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Summary: A four-faceted jewel of a book.
Review: This story of love and friendship, glowing with humor and poignancy, takes the readers into the lives and hearts of four fascinating women. The characters are richly realized and human.Entertaining, touching and fun.
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Summary: Great characters; wonderful writing; an emotion-packed story
Review: Four women, devoted to each other and to their bond of friendship, formed over many years, that's made them all stronger than they might have been alone: that's what The Savings Graces is about, pure and simple. Yet there's nothing pure and simple about these characters or about their lives; they're real people, full of doubts and hangups and problems-as well as courage and compassion. It's these latter qualities that give them the strength to face the very worst blow life can dole out to anyone. You think you've read books that made you laugh and cry and *feel*? Well, I promise you, you've never read anything that will put you on an emotional roller coaster like this book will. Laughter, fury, grief-you'll feel it all, not just here and there, during the "big moments," but with every beautifully crafted sentence. If you're looking for light entertainment, this isn't it. But if you're looking for a book-and people-you'll remember and think about for a long, long time, look no further; you've found it. The Saving Graces isn't just a book. It's an experience. Don't miss it.
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Summary: a book made for summer
Review: Okay, "the saving graces" certainly doesn't qualify as outstanding literature. And yes, the story of 4 friends & each one's joys & sorrows is not the most original concept in the world: But the strength of this particular novel is that it's extremely well written & so much fun: it's a story that could really be about any of us, the themes are so familiar. "The saving graces" underline what most of us already know, that friends are the relatives we chose, the family we form for ourselves, whereas when it comes to our actual families, we don't have a choice. Patricia Gaffney, from what I've heard (because this is the first book of hers that I've read) usually writes different kind of novels, historical romances etc. But I don't know why- she seems to be a natural in telling a contemporary, real, easy-to-read story. This book is about the friendship of 4 women, around 40 years old: Rudy, Isabel, Emma & Lee. They meet twice a month for dinner & share secrets, talk about their lives, laugh a lot and sometimes cry. What women-friends do in real life, actually: and this is this novel's strength: although it's not the most substantial or inspired book in the world, it's one of the best books in the "light reading" category, since it's as if the story is taken out of real life. It's one of those novels that the reader gets totally engrossed in, so it's a very good selection for a weekend away or for a long airplane ride. You'll have a great time reading it...
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Summary: I didn't want it to end!
Review: What a great book! Women will love it! It shows the true bond between women and the strength of their friendships. Enjoy!
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Summary: I miss these characters -- didn't want the book to end!
Review: This is the best book I've read in a long time -- the most engrossing and engaging -- a couple of times I was even moved to tears, and how often does that happen because of a book? I happened upon this book by accident, and am so gratified that I did. The characters grab you from the first page, the plot moves along and has unexpected twists and turns -- I didn't want to put it down.
Rating:
Summary: I say: "Read about what you know"
Review: Wow! I just came across the Saving Graces as I was desperately looking for a book that had substance yet was light enough for summer reading.
Reading Gaffney's novel was pure pleasure. Her characters were so normal and at the same time I wanted to follow them. Why? They weren't fancy people living lives that we can only imagine. I recognize so many of my women friends and so many aspects of my own life.
All this said, there is,in my opinion one prerequesite to meeting The Graces: one MUST have lived long enough,at least 35 to 40 years to really understand what they are made of.
Definitely a book for a somewhat mature reader but just as simple as your life or mine and written by a powerful hand.
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Summary: Great Novel About Friendship & Sisterhood
Review: Heroines: Varied True friendship is a priceless commodity, one which can not be purchased, only given freely. Ethereal Isabel struggles to be a survivor of cancer not once but twice. Lee is a motherly daycare director who ironically craves but cannot have a child of her very own. Rudy is the beauty whose life is so painfully ugly. And Emma is the journalist whose longing to write the next great American novel is eclipsed only by her desire for a man she loves but cannot have. Together these four loving, giving girlfriends see each other through some of the most difficult times of their lives with humor, strength, and of course . . grace. What worked for me: This story was so warm and touching and the characters' circumstances were so very real that I cried and laughed along with them. I was so sorry to come to the end of this book, and my first thought upon closing its covers was, "I want my very own 'Graces'!" What didn't work for me: This novel is written in first person point-of-view, a tricky thing since we hear alternately from each of the four main characters. I found it helpful to mentally assign each woman her own "voice" so that I could better keep them separated in my mind as I was first getting to know them. I did wish for a bit more detail about scenery and character development seen through my own eyes instead having it explained to me by the key players. Essentially, the book reads like a 5-way phone-call between you and the Graces so you may not quite feel you are there with them physically. Overall: "The Saving Graces" is a wonderful read for those who savor bittersweet stories about true friendship, and the dash of romance ought to satisfy fans of eros as well. (I'm definitely going to make more of an effort in searching out "women's fiction" titles of this kind to read!) Warning: there is some coarse language in this book. If you liked "The Saving Graces" you might also enjoy other stories about friendship such as: "Circle of Friends", "Tara Road", "Princess Charming", "Fast Women", and "The Red Tent".
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Summary: Women...at their best!
Review: The Saving Graces is a book that spotlights women at their best. Four women, all at different points in their lives. Rudy, Isabel, Emma and Lee all grow...grow together as a group, and grow individually as they all overcome some huge obstacle in their lives. Patricia Gaffney showcases her amazing insight into how people tick as this story unfolds at a slow drawl, warm and inviting. You'll fall in love with the characters. You'll revel in their triumphs. You'll laugh, cry...and never forget this touching story.
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