PENGUIN Ordinary People Paperback – Big Book, 28 October 1982

As an author myself, I love a book that is, "Life with the boring taken out." This book is painfully honest, well written, and makes you think about things you don't want to think about. Things perhaps you need to think about. Judith Guest could be easily criticized for her writing stile by the editing Gods. I love that she broke all those rules. Rules that imprison great writer within their own minds. This is one of the best books I've read. The people who gave it a one or two star rating are the ones who needs a shrink, or they are heartless.

I'm a huge fan of the film version, and the book did not disappoint, though it wasn't as good. It was nice to have the backstory of some of the characters fleshed out, though Calvin's history seemed a but contrived and soap opera-like, and I would have liked have to gained a better understanding of what it was in Beth's history to make her such a selfish and emotionally repressed adult.

Perhaps it’s just been a long long time since I read an actual book (usually use kindle) but the quality of the print doesn’t seem the best. £15 is pricey for a paperback but I’m grateful to be able to get my hands on this book as it’s not easy to find. First read it 24 years ago as a teenager after watching the film. And started reading the book again today it is still a great read. These characters are all in their heads, lost and confused. And these are the type of stories I enjoy.

the book is better than the movie which is saying a lot because the movie was spectacular

First picked this book up at an airport bookstall years ago, and then enjoyed it again as a stunning film directed by Robert Redford. thought I'd return to the book and find it has lost nothing with passing time. One of my all-time favourite books.