Book Description
What would you do to inherit a million dollars? Would you be willing to change your life? Jason Stevens is about to find out in Jim Stovall's The Ultimate Gift. Red Stevens has died, and the older members of his family receive their millions with greedy anticipation. But a different fate awaits young Jason, whom Stevens, his great-uncle, believes may be the last vestige of hope in the family. "Although to date your life seems to be a sorry excuse for anything I would call promising, there does seem to be a spark of something in you that I hope we can fan into a flame. For that reason, I am not making you an instant millionaire." What Stevens does give Jason leads to The Ultimate Gift. Young and old will take this timeless tale to heart.
Customer Reviews:
life enhancing experience.......2007-10-10
A close friend gave me the book and the minute I opened it I knew I would not be able to put it down. It is a very fast read and it is packed full of valuable insights. As soon as I finished it I went on line and ordered a copy for each of my adolescent grandchildren. I believe there is something to be gained from each chapter. The book held my interest to the end.
Read the book, watch the movie - both will inspire!.......2007-10-01
I received this book as a gift shortly after watching the movie by the same name - I was greatly impressed with the movie and anxious to read the book (since everyone knows that the book is always better than the movie). This book is no exception to that rule - an outstanding read and it was as easy to read as the movie was to watch. This is a novel, a work of fiction that drives home some real life points! The premise of the book is about what's really important in life - is it what we build with our hands or the money and worldly success we achieve, or is it something more than that, something that isn't tangible and can't be bought or sold for any amount of money? In his final will, a dying wealthy man tries to communicate from the grave the true meaning of life to a family member who up until this point hasn't got a clue!
I would think that this book could probably be read to children in upper elementary school and could be read by 7th or 8th graders on their own. The book should be read by parents first so that they can engage their children in conversation along the way. While the book isn't overtly Christian, you'll find that the lessons taught in this novel are very similar to the wisdom shared in the Book of Proverbs and throughout Scripture. Stovall isn't preaching, but he sure can drive a point home with this story; and these twelve "gifts" passed from one generation to the next are essential for each and every one of us to learn as well.
While some say that the movie isn't as good as the book, I say that they are a pretty good compliment of each other. The movie takes various liberties with the book to get this message on screen, but you won't be disappointed with either. The book is written to provoke thought and discussion and families should use them as tools to teach valuable life lessons to their children - Red Stevens would have wanted it that way!
The Ultimate Gift DVD.......2007-09-27
The Ultimate Gift you sent me was a total disaster. I ordered the movie edition and you sent me a book and a promotional DVD. I did not receive the movie edition of the Ultimate Gift. Unfortunately I had ordered it to take on a bus trip that I was directing and I had not taken the time to watch what you sent me, thinking it was the movie edition. When I put it in the DVD player with everyone on the bus eager to watch the movie there was only the promotional disc. Needless to say I was embarrassed and not too happy. Fortunately along the way I was able to purchase the DVD that I thought I was buying from Amazon at a much higher price. I have ordered from Amazon before and have been very pleased but not this time.
A Timely Gift.......2007-09-24
Several copies of The Ultimate Gift were placed on a table at my workplace. A handwritten note read, "Take one and pass it on." The title was intriguing and never one to pass up something free or an opportunity to read, I took one.
Having gained knowledge of most of these gifts through the ups and downs of life, I enjoyed the validations, while unfortunately identifying with Uncle Red's mistakes. I am grateful to the person who made it possible to have a copy of the book.
I titled this review 'a timely gift' because I received in time read it and mail it to my son as a gift for his 26th birthday. Like Uncle Red, wishing to provide, I robbed my children of many of the gifts. I am hoping the book will make a difference in my son's life as he is not a happy person even though he has many blessings. When and if I am in touch with my prodigal daughter, I will share The Ultimate Gift with her, also. It is my goal to share copies of The Ultimate Gift with many, many young persons.
Good , but not terrific.......2007-09-19
The reviews I read promised an inspiring book. It was not to be. It was an interesting premise and story. But the lack of detailed story left me disappointed. Reading the story from the lawyer's view did not give us an opportunity to really travel the road to enlightenment. I felt I was reading the summary, not the story.
A movie of the book is coming out soon. I dare say, I see an immense opprtunity for the movie to outshine the book.
Average customer rating:
- great book
- Enthralling But Grim Picture
- An absolute delight
- just a matter of taste, I guess . . .
- Intriguing Story
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The Inheritance of Loss
Kiran Desai
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Desai, Kiran
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ASIN: 0802142818 |
Book Description
Published to extraordinary acclaim, The Inheritance of Loss heralds Kiran Desai as one of our most insightful novelists. She illuminates the pain of exile and the ambiguities of postcolonialism with a tapestry of colorful characters: an embittered old judge; Sai, his sixteen-year-old orphaned granddaughter; a chatty cook; and the cook’s son, Biju, who is hopscotching from one miserable New York restaurant to another, trying to stay a step ahead of the INS. When a Nepalese insurgency in the mountains threatens Sai’s new-sprung romance with her handsome tutor, their lives descend into chaos. The cook witnesses India’s hierarchy being overturned and discarded. The judge revisits his past and his role in Sai and Biju’s intertwining lives. A story of depth and emotion, hilarity and imagination, The Inheritance of Loss tells a story of love, family, and loss.
Customer Reviews:
great book.......2007-10-10
This was a great read. I enjoyed the analogies between the lives of all the different characters as they played out in the novel. Most of them were very pitiful and sad, and indicative of changes we all must make in this globalized new world, good or bad. I really enjoyed the authors use of words; they were very unusual. The author left all the characters dangling as far as their future was concerned. They all came to a crossroads in their lives with no resolution and it bodes the possibility of a sequel to this. I would really enjoy that. I recommend this book for anybody who is interested in the human condition as it applies to decisions we make as our world advances forward not be leaps and bounds but by turbocharge.
