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There are currently 46 reader reviews for Outside Wonderland
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Claire M. (Sarasota, Florida)
Outside Wonderland
A good beach read. I was interested in the repercussions of how children's lives would be affected by the loss of both parents as they became adults but really found nothing except the emotional disconnect of either the writer or the characters. The heavenly device was a bit clumsy although it answered how Dinah didn't fully die after seeing "the light." I suppose I feel as though this were a not very well fleshed out TV or movie script when it could have been an insightful novel.
Susan P. (Boston, MA)
For Those Who Like the Idea of heaven
This is the story of three young adult siblings who were orphaned in childhood. Their individual personalities and life events are engaging enough, but the plot seemed a little soap opera-ish (but who doesn't like a little of that?). The parts where their parents are watching and commenting from heaven seemed saccharine and contrived (even if you like that concept). Not everyone has a fascinating life but -- while I wanted to know what would happen at the end -- it all seemed a little one dimensional. Only one or two brief moments were truly tender.
Judy G. (Carmel, IN)
Mixed Review
I did find this book entertaining. However, the unexpected references to religion seemed out of place; and the "heavenly narration" didn't add to the book, for me at least. The author dealt with real life dilemmas, and handled them well. I would read another book by this author as I think they have potential.
Teresa R. (Evansville, IN)
Entertaining Beach read
I really liked the premise of this book but it just didn't develop as I had hoped. It is wonderful to think that our loved ones are watching us from above but the premise just fell short. It was an easy read- perhaps too easy. The characters were fairly interesting but the book lacked depth.
Barbara B. (Alta Loma, CA)
I REALLY Did Try!!
I really did try to like this book about 3 adult siblings, who were orphaned when they were young. The parents looking down upon them from Heaven just did not connect to the story line for me. it took me a few chapters to remember who James was.
The siblings made so many bad choices & never seemed to be happy with what they had. I tried to find a connection to their experiencing death at young ages, but I really came up short.
Perhaps, this book will be a good beach read.
Gigi K. (Lufkin,, TX)
Family from the here and hereafter
Parents viewing adult children "here" from "there".
A quick read, the author is able to write about behaviors and feelings of adult siblings acting on their emotions who don't seem to believe in deferred gratification or doing the next right thing. It is not a book I'd recommend to a friend but would leave on public transportation for the next rider.
Harriette K. (Weston, FL)
Outside Wonderland
Although the story kept me interested enough through to the end, and there were some very good lines here and there, I found "Outside Wonderland" rather predictable. The device of giving "the departed" a window into the living world is a delicate one, and this time the author lost me. The story of the three sibs who made their ways through life after the devastating deaths of their parents would have been interesting enough. At another time of year, I would call this a good "beach read".
Cam G. (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Outside Wonderland
Outside Wonderland is an imaginative novel about a family who has suffered the loss of each of their parents at different times in their youth, and the difficulties they encountered in their adult lives. Unbeknownst to them, the parents are residing in the "Here" ( or heaven) and are able to watch them from above.
If you are looking for a quick enjoyable read this is the book. It doesn't have a lot of depth, and the characters are rather mundane.
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