Rating: 
Summary: The laughter and intimacy of women?s friendship
Review: The fact that one of the two main characters is dying of breast cancer doesn't set the tone of this book by prolific Elizabeth Berg; it just puts the friendship between these women in sharp focus and makes us prize them even more. Although in the hands of another author, the dissimilar characters of Talk Before Sleep might become stereotypical caricatures, Berg does not succumb to this pitfall. All the characters have realistically sympathetic as well as irritating qualities.
Although lovers, husbands, and children are important elements that receive their fair share of page time, it is the supreme depth of friendship between women that is honored in this lovely book. It's a quality that men rarely experience, share, or even understand. Read this book - and then make a donation to breast cancer research.
Rating: 
Summary: The problem is
Review: The problem some are going to have with this book is the fact that they'll forget it's actually fiction. Berg's prose is so clear and real that this book is unnerving, but in a good way. I've read where other reviews have called this "gripping" and that's certainly the case. If you have to read any book this year, please make it this one. I would also recommend another great read, though it's totally different from this (why would you want to read the same thing in a row?). It's called "The Bark of the Dogwood" and it's very shocking and funny. Guaranteed to be like nothing else you've come across. Also try "The Art of Mending."
Rating:
Summary: Life Changing
Review: This novel is a MUST READ to any woman with a best friend!Reading "Talk Before Sleep" was a life changing experience. I tend, as most women, to have one or two close friends. When I read this novel, I was amazed at the way that Ms. Berg captured those friendships into words. After readng the book, (in less than a day) I then reread it, and passed it along to my best friend. She and I both saw ourselves in the main characters of the book. And, a few months later, my friend was also diagonsed with cancer. During her treatment, we both lived the closeness and love felt by the characters of the book. Her story, thanks to prayer and a wonderful medical staff, has a much better ending. She has beaten pancreatic cancer and is living and laughing with us today. Thanks to Ms. Berg, we did not feel ashamed at being scared, crying, laughing, and praying together during her terrible illness.
Rating:
Summary: Good read; tough subject
Review: This story will make you think about a subject we really don't like to. Solely because of its subject matter, the story is sad but the strength of the bond of friendship is inspiring. The writer present a well composed piece of work, easy to read in its structure. Worth reading!
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