Enthralling But Grim Picture.......2007-10-02
This novel is set in a relatively isolated village in India, with characters ranging from poor to upper middle class. A secondary setting is Manhattan where undocumented immigrants work in squalor and try to survive. The picture of life in India is one I had never seen, and the picture of the impact of British rule is far from complimentary. Character development, plot and historical context are all quite strong, leading to a bittersweet ending. I thought this work was a little drawn out toward the conclusion, which is the only reason for 4 rather than 5 stars.
An absolute delight.......2007-09-25
Beautifully written, charming, playful and yet melancholy, fantastically absurd at times and bitterly realistic at others. I was hooked from the first page. It is a book to be savoured: delightful imagery and perspectives. In the same company as The God of Small Things, another Booker winner that has clearly (and surprisingly) polarised readers into those who loved it (me included) and those who could not finish it. For anyone who enjoys good modern Anglo-Indian writing.
just a matter of taste, I guess . . ........2007-09-24
There isn't much I can add to the positive reviews here. Kiran Desai is a wonderful and talented writer; her canvas is vast and all-encompassing. Far from being bored, I couldn't put it down from the first page. And when I was finished, I went right back to the beginning and read the first few chapters all over again. Go figure.
Intriguing Story.......2007-09-14
In my opinion, this book was an intriguing and interesting story. I always enjoy reading a book that not only relates a wonderful story but also gives me an education. With this book it was the insight into India's way of life, customs and culture. Kiran Desai, detailed India's social order, and vividly described the living conditions and way life of the people living in the countryside. I could not help myself from being touched by the characters in the story, especially Biju life in New York. From Kalimpong to New York City, the author created these characters with such realism that when tragedy struck, I felt their pain. I did feel that the author was a bit weak in the romance side of the story, but overall I enjoyed this very interesting story.
For a Woman's Fiction that reveals the emotions and feelings of a women check out Gathering of Cans by Robert L. Saunders. This refreshing story is a real stunner. In this romance with a bit of mystery story the author heralds the relationship between husband and wife. I read this warm and wonderful story and I wasn't disappointed. You will travel with Zoie Baker, the heroine, on her quest to build a swimming pool by gathering aluminum cans. She feels right down to her bones that this is her destiny. Unique cans that she stumbles on, i.e., Nehi, Mountain Dew, etc., takes the reader on a glorious journey in the life of Zoie from World War II where she meets her soon to be husband, Nat, a Marine, through the 1980's. This gripping story will keep you up to read just one more chapter. You too won't be disappointed! Bye.
Book Description
A mysterious plane crash . . . a dangerous trek through the Idaho wilderness . . . a smoldering attraction . . . and a deadly game of cat and mouse. In her latest tour de force of romantic suspense, New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard blends these elements into a gripping story that will keep readers breathless–and leave them begging for more. For in Linda Howard’s world, trust can be a weapon, a kiss can be a threat, and intimacy can be deadly.
Bailey Wingate’s scheming adult stepchildren are surprised when their father’s will leaves Bailey in control of their fortune, and war ensues. A year later, while flying from Seattle to Denver in a small plane, Bailey nearly dies herself when the engine sputters–and then fails.
Cam Justice, her sexy Texan pilot, manages to crash-land the aircraft. Stranded in the wilderness, and struggling to douse her feelings for the ruggedly handsome man by her side, Bailey begins to wonder whether this was a mere accident. Who tampered with their plane? Who’s trying to reunite Bailey and her husband in the afterlife? Cut off from the world, and with little hope of rescue, Bailey must trust her life–and heart–to Cam, as they battle the harsh elements to find a way out of the unforgiving wilds and back to civilization . . . where a killer may be waiting to finish the job.
Sexy, suspenseful, and lightning fast, Up Close and Dangerous showcases a beloved author at her dazzling best.
Customer Reviews:
Actually, it's better than she's been lately.......2007-10-09
I have been SEVERELY disappointed in Linda Howard's books lately, but I actually enjoyed this book....for the most part. The ending came rather quickly and was a total surprise....and it was disappointing that some characters didn't get what was coming to them....the story just ended abruptly.
Will Seth grow up and get his own novel with his own strong woman???
not one of my favorites.......2007-09-27
this was not one of my favorite Linda Howard books and I have read them all.
The Plot was unbelievable and the characters were weak...
Hoping for a better story next time around..
Survivor story in eastern WA.......2007-09-27
I liked this book. And as some others have said, it's also a course in survival. Who would think that pine needles in hot water tastes ok as a tea? Or perhaps being able to eat the pine nuts for protein? It was a great story, exciting, probably based on tried and true survival methods and a love story as well. It was entertaining, kept me reading and very interested in what would possibly happen next. And I was surprised by the ending. So to me, it's a good book. Not the best or greatest---but good. I'd suggest it to anyone needing a book to read at the beach or on a plane.
Surprisingly good book.......2007-09-25
I made a huge mistake before I read this book. I read the many reviews on it, and many of them panned Up Close and Dangerous. Pish tosh! The reviewers need to get a review clue. Howard gives her readers a tightly plotted book. She lays a trail of crumbs for readers so that they can understand both Cameron and Bailey. Howard's point is that we can't judge people without knowing them. So Cam and Bailey come to know each other under adversity caused by a plane crash. She is more than a rich man's darling. He is more than some macho jock who despises her. Being thrown together as a result of the crash helps Bailey and Cameron to build an enduring relationship in which each has a full gauge of what the other is capable of under pressure.
Another aspect of the novel is how Howard tosses dust in her reader's eyes but casting suspicion on and then clearing Bailey's stepchildren. Though they both hate her, her stepson, because of the accident, learns to channel his hate to achieve a positive objective. In this way, he realizes his father's ambition for him. Though he learns about Bailey and understands why she is his stepmother and is in control of things, he openly acknowledges that he prefers to have the status quo remain in place in order to continue his growth and development as a responsible human being.
