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Judy W. (Tucker, GA)
(04/17/11)
The Art of Saying Goodbye by Ellyn Bache
If you read for character discussions or analysis, this book has more per square inch than many "beach reads". The characters, of which there are too many, are not well developed. This title would provide good discussion for a book club whose members are in their 30s and 40s. I did not enjoy the book and would not recommend it.
Tamara S. (Wenatchee, WA)
(04/14/11)
Real Women, Real Life
Well-written and a realistic portrayal on how women friends and neighbors react when someone close to them is diagnosed with a terminal condition at the prime of their life. Reminds us that knowing your losing someone you have known for a while results in reflecting on how this person has influenced your personal choices and interpersonal relationships even if they were not your best friend or even a close family member.
Laura L. (Providence, RI)
(04/13/11)
a topic people don't talk about
I chose to review this book because I have been thinking a lot about life and death. Both of my parents passed away from cancer in the past five years. Both were quick deaths from diagnosis to death. I appreciated that this novel speaks about how things happen that we have no control of. At times I became confused as the characters are not as complicated as they could be, and I think that less characters and deeper inner lives would bring this book to a rating of five. Nevertheless some of the lines hit home.
Jo B. (DeRidder, LA)
(04/11/11)
The art of saying Goodbye
This book appealed to me with the description comparing it to authors that I like. It is a major disappointment. I find the characters poorly developed and the story line weak. I'm not going to finish it because I have too many other books to read. Sorry this one wasn't better developed.
Sarah H. (Arvada, CO)
(04/03/11)
Well intentioned, poorly executed
Unremarkable characters and prosaic writing make an interesting premise unsubstantial. There are a few poignant lines, but they seem out of context. The author's intent and honesty come through to lend the book legitimacy, making it readable just not memorable.
Mary Lou M. (N Royalton, OH)
(04/01/11)
The Art of Saying Goodbye
In my opinion, the characters lacked a true connection. Yes, Paisley was supposedly the connection to everyone, but as the reader, I never felt a connection to Paisley. Background information on the characters needed some punching up. Would not recommend this book to my book club, it might cause a mutiny.
Marie C. (Wyoming, DE)
(03/29/11)
Shades of...
I started this book thinking, "Well, this is just shades of 'Desperate Housewives' minus the comedy." As I moved further into the book it settled in to the author's distinct narrative style. It will definitely be appreciated by the 35 - 55 women set. Except for the sometimes confusing flashbacks the story is well written and I found myself living the neighborhood's struggle with one of their own battling cancer. i enjoyed the dynamics of the various relationships between the women and their husbands. I would recommend this book. It's a fast read.
Marti F. (Coralville, IA)
(03/28/11)
Very disappointed
The brief intro at the beginning of this book does not accurately describe this book at all. It states that the four women, (who find ways to comfort their friend who is dying), "grow closer as the days go by." Actually, none of these four women are good friends, merely acquaintances. They rarely interact during the course of the book. If they had, there would have been some depth and interesting reading. But to me, it felt disjointed.
The last page was beautifully written and there was some sense at the end that each of the four women and their lives had been changed in a good way.
