Five Fortunes: A Wise and Witty Story of Unexpected Friendships and New Dreams

by Beth Gutcheon

Witty, wise, and hope-filled, Five Fortunes is a large-hearted tale of five vivid and unforgettable women who know where they've been but have no idea where they're going. A lively octogenarian, a private investigator, a mother and daughter with an unresolved past, and a recently widowed politician's wife share little else except a thirst for new dreams, but after a week at the luxurious health spa known as "Fat Chance" their lives will be intertwined in ways they couldn't have imagined. At a place where doctors, lawyers, spoiled housewives, movie stars, and captains of industry are stripped of the social markers that keep them from really seeing one another, unexpected friendships emerge, reminding us of the close links between the rich and the poor, fortune and misfortune, and the magic of chance.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Book Club, Friendship, Adult Fiction, Womens Fiction, Contemporary

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Beth Gutcheon grew up in western Pennsylvania. She was educated at Harvard where she took an honors BA in English literature. She has spent most of her adult life in New York City, except for sojourns in San Francisco and on the coast of Maine. In 1978, she wrote the narration for a feature-length documentary on the Kirov ballet school, The Children of Theatre Street, which was nominated for an Academy Award, and she has made her living fulltime as a storyteller (novelist and sometime screenwriter) since then. Her novels have been translated into fourteen languages, if you count the pirate Chinese edition of Still Missing, plus large print and audio format. Still Missing was made into a feature film called Without a Trace, and also published in a Reader’s Digest Condensed version which particularly pleased her mother. Several of her novels have been national bestsellers, including the most recent, Leeway Cottage. All of the novels are available in new uniform paperback editions from HarperPerennial.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I could relate to some of these women. I feel like there should be a part 2 to this book. I really want to read more, and there isn't any more...I'm sad about that.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this book every 3-4 years or so. It’s one of the best examples of honest, real women and the bonds they form and maintain because it matters. Because there was a connection and caring and an understanding you aren’t always lucky enough to find in your life.

She shows us that these relationships can be forged at any time or place in your life. You just have to be present, open and genuine.

This is one of my favorites and I go back to it again and again, whenever I am in need of reminding these friendships exist ...and to reacquaint myself with the characters .... whom I missed once the book ended.

[Ginny Ewing · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm only 23 pages in and Beth Gutcheson must really hate "fat" people. She's made at least 10 remarks about how no one notices fat people, no one cares about fat people, and fat people are to be felt sorry for.

I'm not fat but the author is a total b****! Massive discrimination and just down right mean.

[Robyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got 60% through this and couldn't finish it. The first part of the book was interesting but the last half felt like someone was just learning how to write a story. It felt disjointed, there were too many characters and not enough character development and because of this I didn't connect with the characters.

[Mary Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an older book that was first published in 1998 and was selected this month by one of my book groups. The book revolves around five women ages 20-80 who meet at a week-long health spa. Although they all bonded during the week, little did they realize that their lives would become intertwined after they departed at the end of the week.

Rae is an elderly woman with grown children who had attended the spa over 25 times. She is wealthy and married to a man who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Amy and Jill are a mother and daughter attending together. Amy is married to a successful, busy doctor and Jill is overweight and has struggled with depression after being raped as a young teenager. Carter is a tall divorcee who is a private investigator, and Laurie has recently lost her popular politician husband who was killed in a plane accident. Their lives take them in directions none of them anticipated and the book examines female friendships, politics, mother/daughter relationships, and motherhood.

There were a few things in the book that seemed to me to be somewhat contrived, but that didn’t detract a huge amount from the enjoyment of the book. I was surprised that given how old the book is, the political topics being portrayed are still the same ones today, so although other aspects were a little dated, that aspect was surprisingly not as dated feeling.

Although a little on the long side, around 400 pages, this was not a difficult read. It read more like a beach read. This book would appeal to women who are looking for a lighter read about women’s relationships and women who are strong or become stronger during the book.

Please see my other book reviews on my blog: marysreadallaboutit.wordpress.com

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not ready for it to end

Could have followed their lives for a lot longer! How about a sequel. I would love to know more. It was good.

