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What are readers saying about Jacob Have I Loved?
| Reviews of Jacob Have I Loved - Page 1 of 3 |
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Karen posted a review at 2009-07-23 10:43:34.
(Language: English)
   
Jacob Have I Loved is a charming book containing an unexpected ending with touching characters, and the spice of islander life.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-24 02:17:08.
(Language: English)
I always loved this book - though classified as young adult fiction, it speaks more poignantly to the mature adult, particularly sisters.I met Katherine Paterson several years ago, just after her son died in the 9-11 tragedy. Beautiful person - I now proudly own an autographed copy of this novel.
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Laila posted a review at 2009-12-27 08:43:58.
(Language: English)
I can really relate to this book! You toatlly understand what she's feeling. Little complicated,READ IT! I recomend it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-27 02:59:35.
(Language: English)
If you hate being compared to your siblings, most especially your twin, you will totally relate to this novel's protagonist.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-05-17 02:15:54.
(Language: English)
This was a very well-written book, and it's a good story. But it's a little bit painful to read. The main character is just so miserable the whole time -- it breaks your heart a little bit.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-04-05 09:40:27.
(Language: English)
Very favorite book.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-05-21 06:48:54.
(Language: English)
One of my all time favorite books by one of my all time favorite authors.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-31 02:12:41.
(Language: English)
This book will always be one that I hold close to my heart. This is the first book that I read and was completely taken over by it. I think that I was in the 6th grade and I have read it many times sense.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-06-27 06:48:01.
(Language: English)
horrible
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-31 04:10:46.
(Language: English)
This book is a good book and if you read it make sure to have a box of tissues near. The end is kind of random though. Its good, but random.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-02 07:54:04.
(Language: English)
I\'ve read this a few times and I cry everytime. You might not, its like not normal sad like where somone dies or somone loses a love or something dumb like that, this girl is jealous of her sister and something as simple as that is so well written that you just wanna hug Sara Louise because you feel so so bad for her. The ending is perfect.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-07-06 10:19:07.
(Language: English)
We had to read it for school and I couldn't stand it. It was highly depressing. This book was utterly depressing.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-28 08:54:06.
(Language: English)
Although I read this book a few years ago, it is one of those books that really sticks in our mind...somewhat. It is how a girl with a twin wants to seek her identity and find out who she really is because she is sick and tired of living under her sister's shadow. She who is prettier and smarter and there used to always seem some sort of underlying favourite that seeped out of her. It is a good book for siblings who feel the same, oof living under someone elses shadow all their lives.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-04-04 02:56:28.
(Language: English)
We've all felt it at some point in adolescence: the place we're growing up in is hopelessly small. Then we have to contend with the cold, cold shadow of being around someone who's perfect at everything. The beautiful thing about this book, beyond the natural purity of the writing, is it doesn't cheat -- no major character has to die and no large sum of money has to change hands before things are made right. The epiphanies only come after a hard fight and a lot of perspective. Just like growing up.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-07-02 11:07:20.
