I found this to be a totally entertaining read. Ms Kearsley has found a charming way to facilitate the transition back into history which satisfied my...moreI found this to be a totally entertaining read. Ms Kearsley has found a charming way to facilitate the transition back into history which satisfied my need for creativity while presenting an interesting period of time. Since my Scottish ancestors came from that area, I had a sense of learning more about them and why they came to America.
In addition, I loved her portrayal of the three men and their relationship, as well as the present day romance. As a writer myself I understand what it's like to see your character's heart broken, so while I was glad to see the mc get her man back in the end I thought it was a bit of a stretch.
this book was a selection bye of my book club members. i had mixed feelings about it. I felt it was weak organizationally speaking and yet the emotio...morethis book was a selection bye of my book club members. i had mixed feelings about it. I felt it was weak organizationally speaking and yet the emotional impact of the way the man's experiences were related was so authentic, in that disjointed, nonjudging way that we experience our lives that it kept me reading. It rambled about in an all too familiar manner.(less)
A member of my book club loaned me this and I'm so glad. It's a drag getting older in spite of all the hype. At least we are all in it together. Very...moreA member of my book club loaned me this and I'm so glad. It's a drag getting older in spite of all the hype. At least we are all in it together. Very funny vignettes.(less)
This book had great reviews and was compared to F Scott Fitzgerald.
I don't feel the first third of the book lived up to the billing. It wa...moreThis book had great reviews and was compared to F Scott Fitzgerald.
I don't feel the first third of the book lived up to the billing. It was disjointed and unclear. I think that is because the male author could not identify with his female mc at that stage in her life.
However, once she becomes part of the upper crust lifestyle of New York, he comes into his own and the work is reminiscent of the great authors of that era.
Towles has a wonderful way with descriptive phrases and self-deprecating humor on the part of his characters. I felt I came away with an excellent feel for the society of the time period he describes.
Tragedies of the second World War seem to be so profuse that it hard to imagine being deeply touched by yet another. But, that is what this book does...moreTragedies of the second World War seem to be so profuse that it hard to imagine being deeply touched by yet another. But, that is what this book does. Such a shining young person, so brave and selfless, should never be snuffed while man's soul is intact.(less)
This book was recommended to me in an unusual way. A psychic suggested I read it.
I did and I found much to recommend it. I liked the thread...moreThis book was recommended to me in an unusual way. A psychic suggested I read it.
I did and I found much to recommend it. I liked the threads that ran through all the scenes, tieing what is essentially a collection of short stories together.
It reminds me of life, which is also like a series of short stories strung together.(less)
I liked this book so much that I then purchased another by the author, which didn't captivate me at all.
The beginning was a bit slow, but on...moreI liked this book so much that I then purchased another by the author, which didn't captivate me at all.
The beginning was a bit slow, but once into it I became engrossed in the author's ability to describe the passion a painter has for his work, the appetite for color and the willingness to sacrifice to create.
I came away feeling as though I had been there for the painting of this work of art, and the people in the picture will never be strangers again.(less)
I found this book recommended on Blogher. The story was so familiar; so many women have lived through just the same scenario.
I couldn't he...moreI found this book recommended on Blogher. The story was so familiar; so many women have lived through just the same scenario.
I couldn't help but wonder why the male protagonist was not more fleshed out. As a result, I felt the story was one-sided and had a void in it.
Additionally, the side event of the young girl being killed in a nearby town seemed more like an author's convenience than a subject to affect the main characters.
It was a good first book and I'm sure the second will be even better.(less)
To me this book was exquisitely, skillfully written. I often wonder if the author of a work set out to create characters that juxtapose or if they evo...moreTo me this book was exquisitely, skillfully written. I often wonder if the author of a work set out to create characters that juxtapose or if they evolve that way as the story emerges.
At any rate, the contrast of the options of the two main characters of the story are striking. The book progresses rapidly and the ends brings the reader up short, wishing that it had ended differently and knowing that it could not have.(less)
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