Meeting Rozzy Halfway

This was a teffic book that held my attention and compelled me to finish it. I don't understand all of the bad reaction, but it looks like the same people are writing some of the reviews.Sure, it's good that these aren't real people, BUT THIS IS A NOVEL. And it explores some unpleasant subjects, but certainly isn't the harshest thing I've read by any means.You know what, I WOULD like to meet Rozzy, half way or any other place. I'm going to find more books by Caroline Leavitt, and I hope they all have this same edge.

My local library recommended this to me. I was captivated by the stellar writing, the characters and the heartbreaking story. And I was moved by Rozzy's search for love, for acceptance, for cure of her madness, and by her sister Bess's desperate (and not altogether altruistic) attempts to save her. I witnessed a friend of mine, a woman in her thirties, descend into madness, and unfortunately all the details rang heartbreakingly true for me--the appeal madness has for some people because it is so strange and compelling (I remember in yhr 1960's RD Laing thoguht madness was simply heightened awareness. Indeed!), the way family can split apart under the stress, the way doctors sometimes just don't know. I loved the portrait of Boston, too, having grown up there myself in the seventies. All in all, beautiful and breathtaking.

I picked up Meeting Rozzy Halfway at a used bookstore and was hooked by the first paragraph. Because I have a close relationship with my own sister, I loved the story of the two sisters, how it was for them growing up in suburban Boston during the sixties, the way the younger one Bess idolized her more beautiful and brainy sister Rozzy, and especially how, when Rozzy began to go mad, Bess became even more involved in Rozzy's life, often to the detriment of her own. I also enjoyed the portrait of the parents' terrible marriage, which rang true to me of the way people stayed together in the fifties.This book broke my heart, but I want to say, too, that it also made me laugh. The girls' escapades when they were young were wonderful -- the fake phone calls and Halloween tricks were akin to my own youthful pranks. I loved the way as grownups, Bess, Rozzy and Rozzy's boyfriend all hung out together. By the time I reached the shattering conclusion, I, like Bess, felt I would always be haunted by Rozzy--and by this book.Beautiful writing, beautiful book. Lucky me to have found it.

I happened on this book in the library, picked it up and had to keep reading. It was an incredibly moving story of the complex and ever-changing relationship of two sisters over the years. Anyone who has a sister who she loves will be as enthralled by this book as I was. I plan to read many more of Ms. Leavitt's books!

Meeting Rozzy Halfway has been praised for the "wry specificity" of its descriptions, and that is certainly so, but it offers far, far more. It is a moving, affecting book which graphically demonstrates how difficult relationships are -- despite our best intentions. Ms. Leavitt is clearly a writer of enormous gifts; I'm glad I discovered her work and hope to read more!