Colony

Rating:
Summary: Boring
Review: I am a avid reader of all types of books, this was the most depressing and poorly written book I have ever picked up. The plot is slow to develop and confusing. No family has as many problems, tragedies, and poor parenting skills. These combined makes the plot boring to read. Every page has a new tragedy. This was the first and last of this author I will read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent multigenerational novel of a summer colony
Review: I am new to the works of Anne Rivers Siddons, this being the second novel I have read. I found this one very hard to put down. The story involves 4 generations of the Chambliss family's summers at Liberty, their house at the Retreat summer colony in Maine. The author understands the relationships between summer residents and locals more than most novelists, and uses this knowledge to enhance an already gripping tale. I loved the Chambliss women and their story.

Rating:
Summary: What's up with all those five star reviews?
Review: I bought this book on the basis of all those five star reviews. I kept reading thinking, "certainly, just any minute, any page I'm going to get why people seem to have liked this book." But no, page after page and I never got it. The people were unpleasant, shallow and drawn with cartoonish simplicity. The story hopped from decade to decade and was not well developed in any decade. The characters did not speak as much as they were described and the use of drippy, syrupy, damp, shimmering adjectives was cloying at best. The main character constantly "just knew" when something was about to happen, or had happened(in theory unbeknownst to her)--a device which quickly grew tiresome. I don't think any review could make me want to read another book by this author.

Rating:
Summary: I did not read Colony, I lived it!
Review: I can still smell the salt air! The characters come alive, and you LIVE the story. I could easily visualize the people, places and events and I became a part of the "Colony". Anne Rivers Siddon has an incredible gift of story telling, which allows you to move through time with the characters and became one of them. I became an instant fan and have since read all her novels, but Colony remains my favorite. Whenever I feel the crisp sea air blow across my face, smell and taste the salty air, I am tranported back to Colony.

Rating:
Summary: A Treasure Unearthed
Review: I can't believe it took me so long to discover Anne Rivers Siddons and her colorful writing. Her descriptions are beyond imaginative and her character development supurb! Not a quick read at 612 pages, but I found myself unable to put it down. It is capable of transporting you to another place and time. I became so imersed in the beauty and drama that I feel like I have spent many a summer in Retreat. I can't wait to read more of her books !!!

Rating:
Summary: This is the best of all her books that I have read.
Review: I enjoyed this book because Ms. Rivers Siddons gave these characters and the surroundings such fullness and depth.

Rating:
Summary: I wish Maude lived next door.................
Review: I first read this book 7 years ago. I loved it then. The story transported me and swallowed me up. Yes, I just finished my re-read last night. Colony is even better the second time around. I felt more, saw more and understood things I had missed the first time. this was the story that turned me on to Anne Rivers Siddons. Of course, being a woman, wife, mother and daughter in law myself I could relate. Oh yeah, I don't think anyone has these kinds of tragic events all in one life time.......but the story is more about a beautiful love affair in a beautiful place in a simpler time. Give it a chance........it will pull you in.

Rating:
Summary: Great summer reading!
Review: I found this book so interesting, the different generations and family ties. Daughter-in-laws will appreciate this novel. After I read the book I listened to it on tape and that was like hot fudge on a sundae! Savour it

Rating:
Summary: Relaxing and Beautiful
Review: I had this novel sitting on the book shelf for at least two years and never took it out. My husband and I just returned from a wonderful vacation in the New England states. After the long trip home and a day of unpacking I decided to pick up a book, sit in the stillness of my home and read. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I discovered that "Colony" takes place in Main. We had just been to Bar Harbor. It was just a wonderful read. When Anne Rivers Siddons discribes the sunsets, sunrises, the look of the sky, the feel of the air, the color and shapes of the trees etc, you can almost feel, taste, see and hear it yourself. She discribes nature like no other author I have read. I'm looking forward to my next book by her, "Hill Towns".

Rating:
Summary: A lovely summer read...
Review: I happened to be on vacation in Kennybunkport when I read this and loved it. Now that I am finished, I can't stop thinking about Maude. I will miss her...