Rating: 
Summary: Not as intense, but definately worth the time.
Review: I loved Bridges of Madison County for all sorts of sentimental reasons. However A Slow Waltz in Cedar Bends was definately a surprise. Yes, once again dealing with love in middle age, but much more about the past and how it effects the individual. If you didn't like Madison then you're not going to love this, but give it a try.
Rating: 
Summary: A MUST read for any and all romantics!!
Review: I never expected to read a book written by a man that would truly capture the passion I felt when I met and spent precious time with someone I never meant or expected to fall in love with. All romantics dream of such a relationship. I can tell you Waller hits the bulls'eye with this one. I thought Bridges Of Madison County was fabulous, but I enjoyed Slow Dance even more.
Rating:
Summary: Texas Jack is me!
Review: I really related to Jack and his lust for life and his approach to living it his way. He is the kind of character that anybody with wanderlust will relate to. This book is far more satisfying than "Bridges" because it is so much more "real" and less centered on the romantic aspect in general.
Rating:
Summary: Read It Twice
Review: I saw Robert Walker interviewed on a Sunday news program immediately following the publication of the now famous THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. His narrative describing the emergence of the novel fascinated me. He spoke as if the characters were somehow inside him crying for their story to be told. I had to read this book. Next thing I knew, BRIDGES made the best sellers list. This was in the early 90's. The book became a common topic of conversation among my friends. In fact, one friend and I spoke of the book a great deal. It is a book to make one think and discuss.A year or so later, I came across SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND - quite by accident. When I made the connection with THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, I immediately purchased the book, read it, then shared it with my friend with whom I had long discussions about Walker's first novel. Frankly, I liked SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND much better than THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. I remember seeing myself in the main character. This character, Michael Tillman, mesmerized me. Twelve years later, I was looking for a book on tape to keep me company on a long lonely drive, I bought SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND forgetting that I read the novel 12 years earlier. During the second reading (or listening), I found that I enjoyed the author's writing and his imagery, but didn't find any connection between the main character and me. In fact, I didn't realize that I had read this novel before until I got to the part where Michael Tillman finds Jellie Braden on an Island in India. Reading this book for a second time was a fascinating experience. I continued to enjoy Walker's writing style, but the novel had a much different emotional impact on me. I suspect that my two experiences were the result of the author's crafty skill with the written word. For those, who read SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND when it first some out, I recommend to read it again. In fact, I think I'll listen to it on my next trip.
Rating:
Summary: Read It Twice
Review: I saw Robert Walker interviewed on a Sunday news program immediately following the publication of the now famous THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. His narrative describing the emergence of the novel fascinated me. He spoke as if the characters were somehow inside him crying for their story to be told. I had to read this book. Next thing I knew, BRIDGES made the best sellers list. This was in the early 90's. The book became a common topic of conversation among my friends. In fact, one friend and I spoke of the book a great deal. It is a book to make one think and discuss. A year or so later, I came across SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND - quite by accident. When I made the connection with THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, I immediately purchased the book, read it, then shared it with my friend with whom I had long discussions about Walker's first novel. Frankly, I liked SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND much better than THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. I remember seeing myself in the main character. This character, Michael Tillman, mesmerized me. Twelve years later, I was looking for a book on tape to keep me company on a long lonely drive, I bought SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND forgetting that I read the novel 12 years earlier. During the second reading (or listening), I found that I enjoyed the author's writing and his imagery, but didn't find any connection between the main character and me. In fact, I didn't realize that I had read this novel before until I got to the part where Michael Tillman finds Jellie Braden on an Island in India. Reading this book for a second time was a fascinating experience. I continued to enjoy Walker's writing style, but the novel had a much different emotional impact on me. I suspect that my two experiences were the result of the author's crafty skill with the written word. For those, who read SLOW WALTZ IN CEDAR BEND when it first some out, I recommend to read it again. In fact, I think I'll listen to it on my next trip.
