What do You think about Blue Diary (2002)?
Alice Hoffman’s books can be kind of depressing, but you almost don’t mind because they’re so beautifully written. The first chapter describes the idyllic perfection of the life Ethan and Jorie Ford lead along with their son Collie. Everything is wonderful, Ethan is a perfect, gorgeous, hardworking man and Jorie is a perfect, gorgeous, lovely wife. Collie is perfect, gorgeous, and happy. They live in a small, Massachusetts town and everybody loves them. Then, everything falls apart. Ethan is accused of a murder committed 15 years prior when he was “a different person.” The family and the townspeople have to decide whether to stand by Ethan or turn their backs on him. Those who love him most may be the ones who feel most betrayed. I found it difficult to believe that the kind of man who would commit the crime that was described could possibly have changed so much as to become who Ethan was at the beginning of the book, which, frankly, is what the other characters are having a hard time believing as well. However, I still don’t buy how that kind of act can hold up for such a long period of time without reversion to past behaviors. Unfortunately, Ethan himself does not play a large part in the book. We are not really privy to how he was able to make these changes. It seems he just woke up one day wanting to be a better man and then he was. This is not a story of redemption, it’s more about forgiveness and whether one can find that in him or herself. Hoffman’s characters feel things deeply and act in a manner that is congruous with their feelings, and that is to be commended, but I still didn’t find it very plausible. It was still lovely to read and pointed out some things about the human condition that can’t help but be true
—Emily
I didn’t hate it but I did skim most of it and couldn’t wait to finish and move on...but at least I finished it. The characters are too perfect or either too perfectly flawed. They are boring and unbelievable more than endearing and sympathetic. The author takes too much time making everything perfect...even the dang strawberries grown by Jorie are the best and sweetest in the world. Give me a break! The story is about Ethan Ford (the most perfect man on earth through the first 30 pages) who is accused of committing a horrific crime 15 years ago. He now has a (perfect) wife and (perfect) son who know nothing about his past. The book is more about what the accusation and arrest do to the people around Ethan more than the crime itself. There is no courtroom drama and very little legal story. This one is about feelings and emotions, how life goes on after horrible tragedies. I did not connect with the characters but I was interested in the story so I kept with it.
—Kendra
Wish I wouldn't have wasted my time. This book is wrong on so many levels...a man does not go from doing evil to becoming Mr. Wonderful Citizen overnight. A woman who truly loves her husband does not abandon him. The child Kat is far too dark for a child of that age, swinging wildly between loving her friend yet having no qualms about ruining his life and manipulating her sister who is older and wiser than her. This story is so far fetched that it irritated me more than it entertained me. The author could have great success writing for Lifetime Movie Network.
—Vivian
