Interesting Characters
I liked the book, though it bothered me that Marian didn't seem to be able to get past the death of her husband. After all those years, you would think she'd be able to get on with her life. The characters in the book were interesting and described in depth; I had to feel sorry for what they put each other through. At times I wanted to shake all of them!
It surprised me that I wasn't sure, till the end, HOW it was going to end. That was unusual.
I imagine it would provide enough discussion for a reading group, so I would recommend it.
Rated of 5
by Caryl L. (Williamsburg, VA)
first warm evening of the year
This is a delightful book telling the story of three lives intertwined in a sea of conflicting emotions and conflicts. Marion, a widow, satisfied with her stagnant life, after her husband,s death. Geoffrey, hoping to free his busy life in NYC busy with social connections and cocktail parties and anxious to make his life meaningful. Eliot, in love with Marion but unable express it. Saul has the ability to look into the hearts and minds of his characters. He shows a deep understanding of the human mind and heart.
Rated of 5
by Julie M. (St. Paul, MN)
Fate or Luck?
This story reinforced my belief that people are put in our path or in our lives for a reason and sometimes one connection can lead to another with another person. Also that not everyone is ready for a committed relationship early in life, but eventually we all seem to desire it.
Rated of 5
by Beth M. (Scarsdale, NY)
A lot of pondering, not much action.
I found this book frustrating to read. What this book explored is the fascinating terrain of love lost and new love found and the crazy dance of relationships. However, very little happens and much of the dialog is internal and introspective. Plus I just couldn't buy the idea of love at first sight for two middle aged and wounded people. I did appreciate the writer's intense psychological analysis and his gentle handling of each character.
Rated of 5
by Suri F. (Durham, NC)
Vapid Lives
I did not enjoy this book at all, and only rated it a 3 because I realize that someone else might like it. To me, the book appears to be a cartoon without illustrations.The characters were self-centered and humorless. They lived in a privileged world where everyone is affluent and white, but they are loaded with self pity. None of them was fully drawn nor did they appear to have any true back story.
Rated of 5
by Vy A. (Phoenix, AZ)
The First Warm Evening of the Year
With only a few characters and in a short time span, author Jamie Saul captures many complex emotions in both fragile and solid relationships. This story deals with friendship at many levels and many types of love--love between siblings, parents and children, spouses and lovers. It is also a story of love lost and found again, but perhaps most importantly it recognizes how painful the grieving process can be. This book will resonate with anyone who has lost a loved one and the difficulty of letting go of the past. It is also a novel of redemption, grace and second chances for love in one’s life.
Rated of 5
by Catharine L. (Petoskey,
Not Much Going On
Geoffrey, a 42 year old bachelor, is asked to be the executor of his friend Laura's estate. Once, best of friends, he hasn't seen her in 20 years. He meets Marion, her best friend, who lost her husband 10 years before and is still mourning. Both Geoffrey and Marion are in convenient relationships, but that changes when Geoffrey falls in love with Marion and convinces her to take a chance on love again. This book wasn't stimulating enough for me. A book for a lazy afternoon at the beach - quickly read and forgotten.
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Full Story
of 5
by Diane D. (Blairstown, NJ)
of 5
by Beth M. (Scarsdale, NY)
