I'm not a fan of Hawthorne's novels (though I've read several), but I love his short stories!

I'm usually not a fan of mystery, and even I was surprised at the twist in the end. Beatrice's mysteriousness is intriguing, and at the end I craved more––a sign of good writing. The writing is heavy, but it fits the story well.

I found it interesting that the garden was described in great detail while other locations weren't––a subtle device, (and they weren't too many other places anyway) but definitely added to the story.

Really cute idea and book. I LOVE the commentary that the 'writer' has to the lawyer, but I'm a sucker for stuff like that. ;) The girl's desire for a glamourous life totally sounds like me at that age--and this whole fiasco sounds like something I would do if I had a sibling and actually lived in a cool place! It makes me really want to go back to the MET now. =)

Twisted and Sad to the very end, but what a beautiful love story! (for some reason, the fact that it was a love story surprised me?)

**SPOILERS**

I felt a deeper connection to this story because I love Chicago.

The way Ms. N. deals with difficult emotions is raw and beautiful and real. It seems to be a great, big book on loss - because in the end, all the characters endure it.

A book about the quirks of a circus will pique my interest.

It was interesting to be presented with pratical the dynamics, and of course, the bigger picture of what could happen. The way the story is told is fabulous: it's never too late, and people are crazy.

Also? AWESOMEST ELEPHANT EVER.