Howard's novel even has a surprising twist at the end. Perhaps it's not so surprising. Anyway, the novel's plot is a good one, and it works.
The reader should not expect the usual heat that can burn up characters in a Howard novel. Instead, one sees an eventual growth in relationship that comes to be based on trust rather than sheer heat. Besides, it's somewhat difficult to flame out when a guy's injured for good part of things.
I liked this novel very much, and recommend it to other readers. I read it as a library borrow, and will purchase it when the paperback comes out. Good for you, Linda. Good read, worth the money.
Stock Howard.......2007-09-23
I've been a Linda Howard reader for some time but I've seen a steady decrease in quality with a corresponding increase in price. Howard seems to sleepwalk through the novel. Three fourths of it consisting of a survival guide on what to do if you're in a plane crash in the mountains. I'm sorry but this isn't what I'm looking for in romantic suspense, especially when it doesn't advance the plot (what little there is). The main characters are barely sketched in and the ending gotcha (in the last 3 pages no less) seem an afterthought. I really don't think any of her recent novels should be hardcover with the accompanying hardcover price tag. I don't begrudge Howard making a profit on her work but really, at least make the work worth it. If you want to read an author with real character development and great plots pick up the Dirk & Steele novels by Majorie M. Liu.
Book Description
The Wideacre estate is bankrupt. The villagers are living in poverty and Wideacre Hall is a smoke-blackened ruin. But, in the Dower House, two children are being raised in protected innocence.
Equal claimants to the estate, rivals for the love of the village, they are tied by a secret childhood betrothal but forbidden to marry. Only one can be the favored child. Only one can inherit the magical understanding between the land and the Lacey family that can make the Sussex village grow green again. Only one can be Beatrice Lacey's true heir.
Sensual, gripping, sometimes mystical, The Favored Child sweeps the reader irresistibly into the eighteenth century, a revolutionary period in English history. This rich and dramatic novel continues the saga of the Lacey family started in Philippa Gregory's bestselling and enduringly popular Wideacre.
Customer Reviews:
Julia Lacey .......2007-09-04
The book is called The Favored Child, due to a legend that has sprung up around the village of Acre that Beatrice's true heir will return and the land will be happy again.
That's the only interesting thing about this book. Julia is an extremly weak character, due mostly to the fact that she is raised by Celia, the late Harry Laceys wife. But her real mother, Beatrice, is hardly in evidence in her daugther. Other then her love of the land and it's people,Julia is very different. She was raised as an indoor girl, and was taught to know her place. But i still can't believe how she puts up with Richards abuse. From almost the first chapter, when see her cavng in time and again, simply because he's the boy!
Her only attempt to escape Richard, a betrothal to James,a man she meets in Bath, is thwarted by Richard.
Richard is himself a very unlikable character. i never felt sympathy for any of the charcters. Well, a little bit for Julia at the end. Thats why the book got two stars. She finally starts tro prove herself towards the end.
Read it as the middle part to the wideacre trilogy.
These are getting a little creepy.......2007-08-11
In this second book in the Wideacre trilogy, Julia and her cousin Richard have grown up together among the ruins of their family estate and have always planned to marry, despite their guardians' disapproval. When, as a teenager, Julia begins to demonstrate a talent for working with the land and its inhabitants, Richard grows resentful. After all, only one of them can be the rumored favored child, the true heir to Wideacre.
Gregory's early works are starting to remind me of V.C. Andrews' style of near-horror stories, only with richer detail and better writing. I really wanted to strangle Julia for her stupidity at times. Yes, she was confined within the role of women in her time, but had she told someone - anyone! - what was happening, at least some of the tragedy might have been avoided.
Good Book.......2007-07-19
After reading the first book in this trilogy (Wideacre), I was not too excited to read this one but I wanted to find out what happens to the Lacey family. I have to say this book is much better than Wideacre. I am now reading the third book (Meridon) and I believe it is even better than the second book. So, if you got through the first book and are wondering if you should venture into the other two, it is definitely worth your time.
incredibly powerful...........2007-07-06
so i just finished reading this book and my stomach is still in knots. philippa gregory is a puppet master and with every word she will tug on your emotions with this book along with her many other masterpeices....simply amazing. there were times when i was afraid to continue reading it because i was actually scared of what would happen next. it is beyond powerful. truly spectacular. i cant give this book or this author enough praise.
Disappointingly Miserable.......2007-06-11
This book did not live up to Gregory's later book, Meridon. I don't know about Wideacre because I haven't read it yet but reading The Favored Child made me not want to go back to the first book.
Julia is just an idiot. I felt really bad for her but she kind of just screwed herself over throughout the entire story. And nothing good ever came out of all of her struggles.
It left me with a really disturbed, and unsatisfied feeling. I do not recommend this novel.
Book Description
In The Right Address, Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman seared through the upper crust of New York’s glitterati with wicked glee. In their delicious new novel, Wolves in Chic Clothing, they train their merciless spotlight on the young princes and princesses poised to inherit Park Avenue.
Julia, a hip, downtown salesgirl at Pelham’s jewelry store, finds her social life turned on its head when she is asked to deliver a necklace to the store’s young heiress, Lell Pelham, on Lell’s wedding day. Beguiled by Julia’s earnest cluelessness and her vintage-chic vibe, Lell and her gang adopt Julia, and “Eliza Doolittle” her into passing as the heiress to a family fortune, just for a laugh.
Dazed by the whirlwind of trust funds, pedigrees, Cosmopolitans, and penthouses in her new world, Julia is unprepared for the ardent advances of Lell’s husband—or the vicious claws her new “friends” develop when they decide Julia is an ingrate, and demote her from society goddess to penniless cling-on with one well-timed editorial. Suddenly, she must return the borrowed couture clothes and try to remember who she was before the body snatching took place.
