Rating: 
Summary: Two books in one -- and only one was great
Review: There are really two books here. First, there's the warm, funny and at times poignant story of people living through the despression in drought-striken Kansas. This is the good book, filled with wonderful observations of life and friendship. Then there's the "murder mystery" which is far fetched and totally unnecessary. Frankly, I couldn't have cared less "who done it" and would have been much happier having the entire book devoted to the everyday life of these intriquing characters. It didn't need a mystery to "liven" things up.
The mystery doesn't totally ruin the book, but it does weaken what would have been an insightful character study.
Rating: 
Summary: Endearing tale
Review: This book has everything a feel good book requires. You'll love the characters, their antics, and the times. Curl up with your favorite tea and relish the experience of this story!
Rating:
Summary: Nothing wrong with a book that makes you feel good!
Review: The reviewer who wrote that the best books defy "typing" into particular genres is absolutely right. Life does not pigeonhole easily and laughter and tears often go hand in hand or follow one upon the heels of the other. Few books combine so many different elements so successfully as this one. In fact the only other author that I have recently read who so cleverly mixes comedy, mystery, and adventure with friendship, goodwill, and philosophical thought is Van Reid in his wonderful series about the Moosepath League. Ms. Dallas, in fact, does for Depression era Kansas what Mr. Reid does for late 19th century Maine. Readers will certainly enjoy matching wits with the quilters as they delve into a sworn secret, mortal danger, and mystery. The homespun characters will seem familiar to many readers, or the reader will wish they were familiar. Here is a wonderful cast of good people and a book that will make you glad you read it. There is so much darkness and grimness in modern literature that it is starting to become its own cliche. Here's a little light to balance it out. There's nothing wrong with a book that makes you feel good!
Rating: 
Summary: A true woman's read!
Review: "The Persian Pickle Club" is a fabulously enjoyable story that will not let you go until you finish the last page. I enjoyed Dallas' "Alice's Tulips" so I knew I would like this book. The closeness of the "Pickles" reminded me of the closeness one might have in the Girl/Boy Scouts or in the 4-H club. How I would love to quilt, too! Delightful! I recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Who'd have thought?!
Review: I wasn't sure what I expected- sweet, silly, maybe even maudlin women making itchy clothes and quilts, shocked because a beautiful woman with career aspirations moved into their midst, I guess. Yes, the women made quilts, but I bet I would love to own one. Yes, a career woman moved in, but the group wasn't all that shocked by her. I had no idea that *violence* would be the theme.Queenie and Grover had a very real relationship and worked well together. They were both pragmatic about the arrival of Zepha and Blue onto their land; the reality of the lives of the "squatters". They dealt well with the loss of their fertility but celebrated the arrival of a baby in their life later. I loved the descriptions of the homes, furnishings and decorating touches of the members of the club used in their homes. I've sat on old horsehair couches and appreciated the description of the slippery, itchy old things. I loved mention of the paintings that no would want to look at because they've seen it already in everyone else's home. The feeling of the town was real, and insular. Those little towns can be tough to live in, just as they can be tough to convey to other people who haven't lived in them. Everyone knows the secrets and you have to leave to escape them! Women need their own version of the Persian Pickle Club- they need to get together and support each other, even if they don't spend their time quilting. The feeling of intergenerational friendship was strong and true, and I hope it still happens in little and big Kansas towns.
Rating:
Summary: IT'S A SANDRA DALLAS BOOK...NEED I SAY MORE??
Review: WOW! I LOVED THE PERSIAN PICKLE CLUB! I DON'T CONSIDER IT AS GOOD AS THE DIARY OF MATTIE SPENSER, OR ESPECIALLY ALICE'S TULIPS (MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER), BUT THAT DOESN'T DEGRADE IT IN MY OPINION! SO ANYWAYS, QUEENIE BEAN IS A 23-YEAR OLD MEMBER OF THE PERSIAN PICKLE QUILTING CLUB, WHERE ALL THE QUILTING WOMEN OF HARVEYVILLE, KANSAS GATHER EACH WEEK TO QUILT AND TALK. THROUGHOUT THE STORY, YOU LEARN OF HARDSHIPS OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION, FAMILIES AFFECTED BY IT, AND EVEN BETTER, THERE IS A MURDER MYSTERY! NOTHING BEATS DALLAS'S PERFECT WRITING STYLE: HILARIOUS METAPHORS, SIMILIES, QUOTATIONS, AND PHRASES, AND EVENTS TO KEEP YOUR EYES LITERALLY GLUED TO THE PAGE!
|
