First Resort

Rating:
Summary: I must be missing something
Review: I can see why anyone who thought that "First Resort" was about golf would be bitterly disappointed. This is not a book about golf; that's merely the setting. Rather, it is a story about relationships, friendship and healing.

I would agree with some of the former reviewers that say, "God, can those people drink!" I don't believe, however, that it is inconsistent with either character's facility for denial or propensity towards escapism. I think the fact that they drink so much is the point. It allows them, temporarily, to be able to live with themselves. The fact that they can function and seem to function fairly well is all part of the myth they've constructed. I guess those readers never got the continual references to "The Great Gatsby."

As for another reviewer's criticism that Jorden seems too good to be true, what's wrong with being multitalented? We never question a variety of expertise's if the character is a man. Tom Clancy's characters are far more extraordinary in their ability to be experts in a multitude of areas. Why can't a woman?

What I found in Nanci Little's writing was a narrative style that is finely tuned, poetic without being excessive. Her characters live and breathe on the page. They are flawed, and they have courage and grace. They are not so different from many people I've known.

As I wrote earlier, this is not a book about golf; however, I learned more about the beauty of the sport than anyone has been able to convey to this non-golfer. I finally understood the allure of the greens. I've even considered taking it up.

As a book, "First Resort" is better than most. If you prefer stories about human relationships, take a chance on this one. It's a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Horrible book!
Review: I'd be very surprised if this book wasn't really written by a man. It started out okay but went quickly downhill. The characters are unbelievable. There doesn't seem to be anything that Jordan can't do. And Gillian comes across as spineless. A complete waste of time and money.

Rating:
Summary: A lush, wonderfully written book of exquisite tenderness
Review: I've read all three of Nanci Little's novels - THIN FIRE, A GRASS WIDOW, and now the terrific FIRST RESORT. Each time, I've been so moved by Little's writing that I've gone back to the book over and over, and read it multiple times. In fact, I loved FIRST RESORT so much that I actually read it TWICE in one week! And I'll undoubtedly revisit it again in a few months. Meanwhile, I'm buying copies for friends. Like Little's other books, FIRST RESORT is a story of great depth and complexity. It unfolds slowly and tenderly, as Little gently reveals the central characters: Jordan (the lesbian golf pro of a Maine golf resort) and a heterosexual widow & resort guest named Gillian. Each is a survivor of great personal trauma. They lovingly help each other to face their personal herstories, while developing a wonderful friendship and learning to move forward, toward their happy endings. I also enjoyed some of the supporting characters a lot - especially two lesbian friends, Gillie's daughter, and Jordan's uncle. (It's nice to see a lesbian novel with such a fully-formed, positive male character! In fact, that's one of the things I like most about Little's books - the fact that she includes fully complete and positive characters of BOTH genders.)I don't want to deprive any potential readers of coming to know the central women or the supporting cast via Little's exquisite writing, so I won't say much more about them. But they are so wonderfully drawn that I absolutely hated to see the book end, and I would welcome more stories featuring Jordan and Gillian. -- Jordan, especially, is one of the most ethical and wonderful characters I've seen in a book in the past year. I wish the world had more Jordans! I'm also impressed by the way that Ms. Little handled some very powerful and sensitive themes, such as physical abuse, sexism, homophobia, and the impact of alcohol in our community.To sum, I absolutely loved this book! At the end of this beautiful story, I felt warmed, happy, and utterly satisfied. I can't wait for another novel from this incredibly talented writer. We need more books by women of her caliber!

Rating:
Summary: Horrible book!
Review: Nanci Little has become my favorite author. In Last Resort (as well as her other two novels)- I felt as if everything was happening right around me-its that realistic! The characters, contrary to what a few others have said, really spoke to me. I found them totally believable and had no problem at all with Jordan's multiplicity of talents. To comment critically on the alcohol use, the golfing setting (which I found accurate), the misogynist characters, etc., speaks volumes on the lack of understanding of some readers. I felt that each of these aspects was necessary to the storyline and were universally handled in a tasteful and positive manner. I hope Ms. Little is just at the start of a long and prolific writing career. I, for one, will read everything she writes.

Rating:
Summary: Read it in one sitting-didn't want it to end
Review: Nanci Little has become my favorite author. In Last Resort (as well as her other two novels)- I felt as if everything was happening right around me-its that realistic! The characters, contrary to what a few others have said, really spoke to me. I found them totally believable and had no problem at all with Jordan's multiplicity of talents. To comment critically on the alcohol use, the golfing setting (which I found accurate), the misogynist characters, etc., speaks volumes on the lack of understanding of some readers. I felt that each of these aspects was necessary to the storyline and were universally handled in a tasteful and positive manner. I hope Ms. Little is just at the start of a long and prolific writing career. I, for one, will read everything she writes.