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The Fifth Stage
Claire Blevins is approaching her fortieth birthday, and is on her own for the first time in her adult life. She muddles through daily routines, her only respite coming in the form of a harmless crush on Rebecca Greenway. Claire believes that the sexy restaurant manager is safely unavailable. But when Rebecca shows signs of interest, Claire's past unravels, revealing an immeasurable love and a dark secret. .an outstanding contribution to lesbian fiction. Author Margaret A. Helms deftly alternates past and present events in the life of Claire Blevins to build an enthralling and intriguing story. Her rich prose, compelling plot, lively pace, and strongly-drawn characters make The Fifth Stage an outstanding contribution to lesbian fiction. -- Nann Dunne, editor and publisher of Just About Write (www.justaboutwrite.com), author of The War Between the Hearts, and other stories.
252 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2003
2 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Margaret A. Helms
2 books5 followersMargaret earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from East Tennessee State University in 1986, and has spent several years in the financial industry. A Virginia native, she spent time in Chicago and Washington D.C. before making her home in Tennessee.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 3, 2019
If i ever consider writing a book, I hope this is how I would write!
This author is absolutely brilliant. The story is a well written collection of present and past. A keyhole into the life of lovers whose centrepiece is Claire. It is emotional and in some cases deeply raw with such emotions. I found myself undulating between empathy and taking sides. I am surprised that as good as this story is i didnt ball out in tears.
I certainly hope to read more by this author.
This author is absolutely brilliant. The story is a well written collection of present and past. A keyhole into the life of lovers whose centrepiece is Claire. It is emotional and in some cases deeply raw with such emotions. I found myself undulating between empathy and taking sides. I am surprised that as good as this story is i didnt ball out in tears.
I certainly hope to read more by this author.
May 4, 2013
A very emotional read based on a journey of Claire Blevins. The story involves going backwards and forwards in time which you get used to to it if you persevere with the story. Once you reach towards the end, it becomes clearer what Claire is struggling with. A satisfying read.
July 18, 2012
I struggle with whether to give this 2 or 3 stars. While i really didn't like it, i have to admit that it's not due to the writing skill of the author. I had no technical problems with the writing style at all, and hate to diminish the worth of a work of art due to my personal opinion. So i rounded up.
I cannot specify why i didn't like it, without giving away spoilers. Plus, this isn't a college class book review where i need to break it down. You simply want to get an idea whether you'll like it or not, and if you should spend the money.
So, writing skill wise, you'll find no flaws here. the author's ability to pull you in to the story is also pretty good. One reviewer mentioned it's a book that will stick with you. I have to agree. But sometimes you don't want things to haunt and frustrate you after the fact... On the positive side, this book portrays realistic characters with flaws and real hard-knocks emotions. i love that in a book. not all protagonists should be beautiful and rich and successful.
The majority of the story has you going back and forth in time, as the main character relives her life with a lover that is no longer in her life. So a majority of the time, the main character is miserable, struggling with stages of grief and loss and self loathing. So, if you're in the mood for that kind of vicarious heartache, you may love this book.
I cannot specify why i didn't like it, without giving away spoilers. Plus, this isn't a college class book review where i need to break it down. You simply want to get an idea whether you'll like it or not, and if you should spend the money.
So, writing skill wise, you'll find no flaws here. the author's ability to pull you in to the story is also pretty good. One reviewer mentioned it's a book that will stick with you. I have to agree. But sometimes you don't want things to haunt and frustrate you after the fact... On the positive side, this book portrays realistic characters with flaws and real hard-knocks emotions. i love that in a book. not all protagonists should be beautiful and rich and successful.
The majority of the story has you going back and forth in time, as the main character relives her life with a lover that is no longer in her life. So a majority of the time, the main character is miserable, struggling with stages of grief and loss and self loathing. So, if you're in the mood for that kind of vicarious heartache, you may love this book.
January 28, 2023
One of my all time favorite books
I have read this book multiple times and always learn something new that touches deep into my heart. My wife, who usually steers clear of fiction, was just as enamored as I after we read this aloud together. A really wonderful book.
I have read this book multiple times and always learn something new that touches deep into my heart. My wife, who usually steers clear of fiction, was just as enamored as I after we read this aloud together. A really wonderful book.
February 20, 2015
I loved it.... from the very beginning till the end. I couldn't stop the tears from falling. I will certainly read it again.
February 16, 2015
I loved this book. From the beginning to the end. I cried like a baby but it was worth it. An amazing read!
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December 19, 2020No escape literature. Just the best.
March 15, 2012
Product Description from Amazon
“Claire Blevins is approaching her fortieth birthday, and is on her own for the first time in her adult life. She muddles through her daily routines, her only respite coming in the form of a harmless crush on Rebecca Greenway.
Claire believes that the sexy restaurant manager is safely unavailable. But when Rebecca shows signs of interest, Claire's past unravels, revealing an immeasurable love and a dark secret.”
Review
I honestly can’t tell you what made me put this book in my reading queue, it might have been a sale item and I decided what the heck I’ll give it a try. I’m also not sure that the product description does this book justice. The story is more complex than the blurb would imply although that is often the case.
In present day, Claire is almost 40 years old and living a shadow of a life because of the emotional scar left by her “ex”. The story moves back and forth between current day and Claire’s past, telling her story and how she’s become the person she is today as well as the person she could be if she is willing to take the emotional risk.
If I am honest during the first 5 – 10 chapters I found the movement between the past and current story lines confusing. As the reader I understood the premise that the past was leading to what happened but for me I felt that the flow from one to the other was sometimes difficult to follow. As the past and the present converged I obviously found those transitions less confusing and it made the book more engaging. That being said, this was an interesting and heartfelt story of love, loss, and yes love.
I would certainly read something else by Margaret Helms which is a pretty good endorsement.
“Claire Blevins is approaching her fortieth birthday, and is on her own for the first time in her adult life. She muddles through her daily routines, her only respite coming in the form of a harmless crush on Rebecca Greenway.
Claire believes that the sexy restaurant manager is safely unavailable. But when Rebecca shows signs of interest, Claire's past unravels, revealing an immeasurable love and a dark secret.”
Review
I honestly can’t tell you what made me put this book in my reading queue, it might have been a sale item and I decided what the heck I’ll give it a try. I’m also not sure that the product description does this book justice. The story is more complex than the blurb would imply although that is often the case.
In present day, Claire is almost 40 years old and living a shadow of a life because of the emotional scar left by her “ex”. The story moves back and forth between current day and Claire’s past, telling her story and how she’s become the person she is today as well as the person she could be if she is willing to take the emotional risk.
If I am honest during the first 5 – 10 chapters I found the movement between the past and current story lines confusing. As the reader I understood the premise that the past was leading to what happened but for me I felt that the flow from one to the other was sometimes difficult to follow. As the past and the present converged I obviously found those transitions less confusing and it made the book more engaging. That being said, this was an interesting and heartfelt story of love, loss, and yes love.
I would certainly read something else by Margaret Helms which is a pretty good endorsement.
June 27, 2012
Outstanding and poignant story of Claire Blevins, a woman on the brink of a powerful life transition.
One of the best books I've read in a long time. Not filled with the typical lesbian cliches or plot, and written by an author with a noticeable wit and sometimes poetic insight.
One of the best books I've read in a long time. Not filled with the typical lesbian cliches or plot, and written by an author with a noticeable wit and sometimes poetic insight.
September 23, 2012
I really liked this book and how it was written. It was compelling, the characters came alive and it was a story I could relate to at this stage in my life in my 40's. I would recommend this book and I thought the writing was well done.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews