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A Map of the World: A Novel (Oprah's Book Club)

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Arrives Thursday, Dec 26
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Format: Paperback


Description

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the author of the widely acclaimed The Book of Ruth comes a harrowing, heartbreaking drama about a rural American family and a disastrous event that forever changes their lives."It takes a writer of rare power and discipline to carry off an achievement like A Map of the World. Hamilton proves here that she is one of the best." —NewsweekThe Goodwins, Howard, Alice, and their little girls, Emma and Claire, live on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. Although suspiciously regarded by their neighbors as "that hippie couple" because of their well-educated, urban background, Howard and Alice believe they have found a source of emotional strength in the farm, he tending the barn while Alice works as a nurse in the local elementary school.But their peaceful life is shattered one day when a neighbor's two- year-old daughter drowns in the Goodwins' pond while under Alice's care. Tormented by the accident, Alice descends even further into darkness when she is accused of sexually abusing a student at the elementary school. Soon, Alice is arrested, incarcerated, and as good as convicted in the eyes of a suspicious community. As a child, Alice designed her own map of the world to find her bearings. Now, as an adult, she must find her way again, through a maze of lies, doubt and ill will. A vivid human drama of guilt and betrayal, A Map of the World chronicles the intricate geographies of the human heart and all its mysterious, uncharted terrain. The result is a piercing drama about family bonds and a disappearing rural American life. Read more


Publisher ‏ : ‎ Anchor (December 3, 1999)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0385720106


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 06


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.2 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.12 x 0.83 x 7.98 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #278,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1,949 in Small Town & Rural Fiction (Books) #4,757 in Family Saga Fiction #16,447 in Literary Fiction (Books)


#1,949 in Small Town & Rural Fiction (Books):


#4,757 in Family Saga Fiction:


