Tender Mercies (Premier Series)

Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing indeed
Review: I bought this book and eagerly awaited its arrival having loved Civil Wars and Before and After. This book has an anticipatory depressing premise: a spouse accidentally injures his spouse catastropically. The accident has already occured when the book opens and the family is leaving New York City for the tranquility of their small town, one year after the accident and one year after extensive rehab. This book never has an uplifting moment. Sure, the guilt Dan experiences and the anger of his wife over the accident is expected. But where is the reconciliation? The two kids seem like they are on the periphery throughout the book and despite her injuries, the mother never reaches out to her children. I read this book through hoping it would get better. The Wellseley wife lives this injury solely intellectually. The distance between the husband and wife is palpable yet never breached. I was very disappointed in this book, regretfully so, because I usually adore Ms. Brown's books. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this one.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed fan of Rosellen Brown
Review: I bought this book and eagerly awaited its arrival having loved Civil Wars and Before and After. This book has an anticipatory depressing premise: a spouse accidentally injures his spouse catastropically. The accident has already occured when the book opens and the family is leaving New York City for the tranquility of their small town, one year after the accident and one year after extensive rehab. This book never has an uplifting moment. Sure, the guilt Dan experiences and the anger of his wife over the accident is expected. But where is the reconciliation? The two kids seem like they are on the periphery throughout the book and despite her injuries, the mother never reaches out to her children. I read this book through hoping it would get better. The Wellseley wife lives this injury solely intellectually. The distance between the husband and wife is palpable yet never breached. I was very disappointed in this book, regretfully so, because I usually adore Ms. Brown's books. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this one.

Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing indeed
Review: I mistakenly purchased this book at a friend's recommendation. However, I only LATER found out I had gotten the TITLE wrong!

But having bought the book, I proceeded to read it. Talk about a dissapointment! There is enough guilt and depression in life without another story that offers no "hope" or reconcilliation in broken relationships. You can watch soap operas and get the same result! If you want a challenging and uplifting book, try the one that I was originally SUPPOSE to read! "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken. Now THAT book makes you think about what is TRULY important in life! I won't be the same person after reading it!

Rating:
Summary: Tender Mercies
Review: This is a lovely, well written, and intimate story of a family in a very difficult situation. It is a thoughful reminder of what is important in living any life.