The Cranberry Queen

by Kathleen DeMarco

Diana is a thirty-something professional living in New York and still recovering from a long-ago break-up with her ex-boyfriend who she refers to as "the monster." Her life is otherwise good and even fulfilling when a tragedy of such gigantic proportions happens to her that it forever after re-shapes who she is.

This story is primarily about loss yet illuminates the tenacity of the human spirit which can and often does find the strength to endure.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Book Club, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Grief, Literary Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Kathy DeMarco Van Cleve writes fiction for adults under her maiden name, Kathleen DeMarco, and fiction for children under her married name, Kathleen Van Cleve.

She has worked as a film producer, screenwriter and development executive and teaches creative writing and film at the University of Pennsylvania, her alma mater.

She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and sons.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once in a while you stumble upon a book that, while it may not be the most well crafted writing in the world, it touches something inside you and causes you to dig deep inside yourself and reflect on life.

Cranberry Queen was one such book. I picked it up over a year ago, as possible fodder for one of the OBCZs. I've passed it by multiple times when glancing over the stacks, trying to choose my next read. I picked up up now, because I'd hoped it would be a title that could qualify for a challenge (it doesn't). But when I found it didn't qualify, I didn't put it down. I kept reading. It is having a profound impact on me. Who would have thought that a little paperback I picked up for pennies at a place that sells used books by the pound, would make me ponder life so much....

It centers on a woman readjusting her life after a horrible car accident. (She wasn't in it, but her entire family was.) The back of the book just mentions an accident, not what it was, etc, but it's all about recovery, and it had been so long since I'd registered it, that I completely forgotten the publisher's blurb. The entire family-- her parents and brother, are killed by a drunk driver while driving to a "meet the parents" dinner with his new fiance's folks.

It is no secret that I love my family. They are my treasure, my heart and my hope. I remember when I first realized that love, in all its glory, was a two edged sword. That by opening your heart to another, and laying it on the line for the cause of love, you became vulnerable. I'm not talking about the kind of vulnerability where someone hurts or betrays you. What I am referring to is the vulnerability of mishap or accident. If something happened to me- an accident, illness or whatever, it would be hard and painful, but it would be me. I could deal with that. And if I die, I die. My beliefs in life help me to accept my fate after life. If I am alone, not opened by love, the circle of my life is one. Something happens, the implications don't radiate beyond that circle.

But when you love, you are vulnerable by extension. The safety you worry about is not your own, but that of your beloved. To hurt, it no longer has to happen to you but to the one you love.

Death happens. I know that. But premature or unexpected death is one of my horrors. I don't know how I might cope-- what strengths I might find or what depths I'd plunge. I still don't know, and I hope I never do. But this little volume made me take out all my worries and fears, shake them out and air them on the line, and let the breath of prayer and hope blow through them again.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story--I actually balled at the end. Lay off, I was fragile. Some books you just read at the right time in your life, and this was one of them.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

There wasn't much of an actual plot to this book, and I found the characters to be really unrealistic. Diana, the main character, was supposed to be thirty-three-years-old, but she was so immature that she felt much younger to me. I kept forgetting her actual age. Louisa was a total bitch, the "love interest" broke his engagement for a woman he'd only known for one day (and barely even spoke to), and some old guy chased the same woman across an entire state just to offer her a job. It just felt totally fantastic and unnecessary.

[Jodi]

I have two words to summarize this book... Don't Bother!!!

The main character has absolutely no depth whatsoever. She is so self-centered and egocentric that she takes the accidental death of her family as a personal assault on her. According to her, all eyes must be on her, and the only voice heard is hers.
I could not relate to such a child like, immature character. I only finished it to see how it ended, and even that was a disappointment.

[LeighAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my first chick-lit books; will always have a place in my heart.
I feel in love with the cover...

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. Instead of doing a review (because in all honesty, I just loved everything about it and that isn't helpful on it's own in a review) I'll add some of my favorite quotes.

"He-the Monster-is now dating someone whose name begins with "L". I think her name is Lola or maybe, possibly, Lolita. (Tiptoeing off the tounge. How lovely. Lovely Lola Lolita) The Monster, everyone say is much better now. He doesn't drink (I'm not around) and he doesn't smoke (I'm not around) and he doesn't stay out all night and ring "L's" doorbell at 4:30 in the morning (drunk and smoky). He's older, wiser and unwilling to go backward into that great abyss that reads me."

