Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: I have read all of Belva Plain's novels. This book was so disappointing. The beginning of the story captured my interest but by the middle it became boring. The ending sort of fell off a cliff--it was as tho the author couldn't think of an ending and it sort of abruptly stopped. The characters were stilted and I felt no sympathy for any of them. The main character, Robb, starts off with such high ethical standards and just throws them to the wind. It was so unbelievable.
Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: I have read all of Belva Plain's novels. This book was so disappointing. The beginning of the story captured my interest but by the middle it became boring. The ending sort of fell off a cliff--it was as tho the author couldn't think of an ending and it sort of abruptly stopped. The characters were stilted and I felt no sympathy for any of them. The main character, Robb, starts off with such high ethical standards and just throws them to the wind. It was so unbelievable.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: I liked the story for the first 50 pages, but after that it kept getting boring. I have read other books by Belva Plain and I have to say that this was the one that I liked the least. Her stories begin to develop a pattern and her style of writing is no longer exciting. I wouldn't suggest reading this book unless there isn't another one within 10 miles.
Rating:
Summary: Awful
Review: I read Evergreen many years ago (and thoroughly enjoyed it), this was the first Belva Plain book I had picked up since - what a mistake! It was the worst book I have read in a long time. The characters were unlikeable, no worthy traits whatsoever and the character development was very poor. The timeline of the story didn't hold any meaning either - it was set in the 1970's to late 1990's, there was no evidence of this at all, it could have been 1870's with the way Robb expressed himself. Old fashioned, questionable sentiments and POOR story! Don't bother picking this one up!
Rating:
Summary: Awful
Review: I read Evergreen many years ago (and thoroughly enjoyed it), this was the first Belva Plain book I had picked up since - what a mistake! It was the worst book I have read in a long time. The characters were unlikeable, no worthy traits whatsoever and the character development was very poor. The timeline of the story didn't hold any meaning either - it was set in the 1970's to late 1990's, there was no evidence of this at all, it could have been 1870's with the way Robb expressed himself. Old fashioned, questionable sentiments and POOR story! Don't bother picking this one up!
Rating:
Summary: Stupid
Review: I read it so I gave it a star. Why did I read it? I was desperate. It was the only book I could lay my hands on. And it was bad, very bad, very, very, very bad. How do people get so lucky as to have something this horrible get published?I got seduced by all the hype on the cover, but if Belva Plain is "an accomplished storyteller" it must have been 17 books ago 'cause it ain't this one! The book offers absolutely nothing new. No surprises. No insights about the frailty of human nature. No inspired writing. Not even any inspired sex scenes. Nothing. What you do get: a non-existent plot about a lawyer (gee, has that been done before?), stilted writing and the worst sin of all -- unlikeable characters. Not one of them was anyone I cared about, not even remotely. But the writing! Who writes like this? "She would come virginal to the marriage." In 1970s America? Yeah sure. Who talks like this with all the do nots (instead of don't) and an EXCESSIVE use of darling. I have never heard anyone anywhere call anyone darling unless it was dripping with sarcasm. This book reads like a British costume drama set down in what is supposed to be greedy contemporary America. Didn't buy it for a second. And the whole "retarded boy" thing. I mean talk about lack of sensitivity and heavy handedness. I bet a lot of readers will be rightly and deeply offended by how this was handled. It offered no sensitivity and no insight into this. You want a book about a family reeling from the impact of a disabled child? Read Sue Miller's Family Pictures -- now there's a book! And what exactly was this book supposed to be about? A morality tale? For whom? About what? People spent way too much time having a stiff upper lip and tending to appearances. Was that supposed to be the bad thing? But then not everybody got their compeuppance for that. Just some. What a pointless mess. And finally, a huge HUGE revelation at the end that was breathtaking in its enormity to the rest of the plot and it is discarded within pages. Talk about a stupid ending. Talk about a stupid book. Somebody should tell Belva to take a break.