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • If you loved Book of Ruth, skip this one.
I initially picked up this book because I read Book of Ruth earlier this year and absolutely loved it. In that book, I found Jane Hamilton's writing style to be utter poetry, and I marveled at the characters she'd created, and at how real the setting felt. I cried at the end and would happily read Book of Ruth over again. I was eager to read more by Jane Hamilton, and so I quickly ordered this book, which had apparently been lauded by Oprah several years ago. A Map of the World tries to go for the same folksy midwestern setting as the Book of Ruth, and through its (seemingly endless) descriptions of the landscape, it definitely succeeds on that front. Unfortunately, it lacks the most important quality that Book of Ruth has: characters you actually care about. I hated Alice almost immediately, and eventually grew to hate Howard, as his 'Strong Stoic Unconventional Farmer Man' persona grew tedious with tiresome repetition of just how "calm" he always is and how much he loves their dairy farm. I can tell that we're supposed to find him somehow noble, and against Alice's psychosis he almost seems to be, but we eventually realize that he's just as irresponsible and self-absorbed as Alice herself. The book switches perspectives between Alice and Howard, which I liked at first because Alice's perspective was just so irritating to read, but as it turns out, Howard is even worse. We don't get any reasons for why Howard and Alice do the things they do. There's absolutely no character development. Things just sort of happen to them, and they seem to adjust, all while barely showing any affection for one another, let alone any reasons to stay together other than their two bratty children, who you can't even blame for being bratty because of the way they're being raised: by two parents who can't even be bothered to feed or bathe them half the time. ---- ( spoilers beyond ) ---- So, someone as scatterbrained and neurotic as Alice should never be entrusted with children, sharp objects, or even herself. It's no surprise that Lizzy, their friend Theresa's young daughter, drowns in their pond while Alice was supposed to be supervising her, but unfortunately, it's the only interesting and believable thing that happens in the whole book. After that, we get long passages of introspection from Alice about just how terrible and guilty she feels. Her behavior becomes erratic, and finally she stops behaving at all -- she stays in bed for days, neglecting the house, her children, and her husband. Somewhere in the middle of the book, Alice, a grade-school nurse, is accused of sexually abusing a student. This comes completely out of nowhere and doesn't fit at all with Alice's initial characterization, despite knowing by this point that she didn't like this particular little boy, and had once slapped him in a fit of temper. Alice is imprisoned, with bond set at $100,000. Howard, apparently gone completely to pieces with Alice no longer present, neglects the children and his farmwork. He eventually sells the farm in order to free Alice, but not before falling in love with Theresa. By this point, I wanted Alice to stay in jail and for Howard and Theresa to get together, as he certainly seemed to feel much more for Theresa than he ever had for Alice or their two children. Alas, this is not to be. Alice is released on bond and their little family moves to an apartment. Howard gets a regular job which pays well compared to what he was making as a dairy farmer, but both Howard and Alice are ever-scoffing and scornful of suburban life, believing themselves better than name-brand food and modern appliances. After a long section containing needless descriptions of Alice's trial, she is found innocent. The family moves to Chicago, and ... that's it. The book ends. I don't understand how this book has gotten so many accolades. The lovely writing style that Jane Hamilton displayed in Book of Ruth is all but obliterated here; she's definitely a talented woman, but this book could have used some harsh editing so that we, the reader, don't have to suffer through nearly 400 pages of Alice's self-pity, Howard's apathy, paragraphs filled with descriptions of Wisconsin, and uninteresting trial dialogue. I found the book terribly boring and I finished it just to finish it. Save yourself the time and the $12 and find something else. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2015 by J. Rose
    • A difficult book to read, but rewarding nonetheless
A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton A Map of the World centers around Alice, a woman that seems to march to a different drummer, and apparently does not seem to fit in with regular society. There is nothing really wrong with her, but for some reason, she lacks the social skills that helps others fit in. She is married to a wonderful husband Howard, who is as different from Alice as night is from day. I couldn't understand why anyone would be drawn to Alice, but Howard obviously loved her. The story opens with Alice in a panic, taking care of her two young daughters and her friend Theresa's two girls, while Theresa is out. Alice obviously does not enjoy taking care of the kids. Motherhood does not suit her. What happens next is what sets the tone of the book. The younger of Theresa's two girls, Lizzie, drowns outside in the pond where the girls often played. The reader and the characters in the book wonder, "Whose fault was it?" The town has already made up their mind about Alice, and it is not favorable. However, Theresa stands by her friend, despite the great loss she and her husband Dan have just gone through. This is only the beginning of Alice's troubles. Rumors start to circulate about Alice and her work as a school nurse. What follows is a series of events that threatens to tear Alice's family apart. From reactions I received from friends, and reading the reviews at Amazon, I've noticed that this is probably one of the more difficult books to get through that Oprah chose for her book club. I'm the only person I know that actually enjoyed this book. What kept me reading was Jane Hamilton's beautiful writing style. That alone was worth reading this book. The story is depressing and the main character is not a likeable person at all. Despite this, I do recommend the book, but with a word of caution, that one needs to be patient in order to finish this book. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2002 by Ratmammy
    • Thought Provoking
Much to think about in this story of lives and love and friendships destroyed by a tragedy and events that follow This one will stay with me for a long time which is my definition of an outstanding book
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2022 by Poopsilee
    • Safety's Peril
I was prepared not to like this book as I hadn't cared for the previous one. But I promised someone I would read it and was rewarded. This book deals with hard but everyday issues and I don't mean idea of middle-class sexual abuse. I mean the crippled friendship that maintains its intent, its good will, if not its life. The perhaps permanently hobbled marriage that struggles forward without being able to see where its going. The uttererly rejected potential of an irreparably damaged, but skillfully manipulative child to conceive and execute evil. The impersonal malice of authoritative bureaucracy and righteous community that can destroy lives, dreams and ideals then pat its systemic self on the back for achieving justice. Of significant resonance was the manner in which Alice could stand both inside and outside an experience, cataloging all the while the most bizarre extremes it could reach, always without imagining the closer, more perilous reality. It was intrinsic to her character to note and ridicule absurdities. She was a born outsider who thought she was thereby isolated from the gods, the powers that be. Alice's experiences in jail were the frighteningly small and real. A place where it is imperative to hold some important piece of yourself aloof and untouchable. A place where you become aware of an otherworldness that coexists and after which you forever know that it is not possible to trust in the eventuality of justice, or even its sporadic existence. I have great admiration for anything written so close to the bone. I will try whatever Hamilton's next book is when published. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2000 by A. Hannon
    • Good Story
It was good, complicated and very complete in the end. The characters were very good and the story line was compelling.
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2022 by Kindle Customerpolly

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