Skylight Confessions


Fiction - Drama
288 Pages
Reviewed on 03/15/2009
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Seventeen-year-old Arlyn Singer was standing on her porch when she made a strange “bargain.” She would marry the first man to come down the street. She also added that she would be faithful as long as he was faithful to her. John Moody was that man. Marry him she did, whether he wanted to or not. Their first-born was Sam, an extremely intelligent child, although a little strange. After constant neglect, Arlyn had an affair with George Snow the window washer. John never suspected anything, not even when Blanca was born. A short time later Arlyn died of breast cancer. Arlyn has had a profound affect on everyone she touched. Years later John still sees her spirit watching him. Sam is a troubled young man, and Blanca is an angry young woman.

Skylight Confessions is possibly the best story Alice Hoffman has ever written. After reading some reviews of this book, I did not expect to like it. However, I became part of the book. I was caught up in the struggles of the family. The characters became real. I disliked John and Cynthia; I worried about Sam and loved Blanca. I grieved for the life Arlyn and John should have had, for the life they should have given their children, and for the love Arlyn shared with George. I celebrated Lisa and Blanca’s visit. I wanted to know more; what happened when Blanca met Will? Ms. Hoffman is a gifted author. This book includes a reader’s guide.

Ellen Meister

Once again, Alice Hoffman manages to create an otherworldly reality that feels completely grounded, with characters so touching and authentic they got right under my skin and stayed there. Other reviewers have done a good job of summarizing the plot, so I'll just say that this book has an unusual structure in that the protagonist changes somewhere in the middle, and it works. This is, more anything, a story that explores the idea of destiny, and asks questions about love along the way. Of course, Hoffman pulls all of this off with language so precise and beautiful my heart melted in my chest.
--Ellen Meister, author of Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA

J. Frink

This book was an excellent example of true Alice Hoffman work. I have read all of her books and love every one of them. She tells a story of people's lives with an otherworldly quality that is mesmerizing. I was immediately enthralled with the characters and the story line. It is a tale of fate, destiny and faith in yourself. Her characters, although very much flawed, are the type of people you root for and want good things for. I would recommend this to anyone who is capable of suspending disbelief and who likes to be drawn into another world for a time.

S. E. Duke

This was my first Hoffman book, and though I thought the first chapter strained credulity...I fell in love with it! Vivid characters; an engaging, well-crafted storyline- Skylight Confessions is a great read that resonates long after the last page.

Susan M. McClellan

I have always loved Alice Hoffman's works. I have read everyone of them and as usual she does not diappoint with Skylight Confessions. It is a book that is told out in a way you can't put it down. She brings the entire history of this family together beautifully. I would and have recommended this book to all my friends and family that love to read as much as I do. Thank You, Susan McCelllan

Stacy Simone

Alice Hoffman is one of my favorite authors so I eagerly await her newest works as they appear. This is one of her best, her writing has matured over time. I particularly enjoyed the family dynamics and the interplay of addiction, self-destruction, and hope in the midst of despair. She portrays real people in pain, yet with creativity tand tenacity that emerges and presses forward. Another winner!

A. Schaller

This book is awesome. I love the way it captivates you, messes with your mind, and stays grounded all at the same time. It is very well written, a little "out there" in some instances, but a very enjoyable read. Sadness is rampant in this novel, but you begin to root for Sam, even though you know he in a never-ending spiral down.

Shea Smith III

Has all the ingredients: masterful writing, interesting characters - a bit extreme, but fascinating - easy to fall in love with; suspense, a complicated story - so complicated you read every word and sometimes go back to reread parts on the chance you have missed something.

Donna K.

Alice Hoffman draws the imperfect family like no other! I am always captivated by her unique style of writing, and with her quirky characters. As a mental health professional, I found the characters in this story to be particularly fascinating. Although quite sad and depressing at times, this story does have a remarkable message of hope as well.

Chelsea Lutz

Alice Hoffman is a wonderful story-teller. She keeps it clean and without unnecessary details that too many authors tend to suffocate their novels with. Though a little too fast pace at one to two scenes, for the most part Hoffman keeps a very gentle pace that goes nicely with her story line. Skylight Confessions is wonderful and filled with laughs and lines that tug pretty hard at your heart. She has a way of spinning a spell binding story with minimal words and keeps it so believable that you think you could walk right outside your door and live the story yourself. If you're looking for a book you'll read cover to cover without putting down, this ones for you.

Wajo

I've read pretty much everything Alice Hoffman has written and while I've liked some of her books better than others, I have always liked her clean simple prose style and her characters. "Skylight Confessions" is no exception. I liked the story and most of the characters. The only thing that really bugged me about this book was the use of referring to Arlyn as both Arlyn and Arlie, sometimes in the same paragraph.

I thought Hoffman should have stuck with one name no matter who was talking about her. It just didn't make much sense to me that she would switch back and forth with the names. That is really my only complaint, and a very minor one at that; I liked everything else about the book. So maybe I'm just overreacting.