Milk Glass Moon

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Summary: Is this our last visit to Big Stone Gap?
Review: Readers of Adriana Trigiani's first two books in this trilogy, Big Stone Gap and Big Cherry Holler, certainly have a great deal to look forward to when they pick up and read Milk Glass Moon. What reader wouldn't enjoy another visit to this mountain town in West Virginia, which the author describes so beautifully and fills with such vivid characters and events. And if by chance you read this book without realizing it's the third installment in a series, you have the added pleasure of being able to go back and savor the first two books putting all of the pieces in the puzzle together.

At the beginning of Milk Glass Moon, which refers to what Jack's grandfather described as a smoky, hazy moon, life is pretty much the same for Ave Marie and Jack MacChesney. Their marriage is a good and fulfilling one after several years and they look forward to the future together. Ave Marie continues to work in the pharmacy she once owned while Jack is busy with his construction company. Rounding out their lives is their daughter, Etta, a bright and adventurous 13 year old who is bound to turn Ave Marie's hair gray. But life really never stays the same and once again Ave Marie is faced with new challenges in her life as well as the changes in her friends lives. Once again, we get to spend time with Ave and her beloved mountain friends from the first two books. Theodore Tipton, the former marching band leader who suddenly moves to New York City, Peter Rutledge who Ave Marie first met in Italy five years ago, Iva Lou, the brash and sexy book -mobile driver, Fleeta, the grouchy but big hearted employee of the pharmacy, Spec the paramedic Ave Marie used to work with and Ave Marie's large family in Italy. But ultimately it is the relationship between Ave Marie and Etta which Trigiani explores as Etta marches into adolescence and love.

This is an old fashioned book with old fashion ideals about family, friends, unconditional love and loyalty. As Ms. Trigiani wrote so eloquently about love and marriage in Big Cherry Holler, this time the author writes beautifully about the pains of motherhood and children growing up. The saying that "we give our children roots and wings" is never demonstrated better than it is within the pages of this book. This is a wonderful book and evidence of why the first two books have captured so many reader's hearts and imaginations. Although the author hasn't said definitively that this is the end of the series, I for one am hoping that she will continue to amuse us with the antics of the people both of Big Stone Gap and Italy. If not I'll be rereading this trilogy for some time to come.

Rating:
Summary: A great ending to the trilogy...
Review: Reading the last book in the Big Stone Gap trilogy felt like coming home. I loved everything about it - all my favorite characters and that nice comfy feeling you get when turning pages was there. I couldn't have asked for a better way to end the story.

This time around the novel focus mainly on Ave Maria trying to raise her daughter, Etta. The story spans about six years and so we get a nice glimpse into what Ave Maria goes through when trying to rear Etta through her teenage years. And of course, Big Stone Gap wouldn't be complete without cantankerous Fleeta Mullins, Ave's help at the Mutual Pharmacy; all of Ave's wonderful family from across the pond; as well as one of my favorites, Iva Lou Wade Makin, who has a struggle all her own.

Chock full of homespun humor and as comforting as a warm glass of milk, Milk Glass Moon was everything I expected it to be. I feel sad to say good-bye to all my wonderful friends at Big Stone Gap, but the ending of the book left me with such a nice feeling. I highly recommend this trilogy to readers. Thank you, Adriana, for this awesome gift.

Rating:
Summary: A great ending to the trilogy...
Review: Reading the last book in the Big Stone Gap trilogy felt like coming home. I loved everything about it - all my favorite characters and that nice comfy feeling you get when turning pages was there. I couldn't have asked for a better way to end the story.

This time around the novel focus mainly on Ave Maria trying to raise her daughter, Etta. The story spans about six years and so we get a nice glimpse into what Ave Maria goes through when trying to rear Etta through her teenage years. And of course, Big Stone Gap wouldn't be complete without cantankerous Fleeta Mullins, Ave's help at the Mutual Pharmacy; all of Ave's wonderful family from across the pond; as well as one of my favorites, Iva Lou Wade Makin, who has a struggle all her own.

Chock full of homespun humor and as comforting as a warm glass of milk, Milk Glass Moon was everything I expected it to be. I feel sad to say good-bye to all my wonderful friends at Big Stone Gap, but the ending of the book left me with such a nice feeling. I highly recommend this trilogy to readers. Thank you, Adriana, for this awesome gift.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book
Review: The author captures our attention and brings us immense joy in another glimpse of the life in Big Stone Gap.
When's the next one coming out, Ms. Trigiani?

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Summary: I love this series!
Review: The characters are great, once again! I was into this book by the first page! I love it! I can't wait for number 4!

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Summary: On with the story
Review: The continuation of the Big Stone Gap story finds Ave Maria with a maturing daughter and maturing friends. This was better than the second book, more fun, faster pace. Predictably we are left with the opening of yet another book. They must be read in order. I'm looking forward to the next!

Rating:
Summary: Loved the first 2, but disappointed now
Review: The first 2 books were great! I couldn't wait for Milk Glass.
Maybe my expectations were too high. There wasn't much of a story line in this one. It was just day to day. No big news or anything to keep the pages turning. It was still a pleasant read, and easy to follow but it just lacked the impact of the other 2 books. I'm still a fan and can't wait for Trigiani's next.

Rating:
Summary: Good but sad
Review: The saddest part is realizing that Milk Glass Moon finishes the Big Stone Gap trilogy. Adriana Trigiani is one of the greatest writers today. She has such a command of the language. She writes with voice, detail, and realism. My college creative writing professor told us to write about what we know. Well, had she been my classmate, she would have made an A. I was also pleased to see the name of a high school teacher who is real. I went to college with Mrs. Porier's children! This book brings the town and its characters to life. Great job!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Family Story!
Review: The story transports us from Ave Maria's home in the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the Italian Alps, from New York City, and then to the Tuscan countryside. Milk Glass Moon is the story of a shifting mother-daughter relationship. Etta is testing her independence, and her mom is having a lot of trouble letting go.

Trigiani's other beloved characters are also back in this book as well. Jack Mac, Ave Maria's true love, who is willing to gamble security for the unknown; her best friend and confidant, bandleader Theodore Tipton, who starts a new life in New York City; librarian and sexpert Iva Lou Wade Makin, who faces a life-or-death crisis. Meanwhile, surprises emerge in the blossoming of crusty cashier Fleeta Mullins, the maturing of mountain girl turned savvy horsewoman Pearl Grimes, and the return of Pete Rutledge, the handsome stranger who turned Ave Maria's world upside down in Big Cherry Holler.

This book is simply warm and wonderful and reminds us of what it was like 'down home.'

Rating:
Summary: wonderful settings and people
Review: The thing that will strike you first about Trigiani's MILK GLASS MOON is the wonderful settings. Secondly, the characters will jump out at you. Trigiani, along with Chevalier, are two of my favorite authors and both know how to handle their materials. The writing in this novel is just, well, excellent, and the author's plots are wonderfully thought out. This book is a must.

Also recommended: McCrae's THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD