The Golden Cup

Rating:
Summary: my absolute favorite book.
Review: found this book on the shelf at the thrift store back in the mid nineties and bought it on a whim for no other reason than the cover looked inviting. It's a great book, and i'm not even necessarily into family sagas. For me the strength of the book is the appeal of the main character Hennie. A lovely character, very well drawn in my opinion. This is the story of her life from, if i remember correctly (it's been a few years since i last read it) age 17 till late 40's(?) at any rate, we get a look at her married life (her stud husband is a repeat cheater) against the backdrop of a pre and post WW1 New York. A lot of the drama comes from the relationships between Hennie and her husband Dan (a lower class, liberal inventor), and Dan's relationship with the rest of Hennie's family (upper crust conservative types.) There's a scene towards the middle of the book where Dan and Hennie's brother-in-law get into it about politics that is, for me, stunning in its perfectly over-dramatized portrayal of family conflict.
But again, the books main strength is Hennie's appeal. Maybe it's because she's given physical qualities that I am particularly drawn to (kindof plain, a little chubby) along with a really wonderful mix of honesty, sincerity, sexuality, genuine goodness and inner strength.. my kinda woman!
This is a great book, and every time I read it I'm dissapointed when it's over. You don't really make the connection between the book's title and its story until about the last page, but it is very appropriate. And the last line of the book is very satisfying, as all last lines should be but rarely are.
This is my favorite book.


Rating:
Summary: Calling it a page turner is a lie!
Review: I had difficulty seeing why this is a page turner. There is no momentum between the chain of events as each happening did not seem inevitable. Instead, it seemed as if the characters were bored so the author had to invent something to keep them busy. Also, the awareness of time is weak. One week could be forever and another 5 years so be just a paragraph. The reader has difficult picturing Hennie (and the other characters) grow and mature and to be aware of any distinct changes. In characters such as Dan, we see the author trying to present two sides of a personality. Unfortunately, it is so badly done that we see it as out of character. Furthermore, the author's attempts at sentimentality and to present inner strength are corny and lame, I had trouble not laughing. Don't waste your money on this book, buy Danielle Steel instead.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite author!!
Review: I have read almost everyone of her books and they are fantastic! I cannot put them down. There are so many twists and turns in her stories I am never bored. Golden Cup is a great read for readers who enjoy family sagas!

Rating:
Summary: Calling it a page turner is a lie!
Review: I loved Evergreen, so I enjoyed reading this book that continued the story. Ms. Plain writes family sagas, like no one writes family sagas, and her books are long and detailed as she delves into family history and family issues. I enjoy her writing. This book is as good as Evergreen.

Rating:
Summary: Return to Evergreen
Review: I loved Evergreen, so I enjoyed reading this book that continued the story. Ms. Plain writes family sagas, like no one writes family sagas, and her books are long and detailed as she delves into family history and family issues. I enjoy her writing. This book is as good as Evergreen.

Rating:
Summary: Moving
Review: Just another by Belva Plain which I could not put down. Each book I have read authored by her makes me buy another. She does not disappoint.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful story depicting generational love and demands
Review: This story is one of the greatest I have ever read. Starting when I was 10, and now 9 years later, it has been a favorite of mine. The family and all the problems and passions that they go through show the reader how strong families are and how lucky people are to have one. I loved this book and I know everyone eho gives it a chance will, too!!