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Summary: Bittersweet tale of what could have been
Review: I thought this was a beautifully written novel; Shreve captures the time and place with a nostalgic, sepia-toned feel. The lives of the characters, which intertwine and the story progresses, were equally absorbing and well-rendered. Ultimately, though, it was a rather sad tale of what happens when you marry someone you don't really know. I kept hoping for a positive outcome, but from the start, you kind of get sense that the characters are destined for something besides a happy ending. Still, this novel was a pleasure to read because of its evocative prose and interesting characters.
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Summary: Not as great as I thought....
Review: I have enjoyed many of Anita Shreve's books, and have found this one to be pretty disappointing.
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Summary: Disappointed
Review: I guess one can not expect a great read everytime.
Found little of interest, and really did not care about any of the Characters. Her previous books have been hard to put down, this one was a struggle to finish.
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Summary: Could have been better
Review: Although I have enjoyed Anita Shreve's previous works, and admire her writing, this book left me unsatisfied, and I honestly don't know why. I would love to read more about Vivian, I think her character was very interesting, but underwritten. I felt as though the book wasn't over, what happended to these people? On another note, why do so many of the reviewers, including Amazon.com, refer to the character of Alphonse as Francis? Was there earlier edition of this book?
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Summary: Depression Times Two
Review: Although Anita Shreve's writing skill cannot be denied, why are her loyal readers continually hit over the head with characters who lead desperate, dismal lives doomed to endless suffering? There are so few rays of sunshine in Sea Glass, I felt mired in a chilly fog myself! Lighten up, Anita!
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Summary: Fragile lives during the Depression
Review: Fortune's Rock, the setting of two of Anita Shreve's earlier books once again plays a significant role in her newest title, Sea Glass. It is to a house in the area of Fortune's Rock located in England, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and a secluded beach, that newly married Honora and Sexton move to in June of 1929. Honora looks forward to keeping house while Sexton will continue his job as traveling typewriter salesman. The house they occupy is rather run down but in lieu of rent, Sexton has agreed to fix it up for the owners. But when the house becomes available for them to buy and while they don't have all of the money, Sexton jumps at the opportunity to purchase it for their futures. Unfortunately, for this couple and other characters in the book, the stock market crash is only weeks away and will ultimately test them economically but also emotionally. In an eerily foreboding manner reminiscent of Shreve's earliest works, the author depicts the lives of characters caught up in events that will shatter their world as the book takes hold and readers race towards the climactic ending.Told in alternating voices are a cast of wonderful character whom Shreve portrays so well that we feel as though we know them. In addition to Sexton and Honora who spends time collecting sea glass on the beach, there is also the very wealthy Vivian who meets Honora on the beach and her one time lover and once wealthy Dickie. Rounding out the characters are McDermott, a factory worker and labor organizer and his protégé 11 year old Alphonse who dreams of becoming a pilot. These are vivid characters we come to care about whose stories once set in motion, keep the reader wondering how their lives will play our and what will become of them at the end of the book. And all the while, we are witnesses to these character's lives as they struggle with loyalty, trust, betrayal and solid marriages during a time when our country was gripped with both economic and moral dilemmas. And as we come to know more about them we fear for their lives as the climate of the country grows darker and darker. While Honora continues to collect her beautiful sea glass, the reader marvels at how Shreve parallels her characters lives with the sea glass. How glass remains intact despite the pounding of the ocean waves and its journey to shore. But people are more fragile as Shreve reminds us in this book and we mourn for these people as the pages turn almost by themselves. While some might say that this title is a historical novel and few do research as well as Anita Shreve, it is also the portrayal of vastly different people who come together under difficult circumstances as they try to survive their own waves and pounding. Few authors can evoke a period of time and place the way Shreve can and does. Once again Ms. Shreve has written a worthwhile read and engaging title.
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Summary: Sea Mess - Sea Crass
Review: SEA GLASS must be the worst book published and reviewed. Whereas I found THE PILOT'S WIFE and THE LAST TIME WE MET to have a plot, good characters and readable beach material - I found SEA GLASS to be contrived with a shallow plot and equally undeveloped characters. What a waste of good reading time. Too bad an author such as Shrieve has to turn out this type of writing to fulfill her contract.
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Summary: Read the "prequel," too!
Review: I love all of Anita Shreve's books, Sea Glass included. Not trash but not as deep as say, Toni Morrison. A good beach read. I can't put them down and am always sad when I come to the end of one. Fortune's Rocks is one of my favorite books of all time and sort of the "prequel" to Sea Glass. Although, the characters in Sea Glass are not related to those in Fortune's Rocks, the book eludes to them in several places and especially the setting. If you like the setting here, you will love Fortune's Rocks, but don't plan on putting it down after you pick it up.
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Summary: A story that jumps all over
Review: I will admit, I didn't read every page of this book. I couldn't get into it, so I just read the Honora & Sexton sections. I loved her previous books "The Pilot's Wife" and "The Last Time They Met," but this just didn't seem to have the same depth. I just felt there were too many sides to the story to make any sense. If you just want something quick that you may not have to finish, this is the book for you.
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Summary: I love this writer and all of her books!
Review: Sea Glass by Anita Shreve is a wonderful book that I enjoyed so much! It was loaded with everything so closely relating to real life that for awhile I forgot that I was even reading. I don't care what some of the classless 'Bad Reviewers" say about this writer or any other person that writes their hurtful, and meanspirited remarks are coming from jealousy and nothing more. Probabfly some other author with lesser book ratings. Not to worry Ms. Shreve, you loyal fans are still here for you and always will be! The story in this, Ms. Shreve's newest novel, is from a time frame that I enjoy reading about. The characters are so true to life that the reader (as I did) will forget they are reading a book of fiction) the dialogue flows smoothly and the plot is well-developed and interesting. Another great by one of the literary world's greatest writers!
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