Rating: Summary: Family Visit Review: My husband and I and his mother all share books. I gave her "Wish You Well" 2 days ago after I had finished savoring it. She called me last night and said, "I just finished the book and I feel like all my company has gone home! I'm so sad!" She is so right. You become a member of Lou and Louisa's family. You care deeply for each and every character in your new family, from the gloriously honest, no frills, wise and wonderful Great Grandmother Louisa, to Diamond, the Huck Finn of the awesome, warm and challenging Virginia mountains. I cherish every single word in this book, including the "Thanks" at the end. Oh, the end. The joy, sadness and total, complete wonderfulness of this book cannot be stated in mere words. It's a spiritual thing. Thank you Mr. Baldacci. You are a true treasure to the heart and soul.
Rating: Summary: I Wish YOU well, Mr. Baldacci Review: I have not reviewed any books I have read on Amizon before now, but "Wish You Well" compelled me to tell others that David Baldacci is an excellent author ... both of his rough and tumble adventure novels and also the more gentle, tender historical novel. I did not even read the back of the book before I began the journey through this book and was very surprised to find myself enmeshed in the lives of Lou and Oz. "Wish You Well" is a moving tale of both mental and physical hardship that any person should take the time to feel. Read this book and come away a better person. Thank you, Mr. Baldacci!
Rating: Summary: What a Wonderful Book! Review: When I started reading this book, I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it since this isn't the type of book that I usually read. But it didn't take me very long to realize what a truly wonderful story this is. Mr. Baldacci paints a vivid picture of mountain life so real that you can actually see the action as you read. This would make a very good movie. I think this book should be read by everyone.
Rating: Summary: This Book should be read by EVERYONE Review: Oh my goodness. All I can't say right off is that this book makes you think. It is very real. The descriptions of the scenery in the mountains.. the characters and their lifestyle, the way they portray themselves..right down to the gestures of the characters in this story makes this the most real and thought provoking and lifelike novel that I have had the pleasure to read! I recommend this book for EVERYONE. It allows us all caught up in this fiesty rat raced world to slow down and take a breath or two and to stop and see what really matters in this life. Family, Love and especially the heritage and history of one's self. A beautiful portrayal of love and conviction. The 12 year old girl grows up into a 13/14 year old who is wiser and more learned beyond her years.. why you ask? Because back in 1940's things were different. More had to be done by the individual and so more observation was had. Anyone who criticizes this book doesn't know when to appreciate a good written word.
Rating: Summary: Boring-nothing to it..... Review: Did not like this book....Certainly nothing like his previous books, but I found nothing good about this one....I don't get all the good reviews, but I guess someone always likes something. Don't waste your time.
Rating: Summary: Wish You Well Review: I believe that this is one of the best works of art that I have ever read. It starts off telling you a story; a story that many of us would remember our Grandfathers or Great Grandfathers 'remembering the good ole days'. You read about this mountain top and mountain people. I could visualize these mountain people and understand the trials and tribulations that they had to come to grip with. I can understand this type of material since I related this to my own family and the story telling from the farm. I've also been to the Mountains in Tennessee and have encountered people just like these depicted in the story. I wish all of this authors books were written in this style; I'd buy them all! Great read, Great Mountain! Better than Walton's Mountain. It draws a vivid picture in your minds eye of exactly what the author is talking about. I very much enjoyed reading this book! -Doug
Rating: Summary: This will not be a popular review -- I don't like this book! Review: I'm disappointed -- the reviews had led me to expect something outstanding. Instead, I found the plot improbable and the writing uneven. My first "gripe" came with the depictions of the children -- has the author ever SEEN or BEEN CLOSE to a child? Then, when the children are heading up to their great-grandmother's, the description of the mountain scenery and culture is definitely beautiful and compelling . . . but he talks about things that only an adult (and an adult familiar, for example, with architecture) could know -- while it is supposed to be seen through the eyes of a 12 year-old-girl. It gets worse, but I'll leave this to others to describe. Many people say they enjoy this book, so it's probably worth buying so you can form your own opinion.
Rating: Summary: Interesting Review: This is an interesting book that deals with relationships, friendship, mountains and Southern values. Baldacci gives a vivid description of the mountains in Virgina that makes one wants to go there. When Jack Cardinal, a popular writer died in an accident, Lou and her brother Oz, who were living in New York City had to move to Virginia to stay with their great grandmother, Louisa. Lou's mother, Amanda, was in coma. Baldacci talks about the difficulty that Lou and Oz faced in adjusting to a totally different environment, where they learned to farm, etc. In the midst of all this, Lou learns more about her family, and developed close relationship with her great grandmother.This is a good historical fiction and Baldacci uses a lot of oral testimonies from his family (He is originally from Virginia) that makes it very "real." He also teaches us a lesson, that even though we may think we know our parents, it doesn't hurt to sit down, ask them questions and we may be surprised to learn things we never knew.
Rating: Summary: Wishing for more of the same Review: "Wish You Well" was my introduction to writer David Baldacci. From what I've read about the author, the book is quite different from his others. Be that as it may, and, while I may find some of them a disappointment, I will give Baldacci's other works a shot based on the quality of "Wish You Well". I found the story, about a 1940's brother and sister, forced from the city life of New York to "deep country" on a Virginia mountaintop, interesting - compellng and deeply moving. I discovered another writer by reading his "different novel" first; Nelson DeMille's "Gold Coast". It enticed me to read everything DeMille ever wrote. "Wish You Well" has accomplished the same with Baldacci.
Rating: Summary: Great Book Review: This was not a fast paced novel, but well written nonetheless. the story of a misplaced family, and the strength of the human heart and compassion. The main character is a precocios young girl, uprooted from her home in the face of tragedy with her brother and comatose mother and sent to live in the hills with her grandmother -- an amazing and strong woman. This book is the story of morality, truth, values, and the ability of a family to pull themselves together and survive, no matter where they are. It is the story of faith, and attitude. It is a refreshing change from this author -- and shows his depth of talent.
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