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Now You Know: A Novel
An “affecting novel” of a lifelong friendship that “hones in on both the big and small things that draw women together” ( Orlando Sentinel ).
Frances Simpson and Libba Charles had nothing in common. Sweet and modest, the picture of a Southern lady, Frances possessed all the poise and grace that brash northerner Libba did not. But thrust together by chance in the fall of 1947 as freshman roommates, Frances and Libba formed an indelible bond of friendship that lasted for over forty-six years.
Frances’s three grown daughters want as little to do with each other as they do with Libba, the woman who dominated their mother’s attention and affections for their entire lives. But when their mother, on her deathbed, makes them swear to “look after Libba,” they feel they have no choice—especially after Libba summons them to their mother’s summer cabin in North Carolina.
Once they arrive in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Libba begins to reveal a tale of secrets and betrayals, promises and resentments the girls never knew. And, as long-hidden confidences are finally brought to light, Frances’s daughters will discover heartbreaking and powerful truths about themselves, their mother, and the nature of sisterhood, in this wise, emotional tale by the award-winning author of How Close We Come and The Last of Something .
Frances Simpson and Libba Charles had nothing in common. Sweet and modest, the picture of a Southern lady, Frances possessed all the poise and grace that brash northerner Libba did not. But thrust together by chance in the fall of 1947 as freshman roommates, Frances and Libba formed an indelible bond of friendship that lasted for over forty-six years.
Frances’s three grown daughters want as little to do with each other as they do with Libba, the woman who dominated their mother’s attention and affections for their entire lives. But when their mother, on her deathbed, makes them swear to “look after Libba,” they feel they have no choice—especially after Libba summons them to their mother’s summer cabin in North Carolina.
Once they arrive in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Libba begins to reveal a tale of secrets and betrayals, promises and resentments the girls never knew. And, as long-hidden confidences are finally brought to light, Frances’s daughters will discover heartbreaking and powerful truths about themselves, their mother, and the nature of sisterhood, in this wise, emotional tale by the award-winning author of How Close We Come and The Last of Something .
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 21, 2019
There were times I was not enjoying the book and other times when it felt profound. I know there are so many stories we do not know in others’ relationships and even more so in our parents’ lives. I ended up quite enjoying the book after finding it difficult to really engage with it at the beginning.
November 23, 2017
This book is a character driven.
Loved this book. Great character development. Many intermingling plot. Very descriptive , can definitely visualize setting and I cared about all of the characters. Would make a great book club selection.
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Loved this book. Great character development. Many intermingling plot. Very descriptive , can definitely visualize setting and I cared about all of the characters. Would make a great book club selection.
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August 3, 2017
7 characters. College roommates by chance, become life long best friends.
The story of how their relationship effected the 3 daughters of one of them.
The story of how their relationship effected the 3 daughters of one of them.
June 17, 2019
4.5/5 Stars
November 11, 2017
good, enjoyed it, compelling, well written, not much else to say.
October 3, 2016
In a word: meh. The ending was clear from the start; no surprises = not very interesting. Not much character development.
September 27, 2016
I cried.
This is one of those books that you will want to read more than once. Starting out with Libba and Frances who are unlikely friends and roommates in college in the 50's. From there to their lives as adults; Frances as a mother, Libba an author. Skipping seamlessly back and forth between times, we watch their lives go on, changing our feelings back and forth. The daughters, Alice, Allegra, and Edie, have very different lives who's stories are interwoven in the whole. It all comes together at the end, of course, and now you know.
This is one of those books that you will want to read more than once. Starting out with Libba and Frances who are unlikely friends and roommates in college in the 50's. From there to their lives as adults; Frances as a mother, Libba an author. Skipping seamlessly back and forth between times, we watch their lives go on, changing our feelings back and forth. The daughters, Alice, Allegra, and Edie, have very different lives who's stories are interwoven in the whole. It all comes together at the end, of course, and now you know.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews