Reviews

The Breakdown Lane by Jacquelyn Mitchard

pepper1133's review against another edition

5.0

Yep, Mitchard is amazing. The descriptions of MS are so detailed that reading this really helped me to better understand one of my friend's own struggles with this condition.

gkaltam's review against another edition

3.0

I liked the different point of views of each. Though the way her crush came back was a bit unrealistic.

bookthia's review against another edition

3.0

Sept 28/05. I loved this book. The story itself was average, but the characters were like real people I know. The main character -- Julianne -- was so worthy of empathy and yet so flawed. Parts of her reminded me of me and shook me up a bit (ok, not the skinny dancer parts...). The son -- Gabe -- I haven't felt that way about a character since Houlden Caulfield. I really wanted to reach in and rescue this kid from the pages of his life. The daughter was also very believable and I know so many young girls like that. My only "problem" was with the husband/ex husband who was, in my humble opinion, just a little too easy to hate. I'd have found it more believable if he'd had maybe one redeeming character trait. That being said it was a lovely story... it broke my heart and then put it all together again. Yeah, it had a bit of a 'fairy tale' ending, but sometimes that's ok. For me, this time, it was ok.

yangyvonne's review against another edition

1.0

Julieann and Leon Steiner are having trouble in their marriage. When their third child is born, Leon seems to hit the pinnacle of his "hippie crisis". Within a few years, he leaves in search of fulfillment, with the promise of a return. Then, Julieann is diagnosed with MS and Leo can't be found. the two oldest, Gabe and Caroline, go in search of Leo and find him with a new family (woman, baby and another on the way) at a commune. Leo must come back and deal with his family, but he is not the hero they had hoped for. In the end, Julieann finds her prince in a wealthy doctor and each of the kids find their own identity.

The book has a good style, with alternating "journal" entries of Julieann and Gabe. I like how Leo didn't save the day, but Julieann marrying her old boyfriend doctor was a bit cheesy. Aurora (the youngest) could have been a dog - she never said or did anything. I also felt the the author threw-in all kinds of "extras" (Gabe having a learning disability, Julieann's best friend being a lesbian - who adopts an Asian baby, etc.). I'm not sure of the message here.

agrant614's review against another edition

3.0

At the beginning of this book, I had a hard time following the writing style. But around page 100, I really got into it and cannot put it down! I am sooo hoping for a happy ending (and NO I haven't peeked!) The family dynamics are so infuriating, but so real. Really looking forward to seeing the author at the Women Against MS reception and discussing with the group!

Post-finish:
I liked the book, although it isn't a iterary classic. I was really happy with the realistic ending.

jeanetterenee's review against another edition

3.0

I'm kind of hit-or-miss with Mitchard, but this is one of her better novels.

virginiareads's review

4.0

A book about a family falling apart did not sound promising, but I heard that it was worth a read. And the lead character had MS. I got the audio-book from the library. I thought it was well-written (well-read) as it kept me engaged and listening, and ready for the next disc. There were uncomfortable moments, when I thought she was not very likable. But aren't we all unlikable sometimes? I know I am!

I was able to relate to some things more than others, but that's the way it is with MS. We all find a different path through our illness. I guess that is true for life in general too. Anyone who reads this book will relate to parts of the story. Hopefully not Leo's life though....

kinderny's review against another edition

3.0

A fairy tale of sorts- not reality based, but somewhat engaging. The story is kind of pedestrian- advice columnist struggles with her marriage and troubled teen children, is ultimately abandoned and is diagnosed with MS. Ultimately, she finds happiness with rich doctor and learns to take one day at a time. The saving grace is the characters. The teenage son with learning disabilities is a great character as is the schmuck of an ex-husband and the gay best friend. The humor of the advice columns was a plus. Would have liked a little more humor throughout. Decent read for women that are too old for "chick lit"- but don't want something intellectual. She's no Jennifer Crusie though.

roosmarleen's review

3.0

This is a book I can legitimitely say I would never ever have picked up to read if my mum had not gifted it to me. Recommending books to her is something I love to do and she'd given me some recommendations of her own. But never before did she actually BUY me the book in question, though. This made me read the Breakdown Lane before anything else I want to read this summer.

I am very glad I read this novel, since I identified with so many of its main characters (Julie, Gabe & Caroline) - for personal reasons. Even though my family is not Julie's, there are recognisable similarities within the struggles of each family member. Let's just say some revelations in their development taught me a lot or at least confirmed a lot.

Negative sidenote: I did think it had a rather naïve and romanticised ending, which made me disappointed and pathetically hopeful in equal measure.