Beautiful and poignant!
341620
When I first started reading this story I wasn't sure that I was going to like it but how wrong I was! There are so many beautiful elements in this book that I don't know where to start!
It centers around a man with such a kind heart and who suffers a terrible tragedy and,in his own way with the help of others overcomes it.
I don't want to give too much away but parts of it brought me to tears and I couldn't help thinking about the main character,William,long after I read his story. It really touched my heart !
4468715
I just finished reading this book, and absolutely loved it. I won't detail the plot again, as many other reviewers have already done so. I'd just say that I got lost in this book, most enjoyably so (even though the book has many sadnesses in it).  It is beautifully written. I enjoyed the author's previous book "Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English" very much, but I enjoyed this one even more. I think the author's writing skill has grown considerably since the last book. The evocative descriptions of the English countryside are breathtaking. I also recommend reading the "Author's Note" at the end of the book first: knowing what it said made the book even more poignant.
2842362
I couldn't put this book down...Although the messages of the book - the suffering of love, forgiveness, hope - are timeless and universal, the telling is poignant and new.  Through the words, the story, the witness the author shares, the Holy Spirit speaks to the reader, writing a letter of love and comfort to the human heart and whispering, "All will be well..."
Beautiful and inspiring!!
2280547
I'm in tears at the end of this beautiful story. I only wish there were more chapters. Mayte's sincere words of life with Prince will resonate in your soul; not only as a glimpse into his personality through her own experiences, but through connecting on a personal level with her. I felt a sort of sisterhood of grief shared with her as she described her losses and heartbreak; her triumph and resilience. This is the furthest from a "tell all" book about life with a famous artist. Mayte is very tasteful in what she chooses to share and what to keep sacred. Instead, it's a story of first love, heartbreak, and those beautiful synchronicities of the universe which bring us to exactly where we belong. All I can say is: thank you, Mayte, for being so vulnerable and open enough to invite us into all of it. Words cannot express my overwhelming gratitude
1495339
A touching and heartfelt story about life and death and what matters most in this world. Ellory's relationship with Pete is complicated but sweet. Her struggles with pleasing others as she faces imminent death make this story even more poignant. Wendy Paine Miller has created an excellent work, well worth the read!
3520111
A beautiful book written in poetic form accompanied by beautiful, colorful illustrations!  Though a male I could sense the maternal connection a future mother establishes with her unborn child!  Poignant and soul-touching Ms Earhardt's book is timeless in its artistry, application and natural purpose.
4277299
It was a beautiful and poignant story of love and faith set in Scotland. I've spent time in Edinburgh and the descriptions were artful, painting a strong visual in my mind's eye.

I also love how Liz's character's are so real, in all their good intentions as well as their faults.  She makes it so easy to find myself in the lives, questions and struggles of the characters.  The depth of the writing drew me into the story and I had a very hard time putting this book down.

I won't spoil it by telling you what familiar story that the book follows, but I will say that it was a masterful portrayal of a touching Biblical narrative, bringing to life the emotions of loss and re-birth that we can so often gloss over in familiarity of the Biblical telling.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
2596390
This book is a poignant window into the journey of a woman dealing with her mother's suicide and the scars it left on her soul. The beauty of this book is that somehow amidst the honest and gritty questions she must work through, there is a strong undertone of hopefulness. I gave this book 5 stars for the way the author is able to bring us along on her journey of self discovery. Suicide has not personally touched my life, and yet I was able to learn a few things about myself as I joined the author on this walk. I highly recommend this book!
1093737
What an incredible journey of self-discovery and healing this book yields!  I could not put it down!  It is beautifully written, poignant and incredibly human.  I could relate only too well to the maternal anxieties that plague Jessica when she entertains all the possible way that harm could befall her children and I was completely engrossed in all the nuances of her dysfunctional childhood and the parallels she discovered of her life and of the young woman who ended her own life, Lacey.

I find myself drawn to stories of tragedy and hardship, probably because of various traumatic experiences I have had in my life journey and a desire to connect with and better understand others who deal with hardships.  For this reason, I felt that same draw by Lacey's tragic suicide and by Mrs. Teich's own story.  I yearned to know more about both women and grew to love both of these brilliant and tormented souls.  What are the chances that they would both happen to the Rhodes Scholars?!

From the outside looking in, the casual observer would think Lacey had everything to live for...she was beautiful, brilliant, married to her Prince Charming, and had just started a promising career.  This image was so incongruous with the figure of the poor woman lying on a hotel canopy after a deadly plunge. Her  tragic and devastating choice spoke to a suffering and anguish that people in her life had not really seen...at least not to the extent it existed.

As Mrs. Teich tried to learn more about Lacey's life and answer the unanswerable questions of what led to the tragic suicide, she learns more about her own scars and experiences.  One thing I appreciated so much about this story is the selfless way that Mrs. Teich lovingly protects her children, while also trying to appropriately prepare them for life.

