The Goddesses of Kitchen Avenue : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Pure comfort!
Review: A woman whose marriage is in crisis, a young struggling writer, a woman boxer and a grieving grandmother--these are some of the women of Kitchen Avenue. Their unique stories intertwine to bring readers a wonderful comfort read as each of them finds her bliss. Light some candles, pour some wine, and sink down into this lush, sensual book by Barbara Samuels

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous read!
Review: I just finished THE GODDESSES OF KITCHEN AVENUE by Barbara Samuel and knew the first thing I had to do is tell others how wonderful this book is! To say it is brilliant is an understatement. I've always liked her writing but this one is the best she has ever done. I loved all these woman and was sucked into each and every one of their stories. I have one small complaint though and that is the cover. The cover shows several Caucasian woman in what looks like their 30s sitting around a table. In reality, the book features a black woman in her 80s, a mixed-race woman in her early 30s (IIRC), a white woman in her 20s, and a white woman in her 40s. There are only a few times in the book when they're even in the same room together. But that doesn't really take away from this wonderful story, there's romance, yes. But there is even more. I think the main theme of this book would be the empowerment of women. All these women find out something about themselves and that they can be individuals with or without a man in their lives. It is a true keeper and a book that is sure to get Barbara Samuel notice in more than just the romance community. I would say this book is at least on par with Gaffney's THE SAVING GRACES.

Rating:
Summary: super read
Review: love this book! full of archetypes and heroines, but all women who not only survive but thrive.

Rating:
Summary: Not Her Best
Review: Okay, The Goddesses of Kitchen Avenue is a less than great book that I enjoyed and actually stayed up til 1:30 last night to finish. Yet I know that Barbara Samuel has written much better books.

It's one of those multiple character books that one feels is aimed at multiple markets - not a good feeling.

The major character is Trudy, who at 46 discovers that her husband Rick is having an affair. Trudy takes a tire iron and breaks the windows in his truck [way to go, girl], kicks him out, then realizes that she does really love him. For Trudy most of the novel's action involves looking back on the choices that she didn't make and try to decide where she should go from here. I did find Trudy and Rick's story to be riveting - he done her wrong, they both know it, but now what?

There's Jade, a beautiful bi-racial social worker whose ex-husband is doing time, and who has come to Kitchen Avenue to care for her recently widowed grandmother. Jade's ambition is to be a boxer. [yep, she wants to be r-e-a-l-l-y strong]

Jade's grandmother, Roberta, has just lost her greatly loved husband of sixty-two years. She's faced with the decision of just how hard she's willing to fight to go on with her life.

For me the least interesting character was Shannelle [her mom thought she was naming her after the perfume.] Shannelle is an aspiring writer. She's from a rather trashy background, married to a dependable blue collar hispanic guy, and requires constant encouragement to 'follow her dream.'

I liked Trudy, Rick, and their kids enough to read this one again. Next time I'll skip over whiney Shannelle.