Hilarious and completely addictive, Wolves in Chic Clothing is a modern-day rags-to-riches-and-back-again fairy tale that will leave fans stamping their Manolo Blahniks for more.
Download Description
In The Right Address, Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman seared through the upper crust of New York’s glitterati with wicked glee. In their delicious new novel, Wolves in Chic Clothing, they train their merciless spotlight on the young princes and princesses poised to inherit Park Avenue. Julia, a hip, downtown salesgirl at Pelham’s jewelry store, finds her social life turned on its head when she is asked to deliver a necklace to the store’s young heiress, Lell Pelham, on Lell’s wedding day. Beguiled by Julia’s earnest cluelessness and her vintage–chic vibe, Lell and her gang adopt Julia, and ”Eliza Doolittle” her into passing as the heiress to a family fortune, just for a laugh. Dazed by the whirlwind of trust funds, pedigrees, Cosmopolitans, and penthouses in her new world, Julia is unprepared for the ardent advances of Lell’s husbandor the vicious claws her new “friends” develop when they decide Julia is an ingrate, and demote her from society goddess to penniless cling–on with one well–timed editorial. Suddenly, she must return the borrowed couture clothes and try to remember who she was before the body snatching took place. Hilarious and completely addictive, Wolves in Chic Clothing is a modern–day rags–to–riches–and–back–again fairy tale that will leave fans stamping their Manolo Blahniks for more.
Customer Reviews:
Light and Fun.......2007-09-14
This is a very quick and breezy read meant to purely entertain and distract, not enlighten. I read it in about two nights and found it very much in tune with Bergdorf Blondes. If you are into New York socialite stories, this one is worth reading. The story is predictable, but the setting is first class.
Wolves In Chic Clothing.......2007-04-03
Flat, pedestrian cliche parody of Sexy in the City, Devil Wears Prada, Nanny Diaries. Clearly living on the fumes and riding the coat tails of the stories listed above, Wolves In Chic Clothing is just one glass of cheap champagne.
The story centers on a group od NY society womens who adopt a young and stylish girl to be their project (hello My Fair Lady). And yawn, all the clumsy descriptive curly-ques. Talk of "well heeled" Manolo wearing, Prada toting bitchy inner intrigue of a bunch of characters who are as boring as predictable.
The story line boils down to some tired and dated message of "Rich people are bad people", "Poor people are real people".
Don't waste your time. Buy yourself a DVD of Sex In The City, Or Devil Wears Prada for the real thing.
Wolves In Chic clothing is the Designer Imposter of books.
Makes you wonder if socialites are like this..........2007-01-25
I was thrown into this book and got out 2 days later. It's a very easy read, under 300 pages. You will fall in love with the main character and this book will make you go "Awww!" at the end! Haven't read any other book by these authors but am off to get The Right Address!
Julia is intriguing!.......2007-01-20
Lell Pelham, the heiress to Pelham's Jewelry Store (I envisioned Tiffany's, but grander)is spoiled and getting married to Will, a playboy on the social circle. Julia Pierce, a beautiful saleswoman has been asked to deliver the infamous "Pelham necklaces" for Lell's wedding. Julia is shocked to learn that Lell has even noticed her, and never would she guess that "Lell would notice her". Lell is intrigued by Julia, who although beautiful would be the perfect person to morph into the social butterfly of the century....she would be responsible for taking someone from another class, but all the classic looks and changing her to fit what her idea of "perfect" is. Lell is joined in her attempts by Polly who is equally as manipulative as her friend. Julia, caught up in the excitement of a new job, new friends, new clothes, and fantastic opportunities finds herself slowly changing into someone that she never thought that she would (she feels attracted to Lell's new husband Will, who is pursuing her because Lell has started cheating on him, right after the honeymoon). There are extremely entertaining and interesting characters in this novel.
Lell Pelham, heiress to a jewelry company, works hard to please her father while hating her mother. She knows that her father is unfaithful whenever possible, but relishes in the fact that he trusts her to run the family business. However, she too is fighting demons of (1) not letting anyone to close, even her husband. (2) Using money to keep people under her control. And (3) wants what she can not have.
Polly, who we hate, but soon understands, is in a marriage (for convenience only); has a child (to beat Lell to the punch); has a husband who drinks and ignores her (and seems to have a secret); gossips non-stop, as well as starts trouble within the group and struggles with her relationship with her mother (who doesn't seem to want to acknowledge her existence)- seems to find out what is really important in life, after it is too late.
Will, married to a woman who can give him everything that he wants materially, but she won't give him what he wants the most her heart. And I think that Will realizes that sometimes selling your soul won't bring you happiness.
Oscar, the sweet misfit of the group, just doesn't understand the long conversations about fashion or what "dumb" benefit that everyone wants to attend, just for the sake of attending
Holly, the friend of Lell and Polly who seems the most down to earth. She is married to a wonderful man, and has two wonderful boys, and for a minute questions "what if"? But in the end,knows what things are important and clings to that.
I really enjoyed this novel and would like to read another. I thought that it was whitty, and although I initially thought that I would never like a book that discussed this kind of topic, it was refreshing.
Working Girl Power!.......2006-11-11
Loved this book. Cool, stylish working girl makes it into snooty NY "in" crowd. Soap opera-like story of the 20-something rich and glamorous...how they are gorgeous, miserable and menacing. The heroine is likable and, of course, comes out okay in the end. Feel good story that I enjoyed reading. Definitely recommend it if you like chick lit!!!
