Rating: 
Summary: Never Change
Review: Myra Lipinsky, the protagonist in the novel Never Change, by Elizabeth Berg, has endured her passive, isolated life by telling herself that work and Frank, her dog, are enough. She works as a visiting nurse and other than that Frank is her life and passion. Myra is accepted as a young adult but still does not feel wanted; therefore, living her same, dull life from day to day is all she has ever known. The turning point comes about when she is assigned to visit a young man who has an incurable illness. This man happens to be Chip Reardon, her high-school sweetheart, who returned to New England to undergo treatment for his brain tumor. They bring back memories of days past, take trips, and soon find themselves in love for the first time, but only for a short time. Chip ended his life by overdosing on pills and again left Myra to live her same, never-changing life.
Myra is a static character who plays the same role throughout the novel. She is portrayed as a lonely, lifeless young woman who chooses to live her life helping others and not worried about her own. Anticipation and longing form her life after she is reunited with Chip. It is exciting to the reader to see change but there is still a wry sense of doubt in Myra's personality about the fulfillment of life. As a reader, it is disappointing to see joy flash before her eyes and then she is left alone without the source of it any longer.
Chip is a dynamic being who is fully developed by the end of the novel. He believes there is no hope for his future until Myra gives him strength and the opportunity to live life to the fullest. They encourage one another on an everyday basis until he can't take the pain any longer and chooses to take his life. It is a sad ending to what could have been a new life for both of them.
The theme has an effect on the way she handles her challenging circumstances. It is shown through her courage and persevering attitude that pushes her through her lonely life and helps her see her purpose for life from a mature, adult standpoint. She could have easily taken her own life along with Chip but instead, she chose to never change. The author depicts this original fiction story in an effective manor. She brings light to a situation where most people see no way out and a long struggle.
Although it does not have a happy ending, her novel is interesting and holds the reader's attention. From a positive outlook the two main characters are well known and understood; however, Berg did not develop the minor characters well, causing it to be hard for the reader to see into the individual. Nevertheless, the story captures the heart of the reader and challenges them to be strong through the hard times to come.
Rating: 
Summary: Heartwarming and honest
Review: While I cried a few tears, this is not a sad book. The plot is that of a 51-year-old never married and socially isolated nurse, who finds love with a terminally ill patient, who is coincidentally a former classmate - the high school heart throb she could never have back when. I give this story high marks for bordering on sentimentality but remaining honest. There is also a nice balance struck between sadness and humor. I know people who are just like the nurse in this story. She is valiant but not perfect, in other words, the way humans are supposed to be. I especially liked the relationship with her potential rival, and how two mature women put their own self interest and their past behind them to focus on the needs of their ill friend. A fine lesson about love, friendship, and coming to terms with death.
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Summary: How Does She Do This?
Review: Elizabeth Berg has such canny insight into human nature and has the ability to find warmth and humanity in everything that would be considered by many as dull or normal. But, there is nothing normal about her writing. It is extraordinary, touching, and emotionally connected in a way that most authors never achieve with their characters. She never misses a beat. I have yet to read one of her novels without laughing out loud and crying and wishing against odds that life would not be so cruel. And yet, Berg always brings me back to a strong hope in human resilence as we stumble through this thing called life. Myra--if only I had a friend like you!!!! Write on, Elizabeth, write on....
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Summary: A beautiful and poignant read!
Review: I hadn't given Elizabeth Berg a try until now. Needless to say that I will read her previous novels after having read this gem. Never Change is one of the most beautiful and poignant novels I have read in quite a while.At 51, Myra Lipinsky seems satisfied with her life. After all, she adores her job as a visiting nurse, she has a dog named Frank and she's in control of her life. Still, she knows there's something missing in her heart. She's never married and her loneliness emerges at times. But when she becomes Chip Reardon's nurse -- the guy she always had a crush on in high school, now suffering from a life-threatening form of Brain Cancer -- her life isn't the same. With beautiful language, prose and eccentric characters (some of Myra's patients are a riot), Never Change is a novel that should be devoured in one sitting. I urge you to pick up this book!
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Summary: A beautiful, tender story...
Review: As an avid reader of Elizabeth Berg books I would highly recommend this one. It is sweet and delicate. A wonderful read. You cannot go wrong with any Elizabeth Berg book!
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Summary: A Beautifully Written Book
Review: Generally, I am not one who enjoys reading depressing and heartbreaking books about dying people. Yet, Never Change is a skillfully written story that shows us how beautiful things can come from something as sad and painful as someone dying from a brain tumor. I have been an avid reader for years, and a lot of times I come across books where I skim some paragraphs here and there because some of the words and dialog are unnecessary or drag out. However, when you read this book, you do not want to miss one word. It has been a very long time since I have read a book that has touched me so much. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a superb story about human feelings and emotions.
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Summary: A Bittersweet Story
Review: Elizabeth Berg is one of my favorite authors and I anxiously await her new releases. I have to say that I wasn't disappointed in this one at all. I cried for the last 5 pages...rarely am I this moved by a book.
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Summary: Touching the heart.
Review: Being a home care nurse myself, is what inspired me to read the book. And very much of it was true. I was touched by the person Myra was, and we all knew someone in school much like her. I liked watching the transformation of Myra through the story. Yes, it was a love story. But also a story of learning to love ourselves.
Rating: 
Summary: First Berg
Review: This was the first time I've read an Elizabeth Berg novel, and I simply had to write a review after finishing it. It was an extraordinary read which I found hard to put down. Myra is a 51 year old visiting nurse with a delightful cast of characters for her patients. She had described herself as the one that everybody liked, but that nobody wanted to be with. She spends her days with her dog, Frank; taking care of her patients, and her evenings alone. Then she is assigned to care for an old high school crush, Chip, who has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, and has come home to die. Myra forms a special bond with Chip, one that cannot be broken even when their classmate, Dianne, returns for a visit. It is a love story in a way that these two need each other for very different reasons--Chip needs someone who is understanding and can be there for him. Myra needs someone to show her that she can be loved. I found that though I was saddend by Chip's impending death, I was rooting for Myra to see that she could make it, with or without Chip. It was rewarding to see this most likeable character come to terms with herself and realize that she is worth so much more than she thought of herself at the beginning of the novel. I will definitely try another of Elizabeth Berg's books.
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Summary: A SPLENDID READING OF A POIGNANT STORY
Review: Film and stage actress Maryann Plunkett is a splendid choice to read Elizabeth Berg's latest novel, "Never Change." Once again Ms. Berg adroitly offers a less than sanguine protagonist who's getting along by getting along. Myra Lipsinsky is 51, unmarried, and convinced she never will be. She has devoted herself to her career as a visiting nurse, and to the care and well being of her dog, Frank. Myra describes her youthful self as "the one everybody liked but no one wanted to be with." Things haven't changed much over the years - that is until Chip Reardon, the love of Myra's life in high school, returns to town. But Chip has come back home for a tragic reason - he is dying, and Myra becomes his nurse. Skillful author that she is Ms. Berg paints their relationship with insight and depth. This is a story well worth the listening.
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