Rating: 
Summary: Worth Reading
Review: I am a fan of Ann Quindlen's books. This one confused me at times, but other than that I thought it was a wonderful story. I think that the story of Mrs. Blessing and the realtionship of Skip was very well written, however the flashbacks sort of confused me a little bit, cause they just flashbacked without starting a new chapter. But its worth reading. I also loved the book Object Lessons and Black and Blue.
Rating: 
Summary: I have to laugh at the other reviews .....
Review: It seems that ... readers all live in a fairytale world, where everyone lives happily ever after. Newsflash: life isn't like that! Wake up and smell the coffee!! Thank God for Anna Quindlen, who is able to entertain us and let us listen in on real people with real situations - heart-wrenching as they may be - for a few hundred pages.
Rating:
Summary: Moving, but DEVESTATING!
Review: I just put this wonderful book down, after finishing it in 24 hours. The characters were compelling. Quindlen's writing style is so magnetic, it pulls you in...you are there in the kitchen with Lydia and Nadine, above the garage with loveable Skip and baby Faith. I was so moved, up until the very end. Why do authors do this?! I was so devestated with the ending. I want, NEED, a different ending. I loved the characters so much and was so sad that the author left me as heartbroken as the characters themselves. If you can tolerate sad, rawly realistic endings, then DEFINITELY read this book. But if you're like me and like to see the good guy come out on top once in awhile (unlike reality where this is rarely seen), then don't read it. Spare yourself the emotional rollercoaster.
Rating: 
Summary: Curses
Review: After "Black and Blue" and "One True Thing," Anna Quindlen overcame the naysayers and proved she was a first rate novelist.
I so wantred to like this one, but she has simply missed the mark. If she wants to be the Margaret Atwood (or even the Carol Sheilds) of New Jersey, then she is going to have to explore characters more deeply than she has done here. A ne'er do well guy transformed into Alan Alda and an ice queen dowager turned into a Christ figure -- all over a deserted a baby in a box -- just doesn't get it. I felt obligated to finish this novel, only in hopes it would suddenly kick in. It never did. Perhaps this is what the father in "One True Thing" had put together, but instead drank himself out of writing.
While there are flashes of brilliance, turns of phrases, and insights, the cohesiveness and inspiration of her first two novels is missing here. She does display an array of descriptions of the sounds bugs make, but to what end, I do not know. Beyond that this is either a lazy effort, or writer's block, or perhaps some contractual obligation to get something out there.
Anna Quindlen has a lot of years and a lot of skill, and for me she is hitting .667, being successful two times out of three. That she struck out here does not mean she will not get back on track. I will buy and read her next book, but she needs to raise her game.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Story by a Super Author
Review: BLESSINGS is the story of a young boy whose past life is built on failure. A chance meeting with an unusual old woman, and the discovery of an abandoned baby, sets the stage for a powerful and heart-wrenching story.Anna Quindlen reaches into the hearts of her characters and takes readers on an emotional journey that will stay with you for a long time.
Rating:
Summary: 2.5 Stars - Perfectly Average
Review: Don't expect page turning narrative or gut wrenching internal conflicts in this short novel. "Blessings" is a slowly paced sappy story of a man who finds an abandoned child while working on the wealthy estate of an elderly heiress. Secrets are the theme of the novel, and Quindlen doesn't come up with any fresh or unfamiliar ones. The main characters' lives are at first connected by circumstance of employment then by the love of the baby. The story unfolds pretty much the way you think it will. I experienced no surprises around the corner or startling revelations by the characters. It's certainly not a challenging or exciting read, but it's not among the worst reads of the year either. My experience with the novel may be more an indication of my expectations of the author than extremely average writing. After such stellar stories as "One True Thing" and "Black and Blue", I simply expected more from "Blessings. While let down, I'm not fed up. Hopefully Quindlen will return to her writing peak with the next novel.
Rating:
Summary: Moments of Good writing, but problems in the storyline
Review: I have a friend that I recommend books to all the time but I only recommend those that I feel are really outstanding. As a result she constantly raves about my book recommendations. This book is not one I will recommend to her. Although there are moments of brillant writing and potentially strong characters in the book the story line is so broken and potential plot lines left dangling that the books suffers as a whole. At the end of the book you find yourself disappointed and unsatisfied. If you're looking for a good book try the Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood or Bel Canto by Ann Patchett.
Rating:
Summary: disappointing--as expected
Review: Anna Quindlen was such a wonderful journalist and columnist whom I followed on a regular basis. Her decision to "retire" from that life and write fiction has been consistently disappointing. "Blessings" may be her most disheartening attempt of all. Quindlen is no less than a brilliant journalist, but as a fiction writer she simply does not make the grade. Her characters are not compelling, her plot is predictable and tedious and her descriptions of relationships are seldom deep and usually quite trite. She does describe the ambience of her story in often-striking detail, but on the whole the book fails to engage on any more than a superficial level.
I think that Ms. Quindlen is so universally admired that critics are reluctant to harshly judge her work. I've been frankly surprised that there have been few really damning reviews. But, interestingly, none of the reviews rave, but rather they tepidly speak of her "interesting" story.
Anna, the kids are almost grown. Go back to work!!
Rating: 
Summary: Unhappy
Review: This is my first book by Anna Quindlen and I'm not sure I will be thrilled to read anymore of her books. This book took me a long time to read (which means I wasn't on the edge of my seat!) The book started off great but then just seemed to keep me barely interested. Then the ending...I can't believe I read this to have it end so poorly. I hope other people don't waste there time as I did.
Rating:
Summary: keeps ur attention
Review: I haven't completely finished but so far it's got my attention. The characters seem so real and their emotions intrigue me. Other than this book, I also recommend "Next Time Around" by Kristina Bailey.
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