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Beaches
Loudmouthed, redheaded Cee Cee Bloom has her sights set on Hollywood. Bertie White, quiet and conservative, dreams of getting married and having children. In 1951, their childhood worlds collide in Atlantic City. Keeping in touch as pen pals, they reunite over the years ... always near the ocean.
Powerful and moving, this novel follows Cee Cee and Bertie's extraordinary fr
...morePaperback, 304 pages
Published
June 15th 2004
by HarperCollins Publishers
(first published 1985)
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**Contains adult language and content**
(book I read from actually has a different bookcover image, but I couldn't find it, original '85 hardcover edition, and honestly I like this paperback cover better)
"1951. They meet as children under the boardwalk in Atlantic City. Cee Cee Bloom, with a Brillo pad of red hair, a knock-out voice and a sparkle that demands attention, is performing in a kiddie show. Bertie White is from a conventional family with traditional values, but she finds herself captiv...more
(book I read from actually has a different bookcover image, but I couldn't find it, original '85 hardcover edition, and honestly I like this paperback cover better)
"1951. They meet as children under the boardwalk in Atlantic City. Cee Cee Bloom, with a Brillo pad of red hair, a knock-out voice and a sparkle that demands attention, is performing in a kiddie show. Bertie White is from a conventional family with traditional values, but she finds herself captiv...more
Dec 12, 2012
Beth Klingler
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
saw-the-movie-before-reading
I have mixed feelings about this book. I read it for long periods before going back to real life, so it was good enough to get absorbed in... but I somehow didn't cry, which for me is weird. I saw the movie when it first came out as a child and refused to watch it again for several years because it had touched me emotionally in a way I didn't know movies could or should yet. I don't know if my emotional detachment from the book came from spending so much time thinking about how different it was...more
So I picked this book because the challenge for June was to read a "beach" book. I already finished the challenge, but this book was one of my choices. I had watched the movie several times before and really liked it. I think that I liked the movie more so than the book. There were several changes made in the movie from the book, and since the movie is more familiar for me, I liked those changes better. The biggest difference that struck me, besides the name of Roberta, was when "Bert" and John...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
One of the rare times when I think the movie is better than the book.
I must say that I don't understand why the movie changed certain things ... like the location of 2/3 of the scenes in the book, the name of one of the main characters, the disease, etc.
But, having said that - I think the movie was much less raunchy and vulgar than than the book! I'm glad the movie 'toned it down' from the book.
But the book and the movie both maintain that wonderful underlying foundation of what makes some frien...more
I must say that I don't understand why the movie changed certain things ... like the location of 2/3 of the scenes in the book, the name of one of the main characters, the disease, etc.
But, having said that - I think the movie was much less raunchy and vulgar than than the book! I'm glad the movie 'toned it down' from the book.
But the book and the movie both maintain that wonderful underlying foundation of what makes some frien...more
I was amused that well known literary reviewer Bette Midler had a blurb on this novel. Although if this book was made into a film, she would be perfect as one of the main characters, the singing, dancing, acting Ceecee Bloom.
The story is about a life long friendship, the quiet and kind Roberta (Bertie) White, and the loud, crude, but talented Cecilia (Cee Cee) Bloom. Their friendship undergoes many tests and misunderstandings, and the mercurial Cee Cee proves herself in the end to be worthy of B...more
The story is about a life long friendship, the quiet and kind Roberta (Bertie) White, and the loud, crude, but talented Cecilia (Cee Cee) Bloom. Their friendship undergoes many tests and misunderstandings, and the mercurial Cee Cee proves herself in the end to be worthy of B...more
I can't really say that I disliked the book itself, but I pretty much hated all the characters. They just weren't likable at all in my opinion. I saw the movie Beaches years before I even knew the book existed and I loved it so I figured I'd love the book just as much, if not more. I was wrong. Bertie is so weak and pathetic it's not even funny. I wonder what she ever saw in Michael to begin with. The way she pined over him for all those years was just disgusting and he didn't deserve it at all....more
I can't believe I didn't already have this on my "read" shelf, as I have read it many times before. However, like any favorite book, it is always good for another read. Beaches is one of my favorite movies, and I love the book it is based on as well. Although the story is different, the theme of friendship between two very different women is the same. And the love that Cee Cee has for her best friend and the way that she stays beside her until the very end make up a story of which I will never t...more
Having seen the movie Beaches more times than I can count, I was looking forward to the book. I am therefore sorry to say that I didn’t like it that much.
The basic story stays the same: Cee Cee Bloom and Bertie White (Hillary in the movie) form an unlikely friendship when they are 10 and & 7 years old (respectively). Through many years and personal hardships they remain friends, until a tragic illness brings them together.
What didn’t I like about this book? Cee Cee Bloom is not a very nice...more
The basic story stays the same: Cee Cee Bloom and Bertie White (Hillary in the movie) form an unlikely friendship when they are 10 and & 7 years old (respectively). Through many years and personal hardships they remain friends, until a tragic illness brings them together.
