The Saving Graces: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: FOR REAL WOMEN
Review: This is a well-written, "feel-good" woman's book about everyday women. It celebrates the sisterly communion shared by four best friends, Emma, Rudy, Lee and Isabel. They live their lives with honesty and vulnerability, and they are "there" for each other with conviction. THE SAVING GRACES addresses the concerns we all have such as work, desease, children, realationships, and abuse. This novel is so well-written that the reader actually feels the characters' anticipations and their joys. There are points in the story where you cry and pray that one thing or another will or will not occur. In your life, you know someone exactly like one or more of the friends. You find yourself identifying with them in many aspects. And you're left wishing you could have similarly cemented friendships.

Rating:
Summary: I recommend this book to all women!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, have recommended it and even purchased a few copies for my female friends. The characters and extremely interesting and you really care about them throughout the novel. There were many instances when I couldn't put it down.. The only difficult thing in the beginning is that each chapter is narrated by one of the four graces but once you get to know them it's not a problem. The back of the book descibes it best, " .. the characters are so real they might be sitting in your living room sharing a bottle of wine..."

Rating:
Summary: For Everyone Who Ever Loved a Friend
Review: I borrowed a copy of this book, read it in two days, and haven't quit thinking about it since. I just ordered five copies, one for myself and one for each of my four Best Friends. Don't waste time reading "about" it; read this book--if you ever had a true friend or want to learn how to be one. You'll laugh, curse, cry, and smile with these four amazing women.

Rating:
Summary: THIS BOOK IS LIKE DIPPING A FINGER INTO WARM, RICH CHOCOLATE
Review: Like everyone who writes these reviews, I'm an avid reader, and have been for all of my 53 years. This book is not only a must read for women, but for men who find us such complicated creatures, their time would be well spent reading about "The Saving Graces". The highest accolade for any book is that the reader can't put it down. "Graces" delivers on that score and more. I challenge any woman to read this book and not find themselves reflecting on their existing friends, their own ability to be a friend, and perhaps even re-evaluating their standards for future friends. Yes, it makes the reader THINK. Isn't that the highest accolade of all?

Rating:
Summary: The best book I have ever read
Review: This book was the absolute best! I cried and laughed through the entire thing. I think I finished it in about two days. I would recommend this book to any woman who has fabulous friends! While I was reading, I kept thinking which friend of mine was like each of the "graces". This is by far the best friendship "feelgood" book ever!

Rating:
Summary: Masterful
Review: This book quickly hooks the reader; Patricia Gaffney is a masterful writer. The story is told from the point of view of four women who refer to themselves as THE SAVING GRACES. The gang came together back in the days when women needed official "groups" to explore issues of self-discovery and validation. Unlike most similar women's groups, The Graces still are having regular meetings after all these years. With the passage of time, true friendships have developed, and this novel hinges on the emotional growth of the characters, and on exploring support and assistance they give to one another. Ultimately, THE SAVING GRACES is about love. A credit of Ms. Gaffney is that not only do her characters seem real, but they start to feel like friends. I was sorry when the book had to end.

Rating:
Summary: Yawwwwn
Review: What a bore. After 150 pages and trying my best to like it, I put it down and returned it to a friend who truly loved it. It wasn't entertaining, the characters were sappy, just not my kind of book.

Rating:
Summary: Must Read
Review: This book was terrific. I adored the characters. It moved me deeply. All women should read this beautiful story about love, trust and friendship.

Rating:
Summary: The Saving Graces
Review: A lovely book not only about friendship, but about the individual lives of each friend and how they tie together. It displays the misfortunes found by many and the successes as well. A very realistic account of four real friends. It is a very easy read, but one that still draws you in.

Rating:
Summary: Must Read
Review: I laughed, I cried, I did not want the story to end...*sigh* Patricia's writing style had me in awe. In each of her characters I saw a part of myself. Each step the Savig Graces took was so vivid I wondered if this was really a made up story. This book put perspective on issues most ppl don't like to share and reminds us how important safety nets are. Not to mention love. A must read for all just as a reminder that life is one interesting journey. I can hardly wait to read the rest of her books!