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Title: Claire Marvel by John Burnham Schwartz, Nicole Hibert ISBN: 2-226-13876-5 Publisher: Albin Michel Pub. Date: 02 June, 2003 Format: Paperback

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Average Customer Rating: 3.61 (18 reviews)

Rating: 4
Summary: Beautifully written and beautifully realized
Comment: Beyond the prose, which artfully meditates between sentimentality and believability, I thought that the book treats unrealized love, well, brilliantly.
Many reviewers have made the point that Claire is a transparent and undefined character (maybe until the final few chapters which are actually pretty illuminating) but I think that's the point. The story is not about the beginning, and eventual demise of a torrid love affair - it is about an attraction that never finds realization. The book seems to be about regret - and the urgency of stepping forward and seizing something that you want before it's too late. Were Claire developed, were their relationship long and drawn out, the author would lose that poignancy (and the mystery) behind those fateful decisions. The story isn't so much about their love, but about a man who will obviously spend the rest of his life wandering what his life could have been. Ultimately, the book is a beautiful study on that path that was never chosen.

Rating: 5
Summary: A MARVEL
Comment: Astonishingly beautiful. Astonishingly wise. A timeless love story written by one of the most talented young novelists today. You must read this book.

Rating: 3
Summary: Pretty good
Comment: I thought this book was worth it for the feelings about young love and lost love. I enjoyed how the love experiences of the different family members brought varying perspectives to the main story line. BUT...the first part, the development of their relationship rang false and the writing was affected. The metaphors felt like lists from work, and the rhythm was very annoying. Also the main character was quite the wimp, and although he was young, the whole tormented young love thang felt like a Herman Hesse novel (I'm over that phase, thank you). The remaining two thirds of the book was good, but I don't recommend it unless you're into being melancholy and love-torn for the duration...