Millions of readers around the world have fallen in love with the novels of the New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani. In Home to B...
read full description
reviews
Oct 23, 2011
Ruth
rated it: 
My sister and I are very similar. Knowing that she has enjoyed all of Trigiani's books I figured that I would also. Evidently, I wasn't as thrilled as she was.
The story takes place in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA. Ava Maria and her husband Jack both grew up in the area and have remained there all their lives. They have one child, who has recently married before finishing college and now lives in Italy. Ava Maria misses her dearly and does what she has perfected More...
The story takes place in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA. Ava Maria and her husband Jack both grew up in the area and have remained there all their lives. They have one child, who has recently married before finishing college and now lives in Italy. Ava Maria misses her dearly and does what she has perfected More...
Dec 09, 2010
Louise
rated it: 
What can I say? Another F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C book from Adriana Trigiani who never, ever fails to pen a novel that you’ll never forget!
For those who read “Big Stone Gap”, you will enjoy this book immeasurably and for those who haven’t, it can be read as a stand-alone, however it would be best to read the first part so you’ll have an idea who is who and what the changes in this novel really mean.
Ave Maria Mulligan MacChesney and her beloved husband, Jack live in the lush Blue More...
For those who read “Big Stone Gap”, you will enjoy this book immeasurably and for those who haven’t, it can be read as a stand-alone, however it would be best to read the first part so you’ll have an idea who is who and what the changes in this novel really mean.
Ave Maria Mulligan MacChesney and her beloved husband, Jack live in the lush Blue More...
Aug 01, 2010
Fran
rated it: 
This is the last of the Stone gap series. It focuses on the empty nest syndrome for Jack and Ave. Ave learns to let go in this book. She starts to accept Etta for who she is and is happy that Etta is happy. Nonna dies and Ave realizes that it was a joy for Nonna to see Etta married, thus, making her happy that she did not fight the marriage. She finally realizes that she cannot control people's lives or certain situations. She is further brought to the reality of life when Jack Mac has a h
More...
Nov 24, 2009
Lola4
rated it:
I finished the last book of the series and now I am very depressed, like on the day after Christmas when all that's left is the clean-up. I don't know if I'd have liked this book as much if I read it first without becoming acquainted with the characters and all their lovely human flaws in the previous stories. I always like books in which the characters are flawed and the message is acceptance. I think we just bumble through this imperfect life trying to do the best we can and then learn to s
More...
May 07, 2010
Susan
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 21, 2011
Booksdingle
rated it:
I loved this series - in fact its the only full series I have ever read as I am notorious for getting bored - I am the person who had only read the first 2 and a half books in the Harry Potter series and the 1st in Twilight so that proably proves that I am not a sticker! What I love about these books is that they are just really good stories - you feel like you are pulling up a chair with an old friend - there is nothing flash or massively thrilling about them - they are just really good tales
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 14, 2010
Katie
rated it:
I have loved Trigiani's writing style for her later books such as Lucia Luci and Very Valentine, that I had to say anything negative about Trigiani.
However, I felt that this series of Stone Gap books lacked a certain flair, or even plot within the storyline. I understand that they followed the life of wonderful Ave Marie, and I enjoyed following it...but it never seemed conclusive. And then sometimes the chapters would fast forward time...from two weeks to two season to two years More...
However, I felt that this series of Stone Gap books lacked a certain flair, or even plot within the storyline. I understand that they followed the life of wonderful Ave Marie, and I enjoyed following it...but it never seemed conclusive. And then sometimes the chapters would fast forward time...from two weeks to two season to two years More...
Mar 30, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Home to Big Stone Gap is really very similar to other Trigiani books. There are surprises to the story, but not in the way the characters react to them. This installment finds Ave Maria worrying about everything middle age has to offer, but as usual, her friends and family help her find ways to enjoy the life she's living. While I love Trigiani's books, I'm always disappointed at how little the plot is really controlled. Rather than cutting quickly from one important scene to another, the story
More...
