Blessings by Anna Quindlen...Book Report

"Blessings" was published in 2002, which was also the year I bought it. I was primary 2 at that time and a bookseller had recommended it to me, claiming that I would definitely enjoy the book. I had been looking for a challenge at that time and begged my parents to buy it for me. However, the book proved to be too difficult for me and I left it on the shelf until recently when I was in search of another unread book. I re-read the summary at the back and decided to attempt it again after six years.

Although the story progresses slowly, the detailed description of the setting and feelings of characters allows us to picture the scenes with ultimate ease. I would strongly reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys imagining about luxurious houses and what goes on inside. How a person should never be judged by her looks and that past records would not mean much as long as one does not repeat his mistake. This book teaches us how our past can affect our future descisions and to what length we can strive in order to help someone just because of what had happened in the past.

Admittedly, I have not read much of the thick book. It would be most unfair for me to decide who I truely think is the most interesting person and what is the most interesting event. However I would gladly say that my current favourite character and event would be Skip Cuddy and the period of time when he found and took care of the baby. During this period of time, Skip had tried all means to support the new born with his meagre salary. I admire his strong sense of responsibility for the new born who was totally unrelated to him. He is also an example of why we should refrain from judging others by their appearance as Skip was never one to look clean or tidy. Skip also has a jail record for breaking the law when he was young. However, his care for the new born shows us that he is not a criminal with an evil heart but is just a misled youth who cares dearly for the people around him.

Blessings is truely a heart-wavering book and I would really recommend everyone to read it with a little patience.