Hi Sean, I did read it and found your review spot on; I like the idea that it works well for the early reader. I found the book Mary quite different to the movie, although I haven't seen the movie in a very long time (taped this weekend to watch). I also found her amazingly vain, reminded me of my daughter when she was very little - any reflective surface and she was gone.

<div class="idc-message" id="idc-comment-msg-div-302757872"><a class="idc-close" title="Click to Close Message" href="javascript: IDC.ui.close_message(302757872)"><span>Close Message</span> Comment posted. <p class="idc-nomargin"><a class="idc-share-facebook" target="_new" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbookonaut.blogspot.com.au%2F2012%2F02%2Fbook-reviewsea-hearts-by-margo-lanagan.html#IDComment302757872&t=I%20just%20commented%20on%20Adventures%20of%20a%20Bookonaut%3A%20Book%20Review%E2%80%93Sea%20Hearts%20by%20Margo%20Lanagan" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="idc-share-inner"><span>Share on Facebook</span></span> or <a href="javascript: IDC.ui.close_message(302757872)">Close Message Couldn't agree more! I had to read this after researching her writing as she is being celebrated at Adelaide Writers Week which starts ths weekend. I saw her blog about this book and was sucked in immediately. Went to Dymocks and purchased a copy within the week. Such a delicious novel full of magic and humanity. I was so swept away by this book and keep raving to all about it to anyone who will listen. Cheers to you Sean for highlighting Margo in a tweet several weeks ago. :)

Very interesting!
This is something that everyone experiences in any format and blogging your review of book is no different. I always think that individuals will get something totally different out of book from each other. Even though two people love a book, it may be for completely different reasons - there is solidarity in liking the book but it may not extend into the reasons for doing so.
Many books come into our lives at just the right time and really speak to you - I find myself less tolerant of books that may conflict with where I am, or something I have experienced. Timing is also of the essence.
It is easy to be critical of books, very few are perfect, but if you have something concrete to say around why you are critical, then I think that is fine and it may actually offer the author food for thought (if they ever read the reviews :-)). The same works for why you loved a book - it is helpful to analyse our own time and place happenings - perhaps your love is clouded by a recent event or desire.
I blog my reviews for my own sense of fun and my reviews definitely are influenced from where I am in my life. Thanks for an interesting reflection I've waffled enough now.