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nursenell's review
3.0
This book follows three women: Babe, Millie, and Grace from just before WWII until 1964. They are supposedly childhood friends although that really didn't seem to be true but in any case as young womjen just out of high school they end up marrying men who soon after leave for war. Only one man will return from the war, two of the women are left widows. Their friendship nevertheless continues. I think the book captures the social changes of the post war period pretty well. I am not sure the friendships would have however stood the test of time. It was an OK book but not great.
lizardgoats's review against another edition
3.0
Advanced Reader's Edition c/o Random House. Blog post to follow reading.
lori_mw's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting look at what the men returning from war had to deal with when they got home, and the effect it had on their spouses and family. I really enjoyed this book!
parot's review against another edition
3.0
I have really mixed feeling about this book. I think there were some really great story lines in here and some fantastic characters. I also prefer my books to work chronologically (for the most part), think that much of it was predictable and really, really disliked how the book ended. Here's the thing ... I want an actual ending. I realize with this many characters that would be hard but I want something a little more definitive than I got. That said, I think the book looked at a really fascinating time in US (& World) history and tackled a lot of it. The number of societal changes you see during the course of this book is pretty amazing. I won't list any because I don't want to spoil anything. I think it would be fantastic for a book club since there are so many characters & issues to discuss but if you like an ending with all the loose ends tied this may not be for you.
librariann's review against another edition
3.0
Easy to read if a little too grand in scope covering multiple years/characters. Am I ever glad to not be a lady during the midcentury.
lynnski723's review against another edition
4.0
I definitely enojyed this one. The effects of WWII on a small town - those that left and came back, those that didn't come back, and the women and families tied to those soldiers. It's not a tear-jerker but will pull at your heartstrings throughout the story.
suannelaqueur's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my God, SO FUCKING GOOD. I hate war. On the other hand, war has given us an endless, bottomless well of stories. Just when you think you've read it all or read it before, you read it again but it's new and different. War. Love. Friendship. Parenthood. Childhood. Marriage. Change. War. So beautifully written. I loved it.
moniqueeditrix's review against another edition
4.0
There's something about books about war, that just give me a little thrill. Following the lives of three friends and the effects of post WW2, this book puts you smavk bang in the story.
slferg's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this, but it was darker than The Guernsey Potato Peel Pie Society.
The story follows 3 women - Grace, Millie & Babe. It begins just before World War II. They are all 3 brides with husbands in the army. Babe finds a job at the telegraph office, while the other two stay at home with their son & daughter. The chapters are split between the women, telling their stories & letters from their husbands. Claude is the only one who returns from the war. The tensions that exist between he & Babe over what he has seen & refuses too talk about, the actions of Grace & Millie in coping with their widowed status are interesting & probably typical of the time; all times. But this book focuses a lot on the difficulties & hardships -it could do with a little more lightness & joy and skips over some things that could do with more explanation. Still it's a book worth reading.
The story follows 3 women - Grace, Millie & Babe. It begins just before World War II. They are all 3 brides with husbands in the army. Babe finds a job at the telegraph office, while the other two stay at home with their son & daughter. The chapters are split between the women, telling their stories & letters from their husbands. Claude is the only one who returns from the war. The tensions that exist between he & Babe over what he has seen & refuses too talk about, the actions of Grace & Millie in coping with their widowed status are interesting & probably typical of the time; all times. But this book focuses a lot on the difficulties & hardships -it could do with a little more lightness & joy and skips over some things that could do with more explanation. Still it's a book worth reading.
shanlyz's review against another edition
2.0
“...my heart, my soul, my blood, my cheeseburger with fried onions, my chocolate chip cookie the way only you can make it....”