Rating: 
Summary: A Challenging Love Story
Review: I started reading this book with a preconceived notion that this story would be exactly like Bridges of Madison County (I almost was not let down); I was sure of another tear jerking unhappy ending, so I was happily surprised when I got to the end of this story. I rated this book with three stars. I would have rated it two and a half; you can only rate by whole stars, because I liked it as much as I did not like it. I wasn't sure if I would like this story when I first started reading it but who doesn't love a good love affair, especially if it involves infidelity and a few good sex scenes? If you can overlook the infidelity, you can tell that the author seems like a hopeless romantic and that this story comes from his heart. How refreshing to know that someone from the male gender can be such a romantic! It was a little difficult to really get into reading this book at first, so thank God! it wasn't too long. After getting farther into the story, the more interesting it became. The duck rescue was a very touching. I really enjoyed how Michael went to India to prove his love for Jellie, and how his elderly mother encouraged him to chase after his love (that part also touched my heart somewhat). I also liked how the author tried to make this story seem real to the reader. He used good foreshadowing. I liked how the scenery was always changing. The accident was good because the plot kept you guessing. I had a few tears at this point. One thing I really wish was that if Jellie's name was pronounced Jah'lay, then that should have been how it was spelled. I wonder what the author was thinking when he came up with that name.
Rating: 
Summary: Bridges without the benift of 2 great stars
Review: Immature, second rate writting. If they make a movie of this the scenery will be good, but I can only hope they get someone better to write the dialogue. Incidently only someone who would use irregardless would swoon over this book.
Rating:
Summary: Easy read, believable characters, wonderful story.
Review: Irregardless of what the OTHER reviewers may have said to discredit the author, I believe that this book is wonderfulllllllll. I like to read stories that I know could really happen and this is one of them. Robert James Waller is a great author and I would like to read more of his works.
Rating:
Summary: MAN FROM "VILLIPURAM"
Review: IT ALL STARTED EXACTLY 20 YEARS AGO.ROBERT J WALLER WAS INVITED BY A MANAGEMENT COSULTANCY FIRM TO BANGALORE IN INDIA TO
TEACH A NEW MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE BASED ON AN ANCIENT VEDIC PHILOSOPHY "EVERTHING IS CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING" TO CORPORATE
MANAGERS.SINCE I WAS A FACILITATOR FR THE SEMINAR, I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO BEFRIEND ROBERT.
SINCE THAT EVENTFUL ASSOCIATION WE WERE IN CONSTANT TOUCH (HIS WIFE AND MY WIFE INCLUDED). AROUND THE YEAR 1990 ROBERT AND GEORGIA VISITED US IN PONDICHERRY,30 MILES AWAY FROM VILLIPURAM.I HAVE LOST TRACK OF THE EVENTS THAT LED US TO THE VILLIPURAM STATION TO BOARD THE TRIVANDRUM MAIL. I WILL COME BACK THAT AFTER I CHECK WITH MY WIFE I HAVE BEEN URGENTLY SUMMONED BY MY STUDENTS WHO ARE LEARNING ENGLISH FRM ME TO CLARIFY SOME COMPLICATION WITH AN ESSAY COMPETITION DEADLINE NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
I WANT TO SHARE WITH READERS OF THIS BOOK MANY MORE DETAILS. AND PROMISE TO COME BACK ON THAT AS SOON AS I CAN.
I AM REACHABLE ON THIS ADD. kleep50@
Rating:
Summary: MAN FROM "VILLIPURAM"
Review: IT ALL STARTED EXACTLY 20 YEARS AGO.ROBERT J WALLER WAS INVITED BY A MANAGEMENT COSULTANCY FIRM TO BANGALORE IN INDIA TO
TEACH A NEW MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE BASED ON AN ANCIENT VEDIC PHILOSOPHY "EVERTHING IS CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING" TO CORPORATE
MANAGERS.SINCE I WAS A FACILITATOR FR THE SEMINAR, I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO BEFRIEND ROBERT.
SINCE THAT EVENTFUL ASSOCIATION WE WERE IN CONSTANT TOUCH (HIS WIFE AND MY WIFE INCLUDED). AROUND THE YEAR 1990 ROBERT AND GEORGIA VISITED US IN PONDICHERRY,30 MILES AWAY FROM VILLIPURAM.I HAVE LOST TRACK OF THE EVENTS THAT LED US TO THE VILLIPURAM STATION TO BOARD THE TRIVANDRUM MAIL. I WILL COME BACK THAT AFTER I CHECK WITH MY WIFE I HAVE BEEN URGENTLY SUMMONED BY MY STUDENTS WHO ARE LEARNING ENGLISH FRM ME TO CLARIFY SOME COMPLICATION WITH AN ESSAY COMPETITION DEADLINE NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
I WANT TO SHARE WITH READERS OF THIS BOOK MANY MORE DETAILS. AND PROMISE TO COME BACK ON THAT AS SOON AS I CAN.
I AM REACHABLE ON THIS ADD. kleep50@
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