Rating: 
Summary: "Thale's Folly" Review
Review: "Thale's Folly" is a delightful read. I am reminded of some of Angela Thirkell's slightly zany and lovable people, even though the situation and plot are uniquely Ms. Gilman's own. I can relate quite easily to the people involved. The only problem with this book is that I could not put it down. I also hope she continues to write more Mrs. Polifax stories as well as those outside of the series. In fact, I would like to know more about the Clairvoyant Countess and the other people whose stories she told.
Rating:
Summary: "Thale's Folly" Review
Review: "Thale's Folly" is a delightful read. I am reminded of some of Angela Thirkell's slightly zany and lovable people, even though the situation and plot are uniquely Ms. Gilman's own. I can relate quite easily to the people involved. The only problem with this book is that I could not put it down. I also hope she continues to write more Mrs. Polifax stories as well as those outside of the series. In fact, I would like to know more about the Clairvoyant Countess and the other people whose stories she told.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Gilman can write. This is a wonderfully inventive story of a blocked writer's coming of age in western Massachussetts, while attempting to do a little research for his corporate father. The characters Andrew Thale discovers living ~ squatting ~ in his father's property are strange, unusual, leftovers, curious, relics ~ use whatever adjectives you prefer, since Gilman has come up with unique people again. Thale, without planning it, though the reader can predict it, becomes a part of the community on the property, and through his experiences there is redeemed from the stale, corporate writing life he had found himself squeezed into. The plot, for all its inventiveness, has a couple of predictable, mawkish moments ~ the reunion of Thale's separated parents immediately springs to mind ~ but they do not detract from the overall beauty of this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A fun, fast read
Review: Gilman can write. This is a wonderfully inventive story of a blocked writer's coming of age in western Massachussetts, while attempting to do a little research for his corporate father. The characters Andrew Thale discovers living ~ squatting ~ in his father's property are strange, unusual, leftovers, curious, relics ~ use whatever adjectives you prefer, since Gilman has come up with unique people again. Thale, without planning it, though the reader can predict it, becomes a part of the community on the property, and through his experiences there is redeemed from the stale, corporate writing life he had found himself squeezed into. The plot, for all its inventiveness, has a couple of predictable, mawkish moments ~ the reunion of Thale's separated parents immediately springs to mind ~ but they do not detract from the overall beauty of this book.
Rating:
Summary: A very special and rare treat for fiction lovers
Review: His efforts to be a novelist have left Andrew Oliver Thale depressed. Working for his business executive father, who fails to hide his disappointment with his son, leaves Andrew even more despondent. His father sends Andrew to western Massachusetts to inspect his deceased Aunt Harriet's property, THALE'S FOLLY, that the family pays taxes to keep. To his shock, Andrew finds the empty farmhouse is home for six eccentric individuals, who welcome him as a lost stranger. Apparently, Aunt Harriet invited the six people to stay with her. Andrew enjoys the company, but especially likes nineteen-year-old Tarragon. However, someone breaks in and enters the farmhouse seeking an alleged lost treasure. That assailant will do anything to obtain the missing treasure. Andrew and Tarragon begin to search for Aunt Harriet's missing will and a supposed treasure too. Andrew soon learns that to love and to be loved are the greatest treasures that his great-aunt could have bestowed on him. The popular author of the Mrs. Pollifax tales, Dorothy Gilman writes a charming romantic suspense novel that her myriad of fans will enjoy. Though the entertaining story line is simplistic, sub-genre readers will take much pleasure from it. The author only develops the eccentricities of the six squatters, which leaves readers wondering about their motives. Andrew remains the only character fully refined. However, in spite of the lack of character development, THALE'S FOLLY is a delightful reading experience. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: All of Mrs polifax books & others.
Review: I have 15 books written by Dorthy Gilman and the are wonderful. I HAVE read each and every books many times over the years. Each time they thrill me again and again. Most of my book by Mrs Gilman are Mrs polifax books but her other books are GREAT too.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: I thought the book was really cool. I enjoyed the characters. Living like that is osmething I have always dreamed of.I especially liked the surprise ending.
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Summary: Gina's review
Review: I wouldn't say it was the most suspensful or captivating book in the world. More of a rainy day kind of thing. Andrew's father sends him to his dead great-aunt's former home to check out the house and property. He goes there to find that the house is not as empty as it shoud be. In fact, it is occupied by some very interesting people; the strays that Harriet Thale took in so long ago. There is Ms. L'Hommedieu a very deep woman, Gussie the witch, Leo the critic, and Tarragon the young and beautiful girl.
Andrew is amazed by their simple life, yet all is not well. These people are about to lose their home to Andrew's father, a theif breaks into the house, an old friend has disappered, and they find themselves drawn into a big mystery. Also, Andrew finds the one person he was not expecting.148
I must admit that the book started off very slow and I wasn't really interested. More than the first half of the book is just getting you familiarized with the people, their habits, and their overall way of life. Although, with the discription it is easy to picture the home and what is happening. When you reach certain parts you find yourself reluctant to put the book down. Those parts are few and far between, but when you reach them they are very good. Many people might find the book boring, but stick with it and you will be somewhat rewarded. There really is too much irrelevant material that doesn't make sense and is just a waste of reading space, but what is there is great. I would suggest this book to readers everywhere, but its just and average book. Not too exciting but definatly not dull. Who knows, maybe after you read it you will think how crazy I am for not thinking more of it, but how will you know until you read!
Rating:
Summary: Gina's review
Review: I wouldn't say it was the most suspensful or captivating book in the world. More of a rainy day kind of thing. Andrew's father sends him to his dead great-aunt's former home to check out the house and property. He goes there to find that the house is not as empty as it shoud be. In fact, it is occupied by some very interesting people; the strays that Harriet Thale took in so long ago. There is Ms. L'Hommedieu a very deep woman, Gussie the witch, Leo the critic, and Tarragon the young and beautiful girl.
Andrew is amazed by their simple life, yet all is not well. These people are about to lose their home to Andrew's father, a theif breaks into the house, an old friend has disappered, and they find themselves drawn into a big mystery. Also, Andrew finds the one person he was not expecting.148
I must admit that the book started off very slow and I wasn't really interested. More than the first half of the book is just getting you familiarized with the people, their habits, and their overall way of life. Although, with the discription it is easy to picture the home and what is happening. When you reach certain parts you find yourself reluctant to put the book down. Those parts are few and far between, but when you reach them they are very good. Many people might find the book boring, but stick with it and you will be somewhat rewarded. There really is too much irrelevant material that doesn't make sense and is just a waste of reading space, but what is there is great. I would suggest this book to readers everywhere, but its just and average book. Not too exciting but definatly not dull. Who knows, maybe after you read it you will think how crazy I am for not thinking more of it, but how will you know until you read!
Rating:
Summary: Equal to Caravans, Incident..., Nun ..Closet & Pollifax
Review: I've grown to value Ms. Gilman as my other favorite author next to Peters/Pargeter. I grew to love Mrs. Pollifax in the Reader's Digest Condensed versions and then found all the other books written besides Pollifax mysteries. The characters are quirky, the settings are well described and I care what and how things happen/happened at Thale's Folly. My most valued momment came when Andrew's father arrived at Thale's Folly for the final time. Ms. Gilman, Thank you for straying from Mrs Pollifax.
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