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Good to a Faultby Marina Endicott |
Debbie Weiss (03/28/12): I, too, enjoyed reading this
very interesting book. The author helps us to look inside each character's mind so that
we may experience what they are feeling in much detail. Clary's thoughts frequently cover how
her life has meaning, finally, now that she must care for the three Gage children. Her special
bond with the baby, Pearce, is especially strong. More interesting to me, though, were the thoughts and
feelings that young Dolly and Trevor experienced. They missed their sick mother who was in
the hospital and they cared for Clary very much, but they better not care for her too much because
that wouldn't be fair to their sick mother. One could definitely empathize with their dilemma. This
was an easy, but interesting read.
Rating: ****
Jackie Wertymer (01/27/12): After reading the previous review
of this book, I decided to give it a try...I was not disappointed! This is such a sweet story,
with so much depth, yet easy to read but hard to put down. I won't go into the story but this
author's writing style is a bit like Anne Tyler, perhaps better. Anyone with a family can
relate to the problems and joys of raising small children and then again don't we all
have a few problem relatives? This book certainly makes one wonder why our paths sometimes
cross those whom we least expect and friendships can unexpectedly develop.
Rating: *****
Arlene Almas (01/09/12): Clara Purdy, 43 years old and single
(briefly married, then divorced), is involved in a car accident with the Gages, a poor family with three
children and the husband's mother - so poor they have been living in their car. Although no one is seriously
injured, doctors in the hospital discover that Lorraine, the wife, has an extremely dangerous form of cancer.
Overcome by guilt because of her part in the accident, Clara offers to take the three children - Darlene, Trevor,
and Pearce, the baby - to her home and care for them until Lorraine is back on her feet. She also makes room for
Lorraine's husband, Clayton, and the children's paternal grandmother, Mrs. Pell. The story brims with both
despair and love; while Lorraine's condition deteriorates, Clayton disappears from the scene and Mrs. Pell shows
her true obnoxious self. At the same time, the empty spaces in Clara's heart begin to fill with feelings for
the children, especially Pearce, and her life grows to include many more people, from Lorraine's family, her
own family, her next-door neighbor, and even her priest. This extended group proves invaluable in helping
Clara manage her new responsibilities. The author tells the story beautifully, in clear, descriptive
language, and she makes each character, including the children, come fully to life. This is a wonderful
story that I enjoyed enormously.
Rating: *****
