Brooklyn needs a saint. Ned Conti needs a stipend. So the struggling young historian agrees to trace the mysterious past of a Brooklyn nun for ev...
read full description
reviews
Jul 02, 2011
Sue
rated it: 
A love story, ghost story, and mystery all rolled into one and set in the two cities with which I am most familiar (outside of my own hometown) -- New York and New Orleans. It was this fact of the story's dual locations that caused me to pick the book up in the first place; I love to read about places that I have actually visited! I also love ghost stories, so this was sort of a "slam dunk" for me.
The author does a good job of painting the urban (and bayou) backdrops for th More...
The author does a good job of painting the urban (and bayou) backdrops for th More...
Dec 29, 2009
Jo
rated it:
I'm just a few pages away from finishing this. It is a good plot, pulling three stories together at the end. At first, the author was a little too worried about convincing the readers he knew New Orleans intimately. He included every hard-to-pronounce street in the city in the characters' itenerary. His descriptions were a little wordy for me, too.
For example from page 57: Today, as the sun sets over Broklyn, I am thinking of New Orleans. I am thinking of the iron filigree A More...
For example from page 57: Today, as the sun sets over Broklyn, I am thinking of New Orleans. I am thinking of the iron filigree A More...
Aug 01, 2011
I loved this book and always recommend Robert Girardi to friends. I wish he would write more books! Get crackin', Bob, I've read all your old stuff! Give us something new! This book was especially interesting to me since it takes place largely in places I've lived or visited extensively. Girardi changes the names and layout of the cities and towns just enough to create an entirely new fictional geography based on reality, but a tiny bit askew. It works wonderfully, I've never seen another auth
More...
Jan 30, 2010
Jon
rated it: 
Girardi is a remarkable writer.
Ned Conti is a New Orleans graduate history student who has stalled on his disseration. He's living in Brooklyn in a seedy apartment that he shares with a ghost. Conti starts work for a local priest who wants a 19th century nun from his church to be canonized. The story flip flops back and forth and even though you enjoy every page you begin to wonder how it's all going to fit together. Don't worry, it does. I enjoyed this so much, I'm going to rea More...
Ned Conti is a New Orleans graduate history student who has stalled on his disseration. He's living in Brooklyn in a seedy apartment that he shares with a ghost. Conti starts work for a local priest who wants a 19th century nun from his church to be canonized. The story flip flops back and forth and even though you enjoy every page you begin to wonder how it's all going to fit together. Don't worry, it does. I enjoyed this so much, I'm going to rea More...
Jan 14, 2012
Jen
rated it: 
I'm not sure how I felt about this one. I'm giving it a 2, but I think parts of it were a 3 or 3.5, so maybe it's more of a 2.5-2.75.
Overall, I think Robert is a very good writer and paints a vivid picture of his characters and their lives. I just don't know how I felt towards the main character though; sometimes I kind of got him, but other times he turned me off. I didn't really understand where he was coming from and why he seemed so content to let his life pass him by. Not th More...
Overall, I think Robert is a very good writer and paints a vivid picture of his characters and their lives. I just don't know how I felt towards the main character though; sometimes I kind of got him, but other times he turned me off. I didn't really understand where he was coming from and why he seemed so content to let his life pass him by. Not th More...
Feb 27, 2009
Daniel
rated it:
If you are interested in books about Louisiana and New York, this book might be worth the read. Unfortunately the setting is pretty much the highlight of this story. The main character is a rather uninteresting professional student who doesn't really do much himself, so much as respond to what happens about him, sarcastically responding and giving a long winded historical viewpoint of things that rambles on and on. Much of this could have been edited down without the story suffering at all.
Dec 27, 2008
The
rated it:
I did not find this book to be engaging at all. I thought the characters were weak and moronic. The story tried jumping back and forth through times and locations, but failed to flow nicely. There was not enough "Madeleine's Ghost" to be called "Madeleine's Ghost." In my opinion, it should have been called, "Ned the dumb*** and his stupid decisions." The only redeeming quality of this book were the locations. All in all, I did not like this book.
Dec 29, 2008
Jennifer
rated it:
On my top 10 list. A man is haunted by a ghost who throws rocks at him and torments in other ways. He tries to find out who the ghost is by going back to Louisiana. The book shifts back to that time and we hear an incredible story and find out who the ghost was. You will be surprised.
Apr 17, 2009
Lisa
rated it: 
I am enjoying this one so far. I think it's funny that so many reviewers are all upset over the "Wastoid" narrator. I hate to say it, but I have known many grad. students just like him. The book and its narrator feel very "real" to me as a result.
