Reader's Ink discussion

How would you rate Commencement? Defend your rating.

I had difficulties deciding if I wanted to give it three or four stars, finally deciding on three. I initially thought this book was strong enough on its own to hold, but with additional thought changed my rating. After some more thinking, I'm finding that I am not in the biographic of the characters of this book. I in reality am preparing to go to my 40th High School Reunion one month from today. So I could be these girls mother and even perhaps their kids grandma. In fact, I could be a lot of you ladies Mom and kids grandma too! :-) College was notibly different when I was in it than now. I went to a Religious school (BYU) and absolutely loved it. I probably would not have been a fit at Smith.

I'm so torn about this book. On of the one hand, it made me ache to see my college girls and brought to mind our college years in a wonderful way. For me, eliciting that sort of emotional reaction is a big point in a book's favor. I don't think it's easy to do.

But … absent that emotional connection, I didn't love it. I feel like Ms. Sullivan tried to do too much, and I never quite felt the connection between the protagonists that was supposed to ground the book.

I gave it a 4. Like Lauren, I have the sneaking suspicion that my sheer enjoyment and nostalgia of college life and friends puffed up the rating a bit. Eh, who cares. I liked it. My review is here:
http://sharingtheshelf.blogspot.com/2...