Dec 11, 2009
Raya
rated it:
Why do we always want to know what happens next? It seems like sequels and prequels and spin-offs are the wave of the publishing future. While I loved Trigiani’s world of Big Stone Gap, I also felt that the best thing she could have done at the end of Book 3 (Milk Glass Moon) was write a big fat “THE END” and stuck to it. So here’s the problem I have with Home to Big Stone Gap. I don’t remember it. Book 1 introduced us to Ave Maria and her quirky town, Book 2 took on us on a ride with the ups an
More...
Jun 02, 2010
Laurel-Rain
rated it:
This book is part of a wonderfully cozy series by the author Adriana Trigiani. My very first one was "Big Stone Gap: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle)," so naturally, when I saw this one in the library, I had to have it.
In the story, Ave Maria Mulligan MacChesney is twenty years older than she was in the last one. Her daughter Etta is grown, she has lost one of her children in early childhood, and she is dealing with all kinds of losses.
Her daughter is living More...
In the story, Ave Maria Mulligan MacChesney is twenty years older than she was in the last one. Her daughter Etta is grown, she has lost one of her children in early childhood, and she is dealing with all kinds of losses.
Her daughter is living More...
Aug 09, 2010
Krista
rated it:
It was ironic that I finished this on my 15th anniversary, because the major things I gained from the entire series was this overwhelming appreciation for long-term, unconditional marital love.
--A love that allows you to appreciate and respect the very core of the person you are married to: their soul, their heritage, their family, their perfections and imperfections.
--A love that sees a couple through death, through difficulty, through the most profound changes in self and More...
--A love that allows you to appreciate and respect the very core of the person you are married to: their soul, their heritage, their family, their perfections and imperfections.
--A love that sees a couple through death, through difficulty, through the most profound changes in self and More...
Apr 26, 2011
Beverly
rated it:
Ave Maria and her husband Jack have just returned from Italy after attending their daughter Etta's wedding. Ave was not happy that Etta chose to marry so young and to live in Italy. Familiar characters from the other Big Stone Gap books. Had to scramble to remember who was who and the relationships. Ave reconnects with her father, an ex-boyfriend for whom she still has feelings, and her closest boy friend. There is a little hiccup with her friend Iva Lou. When Ave finds out that Iva Lou kept
More...
Oct 02, 2009
Stefani
rated it:
While I loved the first book in this series, I felt let down by the main character Ave Maria by the 4th. In the first book I could sympathize with her, but as the series progressed, I didn't feel like she was growing enough as a person. 30 years later and she seems even more selfish to me. I could no longer sympathize with her because I realized that I didn't like her anymore. It seemed to me that she phased out all her endearing characteristics and only progressed in unadmirable qualities.
More...
May 26, 2010
Christi
rated it:
I picked this up thinking it was the sequel to Big Stone Gap. I didn't know there were other books in between. I thought it just picked up 20 years later.
This book definitely lacked the sparkle of Big Stone Gap. The characters were flat. The story lines surrounding the extra characters didn't add to the development of the plot. I didn't care for Ave Maria at all in this book. I found her delightful in the first book.
I didn't care for the addition of the recipes into the More...
This book definitely lacked the sparkle of Big Stone Gap. The characters were flat. The story lines surrounding the extra characters didn't add to the development of the plot. I didn't care for Ave Maria at all in this book. I found her delightful in the first book.
I didn't care for the addition of the recipes into the More...
Sep 15, 2010
Kani
rated it:
Adriana Trigiani is a nice writer. She writes about real life type events with a simplicity that implies emotionally adult individuals working their way through life's challenges. sometimes, to me, just a little too neat & tidy. everyone has such a good time with each other, and takes the time to ponder what they may have said or done "wrong". In other words, they reflect. How many people actually do that? Ha! I do enjoy the listen since everything always works out for the best, w
More...