What didn’t I like about this book? Cee Cee Bloom is not a very nice...more
3 likes · like · see review
Feb 02, 2012
Heather Sanchez
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
guilty-pleasures
Well what can I say? I liked most of it, didn't like some. The book version painted Cee Cee as having absolutely no redeeming qualities. Although, she did redeem herself in the end. She would use anything to get her name out there. I wondered quite frequently why these women were even friends. Bertie seemed totally blind. Long story, short. There is a different side to Cee Cee towards the end we see while she cares for the dying Bertie. Tear jerker like the movie. Good read, but Cee Cee is a lit...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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The story was a little difficult to get excited about in the beginning and I am not a fan of the author's style. But, I did really enjoy the middle and end of the book as the characters and their stories developed. It was a tear-jerker - not as bad as "My Sister's Keeper" - but still sad. A story of a good woman who gets cheated out of life. This is another movie I have not seen, but hope to watch soon. The book is a quick and easy read.
I read this book years ago, long before the movie. I enjoyed it immensely -- loved Cee Cee Bloom and could imagine no one other than Bette Midler playing the role so it was no surprise to see Midler star in the adaptation.
Seeing how many movie goers didn't care for the book is another reminder that I should always read the story first before Hollywood has had a chance to go in and white wash it all.
Seeing how many movie goers didn't care for the book is another reminder that I should always read the story first before Hollywood has had a chance to go in and white wash it all.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, despite the obnoxious, narcissistic Cee Cee Bloom who sets out at an early age to become a star. She is self-centered and has a totally indecent vocabulary. Her narcissism is pure Hollywood. Which celebrity is not consumed with self? Cee's best friend, Bertie, is a wall-flower, indecisive and whiny. However, what I loved was the unlikely friendship that developed between these 2 characters.
Jan 14, 2012
Liz
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
saw-the-movie-before-reading,
owned
Having just finished this book, I'm not quite sure yet how I felt about it. I read it for long periods before going back to real life, so it was good enough to get absorbed in... but I somehow didn't cry, which for me is weird. I saw the movie when it first came out as a child and refused to watch it again for several years because it had touched me emotionally in a way I didn't know movies could or should yet. I don't know if my emotional detachment from the book came from spending so much time...more
Dec 20, 2012
Melissa
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-read-2012,
list-2012
Book #76 read in 2012
I remember watching this movie awhile ago and sobbing like a baby. Maybe because I knew the ending, the book didn't have the same impact. It was enjoyable although I couldn't get Bette Midler out of my head the entire time I was reading. Looking back at the movie synopsis, I see many character names and details are different. Interesting.
I remember watching this movie awhile ago and sobbing like a baby. Maybe because I knew the ending, the book didn't have the same impact. It was enjoyable although I couldn't get Bette Midler out of my head the entire time I was reading. Looking back at the movie synopsis, I see many character names and details are different. Interesting.
Beaches is probably my all time favorite friendship movie. I was so looking forward to reading this book to learn more about the characters, but it was not good. I did not like the Bertie character at all. Way too week and the Cee Cee character was too filthy mouth. This book was more about sex and such strong language more so than the friendship that was the basis of the movie.
Loved it! Also one of the closest book/movie adaptations I've ever come across. Sad, quick read, I enjoy the way it's just glimpses into their lives through letters when they're not physically close. After a couple of not-so-great books, this one was what I was looking for!
Beaches was an amazing book! The book was much different then the film, it had the same concept but had huge differences. I've been watching the movie since I was a young girl so reading the book now made my view on the book lower. Although the book was good, the rating lowered because of the expectation from the movie. Friendship and love were huge in this novel.
This book was given to me by my best friend as a birthday present. I love the film but the book is far better, to anyone who has a best friend then they will get the frendship and the closeness of the two characters, so go ahead give your best friend a copy.
Aug 15, 2010
Unsolved Mystery
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Noone, just watch the movie
Shelves:
drama
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
One of my favorite books of all time, along with the movie (Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey). It is also my best friend's favorite -- which is great, because the book is all about the power of a lifetime friend.
Picked this up at a thrift a few months ago, having remembered the movie. Probably saw it on VHS using a VCR. Like those terms, this book was written in the early 80s. Was a good lite, easy listening, retro read. I cried at the end.
One of my all time favorite movies. I enjoyed the book. Even knowing what was going to happen it still brought many tears to my eyes. The book was quite a bit different than the movie. I can appreciate both.
I liked that this wasn't the same as the movie, or else I would have felt compelled to pick which was better, which would be extremely hard as I adored the movie. But yeah, this book was good. Different to the movie, but I wasn't disappointed.
This is one of my all time favorite movies, and I love the book just as much! I fell in love with the movie before I ever read the book, but I could not help but read it anyway. Just good stuff.
This was most definitely a case of the movie was way better than the book. Which is something I never say. Both did not match up even the character names & especially the events or places. I'm not recommending this book especially if you are one who loves the movie.
From the time I was 10 or 11 years old, and my parents introduced the movie to me, "Beaches" has been a story that has been on my mind and in my heart (to this day, the movie makes me sob like a baby). For several years, I've wanted to read the book. However, this is a rare case where I personally believe the movie is MUCH better than the book (and far less provocative...the language in the book is too filthy for my personal liking). Regardless, the story (which varies quite differently from the...more
Didn't totally fall in love but didn't hate it. It makes you remember just how ironic, unfair, bittersweet and messed up life can be. Differs GREATLY from the movie so anyone who loves the movie, there's a good chance you will not like the book.
Oct 21, 2009
Rachel
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who like the film.
Shelves:
chick-literature,
drama
loved it as much as i love the film. beautiful story about a beautiful friendship and what you'd do for the friend you love most; that has become your family.
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Jan 23, 2011 03:37pm