Book Description
Beatrice Lacey, as strong-minded as she is beautiful, refuses to conform to the social customs of her time. Destined to lose her family name and beloved Wideacre estate once she is wed, Beatrice will use any means necessary to protect her ancestral heritage. Seduction, betrayal, even murder -- Beatrice's passion is without apology or conscience. "She is a Lacey of Wideacre," her father warns, "and whatever she does, however she behaves, will always be fitting." Yet even as Beatrice's scheming seems about to yield her dream, she is haunted by the one living person who knows the extent of her plans...and her capacity for evil.
Sumptuously set in Georgian England, Wideacre is intensely gripping, rich in texture, and full of color and authenticity. It is a saga as irresistible in its singular magic as its heroine.
Customer Reviews:
Could Not Put It Down.......2007-09-26
I must first say I should have bought it on Amazon because I payed $16 for it in the bookstore. However I would not have bought it if I had first read the reviews. This is not the sort of book I would want. The other reviewer are correct saying it is sickening with the incest but I have to admit I could not put it down. If it were not for the incest I would have given it a 5 star but I just could not get past it. One reviewer said it was necessary for the plot and if that is the case it did not have to be that graphic in details. I did not read those parts, I just moved on untill I saw " so I new someone was talking again. :-)
A Passionate Tale Not for the Faint.......2007-09-21
Philippa Gregory weaves a passionate tale combining seduction, murder and obsession in yet another engaging novel spanning the early 19th century. Engrossing and intriguing, Wideacre is disarming with its intense thematic elements that can make for an uncomfortable but enraptured read. Beatrice Lacey is the anti-heroine of Gregory's novel, as a woman who will not let her gender, and her era's attitude towards people of it, foil her plans for the future.
Told from the perspective of Beatrice, Gregory uses her skills to develop a protagonist that is utterly unlikable. Beatrice, the "Lacey of Wideacre," decides from an early age that her only true love is her father's land, Wideacre. When she discovers that she is not the heir of the land, that it is instead going to her studious brother, Harry, she resolves to do anything in her power to take back what she deems is rightfully hers. Whether it is murder or incest, Beatrice does, with no second thought, whatever possible to make sure she is in control of the land she holds so revered.
At times an overwhelming read, Wideacre vicariously brings to life the wretched acts of Beatrice Lacey and the horror she inflicts upon the people she encounters. The only person Beatrice fears is Ralph, the one man who knows how far she is willing to take her greed and infatuation with the land. Her passion for Wideacre is one they both shared as childhood lovers, but with Ralph forcefully removed from Wideacre and Beatrice's life, Beatrice is left alone and able to wreck havoc on the lives of those effecting her position as Squire of Wideacre.
Everyone around her is soon weaved into Beatrice's tumultuous web of deceit, especially because they are all charmed by Beatrice's seemingly enchanting and personable mien. The townspeople of Wideacre, her family and especially her brother Harry are all cast under Beatrice's spell.
In an incestuous relationship with her brother, and the mother of two of his children, Beatrice guarantees she has Wideacre, and Harry, under her control. Yet everything around her slowly unravels as her intelligent, charming husband and sweet, timorous sister-in-law begin to realize the true evil behind Beatrice's innocent nature.
Gripping and forceful, Gregory doesn't leave room for pleasantries. Beatrice will do anything to hold control of her beloved Wideacre, and the novel becomes more disturbing as the lengths Beatrice will go to quench her desires are revealed. However, the novel's brilliance lies in Gregory's inability to apologize for her unsettling story in which the lead characters are so contemptible.
Gregory's writing, like always, is impeccable. The story is woven together beautifully and the writing both captivates and appalls. Gregory's novel shows how far a ruthless woman like Beatrice would go for her land, and the price she pays for it all.
The first book in the trilogy, Wideacre sets the pace for Gregory's brilliant penmanship.
guilty pleasure.......2007-09-12
It's like reading a better written "Flowers in the Attic" but with a historical backdrop that makes you feel less dirty. Same scandalous and incestuous themes, but with a slightly more intellectual veneer. Still, reading it was like passing a horrible car crash on the highway and not wanting to rubberneck like the rest of the fools, but not being able to tear your eyes away from the carnage. Exactly like that.
Couldn't put it down. Sabotaged my plans to complete my Advanced Physiology reading for two straight days.
Wow........2007-08-30
I honestly didn't expect to like this book. I read some of the reviews on here, and it made me uncertain. But i thought i'd give it a shot. I'm very glad i did.
This book was well written, and you actually cared about them.
Beatrice Lacey: She does everything and anything possible to stay on the land she loves. She goes from a young girl of 14 or 15 who adores her father, only tro plan his death, enjoying her first lover, to a jaded woman of twenty or twenty one, who has sacrified her own soul,consience and chance at love to ensure she and her son never leave Wideacre.
It's actually rather sad to read at times. At some point, Beatrice realizes she's lost her way, and finally is just waiting for death it seems. Nothing can make her feel alive again. Her character just goes from this woman who loves her home and fights her brother to keep to the old ways so the poor don't suffer, to being the cause of their ruin. It's sad. And it creeps up on you in this book before you even realize its happening.
Harry Lacey: He goes from a self indulgent, beautiful boy, almost a god of the harvest in Beatrice's and Celia's eyes, to selfish boorish man. He never fully understands whats happening to him. The relationship between himself and his sister at times seems so oddly normal its bizarre in itself.
This book is definetly a page turner. you want something different, this is it!
Don't put these images into your mind.......2007-08-26
I've thoroughly enjoyed several of Gregory's other novels, so I had high hopes for this book. Honestly, though, I wish I didn't have images from this story lingering in my mind, because the plot and protagonist are simply too vile for words. I bought it as an airplane read, and I did finish it (trapped in the big tin can in the sky), but I threw it away in disgust as I left the airport because I didn't want it in my home. I find myself a bit sick to my stomach thinking about it again, although I read it months ago. Stick with the wonderful Boleyn series, and leave this one alone!
