ALMOST, Elizabeth Benedict's fourth novel, is "her most spirited to date" (New York Times Book Review). Forty-something narrator Sophy Chase has ju...
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reviews
Jul 06, 2010
Cynthia
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I picked this book up in an airport based on its review by the New York Times. I "almost" finished it before my final destination and did so about a day later. There was no happy ending nor can I say it was unhappy. Without giving away too much of the plot, to those who have read it will understand when I say I found this book to be "inconclusive." I liked the pace of the book, I liked the fluidity of the first person voice, and I liked the setting and theme. There are many o
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Sep 06, 2010
Liana
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I started to read this book yesterday, immediately after I finished another novel. I should give it a 5 star because I could not put it down...read it standing at the beach, sitting in the truck while the family bought shave ice, in the tub, and on the bed. Until it was done. But something about it prevented me from giving it a five. I cannot put it in the same category as The Red Tent or The Glass Castle. It just doesn't seem right.
That being said, I would recommend this book to rea More...
That being said, I would recommend this book to rea More...
Aug 20, 2011
Ronald
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A rather brief, though intense, visit into the life of author Sophy Chase during what must be the worst week in her life. Forced by the unexpected death of her estranged husband to leave her new life in the relative anonymity of New York City, and return to the small community of Swansea Island, Massachusetts, to deal with people and issues from before, during, and after their separation. Though laced with intriguing questions which could have easily gone the way of a good mystery, this story re
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Oct 18, 2011
Daryl
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This is the first book in the 6-book collection I bought for a mere $13.00 via Kindle (Called something like The Best in Contemporary Women's Fiction). That being said, the book held its own quite nicely. At one point, I could not put the book down simply because I was intrigued by all of the plots going on at one time. It's a dark book--I knew at about the 3/4 mark that I might not like they way it turns, but overall, I think I was glad I read the book. It tackles many issues of love, loss,
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Nov 11, 2009
Marguerite
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This book is a gem. Sophy has left her marriage -- almost. Her husband dies before the divorce is final, and Sophy has to return to the life she's abandoned to tie up loose ends, including stepchildren and another ex-wife. Her boyfriend's daughter goes missing, as is her dog. Sophy tries to solve the mysteries and find some answers. The crisis sheds light on her new relationship and a long-gone lover, too. A very fast and easy read. Almost the antithesis of a beach book, though it takes place pa
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Dec 05, 2011
Christine
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Sophy Chase has just left her husband of 10 years and is involved with a still-married father of four Vietnamese orphans whose adopted mother is in an irreversible coma. This story begins when Will, the soon-to-be ex-husband, dies under mysterious circumstances and Sophy must return to the fictional Swansea Island to set matters to rights. The story is notable for its self-reflexive quality and autobiographical tone. The protagonist is a writer and the story is also one of narrating the begin
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Jul 02, 2010
Rebecca
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This is the second time I read this book, not because I thought it was that good but because I couldn't remember every having finished it. I was sure that each chapter I finished was where I dropped off the last time, because I couldn't recall what was going to happen next. And then I got to the end and realized I had read the whole book before, it was just unmemorable. The character development was stiff, I didn't develop a connection with anyone because everything was only on the surface. Endi
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Oct 24, 2011
Kris
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While reading this novel, I discovered that Maureen Corrigan, NPR Book Critic and professor at Georgetown University, listed this book among a list of six novels as her favorites for 2001. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It took me to an island off Cape Cod as well as to a life in New York City. The characters kept my interest throughout the novel as Sophy deals with the unexpected death of the husband she is separated from...
I want to read more by this author.
I want to read more by this author.
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Nov 22, 2009
Juliana
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(3.5 stars) Almost is well-written and the characters are compelling. It is a sad book, in a kind of way that stems not from a depressive sadness, but from promise unfulfilled. It seems stark and real because of this, but makes the reader shy away from the story and the people within. There is something somewhat off-putting about both, and instead of being drawn in and immersing oneself in all the complicated emotions and feelings, one feels like an unwilling bystander.
Jun 22, 2011
Kathy
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This is a thought provoking, well written novel. A woman has separated from her husband and moved from their island home in the Cape to NYC to try to start a new life. When her estranged husband dies unexpectedly, she is forced to return and deal with the life she left behind and all her conflicting emotions. This is a sensitive, tender novel. Life is complicated and not so neat and tidy, and the author captures that sentiment.
