Rating: 
Summary: Interesting portrayal of a woman on the verge
Review: I'll start by saying that this is a good but not great book. It was interesting, mostly easy to read, and the characters are engaging and somewhat believable. I did find a few problems with reading it, as the book would jump in time frequently (flashbacks and flashfowards) without warning, so it was a bit hard to tell where I was. I liked a lot of the characters and found them very believable, particularly Judy the protagonist, but I felt like some of the characters like her sister didn't seem to make much sense. The author did a lot more telling than showing in descriptions of Judy's sister and you never really were quite sure what was going on (and I felt like it was crucial to the plot). I didn't find that this book really brought me into the South in any way, and could have taken place anywhere, perhaps because the story is universal. This is like a lot of the books featured by Oprah, a woman who has marital and/or family problems, has some really dark moments, finally has an epiphany, and then goes on to rise above it all and rebuild her life. If you like that kind of thing, you'll like this book. I did as well feel like there were some predictable parts in this book, particularly since I have read many books in this genre. You will probably enjoy reading this, but will not find it earth-shattering or mind-blowing.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting portrayal of a woman on the verge
Review: I'll start by saying that this is a good but not great book. It was interesting, mostly easy to read, and the characters are engaging and somewhat believable. I did find a few problems with reading it, as the book would jump in time frequently (flashbacks and flashfowards) without warning, so it was a bit hard to tell where I was. I liked a lot of the characters and found them very believable, particularly Judy the protagonist, but I felt like some of the characters like her sister didn't seem to make much sense. The author did a lot more telling than showing in descriptions of Judy's sister and you never really were quite sure what was going on (and I felt like it was crucial to the plot). I didn't find that this book really brought me into the South in any way, and could have taken place anywhere, perhaps because the story is universal. This is like a lot of the books featured by Oprah, a woman who has marital and/or family problems, has some really dark moments, finally has an epiphany, and then goes on to rise above it all and rebuild her life. If you like that kind of thing, you'll like this book. I did as well feel like there were some predictable parts in this book, particularly since I have read many books in this genre. You will probably enjoy reading this, but will not find it earth-shattering or mind-blowing.
Rating:
Summary: Good book by high school english teacher
Review: I'm one of those people who judge books by their cover. And that is a rather sad thing. It is, really. But my assumptions are correct because most of the time (NOT ALL, But MOST!) I enjoy the books. I chose this book because it sounded rather amusing. And it was.SOMETHING BLUE is a story of discovery and recovery. Pain and Healing. Loss and Love. Gaining and Recieving. The tale of Judy is one where raw emotions can be related to. Judy lives a rather ordinary life. But when her sister, Tina, decides to marry a man...lifes are changed. Judy rediscovers her passion for architecture and also discovers the secrets hidden by the eyes. Her husband's love for another. Judy must deal with the corruption of her family, trust, love, faith, and life. And the journey is a rewarding one transporting you into an honest world with a true voice. SOMETHING BLUE is a taking the tale we all have heard of. Girl meets boy. Girl loves boy. Boy cheats on girl. But this one is a quest into the depths of the protagonist's soul so you relate with her even if you haven't endured the SAME type of difficulty in your existence. I recommend this story to those who enjoy looking at lives of others, relating to others, and those who wish to venture into other lands.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Something Borrowed, But Something New: SOMETHING BLUE
Review: I'm one of those people who judge books by their cover. And that is a rather sad thing. It is, really. But my assumptions are correct because most of the time (NOT ALL, But MOST!) I enjoy the books. I chose this book because it sounded rather amusing. And it was. SOMETHING BLUE is a story of discovery and recovery. Pain and Healing. Loss and Love. Gaining and Recieving. The tale of Judy is one where raw emotions can be related to. Judy lives a rather ordinary life. But when her sister, Tina, decides to marry a man...lifes are changed. Judy rediscovers her passion for architecture and also discovers the secrets hidden by the eyes. Her husband's love for another. Judy must deal with the corruption of her family, trust, love, faith, and life. And the journey is a rewarding one transporting you into an honest world with a true voice. SOMETHING BLUE is a taking the tale we all have heard of. Girl meets boy. Girl loves boy. Boy cheats on girl. But this one is a quest into the depths of the protagonist's soul so you relate with her even if you haven't endured the SAME type of difficulty in your existence. I recommend this story to those who enjoy looking at lives of others, relating to others, and those who wish to venture into other lands.
