From: checkers65477	Date: August 28th, 2006 11:57 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I felt exactly the same frustrations, and finally decided that the author must have done all of that abruptly for a reason. I couldn't believe that--BAM--all that time passed without Daisy knowing anything. It was so disjointed and left me confused and disoriented. I was very mixed about the ending. After much reflection, I decided that the ending was appropriate.

I came away loving the book even though there were so many things about it that bothered me. For example, that anorexia can be cured by just being truly hungry. It's a book that stays with you for a long time, and what I like best about it is that it could teach young adults (who have no recollection of WW2 or even living relatives to describe it, in most cases,) what the deprivation and terror of war is like for those on the homefront. Perhaps they can feel more sympathy for those in the middle east who live with this every day. I loved Daisy's character, and how she grew from a self-centered immature person to a fighter who was determined to prevail and live.

I think we had a good Readerville discussion about it, if you are interested.

	From: emmaco	Date: August 29th, 2006 09:18 am (UTC)		(Link)

And what about Piper?????

But yeah, I usually enjoy these type of endings so I'm sure it'll grow on me.

I'd forgotten that the anorexia thing annoyed me, but I figured afterwards that perhaps it was the changes in Daisy that ended the anorexia rather than just the food deprivation.

I agree that it's a great depiction of the mix of everyday life with fear and deprivation. I shall check out the readerville discussions!