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There are currently 38 member reviews
for The Resurrection of Joan Ashby
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Susan P. (Boston, MA)
The Resurrection of Joan Ashby
The premise -- an accomplished writer putting her career second to family -- is not unusual but it's different for each person. So I was intrigued. Joan's thoughts and actions during the years of motherhood and marriage were enlightening and well written, thoughtful However, her writings interspersed throughout were off putting -- both the content and placement. It made it hard to enjoy the book.
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Judy W. (Tucker, GA)
Resurrection of Joan Ashby by Cherise Wolas
The debut of Cherise Wolas' book at one moment was stunning and at the next moment, incomprehensible. The plot would be interesting, then Ms. Wolas would switch to a bizarre story line. The plot is actually a story within a story. The main character, Joan, projected many complexities. It is very well written, but difficult to follow what was happening. This would be a good recommendation for book clubs to dissect through discussion.
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Brenda S. (Winter Haven, FL)
A Book of Lists
On the pro side: the issues involved in family dynamics can be trying and can bring any family to the brink of destruction. The main character, Joan, is not a simple person, but complex with varying degrees of emotions and acceptance. The family was discussed in very honest, sometimes brutal clarity. Decisions made were explained clearly and left no doubt why the results were as written. The books within a book was a unique feature.
On the con: It became a book of lists; every major statement had explanation, explanation, explanation, etc. to the point that it became obnoxious and expected. Some descriptions were not necessary and only seemed to add to word count for the book. At times, the story faltered and evaporated while reading. There was no true ending to this book. After reading 531 pages, who knows where the characters end up? We can guess; however, it is a pet peeve of mine to not close a book and feel, wow, that was a great story.
The first 400 pages were great, the final 131 were somewhat painful. I don't feel better for having read this story.
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Diane T. (Slingerlands, NY)
The Resurrection of Joan Ashby
The Resurrection of Joan Ashby neither has anyone or anything rising from the dead. I have never shied away from books of 500 pages plus, however after plowing through 275 pages of verbosity and convoluted multiple storylines, I concluded that there were too many other books I wanted to read. Perhaps if the author was more economical in her writing and wove the storylines in a more cohesive manner, the book might be a better read. The main storyline is interesting, a female writer who is well on her way to fame marries but with the caveat that she wants no children. Of course, she becomes pregnant and with the birth of her first child realizes the mystery of motherhood in a positive way. Not so with her second child. And so begins the push and pull of her initial desire. I'm going to pick up a less emotionally complicated and intense book to read just to bring me back to earth. With that, watch The Resurrection of Joan Ashby be nominated or better yet, win a Pulitzer Prize!
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Patricia L. (Seward, AK)
Resurrection, but why?
Whatever happened to Joan Ashby? Cherise Wolas's character Joan Ashby is an author who achieved the ultimate literary success at an early age. "Enthralling, riveting, often shocking, her stories are as undeniable as her talent." touts the opening review of Joan Ashby in the fictional Literature Magazine. Wolas then inserts a few of Joan's early stories as proof, a risky technique at best.
Interrupting the main story is at first tolerable then bothersome and later, as it was employed numerous times, absolutely off putting. Also tedious were detailed descriptions of mundane scenes that have little bearing on the story such as listing all possible genres in a book store or a two page depiction of boarding an airplane in which Joan worries "She should have flown first class. Business class at least." One wonders that Joan even knows about coach. Her early notoriety coupled with her husband's lucrative skill as an eye surgeon leave her wanting for little, except a return to her life pre husband and children.
While Joan Ashby is resurrected in this novel there is no redemption. Even after she finally makes her move to get back her life, she blames "…the steep price she paid" on "…a man who breached his promise about having no children; an unexpected child who made motherhood precious; and an expected child who destroyed years of her life…what she had tried desperately to prevent had happened anyway—the stirring and mixing and coalescing of motherhood and life and writing." Ashby is selfish and needy, not an endearing character and definitely not deserving of the end that Wolas pens. This book is only recommended for those who have the time to wade, mostly aimlessly, through 500 plus pages seeking some overall rational for this story and be disappointed.
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Iris F. (West Bloomfield, MI)
The Resurrection of Joan Ashby
At the start of this book I was put off by what I came to realize were excerpts from Joan Ashby's prize winning short story collection. When I got beyond that I settled into what I thought would be an enjoyable read. I was wrong. I found this book mildly disturbing and much of the storyline ridiculous. By then I was too far into the book and felt obligated to finish it. I have to add that Joan Ashby should've stuck to her convictions to never marry or have children.
While I wouldn't recommend this book it would make for an interesting discussion on several levels but primarily on the subject of motherhood.
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Suzanne G. (Tucson, AZ)
Joan and Cherise's Problems
This book began as an interesting story—a very different approach than other books I've read. But by the time I was half way through, I began to feel there was something lacking and I kept backtracking to see what was happening. The storyline became many disjointed plots. I found myself wandering while trying hard to keep absorbed in this overly long book. There were too many descriptions that only made more words to sift through. I have doubts that even the aggressive marketing will make this a best seller.
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