Book Description
When Cameron was fifteen, she and Sonia were best friends—so close it seemed nothing would ever come between them. Now Cameron is a twenty-nine-year-old research assistant with no meaningful ties to anyone except her aging boss, noted historian Oliver Doucet.
Nearly a decade after the incident that ended their friendship, Cameron receives an unexpected letter from her old friend. Despite Oliver’s urging, she doesn’t reply. But when he passes away, Cameron discovers that he has left her with one final task: to track down Sonia and hand-deliver a mysterious package to her.
The Myth of You and Me captures the intensity of a friendship as well as the real sense of loss that lingers after the end of one. Searingly honest and beautiful, it is a celebration and portrait of a friendship that will appeal to anyone who still feels the absence of that first true friend.
A People Magazine “10 Great Reads,” 2005
A BookSense Pick
Download Description
Leah Stewart is the author of Body of a Girl. She has taught at Vanderbilt University and Sewanee, the University of the South. She lives outside of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, writer Matt O’Keefe, and their daughter. Visit her at leahstewart.com.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
memory lane.......2007-10-06
This was a book that I didn't want to put down. When I did have to, I was wondering what Cameron was going to come across, or remember, next. Many of the things they encountered in their frindship, I would remember about my own "best friend" relationships. So not only did I get to enjoy reading this story, but I also was able to enjoy some of my own memories that the book brought to mind, and re-examine some the things that have happened over the years to change my own friendships.
I surprising study of relationships and human nature.......2007-07-16
I loved this book. I loved the characters and the notion of how you work so hard to present yourself as one person, but you are not happy with the outcome of the created perception. I thought the flashing back was done elegantly and not choppy. A book club read that pleasantly surprised.
Heartfelt, relatable story about what friendships can endure..........2007-06-28
Immediately after finishing this book (and wiping the tears away!) I felt compelled to contact all of my girlfriends to pass along this MUST-READ novel about friendships and the twists and turns they take throughout our lives, especially during those rather fragile transitions from high school to college and from college to "real life."
Written from the perspective of Cameron, a 29-year old "dreamer who never belived in the dream," the book explores her friendship and subsequent "breakup" with Sonia, whom she met at 14 and with whom she developed a bond so strong they nearly melded into a singular person. Through a series of flashbacks and her current journey to find and deliver a mystery package to her "ex-best-friend" we learn about the power of female friendships and how when they end, they can be even more painful than a romantic breakup. We also learn about the need to belong, to be loved, to have someone who understands and knows the real you, behind any mask you may wear for the world. It is a book of universal relatability for women of every age (I don't think I would necesarily recommend it for men, although I'm sure it will be loved by many). This is not by any means a "Chick-Lit" book- it has great depth and so many beautifully written and memorable quotes (nearly 1/4 of my copy is underlined by phrases I don't want to forget!)
I look forward to reading more of Leah Stewart's works and very highly recommend this wonderful novel.
KInd of disappointed with the ending.......2007-05-05
To me, getting to the end of this book was actually better then the ending itself. I liked how she would switch between the present and the past, and it also brought of memories of my adolescence, but the ending was just kind of "blah" compared to the trip there. I will, however, read another book by this author.
It's an OK book.......2007-03-24
Like many of the other reviewers, I read this "on assignment" from a book club, and like the other reviewers, I found it to be a quick read. That said, I'm not sure under other conditions I would have chosen this book. The narrator is developmentally stuck in a late adolescent/mid-20's phase. But because the story is told exclusively in the narrator's voice, most of the characters lacked a certain depth or complexity. I also wasn't thrilled by the portrayal of the mothers in the book--variously verging on angelic, or demonic, or simply lacking in presence. But the author uses an interesting narrative device, utilizing the format of deductive reasoning similar to that of a really good mystery novel, through which the characters and major events are unfolded. So if you're looking for something that is fun and very light, this is a good enough book.
Amazon.com
Aging Larry Cook announces his intention to turn over his 1,000-acre farm--one of the largest in Zebulon County, Iowa--to his three daughters, Caroline, Ginny and Rose. A man of harsh sensibilities, he carves Caroline out of the deal because she has the nerve to be less than enthusiastic about her father's generosity. While Larry Cook deteriorates into a pathetic drunk, his daughters are left to cope with the often grim realities of life on a family farm--from battering husbands to cutthroat lenders. In this winner of the 1991 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction, Smiley captures the essence of such a life with stark, painful detail.
Book Description
A successful Iowa farmer decides to divide his farm between his three daughters. When the youngest objects, she is cut out of his will. This sets off a chain of events that brings dark truths to light and explodes long-suppressed emotions. An ambitious reimagining of Shakespeare’s
King Lear cast upon a typical American community in the late twentieth century,
A Thousand Acres takes on themes of truth, justice, love, and pride, and reveals the beautiful yet treacherous topography of humanity.
Customer Reviews:
inside the whitewashed farmhouse.......2007-10-02
Way-too-human darker side of the many facets of the Midwest farm life, plus some deeply satisfying glimpses into its regional and natural history. A good read. I guess Smiley did create a very well-developed main character, because I still keep worrying about how she's doing. The others, however, were pretty one-dimensional, and more than a few of the plot turns seemed unrealistic, definitely not fleshed out, but I was completely willing to suspend disbelief in order to continue turning the pages to peer into the mind of that main character.
Lacking in character development.......2007-07-13
This book held my interest enough for me to finish it over the course of 3-4 days (I have two toddlers so that's an accompishment!), but by the end of the book I thought there were way too many unanswered questions, particularly due to poor character development and the relationships among the family members. I kept waiting to understand why Caroline was so distant from the family, but there were only mentions here and there but not enough of an explanation. I feel the author could have added so much more to the story regarding the death of their mother when they were young children. There was no depth or dimension to the characters of Ty, Pete, or Rose. Ginny, perhaps because the book was told from her point of view, was the only character I felt like I really knew. The story had the potential to be better but it was difficult for me to invest in any of the characters.