It lost me near the end... just went on too long I think. But if it had been 75 pages less, I think I would have loved it. :)
It lost me near the end... just went on too long I think. But if it had been 75 pages less, I think I would have loved it. :)
Nov 10, 2010
Svelteassassin
rated it:
This is one of my favorite books of all time and I'm not sure many people have heard of it. It's descrpitions of New Orleans and New York really give a sense of place that you don't get in most novels.
Aug 25, 2009
Amber
rated it:
Wow! A great mix of romance and intrigue. But, I am usually fascinated by all things ritualistic in religion, so the combination of creating a saint, a rocky romance and a haunting is a great combo for me.
Dec 22, 2011
Carole
rated it:
Girardi is one of my favourite American authors. I loved Madeleine's ghost, it is a beautifully written story that had a truly satisfying ending. Was sad when I finished it.
Dec 31, 2008
Kitty Tomlinson
rated it:
Ned Conti goes between New York and New Orleans. He has a ghost in his New York apartment with ties to his New Orleans girlfriend.
Apr 01, 2008
Simon
rated it:
One of my favourite books. I'm not usually into ghost stories but the interplay between the two strands - one in the past and the other in the present - coalesce nicely at the end as all is made clear about their link to each other and the role that a lost soul from the past has to play in the rehabilitation of two lost souls in the present.
The writing is concise but with a gentle irony that, when combined with the first person singular voice, makes the book more human and resonant tha More...
The writing is concise but with a gentle irony that, when combined with the first person singular voice, makes the book more human and resonant tha More...
Dec 18, 2009
It's possible I did read it - not sure . . .
http://wildcity.proboards.com/index.cgi?...
Yes - I did read it - I'm sure.
http://wildcity.proboards.com/index.cgi?...
Yes - I did read it - I'm sure.
Jun 25, 2011
Casey
rated it:
Amazing book! Read it awhile ago. Still remember minute details. Highly recommend
Jan 21, 2010
Ema
rated it:
Interesting idea, but poor editing. Could have used an editor not afraid to hurt his client's ego and cut, cut, cut. Because you have an interesting historical fact/story, doesn't mean it needs to be in the novel! Also, readers generally don't like to be written down to. For example, I know what what an infinity symbol looks like -- I didn't need it explained to me. Nor its meaning. The book would have flowed much better with a good pair of scissors and a little more mystery.
Mar 23, 2011
Scoozer
rated it:
I had to force myself to finish this book. It really dragged for me. The story was fragmented and slowly developed. The main characters were unsympathetic. So why did I give it 3 stars? The descriptions of New Orleans and Brooklyn were spot on and beautifully done. I also liked the idea behind the story. It was intriguing. The book could have used a good editor though. It was just okay. If you love New Orleans or New York, you might want to give this book a try.
Jan 10, 2008
Shellie
rated it:
This is one of those books I re-read about once a year. I love the plot, I love the voice; this is possibly my favorite male protagonist ever. It's kind of a mystery, and also a love story, and it weaves past, present, and distant past together in an interesting way. I like stories that come together, and this is definitely one of those.
Dec 17, 2009
Søren
rated it:
Other people don't seem to love this book *quite* as much as I do - I know, it's silly to love a book just because it's got New Orleans and a bayou bar on stilts, but that isn't JUST why I love it.
When people ask me my favorite books, this is the first one I say. I think I've read it three times so far.
When people ask me my favorite books, this is the first one I say. I think I've read it three times so far.
Oct 24, 2007
Sephie
rated it:
This was a surprisingly good read, set partly in New York and New Orleans. Like the Mississippi, it seemed to meander along without really knowing where it was going for many a chapter, but all becomes more clear about 2/3rds the way through, with a well thought out and satisfying conclusion.
Nov 02, 2007
Alb
rated it:
A little slow, but the way it all tied together was satisfying to me. Some people may say the coincidences were a little too uncanny but for me it really worked. The beautiful writing and strong sense of place added to the intricate story.
Dec 17, 2009
Sue
rated it:
What a compelling story. It has the flavor of Louisiana and the haunting story of a woman who lived in despair. This write is excellent at creating mood and tension. A story I've never forgotten - and I look forward to reading his other books.
Mar 04, 2008
cmeiers
rated it:
Super ghost/romance set in New York and New Orleans...what could be better! Good writing, lots of color and just enough suspense for me.
Highly recommend it, love to hear what you think!
Highly recommend it, love to hear what you think!
Apr 06, 2007
Simon
rated it:
It doesn't quite come off, but until it falters in the last few chapters it's easily one of the best ghost stories I've ever read.
Apr 13, 2010
Ken
rated it:
His best work, would love to see this book as a movie. John Cusack would have been great as the main character.
Feb 05, 2012
