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Summary: DO YOU REMEMBER THE TIME??.......REALLY REMEMBER??
Review: Absolutely breathtaking. Reality at it's best. The story keeps a steady pace, while at the same time, slowing down just a touch to give intricate details, for a better understanding. Keeps you guessing what will happen next, while hoping for the best. I had never heard of the author, but will now seek out her previous work and wait patiently for future releases.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow start
Review: I found October Suite to be slow but I stayed with it. I have questions about some of the characters. I did enjoy it at the end
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Summary: A MUST READ FOR AVID READERS EVERYWHERE!
Review: I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Clair at a signing here in Atlanta, Georgia. I was 1/2 way done reading the book then and enjoyed it. I have since then finished the book & I had to post this review. October Suite is written in the 1950's, which some may think makes a difficult read but this wasn't the case. The story grabs you from the very beginning & does not let you go until the very last page. It is a story about sisters, sacrifices, family, love, rejection...and more. If you are an avid reader, this definitely should be on your reading list. I am proud to say that my book club (Circle of Friends II) chose and read "October Suite" as our November reading selection.
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Summary: GREAT READ
Review: I LOVED this novel and read it in three days! For the literary gurus, there is an incredible use of language, you feel as though you are October Brown herself and are lost in each of her emotions. For everyone else - ditto! I cried each time October cried and spent the entire book guessing what the outcome would be.
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Summary: Beautiful story
Review: I picked this book up because I was in the mood to read a new novel, and it just happened to be there. I had never heard of this book or Maxine Clair, but was more than pleasantly pleased. I am a 27 year old white girl, but found that I could relate to both October and Vergie and even to some of the male characters. I laughed, cried and was uplifted by this immacutate story. Ms. Clair is a gifted author who turns the reader into more than just an observer to the story. She writes you into it. I was so thrilled to find such a wonderful story that connects the reader to the characters in such a powerful, cross cultural/generational manner. Thank you Maxine Clair. You have renewed my love for reading.
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Summary: If you liked Rattlebone, this is something different
Review: I read "Rattlebone" in 1995 and have been waiting for six years for Maxine Clair's next novel. "October Suite" was well worth the wait. It is not hyperbole to for me to say that this is the best novel I have read in years. Since I started armature writing myself, I have had problems entering a book in any emotional sense. "October Suite" changed this. The story does not really fill in a blank part of Irene's (the main character from "Rattlebone") life. Rather it takes one robust but minor character and tangentially tells the story of her life and struggles. This struggle is partially revealed in "Rattlebone" but takes on a full life in "October Suite".This is in many ways a modern epic. It has a tragic hero in October Brown, fighting to regain her life from a youthful indiscretion that cost more than she could have foreseen. It has villains. James is the archetype of evil married men who destroy the lives of young women to satisfy his needs. Vergie, perhaps the character in any book that I have hated the most, is driven by a Nixonian paranoia to keep the hero in misery but finds redemption at the end. In all, the characters become the family down the street that always seems to have a new challenge. We do not know everything about them--just enough to feel for them. The book only has two weaknesses as I see it. First there is a major contradiction with "Rattlebone". Second, some parts of the book do not really make sense outside of context of Dr. Clair's previous book. This is not to discourage those who have not read that book yet, since after reading "October Suite" they undoubtedly will want to read it.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: I read to learn and to imagine. This books do let you experience this with every turn of the page. October Brown is the main character in this novel. She is young and naive, but she is patient and sweet. Family is an important part of this book, and sometimes when reading, you feel like the main character should be more stronger especially when it came to her sister and the rest of her family. In order to appreciate this book, you must be open to learning a little history and being open to the opinions of music that is strategicly placed through out. It is a page turner, but not a quick turn. I do recommend this book for reading on a bright day with a glass of iced tea.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: I really wish there was more credit given to Maxine Claire for her beautiful writing. In the world of commercialism or just plain bad writing among many contemporary fiction writers, Claire's work is a breath of fresh air. Finally here is a book where more than voice can be commended. Claire has a knack for time and place. Who can talk about Kansas any better? She has a way of telling the story without relying too heavily on flashback which at times seemed to be impossible to do. Nonetheless, Claire does it. Also the way she does not play into sentimentality helps the reader have his/her own opinions about the character's, their lives, and decisions. There are really no cards left unturned (so cliche I know) in that she gives the reader enough information about the parents and the aunts and the men. Really anyone who wants to read good literature, please pick this book up.
Peace
Rating:
Summary: All praise for GOOD writing
Review: I really wish there was more credit given to Maxine Claire for her beautiful writing. In the world of commercialism or just plain bad writing among many contemporary fiction writers, Claire's work is a breath of fresh air. Finally here is a book where more than voice can be commended. Claire has a knack for time and place. Who can talk about Kansas any better? She has a way of telling the story without relying too heavily on flashback which at times seemed to be impossible to do. Nonetheless, Claire does it. Also the way she does not play into sentimentality helps the reader have his/her own opinions about the character's, their lives, and decisions. There are really no cards left unturned (so cliche I know) in that she gives the reader enough information about the parents and the aunts and the men. Really anyone who wants to read good literature, please pick this book up.
Peace
Rating: 
Summary: Slow Start but good finish
Review: I'll admit that this book dragged at first, and I almost wanted to take it back to the library. But as time wore on, I spent half of the night reading this tale. It was so good. I really was wondering what James' motivation for getting with October was all about.He couldn't marry her, he still was dealing with the wife, and you just leave this woman in her time of need. Seems if you couldn't help her, you shouldn't have hurt her. Vergie was alternately ok and nervewracking at times. She really wanted October to just forget that she had a child and let her and her husband deal with him. I wonder how this story would have ended if she had had more than one child. The aunts were good, but I disagree with them not letting them know that the father was still living.They caused those girls some grief and a lot of misinformation. But how ironic that October meets this man, and he was the link to the man she called father. It really started cooking from there. Let's you know that God is good. Don't give up the ship with October Suite. You won't be disappointed.
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