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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
Read this book for the Senior Center Book Discussion. Charming story. Stereotypes abound. Classic tale of older woman rediscovering themselves.
Having read the reviews I did not expect a great deal from this book but I was pleasantly surprised. I think it fulfils everything it sets out to be as a contemporary piece of women's fiction. It has a pacy narrative with enough action to maintain the reader's interest and a varied cast of characters - who may seem to have everything but really don't. The only thing it lacks is an insight into book groups or books which in reality plays little part in the book. Its probably between 3 and 4 stars for me but generosity is a good thing so today it gets the 4
Kokia "gili" ir prasminga knyga!
Paliečia tiek įvairių temų, kurios yra aktualios daugybei žmonių...
Ir nors buvau nusiteikus, labiau romanui, negu knygai apie draugystę, likau visiškai nenusivylus! Kažkaip man dabar net labiau prie širdies knygos apie draugus, draugystes, o ne meilės istorijos.
Nors negaliu sakyti, kad čia nėra meilės istorija. Jos yra, minimaliai, bet yra, čia labiau gal apie meilę Sau galima rasti, bet juk tai tikriausiai ir turi būti svarbiausia meilė, mylėti save patį.
Paliečia tiek įvairių temų, kurios yra aktualios daugybei žmonių...
Ir nors buvau nusiteikus, labiau romanui, negu knygai apie draugystę, likau visiškai nenusivylus! Kažkaip man dabar net labiau prie širdies knygos apie draugus, draugystes, o ne meilės istorijos.
Nors negaliu sakyti, kad čia nėra meilės istorija. Jos yra, minimaliai, bet yra, čia labiau gal apie meilę Sau galima rasti, bet juk tai tikriausiai ir turi būti svarbiausia meilė, mylėti save patį.
I enjoyed The Book Club by Mary Alice Monroe. There are 5 ladies in the book club: Eve, Doris, Midge, Annie and Gabriella. My personal opinion, that was one too many: Gabriella is floating like a forgotten character who pops in occasionally for filler. This was a good book, though, but could have been better without so many characters. I loved Eve’s and Annie’s storylines and relationship. I enjoyed Doris’s storyline, but I wanted to see more of Midge and her fantastic mom, Edith. As a reader, I loved the structure of this book, how each book club pick is the central theme of each chapter and the characters relate personally to the book. And such great book choices: Call of the Wild, Pride and Prejudice, the Bible, etc! Mary Alice Monroe is a favorite novelist of mine, I’ve enjoyed all her books and would recommend this one to anyone who loves women’s fiction, books about books, or just easy, feel good books.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found this novel slow and predictable. A couple of the characters didn't get enough story to make me feel anything much for them.
I think I'd give this book a 3.5, but that's not a choice. This is what I term "women's fiction" and it was a good book. It had 5 main characters that I generally liked, and followed them through some typical women's situations - marriage, children growing up, health problems, infidelity, death, etc. I enjoyed that part of the storyline, but there were one or two brief mentions that I didn't like as much. Not so much as to take away from the story for me.
I have read other books by this author, and I'd say this must be one of her earlier works. I could tell that some of the storylines didn't play out, they just sort of stalled or didn't get played out to what I would consider fruition. Still, an enjoyable book and a nice diversion from what I have read lately. I like to switch things up :)
I have read other books by this author, and I'd say this must be one of her earlier works. I could tell that some of the storylines didn't play out, they just sort of stalled or didn't get played out to what I would consider fruition. Still, an enjoyable book and a nice diversion from what I have read lately. I like to switch things up :)
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
I needed a light read after several heavy ones. It wasn't as light as I expected because it covered some very serious life issues. Each woman was experiencing a major life change that any one of us could face at any given time.
The friendships, life events, and choices are relatable on all levels.
I was impressed that MAM wrote from each woman's perspective at the appropriate time. The multiple perspectives make for some great character development, but that was about it for this book.
There were five concurrent storylines and none of them really has a conclusion, but such is life.
I normally love MAM's writing style, but something is just off about this one. It is interesting to go backwards to an author's older works and realize how much that author has honed in on a certain feel for their works.
The friendships, life events, and choices are relatable on all levels.
I was impressed that MAM wrote from each woman's perspective at the appropriate time. The multiple perspectives make for some great character development, but that was about it for this book.
There were five concurrent storylines and none of them really has a conclusion, but such is life.
I normally love MAM's writing style, but something is just off about this one. It is interesting to go backwards to an author's older works and realize how much that author has honed in on a certain feel for their works.