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Summary: Patty Jane's House of Curl
Review: It looked like a quick and easy read for the plane ride and I really didn't have any other expectations for it. But was I ever in for a ride!! I never anticipated the mixed emotions that I got from reading this book. It was funny, sad, sweet, charming and heartwarming and I loved all the characters. They were easy to keep track of and I felt like I was right there with them all. I know that when a book makes me cry (especially on an airplane), that it has touched me in a very special way, and I really want to share this feeling with others. I have recommended this to my book club and we will be reading it for group discussion to be held the end of July. I can't wait to talk about this with the other members. I LOVED IT!!!! Now if we could just get Ms. Landvik to come to our meeting........
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Summary: A Poor Woman's Steel Magnolias
Review: "Patty Jane's House of Curls" is a novel centered around Patty Jane, a deserted mother, Harriet, her sister, Ione, her mother-in-law, and Nora, her daughter. The story starts in the mid 1950s and ends in the early 90s. Patty Jane runs a local beauty salon. Her sister Harriet plays the harp and Ione keeps the salon in Norwegian pastries. In the course of the story there are tragedies, untimely deaths, fateful encounters, and sudden terminal diseases.That the novel has so many improbable events isn't so much an issue as they were used clumsily get rid of inconvenient characters or tie up loose plot ends. The men were either unbelievable (Clyde, Reese, and Avel-unbearable wise and angelic) or cyphers (Thor). The one positive characterization was Thor's profound ambivalence with wife Patty Jane's pregnancy. This was a standout. There are many tragic events in this novel. However, it is too upbeat for Oprah to ever include it in her Book Club. This is something Kelly Ripa would pick for her Book Selection. This being "Four Strong Women Weather it all" type of book.
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Summary: Great Storyteller - Lorna Landvik
Review: Although there are male characters in this book they stand on the edge. This is a well-balanced story sending the message that women don't need men to succeed but that we all need love and when we invest our heart in someone elses' life we might get hurt. I really enjoyed how this message was communicated to the reader. I salute Lorna Landvik in her realistic portrayal of women within the family!
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Summary: Lightweight but entertaining
Review: Like an earlier reviewer I saw a similarity to Steel Magnolias but thought of it as a Yankee version since the setting is in the northern Midwest. The likeness is found in the characters and their stories more than the setting, however. In Steel Magnolias the core of the action is the beauty parlor; that setting is mentioned only superficially in House of Curl. As a matter of fact, the beauty shop is featured only in the title. To continue the comparison, in Steel Magnolias the tragedy is central to the story; in House of Curl it's a subplot, almost an afterthought. The most important difference in the two books, however, is that in Steel Magnolias, each character is affected by the success or pain of the others; but in House the characters seem separate from each other. House of Curl is a relaxing read, perfect for those days when you just want to spaz out with a book. Curl up by the fire on a snowy day or settle into a beach chair by the sea and be entertained for an hour or so.
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Summary: I am happy my friend recommended this book!
Review: I love books about quirky women and this book told funny anecdotes and sad stories about 2 sisters and their circle of friends. It reminded me of sitting in Truvy's Beauty Shop in Steel Magnolias. I would like to meet her characters and eat some of the Norwegian pastries that Patty Jane's served. I ordered her next book today and can not wait to read it.
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Summary: Just got worse and worse to the point of comedy
Review: I enjoyed Angry Housewifes so I picked up this book - my 2nd from this author. The book started out pretty good - however as I read on I was shaking my head. I lost faith in the characters and in the story.
Rating: 
Summary: Funny, realistic more mature chic read
Review: Lorna Landvik's novels are worth the money every time. But if you are an inveterate library user, then grab her titles there. Once again, in Landvik's characters, you can expect a generational ride, as the tale won't be over a single day or week or month, but years. And the characters will suffer through the things that life hands them, and find joy and friendship and sufficient humor to pull the reader along. I recommend reading anything Landvik writes. And as a southerner, it is fun to see the "woman story" from the point of view of ladies from the north, those with Scandihoovian roots. I like Landvik's story telling ways.
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Summary: A definite downer
Review: When I picked up this book, I was thinking it was a light hearted comedy. Boy was I wrong!! This was one of the saddest books I have ever read. One tragedy after another happens to Patty Jane and her sister Harriet. If you are looking for a fun book to read this is definitely not it. I give it three stars because I did like the characters, especially Patty Jane and her mother-in-law.
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Summary: All about life, love, loss, friendships..
Review: and mother daughter relationships. Full of laughter, heartache and tears. A good book to recommend. I loved every minute and was sad for it to end. I look forward to reading more from this author!
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Summary: "Curl" Up With Patty Jane's House of Curl
Review: The book, Patty Jane's House of Curl, by Lorna Landvik is an awesome, fun, and exciting book. Patty Jane's House of Curl is a heart-wrenching story about two sisters and their fight with life, love, and happiness. The book's main characters are Patty Jane, and her daughter, Nora, Patty's sister, Harriet, and Patty's mother in-law, Ione. Patty Jane and Harriet grew up in an alcoholic home where they did everything while there parents celebrated everything from Christmas to the 4th of July with a bottle of whatever they could get their hands on. Harriet had another problem she herself suffered from alcoholism. Nora, on the other hand, struggled with her father coming back and with just being a teenager. Ione didn't really struggle with much other than keeping her small family well fed and satisfied. I really enjoyed this book because it wasn't talking about this fairy tale world that ended happily ever after. This book really shows some of the struggles and hardships people today go through and actually live with. Patty Jane's House of Curl is an awesome book about two sisters struggle to keep their heads afloat in a world that only wants to pull them under.
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