Rating: 
Summary: Just couldn't get into it.
Review: I started reading this book, and it just didn't grip me. I found it boring, and very depressing. The description of the characters is extremely vague. The narration of the story changes between the characters making for an extremely confusing read. I know others have liked this book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea, as it read to me as a rough draft instead of a polished final product.
Rating: 
Summary: super read
Review: love this book! full of archetypes and heroines, but all women who not only survive but thrive.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Her Best
Review: Okay, The Goddesses of Kitchen Avenue is a less than great book that I enjoyed and actually stayed up til 1:30 last night to finish. Yet I know that Barbara Samuel has written much better books.
It's one of those multiple character books that one feels is aimed at multiple markets - not a good feeling.
The major character is Trudy, who at 46 discovers that her husband Rick is having an affair. Trudy takes a tire iron and breaks the windows in his truck [way to go, girl], kicks him out, then realizes that she does really love him. For Trudy most of the novel's action involves looking back on the choices that she didn't make and try to decide where she should go from here. I did find Trudy and Rick's story to be riveting - he done her wrong, they both know it, but now what?
There's Jade, a beautiful bi-racial social worker whose ex-husband is doing time, and who has come to Kitchen Avenue to care for her recently widowed grandmother. Jade's ambition is to be a boxer. [yep, she wants to be r-e-a-l-l-y strong]
Jade's grandmother, Roberta, has just lost her greatly loved husband of sixty-two years. She's faced with the decision of just how hard she's willing to fight to go on with her life.
For me the least interesting character was Shannelle [her mom thought she was naming her after the perfume.] Shannelle is an aspiring writer. She's from a rather trashy background, married to a dependable blue collar hispanic guy, and requires constant encouragement to 'follow her dream.'
I liked Trudy, Rick, and their kids enough to read this one again. Next time I'll skip over whiney Shannelle.
Rating:
Summary: Not Her Best
Review: Okay, The Goddesses of Kitchen Avenue is a less than great book that I enjoyed and actually stayed up til 1:30 last night to finish. Yet I know that Barbara Samuel has written much better books.
It's one of those multiple character books that one feels is aimed at multiple markets - not a good feeling.
The major character is Trudy, who at 46 discovers that her husband Rick is having an affair. Trudy takes a tire iron and breaks the windows in his truck [way to go, girl], kicks him out, then realizes that she does really love him. For Trudy most of the novel's action involves looking back on the choices that she didn't make and try to decide where she should go from here. I did find Trudy and Rick's story to be riveting - he done her wrong, they both know it, but now what?
There's Jade, a beautiful bi-racial social worker whose ex-husband is doing time, and who has come to Kitchen Avenue to care for her recently widowed grandmother. Jade's ambition is to be a boxer. [yep, she wants to be r-e-a-l-l-y strong]
Jade's grandmother, Roberta, has just lost her greatly loved husband of sixty-two years. She's faced with the decision of just how hard she's willing to fight to go on with her life.
For me the least interesting character was Shannelle [her mom thought she was naming her after the perfume.] Shannelle is an aspiring writer. She's from a rather trashy background, married to a dependable blue collar hispanic guy, and requires constant encouragement to 'follow her dream.'
I liked Trudy, Rick, and their kids enough to read this one again. Next time I'll skip over whiney Shannelle.
Rating:
Summary: lush, lovely and luminous
Review: THE GODDESSES OF KITCHEN AVENUE is a lush, lovely and luminous celebration of human resilience and forgiveness. If you are a Barbara Samuel fan, you will love this book. If you are not, this book will turn you into one.
Rating: 
Summary: Author's talent clearly shows!
Review: The story touches on a group of women, each going through a life crisis. The main character is Trudy Marino. She is 46 years-old and separated from, Rick, her husband of over 20 years. At the beginning of the book, Trudy's next door neighbor, Roberta Williams, has JUST become a widow. She had been with Edgar, her husband, for over 60 years. Roberta's granddaughter, Jade, comes to help. Jade is going through her own male problems (with Dante) and takes up kick boxing to vent her frustrations. Though Trudy is the main character, Jade seemed to steal the spot light often. I looked forward to her chapters most. The book is written in first person view and each chapter gives the name of the person whom the chapter represents. Sometimes the chapter is one of the other women in the group, but not often, such as Shannelle (another neighbor). But again I point out that Trudy, Jade, and often Roberta are the focus. **** Now do not go thinking of the movie "First Wives Club", as I did, when you pick up this little gem. THIS tale is actually realistic! The author, Barbara Samuel, even included what looked like copies of emails sent to and fro the women. (I wonder if Hopefuls at yahoogroups.com is real. I will have to look that up. Hmmm...) All-in-all, I found this to be a charming and modern day book with people that almost seemed real to me. Barbara Samuel's talent clearly shines through on every page! **** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Rating:
Summary: Her Best Yet!
Review: This book by RITA-winner Barbara Samuel is her best yet. An evocative and sensual journey through the lives of several women (and their men), she never fails to hit straight to the heart.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful!!!!!
Review: This book was wonderful. I really enjoyed Trudy and Jade, and was pleased with the final outcome of the book. I'd have liked to have heard more about Shannelle and her husband, Tony. I plan to read more by this author in the future.
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