"This time, there are no tears. This time, there is only emptiness and I feel it set in the straight line of my mouth. I am not strong enough for this. I want an earthquake, a hurricane, anything - even a devil, the one with the cloven hoof - Mrs. Leed's unfortunate 13th child - to rush out and stomp on me, break me into little pieces and hurl me to the stars, let me go back with those people I love. Please."

"Please, God. I am a smart woman, I know words, I've read books; he's just a guy, he's just a person, I can speak to him. "Hmm," I say, and during the subsequent silence, I consider ways to kill myself."

"That's why an Angelina Jolie is always going to win over a Winona Ryder. Fuckups are more interesting."

Read it. It's delicious :)

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read but one that didn't quite work for me. Diana Moore is fleeing New York City to escape a recent family tragedy and in a moment of distraction hits an old woman on a motorcyle. The woman is fine but this chance encounter leads Diana to a new set of relationships and a beautiful location, the Pine Barrens in New Jersey. I liked how uncomfortably realistic Diana's inner life is and the descriptions of the setting are evocative, but the overall plot had some believability issues that I couldn't quite get around.

[LilBib’Phile · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would actually give this book 3.5 stars. I liked it better when I started it than I did when I finished, although I did enjoy the ending.
The heroine came across as somewhat younger than her actual age in the book, which may be partly explained by the horrific circumstances that she found herself in.
I thought the writing was very good and I very much enjoyed the descriptions of New Jersey.

[Dholsten · Rating 1 out of 5]

A novel that has about 2.5-3 pages per chapter is...well...an omen that the characters and plot will be...skimpy. Did not like the protagonist, the conflicts or the ending. I never throw books away (I donate them), but this one ended up in the recyclable bin. Did like the cover.

[Karie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So here’s the thing. I really liked the story, but the quality of the writing was not what I hope for. It was so clunky at the start and I often had to reread sections so I understood what was happening. But even so, I’m glad I stuck with it. Whether I got used to the writing or it improved as the book went on I honestly can’t say, but the story was worth it

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A solid MEH. Don't waste your time.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly chick flick. I have no patience for stories about insecure women.

[Lyn (Readinghearts) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a recommendation to me from two of my best GR buddies. These ladies and have a lot in common as far as reading goes, so I was excited when Jennifer said that she came across this book at a book store and really liked it, then when Colleen read it and also liked it. Sure enough, right off the bat, I could tell I was going to like the voice of the main character (the story was told in the first person). She was sarcastic, but it was a witty sarcasm, which I really enjoy. Three pages into the book, though, tragedy struck, and everything changed. The main character went from a brash, sarcastic, self doubter to a lost, confused victim. The more lost and confused she got, the more confused I became as a reader. I both liked and didn't like where the author was taking me. A perfect example is when Diana talks about being angry that people keep asking her how she is, but being angry later when they accept her "I'm fine" and she is left alone. On the one hand, this behavior seems childish and pathetic. On the other hand, I can see myself doing the same thing in a similar situation. There are many such places in the book where I feel good and bad at the same time.

I have always had a hard time with people who just accept being a victim, and as this seems to happen to Diana the book started to lag a bit for me. But just when I thought the author was going to wallow in the main character's lost withdrawal, Diana makes a rash decision and ends up in rural New Jersey with a cast of refreshingly flawed supporting characters. Rosie, Louisa, Jack, Fritz, and Billy really made the book for me. I became very vested in how they were all going to interact (which, by the way, was in a very Big Chill sort of way).

In the end, Diana finally mans up and gets her life back together, and things end up with the author alluding to a Happily Ever After ending. Here again, I both liked it and didn't like it. It was satisfying that Diana was able to work through her issues, in fact, when I finished the book I actually sighed with contentment. On the other hand...I felt that it took her too long to get to this point (although chronologically it was only two days, lol) and that the happy ending was just a little to formulaic.

I am giving this book 3.75 stars, but not 4. Although I liked the story and the supporting characters were flawed enough to make them interesting, the story lagged for me in places.

[Andrea Stegman]

One of the stupidest books I've ever read. Then again, I bought it for a dollar at a church tag sale, thus once again proving the old saying "You get what you pay for." The blurb for this book on Goodreads isn't even correct, that's how bad it was - perhaps someone thought the description of a different book would be more enticing.