Rating:
Summary: Stupid
Review: I read it so I gave it a star. Why did I read it? I was desperate. It was the only book I could lay my hands on. And it was bad, very bad, very, very, very bad. How do people get so lucky as to have something this horrible get published? I got seduced by all the hype on the cover, but if Belva Plain is "an accomplished storyteller" it must have been 17 books ago 'cause it ain't this one! The book offers absolutely nothing new. No surprises. No insights about the frailty of human nature. No inspired writing. Not even any inspired sex scenes. Nothing. What you do get: a non-existent plot about a lawyer (gee, has that been done before?), stilted writing and the worst sin of all -- unlikeable characters. Not one of them was anyone I cared about, not even remotely. But the writing! Who writes like this? "She would come virginal to the marriage." In 1970s America? Yeah sure. Who talks like this with all the do nots (instead of don't) and an EXCESSIVE use of darling. I have never heard anyone anywhere call anyone darling unless it was dripping with sarcasm. This book reads like a British costume drama set down in what is supposed to be greedy contemporary America. Didn't buy it for a second. And the whole "retarded boy" thing. I mean talk about lack of sensitivity and heavy handedness. I bet a lot of readers will be rightly and deeply offended by how this was handled. It offered no sensitivity and no insight into this. You want a book about a family reeling from the impact of a disabled child? Read Sue Miller's Family Pictures -- now there's a book! And what exactly was this book supposed to be about? A morality tale? For whom? About what? People spent way too much time having a stiff upper lip and tending to appearances. Was that supposed to be the bad thing? But then not everybody got their compeuppance for that. Just some. What a pointless mess. And finally, a huge HUGE revelation at the end that was breathtaking in its enormity to the rest of the plot and it is discarded within pages. Talk about a stupid ending. Talk about a stupid book. Somebody should tell Belva to take a break.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Her Best Work.
Review: I was extremely disappointed in this book. I normally enjoy her books and typically spend my reading time rooting for the hero or heroine to resolve whatever the issue is (spousal abuse in Whispers). I did not even feel sorry for Robb McDaniel. I thought his wife was stupid to stay with him for so long. Then miraculously one day she realizes what he is, calls her kids shrink and moves in with him because they have known for several years that they loved each other but they couldn't act on it until she leaves her husband - who has already cheated on her several times and has mortgaged their whole lives. Whatever!
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I'd like to get my money back on this loser of a story by Belva Plain. One-dimensional characters for whom I felt little empathy were disconnected emotionally except for a last-ditch effort at the end to connect events. Over-acted tragedy after tragedy...I kept with it hoping that it would meet Belva's usually better standard but in the end it was not worth the 'read'. I cannot think of who could be a bad enough actor to take on any of the roles in this if it were a mini-series. Awful, boring cardboard characters. My advice? spend your money on a better book!
Rating: 
Summary: A ifferent stylel but still a great read
Review: In 1970, Louisiana high school teacher Robb McDaniel was driving his parents home when a truck rear ended his vehicle, leaving Robb hospitalized and his parents dead. Frank Brackett from the insurance company renders a deal to pay for Robb to attend law school if the complainant drops his suit. Always dreaming of becoming an attorney, but not having the money, Robb quickly accepts the offer. Robb sells the family farm, obtaining very little since the mortgage remained high. He says good-bye to his high school sweetheart Lily Webster and leaves for school. In his final year, Robb meets and falls in love with Ellen Grant. After ending his relationship with Lily, Robb marries Ellen and joins her father's prestigious law firm. Almost a year later, their first child, Julie is born. Over the next two decades, Robb's personal and professional life begins to fall apart. He starts to see other women and becomes involved in a bank scam. Only Julie seems to want to save Robb from further self destruction and the probability is she will not succeed. Belva Plain is known for her straight forward personal dramas that cut right to the essence of her characters. Her latest novel, FORTUNE'S HAND, strengthens her standing among contemporary readers by exposing the inner souls of Robb and several of the support cast that touch his sphere. Ms. Plain augments the story line with a strong belief that the workings of fate force individuals to change the linear paths they travel. Though plain reading, sub-genre fans fortunately perusing this book will take immense pleasure from the intriguing plot. Harriet Klausner
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