Learning to Drive

by Mary Hays

Raised as a Christian Scientist in upstate New York, Charlotte McGuffey has always striven to be perfect and has trusted the power of her thoughts to protect her from life’s troubles. But when her newly estranged husband dies on a trip out of town, leaving her to raise their two young sons on her own, Charlotte realizes that her problems are too complex for her to master with the power of her mind alone.

Accompanied by her boys, Charlotte goes to the family’s summer home in Beede, Vermont, where her husband, Mel, was last seen alive, to look for answers about his final days and to grapple with her feelings of confusion and guilt surrounding his death. As Charlotte explores this new world, she is befriended by her neighbors in Beede—a colorful lot who are concerned, helpful, very human, and decidedly imperfect. Among them are a kind and perceptive postmistress/reporter, a garrulous caretaker, and an unlikely suitor—a joyous and charismatic artist at war with conventional thinking.

In this eclectic environment, Charlotte begins to explore her own feelings and question the fundamental beliefs she’s accepted her whole life. To triumph, she must untangle her family’s doctored past and brave encounters with painful truths she has never wanted to face.

In this bighearted, lush, and graceful debut novel, Mary Hays portrays the strength of the human spirit in times of crisis and the ways in which community can foster individual growth. Learning to Drive stakes claim to a world in which all things solid seem to shape-shift, people juggle reality to fit their beliefs, and women are deeply passionate about the choices they make.

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Erik Volk · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a long time to get through this novel and at times I found myself losing track of the different characters and the various threads of the various story-lines. However, I loved the premise of integrating the theme of Christian Science into a novel, the setting of rural Vermont (where I live) and the idiosyncrasies of many of the characters. Perhaps the novel had too many messages or ones hat I missed but the themes of appreciating and respecting differences, how love is more important than anything and how anyone, no matter their circumstances can change if they want to are ones that resonated with me.

[Molly]

I enjoyed this novel. I really liked the main character. She found her way and defended her son from a sometimes very mean world, and ended up creating a good life for her family. Sometimes I couldn't quite believe her good fortune, but I was very glad when things turned out well.
I think the convincing elements for me, in terms of feeling positive about the book overall, were the description of the son and his problem, and the struggle of the woman with her faith.

[Anne M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This been caught my attention as the religion Christian Science plays a part, and that’s something I knew nothing about. I find some novels tend to follow similar plots, and I figured this was a new twist. At about 10%, I debated whether or not to continue the book, but it then became more interesting, and the characters developed.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learning to Drive Hays, Mary 3 F Drama woman with 2 boys suddenly widowed seeks help from family with different & makes own family in small town Vt. vacation home, school aged son & younger son w/ Aspergers, acceptance of Christian Science not seek medical care - Christian Science bizarre 2018 8/13/2018 8/10/2018

[Sarah Frye · Rating 1 out of 5]

The core of the story was interesting, but the details seemed misplaced. The author went into great detail on minor characters that barely played a role in the story, yet left major themes/moments barely explored.

[Jenell Bakey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a strange little book about grief and growth and family. I appreciated the struggles of the main character as she navigated being a mother and handling her own awakening/reconciling with her past.

[Frances · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aimless plot. Slow read.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out ok, but got sort of draggy towards the middle. I didn't finish it.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not warm up to the characters in this novel.

[Ellie Syverud · Rating 2 out of 5]

woman raised as Christian Scientist becomes a widow and goes to VT for the summer with her two boys, one of whom has challenges, possibly autism. It was okay.

[Rena Mayberry]

Tackles a tricky situation in which one of a woman's daughters is a Christian Scientist practicioner. The woman has died, the conflict with the other daughters surfaces after another sudden death by accident in the family. A daughter less sure of Christian Science, but a worshiper at their services, faces her younger son's learning disability and her mother's preventable death with the aid of an attractive diabetic artist she falls for. Not memorable compared with my recent infatuation with The Corrections and Olive Kitteridge, but nice summer day in the rain reading.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a debut novel for this author, and I'm already looking forward to her next. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.
The characters are very well developed and the author makes it easy to place yourself in the story, if not identifying, at least sympathizing with her characters. They are believable, and each one interesting.
This was just a quick review, but I picked this book up without any recommendations. I chose it simply because of the title and inside flap and was very pleased !

[Cindy Wyatt · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were too many themes in this book - dealing with the loss of a spouse, guilt, quirky small towns, odd family dynamics, children with learning disabilities, Christian Science, dating in middle age - and none of them were well-developed. Which is too bad because the delightful scene with the tutor and the monkey proved the author writes very well.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this and now can't quite remember why I returned it to the library before i finished, probably because some on-hold items came off hold.
someday i'll finish the story.

[Nyskier · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book. I knew nothing about Christian Scientists, so that aspect of the plot was different. Well-written.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very slow going at points; but overall it was an ok book. A little disappointed in the ending; can't put my finger on why.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about a women and her faith and her obsession to find out about the last moments of her husband's life.