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95th out of 219 books
—
380 voters
Home to Big Stone Gap (Big Stone Gap #4)
by
Adriana Trigiani (Goodreads Author)
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 Big Stone Gap, she tells her most powerful story yet, full of humor and heart, wisdom and hope.
Nestled in the lush Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the town of Big Stone Gap has been home for Ave Maria Mulligan Machesney and her fa
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
October 31st 2006
by Random House
(first published 2006)
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I thought I would wait and review these books as a set. I loved the first book. The characters came alive and I felt like I knew them all personally. Though I have never lived in Kentucky or West Virginia, I have many friends from both of those states and reading these books gave me great insight to the way of life for many residents there. The series takes the main character from a life of spinsterhood at age 36 in the first book to expecting her first grandchild in the last.
Many interesting...more
Many interesting...more
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 to a science - s...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 to a science - s...more
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 Ridge Mountains of Virgi...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 Ridge Mountains of Virgi...more
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 heart c...more
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 see...more
Book on CD read by Cassandra Campbell
Trigiani takes the reader back to Big Stone Gap for the continuing story of Ave Maria Mulligan MacChesney and her family (book #4 in the Big Stone Gap series). Ave Maria is feeling a little down because her daughter has gotten married and moved to Italy. Then a stranger comes to town and this results in a break between Ave Maria and Iva Lou. Add to this the stress of Jack Mac’s health problems and the arrival in town of a coal company that plans to employ mou...more
Trigiani takes the reader back to Big Stone Gap for the continuing story of Ave Maria Mulligan MacChesney and her family (book #4 in the Big Stone Gap series). Ave Maria is feeling a little down because her daughter has gotten married and moved to Italy. Then a stranger comes to town and this results in a break between Ave Maria and Iva Lou. Add to this the stress of Jack Mac’s health problems and the arrival in town of a coal company that plans to employ mou...more
Having read The Big Stone Gap trilogy a few years ago and thoroghly enjoyed them I had forgotten I had this follow up one on the shelf. I was looking for a holiday read and this one filled it. It was lovely to be taken back to the old familiar characters, although it did take a wee while to remember some of them.
A gentle read that takes us forward in time to 1998. Jack and Ave are older and miss their daughter Etta who married and stayed in Italy. Life and time is taking its toll on them both an...more
A gentle read that takes us forward in time to 1998. Jack and Ave are older and miss their daughter Etta who married and stayed in Italy. Life and time is taking its toll on them both an...more
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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 o...more
I didn't realize this was part of a series. It was a recommendation when I plugged in another book I liked on another site. Truthfully, I find this to be really low level writing, character development and short on a plot. I think the Nancy Drew books I read as a young girl had more plotline, better characters and more intrigue. I think this might appeal to someone who doesn't get out a lot and is fairly unsophisticated.
I'm on about page 200 and still waiting for a storyline to develop! The wri...more
I'm on about page 200 and still waiting for a storyline to develop! The wri...more
Nov 14, 2010
Katie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
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adriana-trigiani
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!
I did enjoy g...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!
I did enjoy g...more
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
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
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 in Italy, which is too far away,...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 in Italy, which is too far away,...more
Main character: Ave Maria. Does that sound stupid to anyone other than me? She is a pharmacist that does not seam to have the brains to be one. There is a side story in which she is going to direct the town’s holiday theatre production. A male friend from her HS days who has made it big in Hollywood comes home and works on the play. Sure!!!
I have not read the previous books in the series but this book goes back and brings the reader up to date. I am glad that I did not waste my time on the previ...more
I have not read the previous books in the series but this book goes back and brings the reader up to date. I am glad that I did not waste my time on the previ...more
I was very very disappointed with the fourth (and final?) book in Adriana Trigiani's series. Compared to the previous novels, which all really touched me, this one seemed dull and tedious. I found myself not caring about Ave Maria or any of the other characters, which was surprising considering how much I had enjoyed the previous books. The issues are repetitive, and a large part of the book is spend repeating info from the previous novels. This might be good for the reader who hasn't read the f...more
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 in each other.
--A...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 in each other.
--A...more
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 a s...more
I remember reading the first 3 in this series in college. I remember really loving them then. Maybe too much time passed or maybe I just fell out of love with this series but this book really ruined the series for me. It sort of fell flat and I found myself skimming over the pages. I am glad i borrowed it from the library because I would have been really disappointed in paying for this.
