"This is how I came to be more than a flicker in the world's peripheral vision. How I came to respect and value family. How I moved to a deeper und...
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reviews
Aug 19, 2009
Sara
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I loved this story. It was a little difficult for me to get into at first, I struggled through it. I found myself not into the early remembering passages, I just couldn't feel their power. But when I finally forced myself to push through it - I was so glad I did. This love story is powerful and fragile. I could feel and taste the salt and wind of the gulf. My heart rate accelerated towards the end when I wondered just which scene would be Nicholas's final one and my tears flowed when it came. Bu
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May 02, 2009
Jacki
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This is one of those rare books for me where the writing impressed me but the story let me down. I loved the descriptions of people, events, and feelings, but the actual plot was kind of dry. You knew going into it that Nick dies and the whole book is a lead up to that... but when it comes around, it was pretty anti-climatic.
This isn't to say that the book is unenjoyable though. It was lyrical. The descriptions of her life with Nick were beautiful and even though I knew it was going More...
This isn't to say that the book is unenjoyable though. It was lyrical. The descriptions of her life with Nick were beautiful and even though I knew it was going More...
Mar 21, 2009
Robyn
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I just really really liked this book. I always looked forward to reading it. The author does a great job of creating a sense of place. It took place in the Gulf islands area of Florida near Tallahassee where my mom lives. I did a lot of driving around this are for my job when I lived there so it was very vivid for me. It made me miss being near the ocean. I loved all the characters in this book and it is a very nice love story.
Aug 18, 2009
Erin
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I had forgotten how much I love this book and its characters. Nick Blue is the man we all want to love, and are also afraid to love. This book reminded me that in my soul I am a romantic- I love the part where Mattie fantasies about being trapped inside the house with Nick during a hurricane, and grilling gruyere sandwiches together. This is something that I would think about, and after I read this, it is something I want to do, hunker down during a snowstorm (I am in Michigan)with my husband
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Jan 14, 2010
Susan
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Having lived close to where this Novel takes place,I have a very emotional attachment to this beautiful.story of love,hardship and Beauty of the area that surrounds the Appalachicola Area in NE Fl...
Feb 28, 2010
Erin
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I found this book and the author's writing technique very difficult to get into. In other cases, I may have even give up on it, but I persisted because I was determined to find out how Nick Blue inevitably dies.
I did think that some of Ms. Fowler's descriptions of Florida and the sea were beautiful, but I think she could have left some of it in less detail. I for one, could have really benefited from more background on Mattie and Nick's time together and/or Mattie's adolescence. More...
I did think that some of Ms. Fowler's descriptions of Florida and the sea were beautiful, but I think she could have left some of it in less detail. I for one, could have really benefited from more background on Mattie and Nick's time together and/or Mattie's adolescence. More...
Jul 17, 2011
Pam
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A story about a great love, between a man and a woman and between a man and the sea. It is a bittersweet story but really well written and beautiful.
Mar 07, 2010
Rebecca
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Sappy and predictable: not nearly as good as Before Women had Wings. And the fact her main character in this book was reading that book was groan-worthy.
Dec 26, 2007
Heather
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This is a beautiful story of a woman with no past. A bleak start - deserted by her father and neglected by her mohter. She lives in books and fog until she meets her destiny in the convenience store in which she works. Thus begins her journey into discovering her self. A wonderful family embraces her and her garden becomes a metaphor for self growth. First a yard covered with rubble, debris, and magical gems - divided into three incomprehensible piles - tossed, repaired, or cherished. Then
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Apr 22, 2008
sisterimapoet
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One of those books that I would have overlooked were it not for a personal recommendation, due to its off-putting cover and plot description.
Essentially also an off-putting plot for me - love and lost love stuff. But elevated wholly by the setting and the writing. How can I resist people whose passion for each other is only rivalled by their passion for the sea.
I also loved the confessional tone the narrator took. I felt throughout like she was addressing the story j More...
Essentially also an off-putting plot for me - love and lost love stuff. But elevated wholly by the setting and the writing. How can I resist people whose passion for each other is only rivalled by their passion for the sea.
I also loved the confessional tone the narrator took. I felt throughout like she was addressing the story j More...
Feb 05, 2012
Melissa
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I liked the characters in this book - I like the way the story was told as well.
Sep 14, 2010
This is the last one i read tihs summer that was good. The rest were just soso.
Aug 22, 2010
Denise
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A favorite because it is set in a part of Florida that is dear to my heart!
Aug 25, 2009
Marie
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A nice story. A bit sad. It did move a bit slow for me but the writer was very descriptive.
Jul 09, 2010
Beth
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Wonderfully written love story. I had a hard time putting it down and cried at the end!
Mar 15, 2009
I received this book as a birthday gift this year from a Bookcrosser friend. It's been on my nightstand waiting to be read.
Aug 06, 2011
It's hard to make yourself finish a book when the narrator tells you the ending on the first page, and it's a sad ending.
Apr 14, 2008
Melissa
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I loved the beginning of the book but my enthusiasm started to wane at the halfway point. It's a love story set in the panhandle of Florida, an area I have visited, so I enjoyed being able to "picture" what the author was describing. As a matter of fact, I was on vacation there when I started the book. However, I expected it to be much more touching.
Sep 22, 2011
Natalia
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Short soft read...nothing too intense. A sweet island story, but be prepared to cry!
Apr 25, 2009
Jill
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This is a love story, but it is a completely unconventional one. The writing is sharp, sort of knife-edged. I didn't think I'd like it as well as I did, and I know I started it before. But, the author took me to Florida, and made me understand why she loved the places the novel was set.
Sep 29, 2008
Marianne
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I did like this book alot. I loved all the references and symbolism in regards to the sea, especially about the dolphins. While I felt it sappy in areas, it more than made up for it as the story progressed. Very lyrical/great love story that didn't make me want to throw up.
Apr 19, 2008
Ashlee
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I adore this book, it is set in an area of North Florida I grew up in and is near and dear to my heart I just totally got it. I felt like i knew every character. Next time you head to the beach pick it up and spend some time alone with Blue. I was sad when it ended.
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Feb 28, 2008
Grace
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A beautiful story of an etherial romance. Fell in love with the characters. Setting was excitingly familiar to me: an island on the gulf coast. I was particularly drawn to and warmed by the story and voice given to an area I love and know well...
Dec 29, 2009
Krista
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Connie May Fowler is one of my favorite authors, but was a dissapointed in this one. Her writing is very descriptive, but the story rather slow and anti-climactic. You know from the beginning what is going to happen.
