Rating: 
Summary: Huh?
Review: O.K. I read it, all of it. I'm still waiting for the point, because it's obvious that it wasn't written to entertain. At least, I hope not. Sheesh what a B-O-R-I-N-G read!!
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Summary: A simple story of love.
Review: I enjoyed this book. It is a simple tale of true love. I found it made me smile, cry , laugh and hope.
Rating: 
Summary: A gentle,heart-tugging love story.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a fast read (a couple of treadmill workouts) & I was captivated by the characters. I was, however, disappointed in the final chapter. I disliked the change in perspective (the majority of the story is told in the first-person, with the chapters being told, alternatively, by husband & wife). The insights offered by the perspective of the ancillary characters in the final chapter were unnecessary. Gibbons' writing in the previous chapters had allowed me to intuitively know what they would think. I wish she had just written the final chapter from Jack's perspective! It would have been raw & powerful instead of diluted and, frankly, insulting for the reader who has grown connected to her characters. Despite my disappointment in the final chapter, I highly recommend the book!
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Summary: Well written look at relationships
Review: I very much enjoyed reading this novel. I was moved by the depth of love this man felt and yet was aware of the pain that existed in these people's lives. Kaye Gibbons is a very talented author.
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Summary: It was just going "nowhere"
Review: This book seemed to drag.. and drag.., nothing was trully happening and it just ended !!
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Summary: Finally, a book that understands a woman's grey areas.
Review: Ironically, I read the book before Oprah found it. I found the book so close to the lives of strong women I have known; it was almost like reading someone's diary. I could read it again and laugh in all the right places and cry in all the right places too. This was definately a great read.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Goodness!
Review: I have never considered myself a quick reader . . . I tend to get sidetracked and put a book back on the shelf before I even get half-way through. Not so with this wonderful Gibbons tale. I loved it for its simplicity and purity. Being from the south myself, I found the characters to be very real and tangible. I could not put this book down! It made me laugh out loud! It made me cry, too. It reminded me of the goodness I felt in reading "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns. (If you've never read it, and you liked "A Virtuous Woman", I suggest you add it to your cart!)
Rating: 
Summary: Didn't Hold My Attention
Review: I fail to see what all the rave was about regarding this book. This is the third book I have read from Oprah's book club, and so far, none of them have succeeded in keeping me interested. Books with storylines which switch back and forth from past to present are hard to follow, and this one was no exception. I bought this book at the same time I bought Kaye's other book, Ellen Foster, figuring I would read them one after another. However, I have not yet been able to bring myself to read Ellen Foster for fear of the same type of drudgery I endured reading this one. I might read another of her books if I pick one up at the library, but I sure won't waste my money buying one.
Rating:
Summary: Great story, okay writing
Review: I thought it was a wonderful, moving story, but I was not impressed by the writing. I think this book could have been so much better. As much as I tried, I could not feel the characters as much I felt their plight. I think there should have been a muh bigger distinction in the way the two main characters communicated, the way they actually told their individual stories, the language and diction they used, etc...The book really picked up at the end though. Infact, I even cried. Because of the simplicity of the writing, I would recommend this book to younger readers.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful tale of realistic love!!!!
Review: A wonderful tale of two people who find each other and find a love that lasts a lifetime!!! It was a very uplifting book that made you feel good about people. You know from the beginning that she dies and rather than feeling sad in the end you understand they were lucky to have what they had. I would recommend it to anyone!!!!
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