This book received a lot of buzz, and I was so excited to read it. However as I began to read I realized that it wasn’t for me. The characters were not likeable and the story plodded along so slowly that it was difficult to get into. The basic premise sounded so interesting, it was just a shame that the characters lives were very interesting. In fact, knowing what they knew, you’d think that they’d strive to live wonderful adventuresome lives. Instead they seem to be on a collision course with disaster. The lives that they’ve managed to achieve were quite depressing, instead of uplifting. And it all seems to stem from a domineering woman who tried desperately to hold on to her children using nothing but guilt. It amazed me that out of 4 children, not one of them seemed to like their own mother - and couldn’t wait to get away from her.