Where She Went shines in part because the subject is so expertly handled in a genre ( the mother-daughter story) that often falls back on stereotypes. Its rare when you find a novel that is true and a pleasure to read. Where She Went, is even a bigger treat -- it spans the lives of two women - a mother and a daughter, but it is never sappy and the story is always original. It unravels the intricacies of their lives and their problems -- seeing each woman as a person even while they are seeing each other in the roles their families have prescribed. The insight and clarity into this family is neither hokey nor predictable. A totally great read. I loved this book and highly recommend it.