Rating: 
Summary: Suddenly, I Feel Quite Blue...
Review: I'm sorry to say, I just did not enjoy this book much. I felt the author's writing style was too jumbled and her thoughts just didn't flow freely enough for me. It almost felt like several authors were writing as one and I was getting bits and pieces of different people's imagination. I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if it would have been free flowing rather than choppy. I never could connect with any characters simply because the author didn't *open them up enough* for me. The only character that seemed real, in my opinion, was the father. There was way too much drama in this one family and I didn't feel it touched on the proper (realistic) emotions that your average person feels during these situations. I wanted to like this book ~ I really did. But, it just made me feel ....... a little bit blue!
Rating:
Summary: Good book by high school english teacher
Review: Mrs. Spaugh was my English high school teacher. Along with being a great teacher she is an excellent writer. I recomend this book for anyone interested in southern literature. She really captured the south.
Rating:
Summary: The characters, the story, the setting, all right on target!
Review: Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. The imagery is wonderful; the tone evocative, warm, and often funny. If you live below the Mason Dixon line you KNOW the character of Judy Duncan very well, or maybe, even ARE her. (Unfortunately the character of Hamp is all too recognizable also.) Judy wears so many hats, not even she can keep count. All her many identities are defined by this far-reaching family. In fact, if I had any problem with this book, it was with trying to keep straight who were cousins or aunts or in-laws. Like a good mom, wife, sister, daughter, cousin, friend, niece, employee, employer, she keeps exceedingly busy trying to fix or fix-up things, while her own foundation is being chipped away at until it finally starts to crumble. She keeps busy at this fixing business, installing a window in a drab wall; not only giving her sister a bridesmaid's luncheon but remodeling a country club room in order to have it there; chaperoning aunts; cleaning the trailer; canning a summer's worth of vegetables in one day, until she ultimately realizes not everything can or even should be fixed. This is a great read!
Rating:
Summary: The characters, the story, the setting, all right on target!
Review: Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. The imagery is wonderful; the tone evocative, warm, and often funny. If you live below the Mason Dixon line you KNOW the character of Judy Duncan very well, or maybe, even ARE her. (Unfortunately the character of Hamp is all too recognizable also.) Judy wears so many hats, not even she can keep count. All her many identities are defined by this far-reaching family. In fact, if I had any problem with this book, it was with trying to keep straight who were cousins or aunts or in-laws. Like a good mom, wife, sister, daughter, cousin, friend, niece, employee, employer, she keeps exceedingly busy trying to fix or fix-up things, while her own foundation is being chipped away at until it finally starts to crumble. She keeps busy at this fixing business, installing a window in a drab wall; not only giving her sister a bridesmaid's luncheon but remodeling a country club room in order to have it there; chaperoning aunts; cleaning the trailer; canning a summer's worth of vegetables in one day, until she ultimately realizes not everything can or even should be fixed. This is a great read!
Rating:
Summary: A stunningly written work that explores a changing family.
Review: Something Blue explores the nuances of family dynamics while telling a real and moving story of Judy Duncan's life. Judy grows from complacent and steady into an electrical force, learning to question and to savor life along the way. Through a variety of accidents, tragedies and blessings she must re-examine nearly every relationship in her life. Spaugh creates a familiar, warm protagonist whom the reader wants to sit down and talk to. Judy Duncan is our strong but sensitive compatriot, who surprises nearly everyone with her reactions to betrayal and heartbreak. Spaugh includes a few too many characters to easily keep track of them all, but they blend to become a winding path of safe havens and booby traps along Judy's path to independence. Spaugh's use of imagery is captivating, her writing style liquid and involving. I look forward to reading her future works
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: This book just grabbed me and wouldn't let go. She's done an outstanding job at delineating family dynamics. The narrartor is a wife who is also a mother and a daughter, a sister, and cousin. The whole family constellation drives this novel. The author details the delicate balance of her life and the larger family that surrounds her. I was concerned at first of being mired by minutia, but Spaugh knows just how to hone in on details to give depth to the larger whole, which is another area she excels in. I was quite moved by this book and at the end felt very satisfied.
|
