by
3.66 of 5 stars
In her novels Ellen Foster and A Virtuous Woman, Kaye Gibbons has compiled what one critic has called "a fictional oral history ... read full description

reviews

Apr 01, 2010
Betsy rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I just finished listening to this book. It was read by the author, bless her heart, as any fine southern woman would say... Actually, I can hear her saying the same thing after "reading" this book, so I don't feel that I'm insulting her or her situation in saying this. I enjoyed this story of feminist strength on many levels. It had interesting twists and turns, and I enjoyed getting to know these women from the past in such a personal way. I felt that they were all people I would have More...
Nov 14, 2010
Janie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Maren read Gibbons' first novel to Ross when she visited. He asked me to check out another book by her and we chose her second novel. I think we might decide to read them all — I've put her third work on hold.

I liked it — even more or at least as much as I liked Ellen Foster. The stories are southern, predisposed to be particularly good. (Ross conjured for me a vivid picture of the significance of the phrase "enough children to bait a trotline" key in the explanation being More...
Aug 20, 2011
Ashley rated it: 2 of 5 stars
It pains me to give this 2 stars, because I find comfort and familiarity in Kaye Gibbon's writing, and this was no exception - she has a knack for giving strong, Southern woman an authentic and unique voice. However, this story was just... boring.
Dec 06, 2011
Peg rated it: 3 of 5 stars
another good Kaye Gibbons novel about Southern women. A quick read, narrated mainly by Betty. I enjoyed it but not as much happened compared to her other novels. A nice little read.
Mar 21, 2010
Sandy rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Although I enjoyed the author's gift for capturing the rhythm of the Southern country dialect, the story about a mother, a daughter and their intertwined lives just did not sing to me.
Aug 09, 2011
Vicki rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I read this one in one sitting and loved it. The characters come to life immediately, and I found the subtle humor refreshing. Kaye Gibbons really is a talented writer.
Nov 20, 2009
Kim rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This was one Gibbons book I loved. I loved the connection of the women through the generations. This really warmed my heart.
Jan 15, 2009
Laura rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Good Southern lit. about 4 generations of women, told through the voice of the 3rd-generation woman.
Oct 02, 2011
Pam rated it: 3 of 5 stars
A quick fast little read. Fun! Written sparingly but sometimes that is just what you need. I enjoyed it.
Jul 10, 2011
Judy rated it: 2 of 5 stars
The best part of this book is the narrator's voice: an ordinary woman growing up prior to World War II.
May 10, 2010
Marshaferz rated it: 3 of 5 stars
An odd book - the characters made almost no lasting impression on me even though I enjoyed the book.
Jun 11, 2009
Kim rated it: 2 of 5 stars
I learned some about female relationships. I think this would have worked better as a short story.
May 30, 2009
Sue rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Another Kaye Gibbons book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Think I will keep looking for the rest of her books.
Feb 05, 2009
Cristiana rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Easy read and gives a better understanding of why there's always going to be people who gossip.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 11, 2011
Ginger is currently reading it
Ginger B gave me this book. She is in love with the author...got all 8 of her books!
Feb 05, 2012
Rosie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
very interesting ..
sort of a manual for women but written as a story..


Aug 02, 2011
Pati rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Just didn't even seem like Kaye Gibbons. Went fast and isn't remarksble...
Jul 07, 2009
Mrs. Lucas rated it: 3 of 5 stars
And the point is . . . .

Enjoyable but nothing ever happened.
Jul 06, 2009
Book Concierge rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I love the way Kaye Gibbons writes. I've got all her books.
Jul 03, 2009
Jill added it
A Cure for Dreams by Kaye Gibbons (1992)
Sep 17, 2009
Marsia rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Several generations of Irish American Southern women in one family . . . a delightful, quick read with fascinating, believable, predominately female characters
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Oct 28, 2009
Linda rated it: 2 of 5 stars
No real plot to it.
Aug 09, 2011
Elizabeth rated it: 3 of 5 stars
not my favorite story of hers, but still well-written
May 21, 2010
Lori rated it: 3 of 5 stars
c. 1991
Nov 08, 2010
Laura rated it: 1 of 5 stars
this was a quick light read, nothing special, but it was a nice story.
Jun 26, 2009
Cheryl S. rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Very fast read, good character development and humor.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Dec 17, 2009
Rachele rated it: 1 of 5 stars
I give it a 1.5, really. Rural south, woman's wisdom, evil men. I think I was supposed to love the female characters and think they were strong, heroic women stuck in a world of inferior but more powerful men. Mainly I found them annoying. It seemed full of stereotypes to me. Although it did remind me of my Granny, who was kind of a sterotype herself, and of the stories I've heard of rural Virginia.
Jul 01, 2010
Jasmine marked it as to-read
2.5 stars
Oct 27, 2008
Dana rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Not her best, but I still liked it. It was about a mother and a daughter. Her stories sort of have a theme. This one was set in South carolina in the time just before WWII. It was a short read so that was good also.
Jan 29, 2012
Diana rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Wiedermal eine herrlich skurile Familiengeschichte aus Amerika. Leider viel zu kurz.
Und warum man den Originaltitel "A Cure for Dreams" mit "Ein Stück vom Paradies" übersetzt hat, ist mir ein völliges Rätsel.