CUSTOMER REVIEWS
from Barnes & Noble
Number of Reviews: 4 Average Rating: FIVE STARS
Cindy Garver, a literature teacher. August 18, 2005, FIVE STARS
As Good as It Gets
I just read these other reviews, and what they all miss is that this novel is a love
story, first and foremost. Certainly Miller writes about sex, hippies, and Viet Nam,
but what is best about the book is how carefully the author traces each small change
in the progress of Amy and Matt's relationship. It shows incredible perception about
the psychology of love. It reminds me of Tolstoy's delineation of the affair between
Anna Karenina and Count Vronsky. Sure, this author is no Tolstoy, but his insight
into the subtleties of love's many changes is as good as it gets.
Also recommended: Anna Karenina
Teddy Haskins, an ex-hippie from Arizona. July 25, 2005, FIVE STARS
Tells It Like It Was
Two people link up to escape, sex turns to love, love turns to freedom. The author
presents the process brilliantly, using sex as a metaphor for relationship and how it
changes, binds and liberates. Yeah, the scenes are great in the book, but they stand
for so much more. That's the way it was back then. However you were doing it, it
projected who you were. "Life Boiling Over" not only shows it like it was, it tells us
what it meant.
Also recommended: Electric Cool Aid Acid Test
Rob Martin, a Viet Nam vet. July 21, 2005, FIVE STARS
Finally, a Normal Viet Nam Vet
Lots of Viet Nam books have been written but this one presents a type of war veteran
that rarely appears-the most common one, the one who came home messed up, yes,
but who tried to carry on with his life the best he could. He didn't protest. He didn't go
crazy. He didn't become a drug addict or a permanent resident of a VA hospital. I like
the way Boyer redeems what he sees to be his sins in Viet Nam and how he grows
from an embittered man into one who finds and embraces true love by following what
is deepest in his heart. This is the best Viet Nam novel I have read, and I've read a
few.
Also recommended: 'Coming Home'
Max Morgan, a writing teacher. July 15, 2005, FIVE STARS
It Took Me Back
'Life Boiling Over' is a fine book. It took me back. I especially like the Woodstock
chapter. Either the author was there, or he did his research. It's true the Grateful
Dead was having trouble with the sound system and that acid called "Orange
Sunshine" was being passed around. But what got me the most was how people just
slipped into the counter-culture like it was a fad and had their lives permanently
changed. I know those years changed my life but I don't know if it was for the better
or not. A mixture of good and bad probably. That seems to be one of the points Jon
Michael Miller makes brilliantly in this book.
Also recommended: I like Miller's books. His 'Jamaica Girl' is a fine piece of writing
also.