Losing Julia

Rating:
Summary: A Treasure!
Review: This book is amazing! Not only does it let us enjoy a story but live through the eyes and mind of another, someone who's lived life to the fullest despite losing his first true love. I was pleased to see that it describes Patrick so well you could go to the nearest assisted-living facility and find someone with his/her own story to tell. Jonathan Hull did a wonderful job bringing us a story to learn and live by, as well as teaching us our older relatives are here to be cherished and not forgotten, as many are in similar facilities. They are the ones we should be emulating in life and in love. I found the portrayal of war a very realistic element to show Patrick's maturing and the effect on his surroundings. Julia is a treasure; I only wish she and Patrick would have had another chance together before they died!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Love Story
Review: This is one of the best books about people finding and being in love that I have ever read. Johnathon Hull says everything I have ever thought about love (from a mans point of view) and more. Just a great book!

Rating:
Summary: Read this book!
Review: If you've ever loved, lost, been brave, been fearful, harbored regret, tasted joy, or wondered about what life can hold for you; you must read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Loving Julia!
Review: Losing Julia takes on the very biggest questions: how can we find true love and face our mortality. Hull speaks through Patrick, a WWI vet by sharing our universal quest for love. He finds it in Julia. We also watch him struggle with the second question as he deals with his regrets at the doorstep of death. I was riveted with these huge questions which Hull served up with honesty and clarity. These juxtapositions are so powerful, you'll be laughing out loud with tears in your eyes. Losing Julia is a poignant story with an important message for everyone: life is short - live it out loud. It's not too late to begin now!

Rating:
Summary: losing Julia
Review: This story touched me deeply. I could relate to Patrick's plight in so many ways.

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Summary: WAR AND PEACE AMERICAN STYLE
Review: This is not the great American novel, but it surely is a good one. There are three areas of activity going on, 1) in a nursing home (I read this aloud to my wife & this was the funniest, best section for us, 2)on the battlefield(as a ex-Marine during WWII I can attest these are extremely good depictions of war..disturbing to say the least) and 3) a love story in the present. As a 1st novel, this is a remarkable book as the quality is very high and will keep you engrossed throughout.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Ever
Review: I read at least a book a week, so it's high praise for me to say that this is easily one of the best books I have ever encountered. Deeply stirring at all times, you'll smile while crying. Hull captures every single spectrum of the human existence at all ages and in all stages. Brilliant. One of the sappiest endings of all time, but completely forgivable and, in it's own way, fitting.

Rating:
Summary: A Negative Voice in a Sea of Adoration
Review: It's a strange experience to read this book and then read the reviews to date on Amazon.com. Strange because I find myself agreeing with most of the comments written by others. There is no question in my mind that Hull is a fine novelist with a strong command of character and plot development. I was also strongly affected by the story. But did I like the book? No. It is unrelenting in its agonizing. It is painfully devastating and disturbing, page after page. The author is merciless in pushing the reader into the twin horrors of WWI trenches and modern-day nursing homes. This was clearly the author's intent and he does it very, very well. And that's obviously a measure of his success, as the other reviewers note. But it's as if Hull was afraid that taking a break to explore something positive in Patrick's life would somehow delute his message. Just a note to prospective readers...be prepared.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: Reliving the tales my mother told of her exper- iences as a nurse in the trenches in France during World War I brought Patrick Delaney'snovel to life! How I wish we had seved more of her reminisences so that there would be a chance for more comparisons. She spent Armistice Day in the hospital in Paris awaiting news of whether her right arm was to be amputated as a result of an infected needle -- it was eventally saved . Daniel and Patrick's relationship was so beautifully related and the appearance of Julia to Patrick tenyears later makes such a gripping story that it was almost impossible to put the book down. What marvelous insight the author had into the mind of an elderly man --I loved every minute of the book and hope that Hull will follow up with another hit!

Rating:
Summary: Great Read.
Review: Hull's "Losing Julia" is a powerful story of the life of a survivor of World War I (the war to end all wars). I have never read such devestating discriptions of war, love or old age. Yet it is first and foremost a beautifully written bittersweet romance. I cannot recommend it enough.