this story reminded me of my family
356149
this story is alot like my sisters (lost my oldest) and she had a child which my parents raised in the same way.
4636135
I was 6 years old in 1963, attending a Catholic shool, eventually the oldest of 5 daughters. The details that the author provided took me back in time. It was a touching story of a family surviving the loss of being like every other family. I recommend this highly.
2568686
What a wonderful story. This made me think of my childhood, and my family's immigration to this country. Although they weren't from Ar-hen-teena, their stories are similar. I could relate to feeling "different" growing up as my immigrant mother shared many of the values that the author's parents exemplified. The times were different, as well.  I enjoyed the way the author described her inner growth, her spiritual journey, and her many travels back and forth that made her who she is today. You can never know all a person carries with them by just looking at them. Luckily you can get some insight into this author's background and memories in this delightful read.
3387996
It was a great read. It really made me reflect on my family story and the story that I need to pass on to my children.
1474442
The story reminds me of the story that went on when I met my husband. But in a different way we aren't amish.
3923197
I loved the family stories and reminiscences of the Voccolas. This book made me laugh, made me cry, made me read aloud to my husband, made me rejoice in my God, made me pray and repent, and it challenged me to live this life I've been given on purpose for His purpose. It has led me to write my own rememberings and family stories. I passed this book on to one of my daughters, who, in turn, will also write her own family memories. And so it shall continue...
726028
We identified with the story, my heritage, my family's story-- a  great read
2207627
The contrast between a loving family and an abusive one is stark. I find myself reflecting on my own life experiences - grateful that I have had a loving family.
3112392
I loved the way the story is told and I enjoyed it very much, especially because I know one of the family members. The book is well written and very descriptive of a family's saga.
3265167
I love this story. I liked how Delia learned she wasn't hated and not abandoned. Her parents had horror stories of their own and Delia was caught in the middle.  It's taught that family is important and love is found there.
3474181
Untwine --- told in past tense --- is narrated by one identical twin who barely survives a tragic car accident that left her sister dead and her in a coma. She reflects and relives the past they shared. Their family, friends, relationships, happiness and struggles. I was never really close to my brother growing up but we were close as children and after middle school he pretty much disowned me up until now that we're adults. So in a sense I can relate to this story as I feel like at some point the brother I was close to died.

I've noticed that children and teen books these days hold a much heavier story than some adult books I've read and I admire the change of pace as the younger folks deal with loss and struggle just as much as adults do. I'm happy knowing books like this exist in their world of fiction, giving them something that tells them that they understand and they are not alone.
1170237
Family drama -- we all have it, right? I often think that my family's trials and tribulations, skeletons and challenges are unique, but the more I talk to people, the more I see that they are not. Reading a novel such as this one makes my family seem practically plain vanilla.

When Grace's mother dies, she tries to put together the funeral based on a note she finds: "Flowers. By the water. Have fun!" Planning a funeral is difficult enough, but when it occurs on the 20th anniversary of the tragic car accident that altered the lives of every member of their family in some way, it makes it even more difficult.

Joy, the oldest, lost her best friend Bonnie in the accident. Her brother Roger served time and is still drowning his sorrows all these years later. His twin sister Tamar seems to almost have lost the ability to feel anything.

The Little siblings meet up on the Maine island to pay their respects and support their mother, Grace. Even though they are all adults, their childhood personalities come out. They bicker some, they cast blame, they nurse resentments, and they all seem to feel misunderstood in some way. They are all dealing with their own issues, which intensifies the emotion. Tamar has brought her eight-year-old twin girls along without her husband, who is the primary caretaker, and she's nervous about the responsibility. Roger is contemplating moving back to the island and helping his parents run the inn, but worries if they even want him to. Joy is taking her only son's recent departure to college hard.

This book felt so real and warm and comfortable, and also somewhat magical, as life on a small island seems to function all the time. There's laughter and fighting, running away and a rescue.  Each of the characters grew, which makes this kind of read satisfying to me.

I enjoy these kinds of books, because as I said, it makes my family and my own baggage seem normal, but also because it reminds me that people can always change.
1054302
This could have been the story of my family. Like Laskin's, some of my family emigrated to US from Pale of Settlement, 2 were Halutzim to Palestine in the Early 30's, many stayed behind to perish in the Shoah.  Laskin weaves his story thoughtfully and clearly; through his skilled writing the lost souls of his family will live on in the minds of those who read this book
3688816
Recommended to me as an opportunity to reflect on a number of family situations, I enjoyed this book a great deal for the way it unflinchingly looks at how each of us acts as both brothers in the story, and how we are called to be like the father in the story to our brothers and sisters.
4583237
This was a great read, it kind of reminded me of Angelas Ashes, but not as dower.  I love the fact that the family worked so hard together and survived the trauma of not having money.  They all were fighters it seemed, and the mothers resolve to make a better life for her family was incredible.
4892870
Once in a while you come across a story that permeates your being as with every emotion and every word exchanged you go on a personal journey with the characters and find yourself transported thousands of miles. This is one of these books from the moment you read the first page till you get to the final paragraph, eyes gritty from the lack of sleep, voice raspy from not having talked for so long. Though this may at first glance seem like another tale of an immigrant family's struggle, it stands out as the author's indepth perception of human nature and the interplay of family drama is one that most of us can relate to. This is a book that made me laugh and made me cry, but at the end it also made me take a closer look at my own family dynamics and ask myself how can I be a better sister/daughter/aunt? If you are trying to decide what book is next on your reading list, look no further, this is it.
1839425
I liked it because the story is so "true to life" and reminded me of the days when my children were little acted the
very same way when I was putting them to bed.

I would certainly recommend it to everyone.