[Tammy Hamman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to give this book a 3.5. I enjoyed all of the initial characters featured at the fat camp. I was not bothered by the fat camp because I felt like it really is/could be a connection for women who normally wouldn’t jive.
The ‘fortunes’ as they pan out are all subjective which is my favorite part!
I., too, would like a sequel to indulge in the progression the main characters.
Good read. Thanks!

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this book during my lunch period. It was perfect for that, put it down, pick it up, if you missed a few days you could still join the story. Not the best book ever, but it was on my bookshelf and helped me kill time over lunch.

[Ruth Jalfon · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable book but nothing special. some women meet at a spa week and then it follows their lives afterwards. there's some conversation at the start in the spa and then you're supposed to believe they're all amazing friends - it all seems too neat especially when the profession of each woman just happens to be come in handy when one of them runs for the senate ie one is a caterer and organiser so can do fund-raisers, one is a pop-singer so can draw in crowds for fund-raising, one's son just happens to be an experienced political agent and she herself rich enough to provide leverage etc etc. Characters are believable to an extent but they're all so good-natured which is rather boring.

[June Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Beth Gutcheon's books, and I keep pushing them on my friends. Mostly they have received a cool reception, but I'm not deterred. I LOVED Leeway Cottage. Gutcheon writes about people, relationships, interactions--if you're looking for fast-paced action thrillers, skip her stuff. But if you're looking for ways people live their lives, well, give her a shot.
This one is about friends who meet at a--well, fat farm, I suppose, called The Cloisters. Five of them have their fortunes told by a woman who works there, then we follow their lives as those fortunes unfold. I loved it.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

an ok chick lit book. it did cover women friendships, which i always like, but the characters were flat. These women were also of a soci-economic status. where day to day life doesnt necessarily get in the way. through some of the narrative day to day life and crime do become part of the story, but are eadily forgotten or neatly tied up. meeting at a canyon ranch like resort makes for more similiar friends than diverse ones.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five women from very different walks of life meet at a health spa. Their lives remain interwoven, in both planned and unplanned ways. I liked the elements of chance that came into play, and found some of the characters loveable. The novel kept my interest. Overall, though, it was a bit too fluffy, too "chic lit" for me. I much prefer Gutcheon's other book that I read, Saying Grace.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I was sorry when I finished it. The women in this book would not have ordinarily met each other, but when they did they formed a strong and lasting friendship. They were so different from each other. It left me wondering where all of them might be today.

[Sara Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of the story was well written and I loved all the characters. As the story progressed, I sort of lost interest but was curious to see how it all turned out. I felt like the author lost some steam at the end.

[Michelle Wilsher-Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

1998 is very evident but still a good read

[Naila Foister · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 5 for the year was Five Fortunes by Beth Gutcheon.

I have such conflicting thoughts about this book. First of all, it was an effort to even find a copy (it was chosen as a book club book). Even Amazon didn't show it right away although after some deeper searching I was able to find a copy via third party.

The plot reminded me (in some ways) of Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty in that the story follows a bunch of different people who meet at a stay over health facility. I honestly loved the characters and the story itself was interesting in a lot of ways. I may have cried at parts... but I always get SOOOO turned off when a book ends abruptly... where it seems like the author just kind of gave up and was like "ok I guess I'm done now."

I've been sitting here trying to figure out if I can put my finger on "the purpose" behind the book... and I think I know it... but it just felt like it was a drawn out plot for a not so deep ending that only vaguely related to the rest of the book.

Honestly disappointed with this one but mostly because of the ending and not because the book itself was bad.

[Dawn Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this book at the end of a busy day writing and researching. It has brought smiles to my face, giggles at moments throughout the book and nods of acknowledgements.

It is a really easy to read book and I can identify many of my own relationships with female friends, and those in my family and working environment - and I think that is one of the special gifts of any author; the ability to invite the reader into the scenarios as if we are sat there in conversations with the characters themselves.

