Ariana: A Glimpse of Eternity

Ariana #4

by Rachel Ann Nunes

Book by Nunes, Rachel Ann

Genres: Lds Fiction, Lds, Romance, Christian, Religion, Christian Fiction, Church

355 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Rachel Ann Nunes (pronounced noon-esh) learned to read when she was four and by seventh grade knew she was going to be an author. Now as a stay-at-home mother of seven, it isn't easy to find time to write, but she will trade washing dishes or weeding the garden for an hour at the computer any day! Her only rule about writing is to never eat chocolate at the computer. "Since I love chocolate and writing," she jokes, "my family might never see me again."

Rachel has over sixty published books, including the popular Ariana series and the award-winning picture book Daughter of a King. She enjoys hiking, swimming, spending time with her family, reading, and visiting far off places.

For more information or to join her e-mailing list, visit http://www.RachelAnnNunes.com.

Reviews

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun for me to read, because I have read the other in the series. It will be much more enjoyable for others if the other books are read first. . .

[Helynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fourth book in the Ariana series is the first one that is not narrated in first person by Ariana. The focus is now on Ariana's daughters. Marie-Thérèse and Josette are both studying finance at a private college in Paris. Now, Josette is being sent to BYU because she has been a little too wild with boys. [Warning: Josette may be Marc’s twin and Ariana and Jean-Marc’s only biological daughter, but in the first half of this story, she is so shallow, conniving, and self-centered, you’ll want to whack her upside the head].
Marie-Thérèse wants to serve a mission when she turns 21, but she agrees to go one semester to BYU to be with Josette. Son Marc is on his mission in another part of France. Adolescent daughter Pauline is a close friend of André. Pauline has been thriving on her drug cocktail, but now is becoming more ill. In this book, I was happy to find a little more French authenticity: At least Nunes mentions hair length in centimeters, not inches, and baby weight was in kilos, not pounds. Part of the story takes place in Provo, Utah, where Nunes is gritty enough to take on the very real issue of rape at BYU. Back in Paris, Pauline falls in love with Emeri Fauré, who also has terminal AIDS. And finally, the Eiffle Tower appears in the story as the scene of Pauline and Emeri’s first kiss. Nunes adhers to the LDS party line on homosexuality; that is, it is wrong, wrong, wrong, and totally indefensible, but she does call for compassion for gay AIDS victims. “There is a difference between compassion and condoning” says Pauline (130). But there is refusal of idea that homosexuals are born that way. “Those who have weird urges need to get over them just like the rest of us have to get over our problems like hate and anger" (130). The most authentic part of the novel is probably the descriptions of Josette's mission to Portugal (where Nunes herself served). I also found it interesting that an American husband would decided to immigrate to France to make a life there with his French wife. (It's usually the other way around). The plot continues with more romance and marriage (be warned that some of this deteriorates into nauseating chick-lit style), various marital problems, the birth of children, and a certain amount of sadness. This is a familiy, however, that is destined to prevail.

[Lauren Perotto · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure what I enjoyed so much about the first 3 books growing up. Full of naive, simplistic, Mormon cliches. I’m genuinely curious if there’s a limit to how many eye-rolls you can do before they’re permanently lost in the back of your head. Everything was tied up a little too neatly.

On a positive side, it was clean with no language. At least none that I read - though I wanted to say a few words myself - it would have added some spice to the bland. There were moments when I was interested in the story some, and the basic plot and sub-plots had potential - sans 75% of the twaddle inbetween.

Also, I know this was written in the 90’s, but seriously, being gay is not a sin that needs repenting of and cannot be changed if one simply lives more righteously (enter more eye rolls, this time with angry snorts).

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The one thing I did like, was that it felt more realistic. Many times with LDS fiction husband/wife relationships are "perfect". Mostly that the husband says and does the right thing always. In this book there were real challenges in marriage, and it showed how they were able to work through them together. While, some parts of the book bothered me (Marc's crush on Danielle,both sisters being in love with Mathieu, Emery's chatrecter...I don't know why we bothered me so much) I still thought it was a good read.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read the Ariana trilogy by Rachel Nunes. This book is a must read before you read " This Time Forever". I have read all the other books in the series before except Ariana: a glimpse of eternity and had wondered what happened to the daughters mentioned in the other books. "A glimpse of eternity" clears all this up. It was hard to find because it was out of print for a long time but I am glad that it was reprinted. It completes the series. It is a very good book, well written as all of Rachel Nunes books are.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is ok. It has a good story line in it, but it's a little over the top. Too many unrealistic events throughout. It kept me reading, but I kept saying "Oh, brother, that's so fake." The writing improves and this book is the best. It's the most realistic and so the most likeable of the series.

[Lydia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know if I was just done with this series or what...but I honestly struggled to finish this book. I just felt like it dragged. It seemed like the author put in situations just so she could talk about those trials--plus, I didn't feel like she developed the characters well and she jumped around a lot.

[Adree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has always been checked out when I go to the library. I would like to read it soon though. I now some of what happens in this book from reading all of the other books in this searies. I cant wate to read this one.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth of the series. Great to read along with your daughter. Nunes incorporates the principles of the gospel into a catchy storyline that any girl will enjoy. It teaches some of the harsh realities of choices we make, I think motivational.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie - Teresa and Josette goes to BYU. Marie and Teresa falls in love and decides not to go on life time dream of a mission. Josete has bad expereince and decides to go on a mission. Marc her twin brother comapnion Zack Fields falls in love with her.

[Marci · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this whole series has sort of been the same for me. I like the main character Ariana but everything is so happy, sad, happy, sad and up, down, up, down. Just sort of predictable. But a quick, easy read.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one just wasn't as good as the other for me. But still enjoyable. I have read all the Ariana Series 3 times now. Books that I'm glad I have in my collection to share with my daughters.

[Liesl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the Ariana series. All of the books are hard to put down.

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Ariana series. I think Rachel Ann Nunes is a wonderful author. She has clean books, but they keep you interested. I love reading everything by her.

[Universitybabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one I read--I liked the series enough to finish them all. I felt for the character but not one to put on your must read.

[Kaylee Boydstun · Rating 4 out of 5]

The legacy continues in her two daughters.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! It made me cry and smile. A wonderful ending to the Ariana series.

[Athena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series for teenage girls!

[Castellia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like it a lot so far. It's nice to read something that has the religion in it that I've grown up with instead of trying to understand some other.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED the "Ariana" series!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 in series

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the series, it comes right after the trilogy book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

sequel to Ariana.

[Dawnetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the characters that Rachel Ann Nunes brings to life.

[June Guymon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's the fourth book in the Ariana series and i thought it to be more realistic than the other three. I had a hard time putting it down.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bulldozed my way through this series.

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series. It gave me a lot to think about. I read the entire series this week.

[Tess O'driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love that this book finished the Ariana Trilogy 🤍

[Kayla Rich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ya know. I liked these books. But they are just so stinking depressing. but they are good. I dont know if I could ever read them again though.

[Judy Bullard · Rating 3 out of 5]

i enjoyed this sequel to"Ariana" series