Reviews

The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg

cdjdhj's review against another edition

4.0

The story of a seemingly "perfect" all-American family who is suddenly confronting revelations that one of their parents has abused one of the siblings. Although the book reads like one of those women's knitting club books, I think the themes of forgiveness and redemption are valid. All of the characters are so flawed that we aren't sure if we, as readers, should like or can trust them. Also, the book seems to end abruptly without really much of a resolution, just the hope of one. It is an Ok enough book, that I might try another one by this author, if I can find one at a thrift or used book store.

twold's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

knuckledown's review against another edition

4.0

A Mother's Day gift for my mom, and the gift keeps on giving. This is one of the sadder Berg books I've read, or at least more unpleasant. Yet even when she is telling a rather disturbing story, it is still oddly joyful to read. The book's dedication says this: "For those who find forgiveness by way of the truth and for those who find the truth by way of forgiveness." I think I must be the first sort of person because the truths stated so bravely and plainly in Berg's writing allow me to forgive, in a way, the dark moments in the story.

As my mom always says, there's no "getting into" an Elizabeth Berg book. The characters are there from page one, fully formed, waiting to tell you their story.

laurabythebook's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

carroll79's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5

theseventhl's review against another edition

2.0

Eh. I mean, it was a compelling story and I finished it very quickly. But a lot of the supporting cast were no more than props to make the MC feel better about herself, the ending lacked any sort of true satisfying emotional conclusion, and I think the decision to have the story told from the perspective of Laura and not Caroline took away from the younger sister's narrative. Laura served as a manageable cipher for readers to see a flawed and toxic family dynamic from the eyes of someone who only realized in retrospect how terrible her sister was being treated... but then the story can't trust Caroline to tell her own story through her own POV.

Having Laura be a quilt maker was such a lazy metaphor for piecing her family together. Her being a quilt maker didn't even serve the plot in the end, just was a distraction during pivotal scenes (spacing out because her spaghetti looks like a cool pattern while her sister is trying to talk about how their mother abused her - really? I'm supposed to like this woman???)

I think the most believable relationship is between Laura and Pete. They argue, they fight, they make up, they do silly stuff and make out in the parking lots of fast food joints. Steve, Laura's brother, popped in and out during the first half of the book but didn't stick around, and as a consequence became very forgettable and not crucial to the story.

I dunno. It's a quick read and it's well written for the most part, but other than that, it's very fluffy with little emotional substance.

kleddy13's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

somanybookstoread's review against another edition

4.0

I don't remember how I discovered Elizabeth Berg. But I'm glad I did. I haven't loved everything I've read by her, but this one was definitely enjoyable. The Art of Mending is a double entendre for the protagonist, who is a quilter (meaning 1) and asked to bear witness to a painful family situation (meaning 2). In essence, it's a story of wearing blinders, facing truth, and cultivating forgiveness. Who couldn't use a bit of contemplation around those topics?
It was a quick, well-crafted read. The only issue I had with it is kind of trite and plot-related. Characters in this book just keep getting on flights as though flying is something one does on a whim and not an expensive endeavor that requires planning. That irritated me for some reason. But overall, I recommend this to those who enjoy contemporary, literary (or semi-literary) fiction.

meme_too2's review against another edition

3.0

I liked this book mostly because the main character was an art quilter. So what, you say?

I do like the way Elizabeth Berg writes. She uses beautiful words that cause you to think deeply. Yet, she can sometimes be disturbing and too real. This is one of her better books.

beanboi01's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5