How Close We Come: A Novel of Women's Friendships

by Susan Kelly

Pril Henderson and Ruth Campbell have been best friends and next-door neighbours for a decade. So when Ruth goes on vacation with her children and never returns, Pril is hurt and confused, before facing one of the most wrenching decisions of her life.

Genres: Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

I've lived most of my life in North Carolina, and have set my books here, at both the mountains and the beaches. I have a BA in English from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Warren Wilson's Program for Writers. Warner Books published my first two novels (believe it: the first one, HOW CLOSE WE COME, won a contest and got picked up by the big boys) and Pegausus Books is my current publisher. I've had a checkered publishing past, including 5 agents, and a book that came out concurrent with 9/11... and vanished. My complete bio can be found on my website, http://www.susanskelly.com

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, perhaps, the most underrated book of all those on my list. 5 stars of beautifully authentic brilliance.

[Jerri Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truthfully, a 3-1/2 star. A very fast read, but I don't think many of my book friends who are not "mothers" would enjoy it very much. It would be difficult to empathize with the 2 main characters, and understand their friendship. This is sad, because life isn't all about being a good mother. I never really did understand why Ruth could not give Pril some closure. Maybe the novel was a little (a lot?) autobiographical, as was hinted at the end, and so a satisfying goodbye with explanation by Ruth just wasn't possible. Although written 20 years ago, in today's world, the story was just a sad reminder of how disconnected we've become.

[Merrill Medansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Older Boomer women will identify with Ruth and Pril and Roslyn, all suburban wives and mothers. One is exploring feminism, one is the "perfect" wife and mother, and one is simply trying to carve out some time to accomplish a life goal. Their relationships with their children and spouses are one perspective, and their friendships with one another are another, all focusing on the question: What do women want? or what do women need?

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Original Thoughts (1999):

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, light read, reminiscent of the works of Elizabeth Berg, Kaye Gibbons and Beth Gutcheon.

My Current Thoughts:

1999 must have been my year to read a lot of novels about women's friendships. I'm not inspired to give it a second reading, in spite of the high rating.

[Hannah Sandler · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a very quick and easy read but still was beautifully written. a very wholesome story about friendships, the ups and downs of life and motherhood, and one’s self. picked this book up on the side of the road because i needed a quick read (didn’t know what to expect) and it turned out to be pretty good!

[Tricia Cassavaugh · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman longs for a friendship like this.

[Ramona Fontenot · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I found this book at my local library - simply searching for other books on my book list. It was written back in 1997, was good, but was somewhat dated. I am forever drawn to novels about women friendships - mostly for the emotional value. The story centered around two stay at home moms - but I was constantly annoyed by one of them throughout the entire story. I did not empathize with her at all. But all in all, I enjoyed the book. It was worth the read.

[Carolyn (in SC) C234D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember anything about this book, but I gave it an 8 out of 10 in my book journal, so I must have liked it. All I wrote was that it was for book group, and it was a novel about women's friendship. I think I tend to rate this sort of book highly if it keeps my interest and I care about the characters. I want to look it up on some book sites to see if I can jog my memory. That 8 makes me give it 4 stars.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you stumble upon a book that fits your mood and circumstances of the time. That was the case for this book for me, made me reflect on recent life circimstances. And that was good, not much action, not much mystery, but a book a gained some insight from.

[Gerry Durisin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book - I spent my evening with these women, and didn’t want it to end. Hard to understand how Ruth could just leave without a word.