To Have and to Hold

Rating:
Summary: High quality reading-true to human emotions
Review: 'To Have and to Hold' was the best fiction book I have read thus far. It describes every key event in detail so that you feel like you are there living it with the main character, Kate. She becomes your friend quickly as you see her not only survive a terrible event, but come out on top with the aid of two incredible friends.

True to the deepest of human emotions do not be surprised if you cry and feel various emotions as Kate ages. Her feelings directly match those of people in her situation and maturing character. For example, she feels mixed emotions as her daughter leaves home for the first time to get a degree. I enjoyed the placement of this story in history (Vietnam War). It enabled me to live through the event and understand what it meant to real people. The novel is also full of surprises and unexpected twists in the plot. Be prepared for a thrilling ride.

Women will find Kate to be a positive role model, but not in any simplistic manner. She truly earns our respect by picking up her life from the most desperate situation of pity to personal control and achievement. Her deep commitment to her loved ones is admirable and a tribute to love at its best. The story will teach you essential things you need to live a successful life, such as perseverence, loving oneself, faithfulness, and learning to let go of the past as you forge your future.

I did find a small part of the book 'a bit much' when the character meets a new man. Sharing every interest from thoughts to favorite drinks seems almost too much at times. I felt we had departed reality for a brief time and was disappointed that an author who had just built up such a true, tragic story made meeting someone to be a 'Cinderella Experience.' This relationship had no difficulties; it was like 'floating on a cloud.'

However, enough said. The thrust of my review only can praise the wonderful writings of a masterful author. She must have great depth of character and experience to write with such accuracy and beauty. I appl! aud her. A must read!!

Rating:
Summary: A victory of an American family over the ugliness of war..
Review: A splendid book. The plot is intricate. The characters are well developed and believable. This book is an interesting study of the changes in the role of family in American society from the '70s to the '90s. Patrick, Kate, Gus, Della, Donald, Ellie and Betsy have all won a place in my heart.

At the begining of the book the husband Patrick, who in my opinion is a "male chauvanist pig" goes off to war(Viet Nam). Patrick is excited to be doing what he loves best --flying. He has felt trapped in his marriage and has little respect for his wife. As an Air Force pilot, he sees freedom and adventure. He wants to be a hero. Kate,stays home to be the perfect military wife and the perfect mother to thier daughters Betsy & Ellie. She is not happy that Patrick is leaving. She is devastated. What will she do with out her childhood sweetheart and her "lord of the castle"? He has promised her that he will come back to her. She believes him. For twenty years she believes him..... she is left to raise her daughters by herself with little financial support . Finally,she is able to symbolically bury him and look to the future with hope and Patrick comes back into her life. He the tragically different but expects her to be the same a woman of the '70s not a woman of the '90s

Rating:
Summary: A victory of an American family over the ugliness of war..
Review: A splendid book. The plot is intricate. The characters are well developed and believable. This book is an interesting study of the changes in the role of family in American society from the '70s to the '90s. Patrick, Kate, Gus, Della, Donald, Ellie and Betsy have all won a place in my heart.

At the begining of the book the husband Patrick, who in my opinion is a "male chauvanist pig" goes off to war(Viet Nam). Patrick is excited to be doing what he loves best --flying. He has felt trapped in his marriage and has little respect for his wife. As an Air Force pilot, he sees freedom and adventure. He wants to be a hero. Kate,stays home to be the perfect military wife and the perfect mother to thier daughters Betsy & Ellie. She is not happy that Patrick is leaving. She is devastated. What will she do with out her childhood sweetheart and her "lord of the castle"? He has promised her that he will come back to her. She believes him. For twenty years she believes him..... she is left to raise her daughters by herself with little financial support . Finally,she is able to symbolically bury him and look to the future with hope and Patrick comes back into her life. He the tragically different but expects her to be the same a woman of the '70s not a woman of the '90s

Rating:
Summary: Great book! Sure makes you wonder.
Review: To Have and to Hold was really a great book. The characters were all so fantastic. You just love Kate & Della. What a great ending too.

Rating:
Summary: Great book! Sure makes you wonder.
Review: To Have and to Hold was really a great book. The characters were all so fantastic. You just love Kate & Della. What a great ending too.