Roseborough

Evelyn Oppenheimer #2

by Jane Roberts Wood

In Roseborough, Jane Roberts Wood returns with a keenly observed tale of bighearted people in small-town Texas. Newly widowed Mary Lou, a Dairy Queen counter clerk, left with only her fourteen-year-old daughter, Echo, signs up for a single-parenting class when Echo runs away and won’t return. Peopled by an extraordinary group and taught by Anne, the entire class soon becomes irrevocably enmeshed in Mary Lou’s quest.

Roseborough exemplifies the miracle of recovery through the tincture of time, and shines as the perfect example of why “Wood and her books are Texas treasures to be especially cherished.” (Southwestern American Literature)

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2003

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two and a half stars.
This is a strange book and one not easy to review, as I had mixed feelings about it. Part of that has to do with the characters themselves and part with the story. Life take several turns for Mary Lou. After her Gypsy husband Gundred dies, Mary Lou’s then fourteen year old daughter Echo leaves home. Around the same time Mary Lou Burgandy enrols in a course for single parents at the local college. There she meet Anne Hamilton, the teacher, and several other interesting students with problems of their own. I quite enjoyed the interaction between Mary Lou, Anne and the fellow students. But I could never switch off my mother gene to accept that a mother would respond as Mary Lou did to her daughter running away.
The longer Echo was gone, the more trouble I had believing anyone would react in this way to a teenager’s disappearance, no matter how different and fey the author tries to make readers believe Echo is. Consequently I never really believed in the story. Even with Anne I found some of her decisions seemed to take sudden shifts that left me puzzled. So while the characters were interesting and quirky and there is a certain charm, the story never wholly grabbed me. One thing I really liked was Mary Lou’s collection of earrings which are as unusual as she is.
If you can accept the way Mary Loy behaves after her daughter’s disappearance and then the ending, some aspects of which didn’t sit right with me, then you may enjoy this more than I did. I would be curious to read another book by this author.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be in the end, just okay. There were some parts where I liked the characters, but I don't think the author ever made her pseudo main character (which the book revolves around) the erethreal (sp), mysterious spirit that she was aiming for. I thought it was interesting that she had another main character move to Weatherford, Texas because I lived there for 2.5 years back in the 80's. But all in all, a simplistic slightly boring book that will end up at my grandmother-in-law's nursing home (those people are dying for new books, you know! - said in an admonishing tone by my mother-in-law)

[Kathy Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky, yet charming cast of characters reminiscent of Fanny Flagg who learn life-lesson in a single parenting class. The professor ties everyone together while gaining insights affecting her own life. I'm looking forward to reading or listening to many more offerings from this author.

[Treasure Island Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this book made me anticipate some southern manor. I was surprised and delighted that it was a much better story than expected. Mary Lou has just lost her gypsy husband and her fourteen-year-old daughter, Echo, is living in a treehouse on old Mr. Roseborough's place. To keep herself busy and not crazy with worry, Mary Lou signs up for a single parenting class at the local community college. Anne teaches the class, and Mary Lou and Anne form a tangled friendship. Along the way, other students in the class, co-workers, and townspeople wait and watch for Echo to show up after she leaves the area. A page turner!

[Rebecca Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an easy read. I enjoyed it.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although heart-wrenching at times, this is a well-told tale not only of loss but of developing acceptance of grief, of independence and self-reliance, and of new relationships of love and friendship.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another nice "character" book - my favorite kind of story! I'll look for other books by this author. Ahhhh - finished it last night; This book was like following a ribbon...the ribbon being Mary Lou & her daughter, Echo - and as their story-ribbon wove through the story...all the other characters & story lines were "inter-woven" with their story....a beautiful story, an excellent writer!

[Tomio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not really expecting much as my coworker said the book was just okay and the ratings are not really good for this book. I usually would not read a book unless it had 3.5 stars but I am glad I decided to read this one. The characters were really believable and the story was good too.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story so much that I have now bought three other books by this author to read. Filled with good character descriptions and a fun read...set in the DFW area.

[Brittany · Rating 1 out of 5]

HATED it.

[Libbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

kind of frustrating because the main character has no get-up-and-go and you just want her to take control of her life already. interesting characters.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book--felt like I was right there during all the activities!

[Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one is bad. I managed to finish it by just reading the dialogue.

[Renee Smithson]

Awesome

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Keeping reading, it gets better. I really didn't like the first half. It was hard to get into