Talk Before Sleep

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Summary: A wonderful read on the power of women and friendship
Review: I found this to be a deeply moving book. It accurately portrays the power of friendship, and the way women think, and talk. The voice of the book was very true to me. The story of the dying Ruth and the friends who stay with her until the end touched my heart, and is not one I will easily forget. Keep the tissues handy you will need them. Although I cried I did not find the book manipulative in trying to elicit tears, it just felt true.

Rating:
Summary: Dreadful
Review: Sorry to spoil the party, but this was an unsatisfying book. Major flaw: The poorly developed characters (men bad/women good), and the first person narrator and cancer victim were both unsympathetic. Neither the situations, nor the friendship, nor the dialogue, nor anything rang true to me. I am amazed that this book was a success on any level. It already seems very dated, with women who are unemployed or marginally employed whining about not being understood by the hard working husbands who support them. They are presumed to be in the wrong simply for being male. The book opens with one of those "sensual" descriptions they give you as an opening exercise in creative writing class. The tedious description says nothing about the narrator, her mother, anything that will lead us anywhere plot-wise or take us anywhere in the book, thematically. Then the descriptions of the friends -- just their physical characteristics, in cartoon stereotypical simplicity, nothing about the real people or the essence behind the physical forms. I didn't know who these characters were by the end of the book. I'm sure there is a great novel out there about women and breast cancer, possibly in the unread slushpile. This is definitely not it.

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Summary: A beautiful story of complex female friendships.
Review: I read this in two days. I could scarcely put it down, because I could almost feel what the characters in this one were experiencing. Read this one and then pass it along to your best friend.

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Summary: All of her books are good, but this was super!!1
Review: "Talk Before Sleep" has to be one of the best books I've ever read!!! Anyone who has lost someone to cancer knows that it's a long, painful battle. Ruth tried to make her last days as painless and fun as possible. She never lost her humor and wanted to die peacefully. Ann, her closest friend, doesn't see things quite the same.

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Summary: Definitely a 5-Kleenex read!
Review: I was assigned this book in a women & literature class and it was my favorite of all that we read. What a moving story about the purity of friendship.

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Summary: Easy reading - very touching book.
Review: I really like Berg's style of writing and she has a good way of detailing the intracies of female friendships. This is a very easy reading book that can be read in a weekend.

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Summary: TRULY INSPIRATIONAL
Review: The greatest story about TALK BEFORE SLEEP is not about the horrible disease of cancer, but rather a story about what true friendship is. Elizabeth Berg introduces us to a group of friends who immediately become YOUR friends. If you don't finish reading this book and feel like you have to call your own friends to tell them how much they mean to you, you didn't get the full meaning of this book! It will leave you feeling as if you've just lost your best friend and knowing that even in death, they are still with you. A real tear-jerker!

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Summary: A tribute to the power of friendship and sisterhood!!
Review: The characters in this book rose from the page and joined me in the room as I read this beautiful tale late into the night. This story reaffirms that we all need one another and that each and every life is a miracle and a sweet mystery to be treasured and cherished.

Rating:
Summary: A must read!
Review: This book is not about dying, it's about friendship. Sure, one of the main characters dies. But, her death is handled with caring and compassion. Will you cry? Yes...unless you're made of stone. But, you'll smile through your tears at the caring, humor, and warmth of these women as they help their friend die. I'm a breast cancer survivor and, I admit, parts of the book were difficult to read. But, the book didn't depress me...it left me feeling enriched. The only criticism I have, is the negative way in which the men were portrayed.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This book literally made me cry! It is such a beautiful story of what true friendship is all about....and what it can cost. My favourite book!