(Language: English)
There is just something about this book that sticks with me. Sure its melancholy, but it has a lot of meaning behind it. I think its because I can identify so well with the main character that I've carried this love of the book into adulthood. Sarah Louise is one half of a set of twins growing up on the poor island of Rass. Rass is a place for fisherman and crabbers and Louise's family is no different. She however, is very different from the other girls growing up in this time (late 40's) and spectacularly different from her favored twin sister. She has always felt like she was the lesser love and indeed there is favoritism shown throughout the book by nearly all of the adults between the two. Louise spends her day crabbing with her friend Call and then when he leaves the island, working with her father instead of doing traditional female type work. She wants more from her life, but just isn't sure how to get it. A lot of people would say that Louise isn't a very sympathetic character. That's she's whiney and just kind of annoying and skews things to her perspective. Well of course she would, she's the narrator and the human in all of us wants to tell our story, which is often very biased in favor of us. However, the actions by the other characters leads me to think that she does have something to complain about. Even the grandmother is against her which is very telling with the quote "Jacob have I loved but Esau I have hated." That quote from the bible deals with the same situation that Louise finds herself feeling in regards to her family's love for she and her sister. Sadly this dynamic is reflected in real life as some children are favored over others and given more advantages. It is human instinct to have favorites. And all this means that I find Louise a very believable character and her story really touches me every time I read it. The plot is kind of a growing up type story and starts slow but the time line increases substantially at the end. I actually wish the second part of the book followed the same pacing as the first as I would have liked detail, but alas, it is what it is. It's a children's book and mostly appropriate for children I would say. There is some cursing and a strong religious element to the novel, and Louise has violent thoughts at time. There are also some aspects, due to the time,that could be a little offsetting for a reader, such as the discussion of drowning stray cats. But there is something so touching about this story and so emotional that all these details only help contribute to it. As a somewhat social reject in high school, it definitely reached out to me in that way. This is a wonderful emotional book and one that I'll probably read it several more times in the future. Jacob Have I Loved Copyright 1980 244 pages Review by M. Reynard 2011
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-04-24 12:46:03.
(Language: English)
Good book. Perfect for teenagers.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-09-05 08:11:24.
(Language: English)
I had always looked at this book and thought that it was probably a silly teen romance, but I was really wrong, there is hardly any romance at all. The title actually refers to Romans 9:13. I really, really enjoyed this book. The writing was original and irresistibly funny, the characters were authentic and true to life. It was real life; love and hate and the confusion of an overshadowed twin sister growing up on a secluded island during WWII. A truly enjoyable read.
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Emily posted a review at 2007-09-14 07:47:16.
(Language: English)
Every time I read this I am amazed at its honesty and harshness. The main character is a girl to be pitied, even as she is strong. I've heard people complain that so many characters are villainized, but that is because Louise is viewing (with surprising fairness) them through her own eyes as she learns to rely upon herself for her own happiness. Along the way, things are revealed to her, against her will, that not everyone is sorted into the concrete concepts of good and evil. This is a subtle, beautifully written book about the nuances in our lives and our relationships with other people. But it is also about strength and personal courage to be the person you are meant to be. With combined flavors of psychology, drama, and classic teen angsty, this provides a wondrous delving into a girl who simply wanted to be loved.
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Denise posted a review at 2010-11-11 03:06:00.
(Language: English)
Glad I didn't read this when I was in middle school. I can see how it might have helped me deal with the preferential treatment my little sister got, but there was something amiss.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-25 11:09:47.
(Language: English)
Yuck
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Sheryl posted a review at 2009-10-14 07:48:15.
(Language: English)
This is a heart-breakingly beautiful tale of sibling rivalry from a girl who doesn't fit into her world. A coming of age story at its core, the title refers not to a tale of teenaged love, but a wrenching Bible passage. There is quite a lot of religion in this story, and some mature themes. I picked it up at an elementary school book sale, but I think it might be better suited for a 12 or 13 year old child. It's a fantastic book, well worthy of its Newberry Award honor.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-04-12 07:18:15.
(Language: English)
One of my favorite all time books --try to read it once a year! If you have been a twin, you will appreciate the dynamics in this book. One of my all time favorites.
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Kim posted a review at 2011-07-13 11:15:10.
(Language: English)
YA book loosely based on the biblical story of Jacob (have I loved) and Esau (have I hated)about twin sisters, told from the viewpoint of the "Esau" or hated character. Growing up in 1940's era Chesapeake Bay in the shadow of her much beloved, accomplished and beautiful twin, Sarah Louise has to learn to be strong and resilent. Honestly I kept waiting for her to turn on her sister and kill her. Also, I can see why she turned away from God. Who wants to spend their life being hated by God?
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-08-17 10:17:53.
(Language: English)
I've loved this book ever since I was a little girl. The story is great, kind of heartbreaking but inspiring at the same time.
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| Reviews of Jacob Have I Loved - Page 1 of 3 |
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