Evensong (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
by Gail Godwin
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 198)
Read in August, 2007
It took me a bit to get into this book. It just seemed slow at the beginning and I didn't really care that much for or about the protagonist of the novel at that point. By the end, though, I was rooting for Margaret and Adrian, hoping Chase recognized his potential, and completely head over heels for the flawed and resilient Tony. I loved that this book was about a couple of Episcopal priests. I spend so much of my time in Baptist world that it was good to refocus on another denomination and rem...more
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Read in March, 2008
I was hoping for the female version of Gilead, and though it didn't quite blow me away, as that one did, it was quite a good story about the struggles and aspirations of a woman minister. I enjoyed these characters, especially Margaret, Aiden, Tony, and Chase, and reading about their spiritual and domestic struggles.
I think the contemplative writing fit the subject and setting quite well. Some sentences just begged me to stop and reread them.
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I think the contemplative writing fit the subject and setting quite well. Some sentences just begged me to stop and reread them.
...more
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Read in June, 2007
Evensong was alright. It was ho-hum, really, but I was set on finishing it. I was initially so excited to read it because it's a story about a female Episcopalian Rector, her faith, marriage and and her role in the community. The author pays great attention to detail, but it's always details that don't add to the beauty of the prose, just...extra words. Why does it matter that the sandwhiches were this type of cheese and this type of meat on this kind of bread and cut in this particular way?
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
female episcopalians
This was an interesting book but it was pretty slow until about half way through. It follows the life of a female preist in an Episcopalian church. The book is set in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. I think i enjoyed envisioning myself living in the setting most of all. I go to church fairly frequently, but it was difficult for me to follow all the liturgical jargon. I'm a Methodist, and the Episcopalian church is pretty foreign to me.
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Read in January, 2007
I enjoyed this, but the characters never truly came to life for me: they were types more than flesh and blood, with Grace being the most extreme example. I also anticipated a couple of plot developments -- and that just annoys me after a point. There was authenticity in the writing about church and ministry, and I liked being privy to Margaret's reflections on the season.
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Read in November, 2007
A close friend sent me this book . . . perhaps because the protagonist reminded her of me. I loved the protagonist because she was sassy, smart, searching and an Episcopal priest. I wanted to shout "Amen" when the priest had spiritual guidance or Biblical interpretation discussions with other characters.
The plot is unique and the setting is beautifully illustrated.
The plot is unique and the setting is beautifully illustrated.
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Read in August, 2006
The sequel to Godwin's Father Melancholy's Daughter (one of my favorite books), this book catches up with Margaret as she follows her father's footsteps into the priesthood in a small town in North Carolina. Full of references to liturgy, life as a parish priest, and personal struggle, it is a book with depth and solid character development.
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Read in January, 2005
A minister married to a minister. The marriage has turned stuffy and on the eve of the new century, three new characters arrive at the isolated town, each with a revelation. Godwin's characters are real and likable and you can't wait to see how it all turns out.
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Read in January, 2007
Yes, as you've guessed from the title, this is another book about a pastor. A very, very cool pastor! Dealing with a huge range of issues (all very real). This is in the realm of Gilead, but adds a feminine perspective that I love.
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Read in February, 2007
an interesting look at a female priest and her self-deprecating headmaster husband and all the other colorful characters surrounding them in the western mountains of north carolina.
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Read in June, 2008
Although Evensong is not as compelling a read as Father Melancholy's Daughter, it is a solid novel. At the end, I found myself a little sad that my time with Margaret was over.
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So good! This was my first Gail Godwin book, and I loved it. Fascinating characters, interesting plot, believable ending. Read it!
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Not as good as Father Melancholy's Daughter. I thought I read Godwin was planning a third book about Margaret?
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Read in January, 2004
My first intro to Godwin's work. One of my favorite modern novels. About a woman's struggle with her calling.
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It's a good read if you aren't looking for something with alot of depth, but still has meaning.
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Read in January, 2006
Parts of this book were wonderful. But then other sections dragged.
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