Aug 11, 2009
Cathy
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This book was okay. Sophy, the main character, is almost divorced when she gets word that her husband is dead. Sophy's life is a mess, partly from the hand she's been dealt, and partly from her own choices. Reading this book is like having a friend whose life goes from one dramatic event to another; it's fun when she calls and you get to hear all the gory details, but you sigh in relief when she finally hangs up. Sophy's world is an interesting place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there
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Jun 27, 2009
Bonnie G
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The narrator is a woman between men. I did like her as a character, but I wasn't crazy about the story. Her soon-to-be-ex husband dies at the beginning of the book and her lover is only interesting because he has four children whom she is very fond of. I guess the best part of the book is the small New England island setting which the author portrays just as I imagine those islands to be.
Jul 28, 2010
Lesson learned! Research books before grabbing! Reviews surmised this book to be "funny" and intelligent," saying Benedict is a "flawless" writer. Benedict and her book are none of the above. I do agree on one review about her "startling mastery of language." STARTLING says it all. I wholeheartedly give this book a minus star rating and recommend it to no one.
Dec 01, 2008
Nikki
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Bleh. I like the reviewer who said it was "almost" a good book. There were some things that could've been really great. Most of them...didn't even so much as fall flat, but rather, just kinda never really got going. Kinda like when you have a really lazy fat dog who just rolls over and moans at you when you try to get him to play fetch.
Feb 10, 2011
Victoria
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This is my favorite of Benedict's (two) books I've read. The main character is very appealing as a divorcing woman caught up in a mystery that's very personal around her ex. The author has a great sense of humor and lovingly portrays the foibles of all her characters in a way that makes you really trust her as a reader.
Jul 20, 2009
Amy
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This story haunted me as the main character navigates the ghosts of relationships she thought she left behind until her almost ex-husband dies, still angry and bitter at her, which causes her to re-negotiate all her present relationships. Part mystery, part secrets, solved & unsolved and resolved in the struggle to be human.
Nov 05, 2010
Jane
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I really liked this book far more than I expected to at first. It had multiple layers of meaning. The search for the lost father and then the husband who was lost to himself intrigued me. I'm glad I read it and we had a great book club conversation about it.
Apr 12, 2011
Maya
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Really liked this book. The amazing part to me was the (fast) pacing despite the weighty subject matter; it somehow read like it was written in one sitting. It also had a cool novel-within-a-novel thing going on. Curious to check out other books by her.
Oct 27, 2010
Ann
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Sophy, the main character, drew me into her life with Elizabeth Benedict's first sentence. I read this book in about 6 hours over a 24 hour period. I was hooked by the well crafted sentences as well as the complexities of the plot.
Jul 31, 2009
Cherylann
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I give this 3.5 stars. I missed that the plot was the protagonist telling the story of events happening in the past. Time seemed really fluid, and I was having trouble grasping when things were happening. The first 30 - 40 pages I reread multiple times to understand when things were happening so I could understand what was happening, and I was frustrated. Once I got a handle of time, the book moved quickly. I was sucked into the story - a very bleak story. The author redeemed herself by wr
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Oct 09, 2009
Wendy
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I found this book tough to read. Boring and dry. Short book that took over a month to read! I don't think I'll be looking for a book by this author again. Bummer!
Jan 26, 2012
Louise
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While not as compelling as THE PRACTICE OF DECEIT, this is still a good story, beautifully written, and with an interesting construction.
Aug 13, 2009
Rckuenne
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Was a bit trite. Felt like it ended up where it began, not much character growth...just a loose lesson learned.
Apr 22, 2009
Lisa
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Fresh Air's best book of the year? This one is way overrated. I didn't like the writing style at all... sort of jumpy.
Nov 03, 2009
Shana
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This book was a quick read. The plot ran smoothly and I liked the voice of the main character. The protagonist is a middle age woman who doesn't have it all figured out...somewhat of an emotional rollercoaster. But I guess everyone can relate to that at some point or another.
Jun 12, 2011
Liked this book very much just wish it laster longer, there was a lot going on in this one woman's life at one time to keep you interested. Good mix of a summer read and intrigue.
But way too many areas not completed, too many questions not answered at all. Do not appreciate when an author leaves so much for you to guess yourself, way too many loose ends.
This not only happened with the main characters but the secondary too.
This is why it would make a great movie they could giv More...
But way too many areas not completed, too many questions not answered at all. Do not appreciate when an author leaves so much for you to guess yourself, way too many loose ends.
This not only happened with the main characters but the secondary too.
This is why it would make a great movie they could giv More...
Mar 17, 2011
Rachael
rated it:
THoroughly engrossing and readable. Transported me to the Vineyard and all of its idiosyncracies. Narrator's voice while initially annoying, greatly grew on me and her efforts to forgive herself and find hope for the future. Great supporting characters including Henderson, Evan- the Kennedyesque lawyer and even the first wife. Descriptions were spot on---the scene with the apple pie priceless. This book might not be for everyone though as some might find the narrator and book in general to
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