Stolen Moments

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book. I could not put it down.
Review: "Stolen Moments" is a supurb book. I lived the story through Julie. Barbara Jeanne Fisher did a wonderful job, and I would love to read another story by her about Lupus in another fiction such as "Stolen Moments." She grabs you from the first page till the last page. I hope she reads this.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Everyone
Review: As a writer and SLE patient, I was appalled at the portrayal, or lack thereof, that was given to the characters in this book. As for Ms. Fisher's writing, her characters remind me of the paper they were recorded on, thin, non-dimensional, predictable, and some of the most uninteresting people I've ever read about. I was excited when I began reading the book, for I was hoping that Ms. Fisher would be able to portray her main character as a strong woman who lives life to the fullest while dealing with a chronic disease. Ms. Fisher failed to develop anything beyond the superficiality of the characters she wrote about.

As a 10 year sufferer of Lupus, I shudder to think what uninformed SLE patients would think after reading the "death sentence" view this book provided. Though there is currently no cure for lupus, a diagnosis of Lupus is no longer a `death sentence". All of the lupus patients I work with are under the care of a Board Certified Rheumatologist, something that was not even touched on by Ms. Fisher. All lupus patients know the ups and downs of this disease, and most faithfully follow the advice given by their physicians. I am always amazed when I hear of patients who are on only one prescription medication, as most that I know take 10 or more per day, and not just painkillers. Julie must have been a remarkable woman indeed, as she took only painkillers, could drag herself off her deathbed to be with the new love in her life and would risk everything supposedly dear to her so she could attend a class taught by an overbearing, callous, abusive professor.

We (lupus patients) have all given up things in our life due to our disease. Many are on disability, we all know the dangers of the sun, we all require much more sleep than Julie ever got, and not one patient I know would consider walking up 3 flights of stairs when an elevator is available. This book, however, leads the reader to believe that nothing has to be given up until death, and that the disease has a normal progression ultimately leading to an early death. Our local Lupus Chapter received this book in hopes that we would purchase additional copies and offer them to our membership. It took 3 separate reading attempts to make it through to the end, all the while, working hard to suppress my anger at the mis-information provided in the book, and continually looking for the passion in writing that the main character had, but Ms. Fisher lacks. I felt obligated to complete the reading as our chapter provides information to lupus patients, recommending only literature that we have personally read or literature that is provided by the National Lupus Organization. I can say with certainty that not only will we not recommend it, rather, if asked, we will state that it provides only negative, inaccurate, and damaging information.

Rating:
Summary: ONE BEAUTIFUL BOOK!
Review: I started to read Stolen Moments as a favor to a friend of mine. She insisted I at least give it a try. I did! For the next day and a half I was burried in the book, I became one of the characters, and I had every emotion within me brought to life. I laughed and then I cried. Don Lipton reminded me of one of my past professors, and Julie is very much like myself. .It was exciting to see their relationship turn to love. So many books go to extreme measure to relate sexual encounter, but this was love in it's truest form, and ever so pure. I would suggest this book to anyone who wants to be reminded how precious life is/ and how soon it can be gone. Great job, Ms Fisher, hope you have another book soon.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet love story - a step back in time
Review: Let me start out by saying that I have tremendous respect for Barbara Fisher and her battle with Lupus; however, the book left me feeling dry and empty. The writing lacked depth, and the characters--except for Julie--were paper-thin. The plot of the book is excellent: Julie Hunter attempts to go back to college with little blessing from her pathetic husband, while fighting Lupus in the process. Professor Donald Lipton is a abrasive and callous creative writing teacher who chooses to verbally berate his students. Donald Lipton has a tragic past that has left him feeling somewhat less enthralled with love, life, and happiness until Julie crosses his path. Julie and Donald seemed destined for love and happiness until Julie becomes weak and beaten down with Lupus. They have little time to spend with each other, and must live an entire life in a few short weeks. The story could have been much more rewarding than it was; the potential was there.

I dove into this book wanting to be moved by this pure story of love, and the only thing that moved was the time that I wasted reading this empty book. The title is perfect, and after reading the book you will know what I mean. I wanted so much to like this book and even tried to make another attempt at reading it again, but it would have been painful. If you like love stories try THE NOTEBOOK, or MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE. Unless you like the idea of having your moments stolen.

Rating:
Summary: Stolen time....
Review: Let me start out by saying that I have tremendous respect for Barbara Fisher and her battle with Lupus; however, the book left me feeling dry and empty. The writing lacked depth, and the characters--except for Julie--were paper-thin. The plot of the book is excellent: Julie Hunter attempts to go back to college with little blessing from her pathetic husband, while fighting Lupus in the process. Professor Donald Lipton is a abrasive and callous creative writing teacher who chooses to verbally berate his students. Donald Lipton has a tragic past that has left him feeling somewhat less enthralled with love, life, and happiness until Julie crosses his path. Julie and Donald seemed destined for love and happiness until Julie becomes weak and beaten down with Lupus. They have little time to spend with each other, and must live an entire life in a few short weeks. The story could have been much more rewarding than it was; the potential was there.

I dove into this book wanting to be moved by this pure story of love, and the only thing that moved was the time that I wasted reading this empty book. The title is perfect, and after reading the book you will know what I mean. I wanted so much to like this book and even tried to make another attempt at reading it again, but it would have been painful. If you like love stories try THE NOTEBOOK, or MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE. Unless you like the idea of having your moments stolen.

Rating:
Summary: The Best
Review: This is one of the best books i've ever read !!! This book really touched me from the inside, and even though i knew it was imagenary, i couldnt stop crying. I felt like Janie was me, and that was me who had to say "goodbye" to the world that she didnt want to leave, but had no choice. I think this book teaches you a good lesson, and sends you a message, to appreciate life as its given, and enjoy life to the fullest because you never know what's waiting in front of you, and life can be really suprising.

Rating:
Summary: A fantastic Novel
Review: This is the first book I have ever read that I wanted to read over again. It is so full of human emotions that everyone could easily identify with some part of it. I also have lupus, and although it is different for everyone, I could feel each sumptom that Julie suffered.

I read one of the reviewers who called the book a story about a death sentence. That is not the way I saw it at all. The love between mother and daughter, and grandson, and her forever friend are the things that can often keep many of us who live loving life, alive.

I wish there were ten stars . . .I would certainly give this one of them. What a realistic, beautiful, clean book. I hope Ms Fisher writes a sequel to it soon!

Rating:
Summary: A fantastic Novel
Review: This was my first venture into reading anything by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. I found Stolen Moments to be one of the most beautiful books I have read in a very long time. It touched my heart in such a way that I will never forget it. The relationship between mother and daughter reminds me of the relationship my daughter and I have with each other. The love between Don and Julie is so beautiful and refreshing; I'd give just about anything to have a "Don" to share my life with.

A wonderful read. Just make sure and have plenty of tissues on hand.