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Summary: One of the best books I've read this year.
Review: Not only is "The Passions of Emma" one of the best books I've read in a long, long time, it's probably one of the most well-written ones too. After reading Meagan McKinney's "Lions and Lace" (one of my favorites) I became aware of the plight that the Irish faced when they came to America. This book expanded on that knowledge. Aside from that, this story of friendship and love was wonderful. My only complaint is that I would have liked more written about the hero and heroine. But, I don't want to spoil any part of the book for anyone, so I will just say this: Don't pass this one up, it will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
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Summary: AWESOME BOOK! COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!
Review: Oh, truly this was one of the best books I've ever read! Captivating characters and setting; makes me want more of these characters! A sequel would be a dream!
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Summary: Beautifully told story of friendship & love
Review: Ouch, this book was painful to read. It's vivid scenes and raw emotion lingered with me long after I turned the last page.The plot sounds horribly depressing and there's no doubt that this is painful stuff but I wouldn't have put it down for anything. Rich in detail and emotion, it's moving and uplifting and tender and such a very beautiful story about love and friendship, THE PASSIONS OF EMMA is one of the best books I've read this year. Just grab yourself a box of tissues before starting it . . .
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Summary: Such a delight!
Review: Passion of Emma was a true delight to read, it was so well written and the words and phrases did not repeat themselves as we so often see in Romance novels. The story was wonderful and probably the most enjoyed book I have read in years. I have now ordered all of her other books and found out that her sister is Candice Proctor. I have always adored Catherine Cookson and Jessica Sterling and this is written along the same manner and styling.
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Summary: kleenex required
Review: The best romance novel I have ever read. I couldn't shake the emotional effects of this book for days after the last page was turned. Give it a try.
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Summary: Flawed, but still fun, weepy
Review: The equivalent of a long-distance phone commercial, this book is a little overwrought and pretty manipulative, but if you want a decent tear-jerker, The Passions of Emma is worth your while. This is my first book by Williamson, whose writing style is overly dramatic and sentimental, but she tells a decent yarn if taken at face value. The story is from the point of view of Emma, a beyond believable beauty, who falls in love (reluctantly) with her best friend's husband. But the juice of the story is repression and longing, over which many characters torture themselves. There are a lot of elements that strain believability: the clairvoyant daughter, Emma's disregard of societal pressures, her sudden interest in poor people, a ghostly appearance, the sidebar into the loony bin. Really, it's got some serious melodramatic elements: falling for friend's husband, the dying consumptive, the several suicides, the handicapped sister, the evil mother, the big fire and on and on. Even the weather seems to cooperate: the weather sucks when people feel sad and the sun shines when they're happy. Storms conveniently arise at dramatic moments, rain beats down to illustrate despair. As the protagonist, Emma is a little too perfect (beautiful, rich, compassionate and artistic too!), and I thought the friend character Bria was a more compelling heroine, certainly braver and spunkier. As for Shay, the hero, he doesn't seem that extraordinary, what with the dirty hair and schlumpy clothes; it's difficult to see what Emma is so fired up about. I couldn't help thinking that from the point of view of some of the other characters, Emma and Shay don't seem so great. (Think about it, to those who've already read the book: Emma screws over her fiance pretty good, and she kinda ignores her sister a lot. And Shay gets over his wife pretty quickly, and he doesn't seem too tormented about the people he's killed.) But that's the thing: this book doesn't really hold up to examination, nor is it meant to be picked apart. If you can get over the (many) implausibilities, you will definitely cry by the end and feel rewarded by the love-conquers-all scenario. Read it quickly and without thinking too much.
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Summary: Gripping - I was unable to put this book down!
Review: This book explores love and all of its heart-wrenching and heart-uplifting implications in a realistic manner. Get ready for the story and the characters to get under your skin. You'll miss them when you read the last page, but they will stay in your heart for a long time!
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Summary: The Passions of Emma...an excellent read!
Review: This book was great. The only problem is that now I want all of her books and so many of them are out of print! Get this one, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll not put it down until you turn the last page!
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Summary: An unforgetable, heart wrenching love story.
Review: This book will go down as one of my favorates! It hurt to turn the last page and end the story. The chemestry between Emma and Shay was powerful. I am a first time reader of Penelope Williamson and after reading this beautiful story, I plan to read all of her books.
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Summary: Beautiful...
Review: This is a hard review to write. As I was reading "The Passions of Emma", several thoughts came to mind. First of all, the writing was absolutely GORGEOUS. The tone of the book was a melancholy one, but very smart and thoughtful. I loved Emma. I felt like I related to her so much that I just was riveted. However, as much as I was drawn to this book, oddly enough, I cant say that I adored it. I felt like the whole situation was just so uncomfortable and it bothered me that no matter how much Shay loved Emma, that they were only together because of their loss of Bria. Emma will always be second best in my mind because of the circumstances that brought them together and I really hate that. I also felt like Emma loved Shay more. How could he say that there would never be another for him and that he loved her with all of his heart when his Bria had just had that honor only a short time earlier? So, this leaves me confused...but, I cant rate the book any lower than 5 stars, because it truly deserves the high rating. All in all this was a beautiful, almost haunting book. I am glad that I read it,and have a feeling that I will be coming back to it again in the future.
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