Jun 26, 2009
Tiffany
rated it: 
I haven't read the other Big Stone Gap books. I have had others tell me that they were good reads. I didn't absolutely hate this book. But, about half-way through, I made the decision to stop reading. I found the dialogue to be contrived, the daughter to be under-developed and, perhaps therefore, seemingly contradictory (maybe I would feel differently had I read the prequels), and the main character to be slightly condescending or "above" her adopted culture. I wanted to like it. Reall
More...
Nov 11, 2007
Alley
rated it:
I read this one out of nosiness more than anything else. I've read the previous 3 Big Stone Gap novels for the same reason. They are good reads and follow the life of Ave Maria Mulligan MacChesney. When we met her in the first book she was the town spinster & pharmacist and now she's in her 50's, married and her own daughter has just been married. I've enjoyed finding out what was going on with Ave Maria the same way I would enjoy catching up with an old girlfriend from years past. Plus, I
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 16, 2010
Joni
rated it:
I believe this is the last of a series of four, and I'm kind of happy to be done with them. While I enjoyed them enough to keep reading, they are not the most well-written books around. There too much reminding the reader what had happened before, which really got redundant in this last book.
And I truly couldn't believe that the author spent a page telling us what the Sound of Music plot is. Really? Is there anyone who would read this book who wouldn't know the plot of the Sound of More...
And I truly couldn't believe that the author spent a page telling us what the Sound of Music plot is. Really? Is there anyone who would read this book who wouldn't know the plot of the Sound of More...
Jun 11, 2009
Jackie
rated it:
I've loved this series following Ave Maria living in a small town in Virginia first as a single woman then through her courtships, marriage and family life. I've loaned two of the first three books out but would love to reread the whole series again. I was really drawn to this book also by the cover photo which shows a young woman walking in the snow wearing a blue jacket and tulle skirt. It's nice that the photo is mentioned in the book too so you know what it means to Ave Maria.
Sep 11, 2008
Carm
rated it:
I think this was my least favorite book of the bunch. There was nothing wrong with it, but it just didn't resonate the same way the others did. In this one Ave Maria goes through a period of estrangement with her best pal Iva Lou and I had a hard time really understanding it. I enjoyed their trip to Scotland and it actually made me want to travel there based solely on their descriptions. This book also had a smattering of recipes included in the text when various foods were mentioned. I can't re
More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 15, 2008
Molly
rated it:
This is a comfortable, quick read that leaves you feeling like it's time for a stop in a cafe in the American south for some biscuits and conversation (and this is a good feeling).
That being said, the author's long drawn out explanations of the characters' feelings (complete with inner monologues) keep the attention away from the events of the story--focusing instead on the explanations of feelings and not the causes of them.
Also, her repetitive use of phrases (actual ex More...
That being said, the author's long drawn out explanations of the characters' feelings (complete with inner monologues) keep the attention away from the events of the story--focusing instead on the explanations of feelings and not the causes of them.
Also, her repetitive use of phrases (actual ex More...
Nov 18, 2009
Discoverylover
rated it:
Sent to me at camp by Wombles :D
I tried to read this in time to release in Virginia, but alas, I couldn't read fast enough!
I'm still deciding if I enjoyed this or not, it was good enough to keep reading, but I found the main characters habit of having sudden epiphanies a little annoying...especially as she had them so often! Other than that, it was a delightful story about rural Virginia!
I tried to read this in time to release in Virginia, but alas, I couldn't read fast enough!
I'm still deciding if I enjoyed this or not, it was good enough to keep reading, but I found the main characters habit of having sudden epiphanies a little annoying...especially as she had them so often! Other than that, it was a delightful story about rural Virginia!
Mar 08, 2009
Robin
rated it:
Great book! I felt like I was a part of the characters. I'm glad she wrote how Etta grew up and got married over in Italy where her Ave Marie family was, and that Jack had a heart problem and grew them closer and got them to think about their relationship and grow closer instead of a part. Ave Marie was feeling pretty meseriable about life and the empty nest and her getting involved in a musical for the town and her old friends and love reunite and etc gives this book a feel good of the holid
More...
