I love reading Alice Hoffman novels! This was the eleventh one I’ve read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. She has such an interesting way of putting together a story and this one was no exception. When I finally closed the cover I wished for more.
I was taken in by this story from the beginning. It spreads over three different time periods and yet in so many important ways they all relate back to each other in some way even though as you’re reading you can’t see how it can be.
This story is kind of a magical, ghosty story as a lot of her books are. The premise of this story is portraying the lives of three women in love with the wrong men which sounds like such a simple story and yet it is so much more than that. At the heart of the story is Lucy Green who feels responsible for something tragic that she witnessed as a young girl. In different ways her life weaves in with these other three women.
Alice Hoffman’s writing in this novel is full of great details and descriptions of places and people. At the same time it takes you away and leaves your imagination to make up the rest. This novel is about ordinary people who don’t seem so ordinary by the end of the novel. I felt very attached to some of these characters and could feel their happiness or sorrow myself.
If you’ve never read a book by Alice Hoffman, you should. She’s a great writer and this novel would be a good place to start. If you’re already a fan, this is another great work by her and I really look forward to what she comes up with next. I would absolutely recommend this book.
oh, that cover is stunning!
I agree, it’s a beautiful cover!
Is there a Hoffman book that you would recommend over the others? I read Here on Earth a few years ago and liked it but not enough to pick up another right away. I do have Ice Queen on my shelf, though. I didn’t realize she had written so many!
Hey Trish, I really enjoyed The Probable Future-it’s kind of another magical novel which most of hers were. I read the Ice Queen a few years back and while I thought it was ok, I didn’t feel it was one of her best. She has written a lot of books, there’s still many I haven’t gotten around to but will try. With a book shelf full of books, I don’t know when but at least the thought is there. LOL. Thanks for dropping by!