The Marriage of Opposites: by Alice Hoffman | Summary & Analysis

This was one of the best books I have ever read. Held my attention from the very beginning. I never read books twice, I will read this again. There is so much within this book that it is meant to be read slowly. I had trouble with this because I wanted to know more and see more within the story. Awesome read!

I had ordered this from the library as our island has very few books. It was only on loan for two weeks with no renewal available. It was rather easy to launch into this book. Alice Hoffman is a favorite author of mine. THis book I devoured in a little over a week. I fell in love with the characters and the richness of the descriptions of St. Thomas where this story takes place. I was moved to tears many times reading this story. One of her best by far.

Absolutely loved this book!!!

Alice Hoffman captures the mentality of Caribbean born people very well. Her description of light, color and nature, the wildness and suffering of its people was heartwarmingd real. Always fascinated by authors who can analyse the psyche of a female character at so many levelsd keep her real. While at the same time being historically correct at so many levels.

Loved it, couldn't put it down.

Unpredictably engaging read! Excellent historical fiction about St Thomas, Virgin Islands and the immigration and settlement of the small but powerful Jewish community. The intersection of Africans and Europeans was beautifully and at times powerfully told through the eyes of one woman and her family. If you enjoy historical fiction - read this book! If you enjoy Jewish immigration stories - read this book!. If you enjoy Caribbean historical fiction - read this book!! If you like stories of stro [...]

This novel, the story of the impressionist painter Camille Pissaro and his family, makes me want to get back to my writing. The language is artistic and sensual and the lush descriptions of both Paris and the Caribbean islands where he was born and raised are enchanting word pictures. The characters are strong, interesting and unique. To watch the evolution of this artist--his yearning to create against all odds--is so skillfully drawn. The love story of Camille Pissaro's parents, Rachel and Fre [...]

I love historical fiction, I love the Caribbean and I've enjoyed Alice Hoffman's books, so maybe I expected too much from this one. The first 75% was good, I loved the vivid imagery of St. John's and the insight to the Jewish faith (who knew there was a Jewish community on St. John's in the the 1800's?). However Hoffman managed to go on for a about 100 pages too many. Once all the story lines were wrapped up the book should have stopped, but for some reason it kept going and going and I started [...]

The Marriage of Opposites; I was enchanted by this. I thought I had given it a review on . First I got it on audio after I had just moved to new place, recently widowed, etc. I began to look forward to any trot around town because the minutes I hit the gas pedal, on came The Marriage of Opposites. I reveled in the language. So richly written. My book club is due to review it in a week or so. I find a book periodically and rave about it. This is one of them. It is fantastic.

really enjoyed this book. first thought it was a novel and then realized it was very much based on true lives. I read while on the beach in the caribbean and particularly enjoyed it because it takes place in St Thomas so I cold relate to the all of the descriptive passages of the scenery, flora, sky, ocean, etc.

Four and a half starsI thoroughly enjoyed this book about the parents of the impressionist Camille Pissarro. I'm embarrassed to say I'd never heard of him, although he was a contemporary of Manet, Monet, and Renoir. Camille is actually a very small portion of the book which is set mainly on the island of St. Thomas and also in Paris. I love historical fiction and this book did not disappoint.

Such a vivid novel, mesmerizing in details, colors, and smells. I could feel the character's place, circumstance and most importantly their love and understanding of place in relationships. Compelling enough to want that kind of love between friendships/ parent - child/ and true soul love.

What a strange book. I had a really hard time getting into it. The characters are well developed, neurotic, and more often than not, just mean. Especially the women. Maybe because they were suppressed? Hmm.

It is one of the best books I have ever read! I do not give many books 5 stars. I know it is in my top ten all time favorites. She writes like prose and her research is fantastic! I cannot wait for another of her books! I loved the way she describes envy on page 330!

very good historical fiction, especially relevant with the history of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI!!

i like Alice Hoffman's way of writing. I like Doves Keeper and I like The Marriage of Opposites.

Historical fiction. Lots of discussion of color as some of the characters are artists. I am more conscious of color right now because of this book. I love when something I read does that to me!

Hoffman never fails to amaze me with her sense of place, her characterizations and the magic of her language. This was a definite page turner.

Loved it.

What a pleasure to read. I felt like Alice Hoffman kept becoming me to read on. I enjoyed every page.

Book club enjoyed the read but wanted more of it to be about Pissaro.

had trouble getting thru this. very slow. almost put it down a few times. but several friends recommended, so kept trudging through

morbid and funny