All We Know of Love

Rating:
Summary: choppy but justifiable...
Review: At first I thought this book was going to be a struggle to get through. The writing seemed choppy to me. But as Joanna develops the choppy writing is very much like her mental state. I felt as the story progressed the writing always reflected Joanna's temperment and feeling. The story was good. I would have liked to see Joanna work some more things out in her mind, and thus related it to the reader. The absolution from all the troubles seems to be too easy without hearing her work it out for herself. I am not sure if I agree with other reviewers about this author being comparable to Barbara Kingsolver. But I don't like to generalize and compare with other books, each stands alone in my mind.

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful debut novel
Review: From the opening pages of Katie Schneider's first novel to the final words of love and adoration, I became lost in this story. The characters, the situations and the locales all rang true. I especially liked the unique way she alternated between past tense and present tense, weaving the old with the new, the rich favors of Florence with the solid earthiness of the Pacific northwest. Ms. Schneider has a gift for writing crisp, clean prose that sings. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who has ever followed a dream. For anyone who has ever fallen in love.

Rating:
Summary: I enjoyed enough to give copies to all my reading friends
Review: I bought this book twice and liked it enough to give my copies away before I got past the first chapter. I finally bought a third copy and was rewarded to get to finish it myself. Schneider writes with beautiful prose and sensitivity. It is obvious she is an artist, in addition to being a writer. I have since given two more copies to friends, and recommended it to a friend's book club. I am sure this writer will go far!

Rating:
Summary: Not for me
Review: I did not think that the story of the characters were compelling. I was bored by the prose. The story affected a magical realism flavor that did not feel true. I thought the heroine was overly romanticized and had too pristine a character. The book needed more juice.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, lyrical
Review: I don't think that it is particularly the story that I love about this book , though it is a good story. The way the book is written, in this lovely, lyrical prose is captivating and engaging. This book is a wonderful rainy-day treat...and it will remain on my bookshelf for years to come.

Rating:
Summary: Did I not get it or what?
Review: I love Barbara Kingsolver's works...so I expected to enjoy this novel as touted. The prose sometimes appeared so simplistic as if a junior high or high school "girl" had written it...I just could not appreciate it. There is a story and definitely some insights but a page turner ... not... and unfortunately I pass on to other readers with reservations.

Rating:
Summary: Did I not get it or what?
Review: I love Barbara Kingsolver's works...so I expected to enjoy this novel as touted. The prose sometimes appeared so simplistic as if a junior high or high school "girl" had written it...I just could not appreciate it. There is a story and definitely some insights but a page turner ... not... and unfortunately I pass on to other readers with reservations.

Rating:
Summary: Is all we need to know.....
Review: I nabbed a friend's pre-pub copy of this book because part of the story takes place in Florence and I like to read books that take place in Italy. My all time favorite novel is still Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal Dreams" and anyone else who enjoyed that should like this book. This author knows how to weave a tale with some interesting characters and I grew quickly attached to the artist that is the main character. This is delightful reading as Schneider has a magnificent grasp of poetic language that makes it easy to feel immersed not only in the landscape but in the emotions that drives the artist through her process of resolving her grief and coming to terms with her art. I also liked the way the story moves back and forth between the past and the present. I'm looking forward to more from this author.

Rating:
Summary: A lovely read
Review: It's only been minutes since I've closed the book, WHAT WE KNOW OF LOVE, by Katie Schneider. It's her debut novel, but it has been sitting on my to-be-read pile for months, so maybe she has published another since. I hope so.
It's a lovely novel about a woman who had been raised by her beloved grandfather after her mother died in a car accident. She's an artist. She grows up in Spokane, Washington, but at the urging of her first true love, she goes to Italy because there's nothing more for her at home. She meets a cellist, Chad, with whom she becomes romantically involved. But before the relationship progresses toward romance, she is part of a triangle, another friend, Walter is their companion. Walter is secretive and hides certain aspects of his life from his friends. When the truth is revealed, it's revealed in an explosive argument which destroys one of Jo's sacred paintings.
The story switches between Spokane and Italy, between past and present. As the story progresses, it's like putting together a magnificent puzzle. And although the story comes to a satisfying ending full of hope and promises of love, it was sad to finally finish the novel.
~Rita Marie Keller
author of Living in the City
ISBN: 1-59113-202-9

Rating:
Summary: All We Know Of Love
Review: This book includes some of my favorite themes: art, faith, and love. It is about a love left behind, the process of an artist, the actual physical pain of loss, and finding love again. All are written about beautifully by Katie Schneider and told through the eyes of Jo.

This is an engaging book and one you do not want to miss!