What do readers think of Outside Wonderland by Lorna Jane Cook? Write your own review.

This was a very moving book that at times filled me with angst and in the end tied things together. I wish there could have been more insight into their youth - there was a gap between their younger selves and then as adults. That may have helped to better understand the who they were and why. None the less the story was moving and had me wondering at times - what would happen to my children if I was not around to help guide them?

I liked this book -- the characters make this book a good read for people who enjoy family drama/psychological fiction.... It was interesting to observe how the children adapt to their lives growing up after the loss of both parents only eight years apart. The children (Dinah, Griffin and Alice) are named after characters is their mother favorite books : Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and The Looking Glass. They have learned to cope in their own way with being orphans...Each has adapted their lives to be as in control as possible: Alice becomes an actress (always on stage), Dinah prefers to remain anonymous and Griffin is insecure in relationships. . As they each try their wings in careers and relationships, they are watched by their parents from "Wonderland". As they try to step out of their normal modus operandi they make mistakes and they each become more sure of who they are and what they want out of life. As their parents watch their ups and downs from heaven their mother says, "Human nature is getting in their way!!"

Reading this book was a roller coaster of emotions. There are always consequences to the choices made, some good, some not. The characters' choices kept the reader hoping for the best, such is life. The references to those in heaven turned into a distraction and the book would have been better served without them. In all, it was a pleasant read and I would definitely read a book from this author again.

Outside Wonderland is the story of 3 siblings, who lose their parents while they're growing up. They've become adults and are struggling with relationships. I didn't see a real connection between their struggle and their loss of parents. I think the author could have spent more time expanding the characters. I enjoyed the book, but wanted to know more about the sisters and brother.
As a second story line, we find the parents watching over them from wherever they've gone after death. I found this annoying. Since it was part of what makes the book unique, it was needed, but I tended to skip these parts after the first few. I didn't feel they added much insight.
The author holds your attention and I look forward to reading more of her work.

At first I thought this would be a cliched story about 3 siblings struggling though adulthood because as children they lost their parents. I was wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I'm not sure what I liked the most about the book, the hopefulness of it, the description of "life" in Here, the love the characters had for one another, or the realness of the story. As a public librarian I will make sure there is a copy on our shelves and will recommend it to patrons.

Having recently lost and old and dear friend to a stroke I was reluctant to start Outside Wonderland, thinking it might be too close to the bone. I was wrong. In a way it has helped me feel the loss a little less due to the writer's deft use of her characters as two of them watch, from their afterlife, as their children grow up, make mistakes and live. I would recommend it to anyone who has asked themselves: what next?

I really liked this book. The premise is endearing, and I for one love the idea that the ones we have loved and lost are watching, cheering us on as we strughgle through life. The siblings are so different but the author accurately depicts the ties that so often bind us. I found myself cheeering them on and did not want thier stories to end. The author uses detail very effectively to give you a true essence of her charactars. I felt like I knew them all well. Highly recommend this for anyone who loves a story about a real family.

First, I want to say that I enjoyed this book, for the most part. It is unusual in that it is written from two perspectives; the three adult siblings who were orphaned as children and their deceased parents who observe them from the afterlife. Unfortunately, there is no delineation between the two, thus causing confusion for a paragraph or two each time the voice switches to the afterlife. I thought the writing itself was excellent. The characters are well drawn and engaging. The afterlife perspective has a poetical quality to it that is also well done. This could be a good choice for a book group because there are several points of contention that might make for an interesting discussion.