. Winning the national prize was no comfort for him upon learning that his whole family perished in the blaze, and so, he retreats to his lonely existence at a family cottage, never playing the pipes again.

Elaine crashes into his quiet and well ordered life, refusing to be moved from her spot. She too, has demons with which she must wrestle, but hers are spiritual. Her religion does not allow transfusions, and because of a youthful transgression, she may have a baby with Rh postive blood. Peter, with much trepidation, allows her to settle in to find the answers she needs to her problems. Her baby is born, and their life takes on a new type of ordinariness, cadenced by the daily rhythms of milking, planting, cooking and tending to the flocks. As Peter comes to enjoy her presence, he also comes to realize that his past is passed, and he needs to come to terms with that, too.

This quiet story glows with the depth of the characters and their thoughts, and the reader, through the author's ability to evoke a sense of place, can feel and smell the barns, the rhubarb pie cooking, can hear the quiet night sounds of the cabin and the plantive singing of Elaine or Peter finally playing his pipes again. The story moves along, much like life itself, through normal days, dramatic events, quiet epiphanies and endings that are hopeful, but not Hollywood.

This is the best guide for Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. It reveals weaknesses of all the gym leaders and the Elite Four, and it gives an informational Pokedex with info. on how to catch all the Pokemon. This guide also tells of all the Pokemon located in one area, and all the Pokemon who evlve in strange ways. The only downfall, is that trainers' Pokemon lineup are not revealed and most of the guide shows the girl's adventure, not the boy's. Otherwise, you don't get a better guide than this one. If you get Pokemon Ruby or Sapphire, get this sweet guide also.

Its awsome! It has a full pokedex. all 200 pokemon in the game. Its awesome. I reccomend it to everyone who has Pokemon Ruby and/or Pokemon Sapphire. BUY IT!

I am someone who rarely writes reviews for any items but for this one I'll make an exception. I got the sapphire pokemon game imported and since I knew little about the new pokemon within the game, I needed a really good strategy guide. Comparing with Marcus' guide, Hollinger will not disappoint! It has complete walkthrough with pictures to help you. A complete pokedex with suggestions (Marcus does not have this!) and separate areas for those wanting to go through contests and building pokeblocks. Overall, this guide is brillant - giving help and aid to the beginner and to the experienced pokemon player. You will NOT be disappointed..an absolute must for any pokemon fan! (comes with a cool poster featuring all the new pokemon!)