Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen (#1, Fiction)

I found this book extremely thought provoking and a bit superficial at the same time.  I've only read one Anna Quindlen book, and that was years ago, so I'm not sure what her regular style is, but I was very taken by the narration.  She switches back and forth between the characters narrating to some greater being who knows the past/present/future narrating.  I really liked it.  I could hear the narrator in my head. It was James Earl Jones. 

It's a sad, but happy story. Finding the right balance for me between not being a total downer ending and not being a too easily wrapped up happily ever after ending is very difficult.  This book veered more towards the happily ever after in my opinion, but there was some serious tragedy along with it.  But somehow the author wasn't able to capture the relationship between Jim and his sister enough for me to have anything but a very minor reaction.

But the thoughts of a dog?  That gets me every time.

3.5 out of 5