What We Keep (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
by Elizabeth Berg
published
September 1999
by Rebound by Sagebrush
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binding
School & Library Binding, 272 pages
isbn
0613226100
(isbn13: 9780613226103)
description
Do you ever really know your mother, your daughter, the people in your family? In this rich and rewarding new novel by the beloved bestselling author ...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1169)
Read in July, 2008
I nearly read this book in one day. The novel is ultimately about forgiveness and how important family relationships are. The book begins with Ginny, a middle age woman, flying on an airplane to see her mother who she hasn't seen in thirty-five years. As she flies in the air she reconstructs the story of her childhood and the events that split her fractured family apart as seen from her child's perspective. I think something I really liked was the voice the author used-her fresh perspective ...more
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Read in September, 2008
I actually don’t know why I keep picking up Berg’s books because I usually don’t give them great reviews. However, there is something simple, no a quality of simplicity not being simplistic that makes them cozy and comfortable to read. At times, perhaps realism that borders on boredom. This particular novel was the most well written I have read by this author and I liked it better than the others. The way the main character looks back allows the story to unfold through the eyes of a ch...more
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Read in August, 1998
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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-I really liked this book. It’s a story about 2 sisters. It begins with one of them, Ginny on a plane on her way to see her mother who she hasn’t seen in 35 years. During her trip, she thinks about what happened during her childhood when her mother left. IT’s a sad story of how Ginny and her sister Sharla dealt with her leaving. The interesting thing about this is the reasons why their mother left and how it was perceived thru the eyes of the sisters. Berg has a lot of memorable quote...more
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Read in January, 2008
This book is about 2 sisters, Ginny & Sharla, who idolize their mother, Marion, and live the happy family life until they over hear an argument between their mother & father. In that argument, the mother makes a comment about how she didn’t want children. Shortly thereafter she leaves with the next door neighbor (Jasmine) to sort things out. Once she returns, some odd weeks later, the children treat her coldly and basically shut her out of their lives. Until finally 35 years later ...more
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Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
Meg
At 47, as she prepares for a reunion with her mother after 35 years apart, Ginny Moore remembers the summer she turned twelve and her world shattered. Told in a most authentic voice, Berg depicts childhood in the '50s, characters we care about, and the complexity of family dynamics, but mostly it's a book about healing through forgiveness. A great summer read!
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Read in August, 2008
I couldn't get over the fact that both girls held onto a grudge for thirty-five years--denying their mother contact (or bare civility) when she first returns and then denying her any contact with her grandchildren. The narrator came across as petty to me. When she states at the beginning that her "mother story" is the "worst", I really expected something serious like abuse or years of neglect, not temporary abandonment during a midlife crisis--misguided, sure, but worth 35 ...more
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Read in March, 2008
Two women visit their mother after a lifetime of absence. The main character relays the story of their early years with their mother and then the consequences of her leaving.
A chance aquaintance tells her "that it seems one of the things you have to do in order to finally grow up is to let that what-my-parents-did-to-me stuff go."
Everything in life changes us and we don't always see it as it is. Maybe it's time for me to accept my mom and love her for who she is.
A chance aquaintance tells her "that it seems one of the things you have to do in order to finally grow up is to let that what-my-parents-did-to-me stuff go."
Everything in life changes us and we don't always see it as it is. Maybe it's time for me to accept my mom and love her for who she is.
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Read in February, 2008
I loved this book! I think Berg did a wonderful job of capturing the voice of a 12 year old. Ginny was harsh in her judgement of her mother, and I think this rings true of any child on the verge of adolescence. At least it rings true to me; I remember a stage in my life when my mom couldn't do anything right. Thank God, I grew out of that.
Anyway, this was such an easy and fast read. I was hooked and I read it in one day.
Anyway, this was such an easy and fast read. I was hooked and I read it in one day.
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Read in May, 2008
i was disappointed by the book - the story is compelling, but the author was a nasty little habit of nicely showing, then laboriously telling what the reader already understands quite nicely. It is as thought she doesn't trust the reader - or herself - to manage without an excess of words.
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Read in March, 2008
A book about the mother-daughter relationship, although the lessons apply to others, as well. A memoir-style telling of the childhood years by one of two daughters who is on her way to see her mother for the first time in over 30 years. What does the daughter hold onto, what does she let go? How does she see her mother's decisions now from the perspective of an adult? A quick read, but thought-provoking.
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Read in February, 2008
A family drama, written through flashbacks of the now grown-up daughter. She mixes humor in with a heavy topic. Her interpretation of her memories as a child are charming and quirky. Seamless transitions to and from the past and easy to follow conversational writing style. I might have given it 4 stars if it were more relatable to my life, but thankfully, it isn't.
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Read in July, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! This is the first Elizabeth Berg book that I have read. I have 3 or 4 more of her books here that I will definitely be reading! I love her writing style in this book, the relationships between the characters, how I could relate to the children, the complexity of the relationships, etc. I defintely recommend this book!
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Read in January, 2007
The sisters in the story are engaging and your heart goes out to them when their mother leaves home. You don't know why she left until the end but you know the trouble began when a snazzy, single woman moved in next door. A lot o poignant scenes about girls growing up, like when the boy visiting next door unexplainably falls for the plainer sister.
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Read in June, 2006
recommends it for:
anyone
This is my favorite book! For some reason I love stories that are told thru the eyes of a child like this one partly is. I think Elizabeth Berg is one of the best authors out there today and have been rarely disappointed by her books. This is a great story of family and the relationships between sisters and mothers and daughters.
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Read in December, 2007
Couldn't put this book down! About a family in the 50's (particularly a mother and her 2 daughters) who is torn apart when the mother abandons them. This story is a series of memories back to the summer the mother left them. The ending is a wonderful lesson in seeing things from all angles and not jumping to conclusions.
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Read in August, 2008
The story is told from the point of view of one of two sisters; reliving a summer of her childhood while on a flight across country to see her mother for the first time in 35 years. I found much to like about this perhaps because I too had a sister. It's a gentle read about a gentle time that maybe wasn't so innocent.
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Read in September, 2008
recommends it for:
sylvie
sisters, daughters and mothers. I loved ginny telling the story as a twelve year old and an adult. her sister sharla was a strong character. this book is about daughters and mothers forgiving each others mistakes. great characters, it was a fast read and i hated to see it end.
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I love Elizabeth Berg and have had the privilege of hearing her speak numerous times. Anything (with the exception of Until the Real Thing Comes Along) by her is excellent. Start with Durable Goods, her first book, and follow up with Joy School and True to Form.
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This book looks at the relationship between a mother and her two daughters after walking away from the marraige. It was quick but deep. I thought it was a good book but not spectacular. Put it on your easy read list when you reading list is getting sparse.
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