The characters felt trite and whiney.It started to become predictable. I knew Jack Mac would end up in the hosp...more
The characters felt trite and whiney.It started to become predictable. I knew Jack Mac would end up in the hosp...more
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. I didn't realize it was book 4 of the series so sometimes characters were introduced as if I should have know them so now knowing it was Book 4 explains that! I always enjoy the author's reading of their book and this was no exception. I have had the book for some time and just didn't get to it. This abridged version didn't seem to miss a lot, after listening to the audiobook I skimmed the paperback make sure I didn't.
A very enjoyable story, I'l...more
A very enjoyable story, I'l...more
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. The...more
I listened to this entire series on my commute and I loved the characters and story. This last book was my least favorite, mainly because someone other than the author narrated the book and it was very distracting for all the character's voices to be different.
I think it was time for the story to end, I have grown to really dislike the main character, Ava Marie. What a selfish person she is and I'm sick of hearing about her deceased son "Joe".
I will absolutely be reading some of Adriana Trigiani...more
I think it was time for the story to end, I have grown to really dislike the main character, Ava Marie. What a selfish person she is and I'm sick of hearing about her deceased son "Joe".
I will absolutely be reading some of Adriana Trigiani...more
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 middle of the storyline...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 middle of the storyline...more
Wanted to rate it 1 ½, what happened to the author’s sense of humour? By book 4 this story is just worn out. The main character Ave Maria has aged into an weary bore, her husband & daughter now so one-dimensional you could care less. Granted there are still a few gems. When Freeta (the jaded old lady who works the diner) is asked if she’s planning to wear a veil at her upcoming wedding she responds pithily “Hell no, a veil at my age I’d look like a beekeeper” But lines like that are just an...more
Fourth and final book of the Big Stone Gap series. This was my least favorite. I felt there was no strong plot in this one; just Ava and Jack trying to make the best of their lives in their empty nest. The strongest message I got was that if your marriage gets into a rut, you and your spouse need to find out what each of you want to accomplish, get out and find new things to do together. Spice and shake it up or else! As for the rest, I zoned out through several chapters, especially on the theat...more
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, which is exa...more
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. Really. Maybe I...more
I love Adriana Trigiani. And once again I read the last in a series before the beginning, but it's the library's fault. They didn't have the others.
Her characters are so real with real feelings and faults and worries and desires. I wanted to be Ave Maria's friend and confidante, see the play, go to Scotland, just be part of her family. If that's not the sign of good writing, I don't know what is.
So pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea, and hunker down. But you should probably start with Book 1. J...more
Her characters are so real with real feelings and faults and worries and desires. I wanted to be Ave Maria's friend and confidante, see the play, go to Scotland, just be part of her family. If that's not the sign of good writing, I don't know what is.
So pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea, and hunker down. But you should probably start with Book 1. J...more
It took me much longer than necessary to finish this book, and I only did so because I was becoming delinquent in returning it to the library. That being said, the reason is that I loved this series so much, I could not bear for it to end! As much as I near hated Jack Mac in parts of the previous books, and frequently became frustrated with Ave Maria, I absolutely fell in love with them, their relationship and all of the other wonderful characters in each of the four novels. Big Stone Gap was de...more
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Bestselling author Adriana Trigiani is beloved by millions of readers around the world for her hilarious and heartwarming novels. Adriana was raised in a small coal-mining town in southwest Virginia in a big Italian family. She chose her hometown for the setting and title of her debut novel, the critically acclaimed bestseller Big Stone Gap. The heartwarming story continues in the novel's sequels...more
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“Take nothing and no one for granted. Time used to be my friend, and now it’s a skittish acquaintance at best.
Let life unfold, say what you mean. You can’t always think about what you’ve lost, or what you don’t have, or what you didn’t get. Because when you do that, you’re missing out on the now. You can’t know if you’ll be here tomorrow or a year from now.”
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Let life unfold, say what you mean. You can’t always think about what you’ve lost, or what you don’t have, or what you didn’t get. Because when you do that, you’re missing out on the now. You can’t know if you’ll be here tomorrow or a year from now.”
Oct 24, 2011 07:40pm