Seeing how the relationships unfold and the delicacies of self-belief of women spanning all age ranges, socio-economics and status is a reminder to us all to be kind, to never assume and to give words of encouragement always - or keep our mouths shut.

Sad it is over to be honest, and will be looking out for another one of Beth's books on my travels.

Thanks for the escapsim Beth!

[Holly LaPat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, with sympathetic characters and a positive feel. However, I've got to say that this book took me a LONG time to get through -- I think the plot and pacing left a little to be desired. When I read a novel like this one, about multiple protagonists and their criss-crossing paths, what I'm drawn to are the personal stories. But Gutcheon spends a lot of time on things like the logistics of Laurie's political campaign, Carter's private-eye operation, Rae's philanthropic efforts, etc. There's nothing wrong with these elements, except that the characters' personal stories take a backseat to the external plot for long stretches. Not every book has to have rapid-fire pacing, but I do recommend going into this one with a little extra time and patience.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars
I enjoyed this entry in Beth Gutcheon's oeuvre. It begins at the "Fat Chance" health spa. Over the course of one week five women's lives intersect and friendships are formed that will carry them through the coming year. The women range in age from a young college student to an older woman in her eighties. Each has need of rest and renewal and the encouragement of the others. That encouragement and continued friendship after they leave the spa carries them through the recovery of an assault, the infidelity of a husband, the death of a loved one, motherhood, and a political campaign.

[rhizo · Rating 4 out of 5]

{ full review soon come} let me be clear that this is a thoroughly engaging read about the lives of women. that said because policing womens weight has been such a huge societal concern for centuries now, and most intensely in the 90's with all sorts of dieting fads and etc. the book does contain elements of fatphobia; the book centers the varied lives of five women from incredibly different background and these women meet at a retreat colloquially known as "Fat Camp". again, let me stress that this is a fun, vulnerable, layered read. i had a romp of a time and i'm sad to see it finish but yea, just read with that in mind

[Elaine Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a trip.

I so enjoyed reading this book. I honestly thought it was going to be a light read but boy, was I wrong. This story took so many unexpected twists and turns that I couldn’t wait for the next page. I felt it was brilliantly and intellectually laid out on one hand but on the other I was sitting on my back porch reading about a lovely group of friends having tea! It was a delight!

[Hadron Haizlip Beers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Library

To Laurel on her 33rd birthday! These books are for your idle time, which is no more. Enjoy them! Love, Mother

This book is definitely a little dated. Some pretty obvious fatphobia. I appreciate the effort going into tying up the plot and I think there is some beautiful transformation happening, just wish it didn’t come at the expense of people’s appearance?

[Patricia Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. My only complaint was that there were a lot of characters so I had a little trouble keeping them all straight- I’m not sure if they were all really needed.

It’s the story of a year in the life of different women who had all met at a fat farm and formed caring and supportive relationships with each other.

[NancyL Luckey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read, but never could identify with any of the women. I kept seeing Carter (the detective) as either Tammy on the TV show "Mom", or Candice Bergen. They were all rich except Carter. Lots of dated expressions.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

The relationships the women build are precious. Lots of different stories swirling around a central meeting place, interwoven perfectly! I have found a new favorite author!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a great book. About women from all over forging friendships at the spa Fat Chance and the story line follows those friendships throughout the book. Loved the characters of Rae and Carter.

[Macey Camp · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to drag myself through this book, there was several discrimination remarks about “bigger people” the chapters are short and choppy, there wasn’t much character development with all of the different POV’s. I personally can’t recommend this book to anyone.

[Donna Longwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but confusing

Too many characters and confusing. Questions left. What happened to other characters other than Laurie.. had the making of really good story but fell flat .

[Lynn Zoia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 and 3/4 stars, didn't quite make it to 4 stars. Really liked the first half, but the second half kind of lost steam for me. And the book seemed to end rather abruptly, without really wrapping things up.

[Jaclyn Perry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed that I had high hopes for the storylines in this book to build up for each character, but instead I felt it stayed fairly monotone and never pulled me in. Stopped halfway through ......