In dealing with the demons from her own past, Mrs. Teich has a powerful moment with her mother, in which she reveals a traumatic experience she endured and looks for some compassion or validation from her mother, who appears incapable of experiencing feelings for anyone except herself and a long lost love she continues to grieve.  In Chapter 44, page 208, Mrs. Teich says, "I would have to move on, or remain trapped forever in my anger, distant from my children, from Michael (her husband); unable to hold them.  Unable to see that the laughter at the dinner table, the snuggling in bed, was part of a larger force--of goodness or redemption--that I was privileged to be a part of.  That was ready to be savored right now."  To me, this is a powerful statement about the importance of living life intently and with purpose...in spite of the wounds that other people (or life) inflict on us.  We can remain trapped in anger, woundedness, unforgiveness, grief, torment, unrest, sadness, regret, or whatever emotion is clouding the emotion vision or filter for our present life.  Or, we can choose to "move on" and live in the present...savoring the moments that can be gone in an instant.

I really enjoyed this memoir and memorial in one.  We learn about both Mrs. Teich and about Lacey, who undoubtedly deserves to be remembered.  Lacey should be remembered not only for the beautiful woman she was, but for the mystery of human psychology that she also represents.  Those questions that plague us after a tragic suicide like: Why some of us might fight the same demons, but some choose to keep pushing, while others can't go on?  What can we do to accurately recognize when someone needs help and to possibly prevent another tragic loss?  And on a personal level, what do we need to heal and "move on" from, so that we can enjoy the life that is right in front of us, instead of having the beauty of today diminished by the shadows of yesterday.
1028080
A poignant and deeply touching story.  Vivid and nuanced characters who I came to adore -- the main characters, and most of the secondary ones.  I wasn't certain this would develop into a grabber until I was about 30% through the book -- but I trusted the author to deliver, and she did!

The plot and characters got more complicated, and the story developed twists and turns to create a very satisfying read and ending.

Amy Harmon is one of my favorite authors.  The writing did not disappoint in any way in terms of the plot, delivery, the story development and character development.

However, I was shocked at how many typos there were throughout the book.  Not grammatical errors, but typos.  Repeated or missing words, and a few words that I could not find in the dictionary (misspellings?).  Also one character was usually Joanna, but sometimes Joanne.

The writing did not feel rushed, so it's hard to understand why the typos remained.
4574559
A poignant, lovely story of first love, true love and enduring love, told from Robin's POV during two fundamentally important phases of her life: when she first fell in love during college with the gorgeous and charismatic Jed, and when she discovers she can love again as an adult who's suffered a personal tragedy in her relationship with Nick. The author does a brilliant job of transitioning the story throughout between both phases of Robin's life, showing the reader how and where she's been influenced, as well as depicting the translation of her love story through a Jeds eyes as a playwright. I laughed, wept and was sad to see the story end. Glad theres another in the sequel!

Check Osterkamp's writing out. This book is littered with great lines like this one: "He's looking up and out, with a high chin and arched neck, like he's driving down a beautifully familiar road. I want to ride shotgun with him."
1186268
This is a lovely, poignant book about the relationship between two sisters whose lives are irrevocably changed by an accident. The magic of the book is that the relationship itself is what keeps you turning the pages and leaves an impression long after you are done. All the characters are beautifully drawn, as is the Connecticut setting. I initially resisted my 12-year-old daughter's suggestion that I read this (it's one of her favorite books), as I thought it would be too sappy for me. And I suppose it IS sappy, but in the best possible way. My eyes were teary for the last third, but the book earned it -- never once did I feel that I was being unfairly manipulated. Well done, Ms. Rice!
3872294
A wonderfully poignant book for anyone who has ever had a dog.  My used copy even arrived with some "chewed" corner love!
3395162
Loved this wonderful story! I cant recommend it highly enough. The characters are so poignant and the story so touching. Plan to read her other books as well.
1650694
Completely engaging and at times heartbreaking, this poignant story will draw you in by the heartstrings. Beautifully told . Five shiny stars!
80196
I've had a mild interest in reading this one for a number of years (along with so many others).  What a revelation - and a wonderful surprise to discover a truly beautiful book!  Extremely well crafted, and sad, and perfect.  The unforgiving advance of the protagonist's condition, his treatment by the townsfolk, and the outcome of his final gesture to the them all are simply heartbreaking.  The writing is uncluttered, and often just lovely.  The most moving book I've encountered for quite some time.
1437158
This is a beautiful, poignant collection of short stories.  Jhumpa Lahiri's writing is such a pleasure.  She has great power of description.  Nothing is overwritten or flowery; every word matters.
Ms. Lahiri shows us homesickness, loss, callousness, despair, unrequited love, and painful awakenings that come with a failing marriage -- as well as hope, tenderness, forgiveness, contentment, and wisdom.  Some of the stories have a palpable sadness.  Others make you smile.  Most do both.  All are gems to be savored.