January 12, 2016
Library loan, fiction, book series
193 pages
Audio book, re-read
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1526795483
7/4/16-8/11/16 first review
ISBN:9781400067695
Amgash, book 1 (2016)
7/17/21-7/20/21 (re read)
Updated review:
“I have sometimes been sad that Tennessee Williams wrote that line for Blanche DuBois, “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” Many of us have been saved many times by the kindness of strangers, but after a while it sounds trite, like a bumper sticker. And that’s what makes me sad, that a beautiful and true line comes to be used so often that it takes on the superficial sound of a bumper sticker.”
Lucy Barton awoke to find her estranged mother at her bedside after having surgery to remove her infected appendix. Her husband was caring for the two children aged 5 and 6 and called mother to come to see her. It was an unexpected and awkward experience since her mother sat with her for 5 days. Lucy presently lived a totally different life from which she was raised. The book explores her past challenges and how she managed to achieve her dreams by leaving her past behind. There are many characters which are further explained in the book 2, Anything is Possible. After reading that book I was able to put this book into context since there are more characters discussed which initially seemed insignificant. In book 2, they provide further history into the life from which Lucy escaped by explaining how their lives were affected by staying in that environment. Through hard work and determination, Lucy received a scholarship to attend college to pursue her dreams of being a writer. In New York, Lucy became an accomplished author married William who was from Massachusetts having 2 daughters, Christina and Becca.
Lucy comes to understand how the past tends to repeat itself over generations. She grew up poor and hungry living in a garage until her great uncle dies and they move into his house. Lucy learns that her mother was raised under similar circumstances. How does a person learn about social norms if there’s no one to teach you? Lucy’s mother provides an update on the history of the many colorful characters of her hometown. Their convoluted storylines and their relationship to Lucy didn’t become apparent to me until I read book two. Ultimately, book three wraps it all up to complete the story.
2016 review 3/5
Unfortunately, this is my second book by this author and I did not like the Burgess Boys, either. I really tried and wanted to like this story. The author's writing does not appeal to me as her thoughts seem to wander from topic to topic. Although there is a story buried within all the jumbled words, I felt apathetic and no compassion for the characters.
https://www.edelweiss.plus/?sku=1400067693&g=4400
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1526795483
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