Rating: 
Summary: OK; if you liked Open House you won't like this
Review: ...but if you didn't (and I,as stated before in these pages, an avowed member of the Elizabeth Berg Fan Club, thought that Open House was the weakest of all her novels), then you'll find some pretty authentic Berg here. It's a small story, in that respect not unlike Never Change, but quite lovely, with some rather unique, quirky touches.
I will admit that setting it in my general neighborhood endeared it to me even more, but there is universality to the story that should strike a deep chord in anyone who has ever been in a committed relationship.
Rating: 
Summary: Say When says NOW
Review: A favorite of mine since her first book, DURABLE GOODS, hit the shelves, Elizabeth Berg has written a book this time that seemed to touch my inner soul. Although not as isolated in my life as Ellen, I could understand her thoughts and actions as though Ms. Berg had climbed inside my head and written a transcription of my thoughts at various times throughout my life. Griffin and Ellen may not seem to be a matched pair, but we discover as we read the story of their separation that neither of them was a perfect mate to the other through past experiences and a definite lack of understanding of themselves. Knowing yourself is the key to knowing others, is it not? Zoe, their daughter, is nearly a victim in Ellen's struggle to find steamy romance and Griffin's drive to punish his wandering wife. But is this what they really want? An easy and enjoyable read and a great way to end your summer vacation by reading it NOW!
Rating:
Summary: Another wonderul read from E. Berg!
Review: As with all the other books I've read by Elizabeth Berg, this one grabbed me from the very start. Her books are always well-crafted stories about very human people with thoughts and emotions that ring true, and "Say When" is no exception. A truly excellent book that I would certainly recommend!
Rating: 
Summary: A weak effort
Review: Can this be the same author who wrote the wonderful "Range of Motion" and "The Pull of the Moon"? The characters in "Say When" are not well developed, especially the husband (WHY did he want Ellen back anyway?), and it had a typical "Hollywood happy ending" -- although none of the couple's problems seemed to be resolved. The parts of the storyline involving the daughter just seemed like filler; the reader gets no real sense of how Zoe is actually coping. Elizabeth Berg used to be a wonderful author, but this book is more like a sappy Harlequin romance than a moving novel that makes you feel truly caught up in the characters' lives -- if you want to read THAT kind of book, try "Range of Motion".
Rating:
Summary: Wake Up Call for People Contiplating Divorce
Review: Characters are very real. It sheds light on a common cause for divorce: immaturity.
Rating:
Summary: One of her best!
Review: Elizabeth Berg first hit my radar screen when her book Open House was selected as an Oprah book club pick. And as many of Oprah's authors have become to me, she's now a favorite of mine. I have read all of Berg's books, save two. Something about her writing draws me in. And it seems that the more writing she does, it gets better and better. While I enjoyed her earlier books such as What We Keep, her later books have only displayed her talent polished. Say When is about Griffin, a man whose wife recently told him she was having an affair and that she wanted a divorce. While he had an idea of what was going on, he seems to have had no idea that their issues ran so deep. He is in a bit of denial. This is a story of a man still in love with his wife, and unsure where to go from here. He won't move out and leave his daughter. He still wants to try and be with his wife. He begins to see the mistakes he made along the way. What I enjoyed most about the book is that I could relate to Griffin. I think even though not everyone has gone through a divorce or seperation- most people have had a loved one cheat on them or gone through a break-up. This book is kind of comfort food for you. Or something where you can look back and say, "gosh, I was just like that, how stupid I was! I'm glad I'm better now." What I appreciate about Berg's books is that they are a very easy read and considerably short. Most are about 200-300 pages. But she still manages to cram in the best story possible. Elizabeth Berg has earned herself the role of being one of my most favorite women's authors. If you like women's novels, I am recommending her to you too. This is a great book to start with as well.
Rating:
Summary: Berg continually entertains me!
Review: Elizabeth Berg flips the tables with... "Say When" She uses a male narrative, which I don't believe she has done before. I thought it was an interesting change for Berg...(getting into the male head. This time Griffin's wife leaves him for another man.
"You just never listened to me. You never understood me." she says. And it's true. They're in a big fat rut, taking one another for granted, not giving what the other needs. So, Ellen finds her own appartment, a job, a new life. Not better, but new. Griffin and Ellen split their time with Zoe, their daughter.
'You'll have her Thanksgiving. I'll have her Christmas.' Griffin crys, begs her back, swears at her, hates her, begs her back. Berg has a gift of taking a situation like splitting up or divorce and allows the reader to find likable qualities in both parties...Even the one having the affair.
The reader says to themselves..."Well, I can understand why she is doing this or that." Griffin goes through some changes himself, realizing that he is flawed also. And rather than make Ellen suffer for her infidelity and hate her choices, he forgives her. Sometimes drastic events make us better people, even our marriages can become stronger. Berg once again proves she is capable of pulling us into the world she creates. And even when the world is imperfect, we still want to be there. As for me, I return to Berg as often as possible. She is one of us!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Marital struggles seen through the husband's eyes
Review: Elizabeth Berg is a master at telling stories of family drama, and Say When is one of her best books. At the start of the novel, Griffin suspects that something is going on with his wife, Ellen, a sometimes odd woman with a tendency towards sadness. However, he is stunned when she informs him that she his having an affair and wants a divorce. When Griffin refuses to leave the house, they suddenly find themselves negotiating the care of their 8-year old daughter, Zoe, while living as merely roommates. The fact that the story is told from the husband's point of view is refreshing, as is the fact that there are no bad guys here--both Griffin and Ellen are nice people who have made some mistakes. Furthermore, both are good parents to Zoe, and their interactions with their child are completely realistic as well as touching. In the midst of his domestic turmoil, Griffin gets a job as a mall Santa during the Christmas season, and his conversations with his many young visitors also ring true. The plot is simple yet never predictable, easily engaging the reader in a comfortable way. Overall, this is a delightful little book about marriage, family life, and second chances.
Rating:
Summary: Marital struggles seen through the husband's eyes
Review: Elizabeth Berg is a master at telling stories of family drama, and Say When is one of her best books. At the start of the novel, Griffin suspects that something is going on with his wife, Ellen, a sometimes odd woman with a tendency towards sadness. However, he is stunned when she informs him that she his having an affair and wants a divorce. When Griffin refuses to leave the house, they suddenly find themselves negotiating the care of their 8-year old daughter, Zoe, while living as merely roommates. The fact that the story is told from the husband's point of view is refreshing, as is the fact that there are no bad guys here--both Griffin and Ellen are nice people who have made some mistakes. Furthermore, both are good parents to Zoe, and their interactions with their child are completely realistic as well as touching. In the midst of his domestic turmoil, Griffin gets a job as a mall Santa during the Christmas season, and his conversations with his many young visitors also ring true. The plot is simple yet never predictable, easily engaging the reader in a comfortable way. Overall, this is a delightful little book about marriage, family life, and second chances.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Author, not quite my favorite book
Review: Elizabeth Berg is in the top three of my favorite authors-- I have purchased and kept every book she has written, and eagerly await every new one. She is an excellent writer, particularly about the complexities of human emotions and thought process. She really understands the way people think, and behave.
I listened to the audiobook of this publication before owning the "hand held", and it kept my interest well. It really does seem to "get into the head" of men, and my husband confirmed this for me. He read the "hand held" book and quite enjoyed it. It isn't my favorite Berg book (something like saying something may not be my FAVORITE Godiva chocolate-- but they are all exquisite!) but it is certainly worth reading!
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