Aug 18, 2009
Alison
rated it:
Halfway through this book I realised what was wrong with it - it's a sequel and I've not read the preceding books! That's why there were lots of references to events in the characters' histories that I knew nothing about. That said, I like her style - easy-to-read, characters learning things about themselves kind of style. Perhaps I should read the earlier books then read this one again!
Jul 22, 2010
Meghan
rated it: 
I love the Big Stone Gap series, so there was no way I couldn't love this book. I'm just sad I have to say goodbye to all the characters who, after almost a year of reading, seem so real. I hope Trigiani does end up making this into a film!
As with the other books in the series, there are lots of good recipes, hilarious anecdotes about local theatre, travel writing, and just the right amounts of romance and nostalgia. So far, this is my favorite chick lit. series.
Is it cr More...
As with the other books in the series, there are lots of good recipes, hilarious anecdotes about local theatre, travel writing, and just the right amounts of romance and nostalgia. So far, this is my favorite chick lit. series.
Is it cr More...
Nov 13, 2010
Rhonda Rae
rated it:
Satisfying end to the series yet I can't help but wonder what happens next...LOL.
I didn't cry in this one like Big Cherry Holler and Milk Glass Moon but it carried just as much weight as important pieces to their lives unfolded. A person can't help but cheer for the characters on one page and then get angry at them the next.
Trigiani knows how to weave a tale and it would be interesting to speak with her about how much of her life growing up in Big Stone Gap was similar More...
I didn't cry in this one like Big Cherry Holler and Milk Glass Moon but it carried just as much weight as important pieces to their lives unfolded. A person can't help but cheer for the characters on one page and then get angry at them the next.
Trigiani knows how to weave a tale and it would be interesting to speak with her about how much of her life growing up in Big Stone Gap was similar More...
Feb 01, 2009
Natalie
rated it:
I listened to this on my road trip.
It was entertaining, but just barely.
What is it with every book having recipes in it now days???
Also, the person who was reading it did an AWUFL job. To the point of distraction. Her Italian accents sounded Russian, and her Scottish accents sounded like someone from Minnesota attempting a bad english accent.
And she used the same cadence throughout, regardles off content, even the recipes were read the same way. More...
It was entertaining, but just barely.
What is it with every book having recipes in it now days???
Also, the person who was reading it did an AWUFL job. To the point of distraction. Her Italian accents sounded Russian, and her Scottish accents sounded like someone from Minnesota attempting a bad english accent.
And she used the same cadence throughout, regardles off content, even the recipes were read the same way. More...
Jan 29, 2012
Melissa
rated it:
I thought this was the third book in the series but turns out there was another one in between. I don't think I missed out on anything by skipping the third book, and I don't plan to go back and read it. I really found the main character insufferable and I didn't sympathize with her at all. She's mad at her best friend for not sharing a secret, but then she blabs to everyone in town about it. And no one tells her to shut up already! Her husband was just as bad. Every time she disagreed with him
More...
Nov 18, 2009
Trisha
rated it:
The next chapter in the Big Stone Gap trilogy.
Ave Maria's life is about to take a change - her husband Jack Mac. suffers a health scare; Ave Maria misses her daughter Etta, who is married and now living in Italy, and Iva Lou (her best friend) has kept a secret from Ave that threatens their friendship.
I have loved every book by this author
Ave Maria's life is about to take a change - her husband Jack Mac. suffers a health scare; Ave Maria misses her daughter Etta, who is married and now living in Italy, and Iva Lou (her best friend) has kept a secret from Ave that threatens their friendship.
I have loved every book by this author
Aug 07, 2010
Natalya
rated it:
I loved the main character Ave Maria, thought she was just like me, a worrier. Written so realistically, effortlessly, a lot like everyday life, it grabs you by its simplicity and makes you notice the world around, seize the moment, revel in small things, and appreciate what you have. Will look into other novels from this series.