[Ren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took this on vacation with me and finished it a couple days ago before my return to Alaska. I must say the only reason I finished this book was because I only had 2 with me. It was slow and just not very interesting. The descriptions on the pine barrens and cranberry fields were interesting since I've never been there. It sound beautiful! I may have to make it out that way someday.

[Lenore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed & related to this books topic of loss. I have felt similar loss after losing my mom, dad, sister and brother. My mom and dad on the same day. It is pretty heart wrenching. It takes time to feel “normal”. Waves of grief roll over in and out. Like the tides.

[CD · Rating 2 out of 5]

A screenplay styled treatment about a tragedy and drama plagued woman that borders on self-indulgence by the writer.

Not recommended.

[Cole · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book just is not that good.
First off, the writing style is really weird. That’s ultimately why I stayed with this book. I thought “hey, it’s different. maybe i’ll read it to see if it’s compelling and worth emulating” but instead I just found it immature and distracting.
More importantly, all of the characters suck. There are maybe three people you’re introduced to throughout the book who aren’t the worst. Interestingly, the more time you spend with a character, the more words they’re given, the less you like them. Perhaps that was the point, but boy. I just don’t enjoy disliking everyone. Not even in an interesting way!! They just weren’t likable.
Perhaps if I was an immature young gen-Xer or an old millennial I’d really enjoy this book. maybe. but i am not so i did not.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it eagerly from beginning to end in 2-3 days which tells me I enjoyed it enough. The main character was annoying, elitist, irritating and, to me, unlikable. I liked getting a feel for that part of the country and learning about blueberry and cranberry fields. I imagined the scenery. It was evocative. That was my fave part of the book. I live in LA and have never been to the East Coast. This book makes me want to go there. It begs to be added that the book cover is very appealing to me but it has nothing to do with the character or anything in the book really. A month after reading this book, I can still see the poignant cranberry fields.

[Lisa Hockersmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this book was interesting. It was an okay read, but there were times where the author didn't take the time to develop the characters sufficiently. Rather, she pushed characters into the story and then kind of let them dangle there without much substance. In other instances, she created characters who were essentially bipolar (not offense meant) without much background about the characters reasons for acting out.

[Michelle Donofrio · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that's been sitting on my shelf for years... in my summer quest to clear some space, I dove in. In my opinion, it was a decent read. Full of contradictions and at times disjointed and unrealistic. I thought The main character was well developed but the secondary characters were left incomplete.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Main character Diana comes across as very shallow, despite her tragedy. While the novel addresses the desperation and loneliness of those "left behind" after her family's death, it harps too much on her lost love. How much does she have to go through to realize there is more to life? I did enjoy reading about the familiar locations.

[Ilse · Rating 1 out of 5]

heel erg lang geleden dat ik 1 ster gaf aan een boek
in dit boek staan letters, die letters vormen woorden en zelfs zinnen
af en toe zijn het zelfs samenhangende zinnen, maar heel vaak slaagt het ook gewoon helemaal nergens op
pure chaos
en ja er is idd een verhaallijn en die lijn gaat soms snel, soms heel erg traag maar vooral heel chaotisch

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start. You don’t think it is going anywhere but it does eventually get there. Shocked that this summer read kind of has a flow to the plot even if you feel like the story never leaves one small town.

[Carol Perreault · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a woman whose parents and brother are killed in a car accident, forcing her to face a different life in a different world. She goes off and meets up with people who take her in and help her see another way of life.

[Beth Northcutt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some books end up in the bookcase and you're not sure when or how they got there but there they sit for years until a global pandemic when you're sitting in your house looking at your stuff and thinking about getting rid of some of it. That's what happened here. I dusted this one off. I'm a bit surprised I read the whole thing. None of the characters in this book were believable or relatable. This is heading to the little free library up the block. Maybe a neighbor will enjoy it more.

[Shannon Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't actually know why I liked this book as much as I did. Really moving, unapologetic in its moments of grief, and the scenery of the book had me desperate to experience something in nature I've never seen.

[Jacky Dewar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the most captivating book and the main character irritated me, but the writing was good. Disappointing ending...was expecting something a bit meatier overall.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. When the unthinkable happens, what would you do?

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found it very hard to really connect with any of the characters.