Age Appropriate?.......2007-06-27
This book was a part of my senior reading list for my upcoming AP Liturature course. The characters routinly annoyed me with their inability to see Ginny's father for what he really was and I found Ty's lack of loyalty to his wife the most distressing of all the character relations. The author does a splendid job of convincing you of Ginny's choices and I often found myself unable to wait for the next chapter. Despite this, I didn't feel that the ending was very helpful in its resolution of the conflicts created throughout the story. I realize it's a modern adaptation of "King Lear" but I could not find full satisfaction. It all seemed insufficient. There were also several brief descriptive moments of sexual thought and action that I found very inappropriate. As an AP student I must be mature but, at 16 I am conflicted with the notion of reading the explicit beginning of a sexual encounter between a husband and his wife. While some teens would read such descriptions with lust and others might not even notice, I felt very uncomfortable and couldn't get over the sensation that someone was going to scold me despite my age for reading something as open as this book is. My discomfort overruled my opinion of plot and I would only recommend this book to someone over the age of 18.
A Compelling Read.......2007-06-15
I've heard of references to King Lear but as I read on, I was also struck by similarities to "Wuthering Heights"...families torn asunder, too, and some outlandish emotions. Dramas played out against an unforgiving landscape, and the sense of isolation. But the detail to every-day life, such as the narrator attending to the process of keeping a farm and farm-house running, both makes it more plausible and keeps us anchored. When Ginny plans revenge on Rose, her actions and methodical, painstaking steps she takes, are ghastly but have a certain dark humor, too. I read this in just under three days, and had to force myself to stop at times, just to attend to details of my own household.
Tedious writing and shallow characters - reasonable story.......2007-05-30
I liked the idea of the book, but expected a more riveting account about 3 sisters, their men and their inheritance. The characters were run-of-the-mill and could have been described with richer adjectives. Sibling rivalry, sisterly love and differences in these slightly boring characters could have been refined further.
The scenes are credible with descriptions of the food, crockery, clothing, if a little unimaginative with cliches and tautologies. There were a few twists in plot, but it was stale.
A good editor could have condensed the book to about 1/3rd the length and replaced some obvious adjectives to improve the writing.
C J Critt's reading was clear and voices were well differentiated on the tape, even if the tone was a little patronizing.
I managed to go through all 11 tapes, but it didn't hook me like some books. Finally a note of caution - whereas most of the book is suitable for youth, the sexual nature of the content makes it unsuitable for playing on family trips with children.
Download Description
"
Annabelle is tired of being the lone failure in a family of overachievers. She's endured dead-end jobs and a broken engagement. Even her hair's a mess! But that's going to change now that she's taken over her late grandmother's matchmaking business. All Annabelle has to do is land the Windy City's hottest bachelor as her client, and she'll be the most sought-after matchmaker in town. Nothing is going to stand in her way -- not the drunk lying comatose under her car, not her family's disapproval, and certainly not the lingering effects of a broken heart.
With his money green eyes and calculated charm, Heath Champion is the best sports agent in the country. He's wealthy, driven, and gorgeous, so why does he need a matchmaker, especially a red-haired screw-up like Annabelle Granger? True, she's entertaining, and she does have a certain quirky appeal. But Heath is searching for the ultimate symbol of his success -- the perfect wife. And to make an extraordinary match, he needs an extraordinary matchmaker, right?
Thin, rich, utterly fabulous Portia Powers has spent her career making matches for everyone but herself. Her take-no-prisoners attitude has built Power Matches into the top matchmaking agency in Chicago. So what if she has more enemies than friends and she's one breath away from a nervous breakdown? Neither an upstart like Annabelle Granger nor Heath Champion's menacing, but oddly intriguing, bodyguard, will keep her from getting what she wants -- a Power Match for Heath ... the city's very own Jerry Maguire.
Soon everyone in Chicago has a stake in the outcome, right down to Annabelle's overprotective book club. When the matchmaker promises she'll do anything to keep her star client happy ... does she mean anything? If Annabelle isn't careful, she just might find herself going heart-to-heart with the toughest negotiator in town -- a man who's beginning to ask himself: Exactly how perfect does perfect have to be?
"
Customer Reviews:
Yes, Yes I know it ain't Proust !.......2007-09-16
Sometimes when you're sick or tired or depressed you need to create a lovely little cave for yourself to heal. Put on your softest sweats, foot lotion and sockies, lip balm, some aromatherapy on your ear lobes and across your forehead, grab this book and disappear. It's so perfect watching many characters grow, change, fall in love, have great and clever dialogue--just put this on your keeper stack and trust 113 reviews that you can't go wrong with this purchase.
A feel good book.......2007-08-21
I really enjoyed this book a lot. I felt like I was right there with the camaraderie between the characters. I love Annabelle's wit, and felt a bond with all the characters. Loved Pipi. So cute! A bit slow in the beginning, but then you can't put it down. I'm so glad I picked up this book.
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT, and I prefer Murder and gore!.......2007-08-20
I listened to this on CD, unabridged. It was so well written, I found myself sitting in my garage after my 1 hour commutes home to hear the last little bit each day/evening. The characters were so unique, I love Annabelle from the very beginning. It was easy to imagine the Python softening to her and her clumsy, impish ways. It was a neat book. I usually prefer murder and gore, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson, Stephen King, John Grisham, those types of books. But I love this one. I only checked it out of the local library because it is so small we don't have a lot to choose from, I have listened to every book in there! I am now going to find a larger library and check out more of her books on CD!
I want a Heath Champion!.......2007-08-17
I just finished reading this book and I loved it! I honestly wanted it to continue on. The romance between Heath and Annabelle was something you could tell would probably happen from the begining, but the way the story reached that point was very clever and witty. I know that SEB usually adds new characters into her books, but I want to hear more of the Annabelle and Heath saga.
