[.ca] Paint It Black (ISBN 031601771X)

Warning--Read with Happy Thoughts!:
I loved Ms. Fitch's first book 'White Oleander" and looked forward to an equally compelling read in her new novel. What I found however was a very depressing follow-up that gave little in the way of explanation of one of the major events that occur in the story. I don't want to spoil it for others but unless you are a very optimistic person, skip this one. It left me feeling depressed and frustrated.

Surprised:
I looked forward to this new novel by Janet Fitch, having waited such a long time since White Oleander. This novel is so dark and sad, that it is almost painful to read. At the same time impossible to put down. It does feel as if Fitch is writing from her own life.

Paint It Black:
While this book is dark and sad at times, it is also beautifully written and descriptive and impossible to put down. Janet Fitch takes you in and lays out a wonderfully story that is beautiful, ironic, sad, and inspiring.