What a wonderful read. The author gave a clear idea of what it felt like to grow up as a young woman in the 60s. It was an adventure, full of the heart-break of real events. The book pointed out that although life does not often have happy endings, some moments do. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and even read it twice, something I rarely do.

Only children don't want to reveal--even to other only children--what it's like to be an "only." McNamer sprawls the secrets across the page, threads the feelings through the tale, whispers the solitary questions and unspeakable answers.

The interior lives of McNamer's characters echo against an exterior heavy with foreshadowing. This reader often found herself gasping, pulling the still-open book against her breast, knowing and afraid to venture into the inevitable plot events. Yet, except for a few unconnected thoughts and moments, this is a novel that involves the reader throughout and lingers in memory even years after the covers are finally closed

With her third novel, Deirdre McNamer has written a story that earns her a place among America's best current authors. The voice of Francesca Woodbridge is unique, strong and ultimately true, whether or not you agree with her point of view. Her story is one that touches all of us. Returning from Greece without telling her family, she observes their lives, and her own, with a perspective that gives her new insight. She is able to ultimately make choices that allow her to be congruent and fully present in her own life. Set in her home town of Missoula, Montana, the book is oddly indifferent to place, focusing more on relationships and interior landscapes. As a Montanan I missed the strong sense of landscape that was present in her earlier novels. The title only makes sense in the end when all of the pieces fall together. "My Russian" is a poignant and thoughtful story that deserved the New York Times designation as "Notable Book of 1999". I loved it.

This novel is a collage of flashbacks and vignettes about regrets, disappointment, confusion, sorrow, feeling out of place in your own life. If you are intrigued with character studies and well sketched observations, you may devour this as I did. The reader is drawn in alongside this woman as she ponders what to do next in her life, how she got where she presently is. At times the book made me impatient for a clearly defined plot. But it is this mystery-collage style that builds suspense, the final chapters bringing excellent closure. It is often a dark, sad book but also intensely fascinating. It is rare that I cannot put a book down - I charged through this in just several days. Highly recommended if you like an absorbing psychological puzzle!

This book thrilled me: an engrossing plot and sumptuous writing. The plot, wherein a woman disappears from her smothered life and returns to examine it in secret, is compelling enough, but what gives this novel real heft is the author's startling insights about marriage, loyalty, and friendship. Her writing vibrates with beauty and intelligence. Even the most minor characters - especially the hapless motel clerk - shimmer. This gal's the real deal. Highly recommended!

I've read many of Mildred Walker's books, my favorite being Winter Wheat. This book takes a group of "city slickers" into the Montana wilderness where a terrible forest fire burns. The people are tested by the fire and learn about themselves and about the others whom they thought they knew.