We matched!.......2007-08-08
I have loved Susan Elizabeth Phillips sassy writing style for a very long time, have read all of her books, my two favorites being Dream a Little Dream and It Had To Be You. While this does not supplant either of those, it is fun and I stayed up late last night to finish it.
Annabelle, a soft touch trying to retool her grandmother's matchmaking business for a new generation and Heath, a hard nosed lawyer/sports agent come together with fireworks. While trying to find a match for Heath, she falls for him herself. He is a little slower coming to that realization, but he knows he enjoys their time together. Their story is fun to read, witty, touching and frustrating until they realize that they are right for each other, which of course, does not happen at the same time! With a background of semi-dysfunctional families and intervening friends thrown in to make their time story more complex, it is a laugh out loud every few pages.
The only disappointment was the inexplicable side romance of competitor Portia with Bodie, assistant/driver to Heath. It was a little distracting, but doesn't mar the overall enjoyment of the book.
Average customer rating:
- impossible but...
- initial potential
- Brat Farrar
- Not bad, but no mystery
- Excellent! Mary Stewart and Dick Francis fans take note
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Brat Farrar
Josephine Tey
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
20th Century
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Historical
| Genre Fiction
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British
| Short Stories
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General
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
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Police Procedurals
| Mystery & Thrillers
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Tey, Josephine
| ( T )
| Authors, A-Z
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ASIN: 0684803852 |
Amazon.com
Brat Farrar has been carefully coached to assume the identity of Patrick Ashby, heir to the Ashby fortune who disappeared when he was 13. Just when it seems that Brat will pull off the deception, he discovers the truth about Patrick's disappearance, a dark secret that threatens to tear apart the family and jeopardize Brat's carefully laid plans. Called "the best of its kind" by the New Yorker, Josephine Tey's classic is a tale of unrelenting suspense and tension.
Book Description
It was eight years since Patrick had vanished leaving a pitiful note, “I’m sorry but I can’t bear it any longer. Don’t be angry with me, Patrick.” Now it seemed, he had returned — just in time to claim the family inheritance. But if Patrick really had committed suicide, who was this mysterious young man claiming to be him and calling himself Brat Farrar?
Customer Reviews:
impossible but..........2007-08-28
It is amazing how skillfully Jospehine Tey manages to carry off her plot premise. But she does. I can't say more for I don't want to spoil the pleasure in reading it, but will say that I found myself amazed at how I was carried along by this book. If you like horses and their world, you'll like it even more. It's also moving--but again, I can say nothing more! Read it and find out for yourself why I'm recommending it.
initial potential.......2007-07-21
I'd been waiting over a year to get my hands on this book, and finally read it this summer. I've never read Josephine Tey before but was pleasantly surprised to encounter her modern writing style and ability to create questions in the reader's mind that would keep drawing me in.
I liked the book, but I wanted it to be so much more. Tey builds up to the final scenes and when the time came to conclude everything, it all fell flat. There could have been so much more development character-wise and plot-wise, but the author flew through the ending so quickly that I couldn't believe it. The final resolution itself is well written, but the scenes at the horse fair/races had so much more potential, and there were character relationships that frustrated me as Tey began the building process but then left it hanging.
I liked this book, and I would give it 3.5 stars- it got 4 for the stellar cover that first caught my attention. It lost the last one because I craved the development that the book lacked.
Brat Farrar.......2007-07-20
This was this first book I puchased with my own money at age 12 and I have read and reread it for almost 50 years. The story and the writing stand up to both time and a more critical taste. Characters are beautifully drawn and the mystery never palls. The other books by Miss Tey are old favorites as well,paricularly The Murders of Richard III. They are perhaps better appreciated by adults, but for good writing for young readers, I always suggest Brat Farrar. Besides, who can resist the horses!
Not bad, but no mystery.......2007-04-30
An interesting easy read, but a bit disappointing as a mystery. I'd figured out the key "mystery" by about page 50, so it was a bit tedious waiting for the characters to figure it out. A lot of other aspects of the story are well-telegraphed to the reader, too, so there isn't much suspense to be had. Still, the sense of time and place is well done, and I enjoyed all the horsey bits.
Excellent! Mary Stewart and Dick Francis fans take note.......2007-04-07
Brat Farrer is an English orphan who, after much travel, has decided to come back to England. He is soon mistaken for Simon Ashby of Latchetts by Alec Loding, a cousin of the Ashbys. Brat is talked into impersonating Patrick Ashby, Simon's older twin who allegedly committed suicide when they were ten. Now about to come of age and inherit Latchetts, the plan is for Brat to claim Patrick's inheritance and provide Alec with a lifetime allowance as reward. What Brat doesn't expect is to care so much for the family and, more than fearing his fraud being uncovered, he is in fear of his life.
It has been 30 years since I first read this book and I'd forgotten just how good it is. The story starts off gently at the first sentence. I immediately find myself caught up in the lives of the characters and environment Ms. Tey created. Soon the suspense begins to build and I can't put the book down. Even after the climax of the story, I am still kept in suspense until, at last, Ms. Tey kindly provides me with the resolution. I particularly wish other authors would take note that this completely enjoyable, engrossing and suspenseful story took only 276 pages to tell. If you've never read Brat Farrer or, as with me, it's been a long time, treat yourself and pick it up. Also, for the Dick Francis fans, it not only has horses, but a somewhat similar feel in its style. It was, as my British acquaintances say, brilliant!
Books:
- The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalen and the Holy Grail
- Through a Glass, Darkly (Commissario Guido Brunetti Mysteries)
- 'Til Death Do Us Part
- Time's Arrow
- Tolerance Stack-Up Analysis
- Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival
- Trash
- Twice-Upon-A-Time: Born and Adopted
- Twilight of the Superheroes: Stories
- Vegas Rich
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