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The Vineyard
Ten years after their college days together, three wounded and very different women reunite for a summer on the island of Martha's Vineyard. As they come to grips with the challenges and crises in their lives, their encounter with a reclusive poacher, known only as "the fisherman," threatens to change everything they believe about their world--and each other.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2014
6 people are currently reading
2919 people want to read
About the author
Michael Hurley
7 books400 followersMichael Hurley is an American novelist, memoirist, and essayist living in London. He keeps up with readers at his website, www.mchurley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
November 4, 2014
I won this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.
The allegory take on this was a little dismal in my opinion. There were just waaaayyyy too many unnecessary words, segueing off into irrelevant meanderings, too much "religion" dogma, the ins and outs of social standing/responsibilities/baloney, a poor facsimile of trying to have as much depth as The Shack or The Time Keeper, (but then again, isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery?) way more information than I care about with the Catholic church, or even want to know, "Vineyard Etiquette" of the social elite, the deviate sexual behavior of men who prey upon women, people who think that money can buy you anything, most of all, keep you from the long arm of the law, the impervious attitude of those with "old money", and what was the point of the whole story.
The writer's style was difficult to follow at times. All of the sudden I would be reading, and he would switch styles, writing in the third person, or it was like reading a travel brochure! Very bizarre to me.
The greatness(?) of this book was lost on me. I thought there might be some big reveal or ANYTHING in the story, but NOTHING. Zip. Nada. Unless, "fear not" is the whole point of this detritus of words?
The allegory take on this was a little dismal in my opinion. There were just waaaayyyy too many unnecessary words, segueing off into irrelevant meanderings, too much "religion" dogma, the ins and outs of social standing/responsibilities/baloney, a poor facsimile of trying to have as much depth as The Shack or The Time Keeper, (but then again, isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery?) way more information than I care about with the Catholic church, or even want to know, "Vineyard Etiquette" of the social elite, the deviate sexual behavior of men who prey upon women, people who think that money can buy you anything, most of all, keep you from the long arm of the law, the impervious attitude of those with "old money", and what was the point of the whole story.
The writer's style was difficult to follow at times. All of the sudden I would be reading, and he would switch styles, writing in the third person, or it was like reading a travel brochure! Very bizarre to me.
The greatness(?) of this book was lost on me. I thought there might be some big reveal or ANYTHING in the story, but NOTHING. Zip. Nada. Unless, "fear not" is the whole point of this detritus of words?
December 17, 2014
I absolutely loved reading this book! It had so many different themes – but faith and friendship were definitely at the forefront. The friendship that existed between the three main characters – Dory, Charlotte and Turner – was not only fascinating to me, but also was very enjoyable to read. I could relate to their friendship and it gave me great joy to read about it. I could relate also, to all three women in one aspect or another. I could relate to Charlotte because of the love she had for her child and how she would do absolutely anything to make sure that she did all she could for her child, in life and in death. I could relate to Dory because of the very complicated relationship she had with her mother. And the daily struggle she felt with wanting to please her mother, yet wanting to plow her own way in life. And I could relate to Turner because I understand what it is like to feel like you need to be more than what you feel that you are. This book was extremely well-written and thought provoking. I was glued to the book with every turn of the page. I was genuinely interested in what would happen to these three women. The book was intriguing and I loved every minute of it. I highly recommend that you check it out!
January 12, 2017
1 star rating. I usually have one book a year that is so bad, makes me so angry, that I vent out my review with no thought on cohesion or making sense to anyone but myself, hit "publish" without rereading it, and then move on to try to scrub my brain and pretend this never existed. This is that book.
Warning: there could be spoilers and there will definitely be language.
My notes as I was reading the book present the downward spiral...
By page 32 I was doubting if the male author had ever talked to a woman. Dude, girls do NOT think about their boobs as often as your characters do. It was weird but kind of funny at first but then I got to the part where Charlotte was committing suicide by drowning and this was her last lucid thought as she was sinking (and her dress had come off): "Charlotte's breasts now floated heavenward in hopeful anticipation of the end. She caught herself wondering if angels in heaven had perfect boobs to go along with the perfect rest of them..." Ummm, what? This was the point where I felt a little dread as I continued the book.
But then Charlotte is saved by the mysterious fisherman with obvious Jesus similarities and I had bigger problems than boobs; that was the point where I realized this was a sneaky religious book. Here's the deal...I don't read a lot of Christian fiction because it's not my taste. Knowing that, if I do happen to read one as a recommendation or for book club, I tend to be gentler in my review and try to be objective because I'm not going to blast a book for doing something I don't like (preach) when I knew going in that it was that kind of book. But when there are NO indications that would let me know ahead of time that this is a religious book and I discover it as I'm reading, all bets are off and I'm reviewing it as is. Tough shit for the author if you don't like it, next time take better care with your descriptions and you can find the correct audience.
**In hindsight as I look as these notes, it's cute that I thought my biggest problem with the book was that it was a sneaky religious book. So cute. Turns out religion was the least of my concerns so don't blow off my 1 star rating as someone who just doesn't like Christian fiction...there's plenty more on my mind than Jesus. And in the end it was not that much of a religious book either because what faithful person wants to read about a masturbating priest or a boob-grabbing Jesus? Making the audience of this book dipshits like me who were suckered in by the description and have to finish every book they start (plus, I had to know just how bad it would get and the answer surpassed my wildest dreams).**
Then it was Dory's turn to interact with the fisherman. As she approached him to buy shrimp/ask about Charlotte he pushes the straps on her dress off her shoulders so it comes off and she's standing nude in front of him. Then "the fisherman placed his hands on Dory's bare breasts and leaned over as if to kiss her cheek. With this, Dory's body dropped lifelessly to the ground." Dory is taken to the hospital and when she wakes up it turns out he told her she has breast cancer even though a mammogram said she didn't so they had a second opinion and yup, she has cancer. What in the actual fuck? WWJD? Touch her boobs!!! But don't worry about this plot point, she doesn't have any treatment and doesn't have cancer a few weeks later. Thank God she saved her boobs!!!
Then we meet a character who is stereotypically all bad: Smoke. This becomes a theme throughout the book, the good characters are all good and the "bad guys" are all bad. This also becomes the first of many side trips that were completely unnecessary. At a time when the book should've been reaching a resolution on a few of the shitstorms that had already been created, the author decided to throw in some more: Financial difficulty! Impotence! Blackmail! Positive pregnancy test! And so on...
Then it gets worse! Charlotte, having survived her suicide attempt, is seeing a priest for counseling because she's struggling over the death of her daughter (the reason she wanted to die in the first place was to be with her). The motherfucking priest is a creep with romantic feelings for her. Does the author give Charlotte any sort of realistic backbone? Nope. Instead, even though Charlotte doesn't feel the same way, "out of the odd mixture of pity and high regard for the burden of his vow of celibacy, she had permitted deep kisses and lingering hugs." WHAT? Even ignoring the fact that he's a priest, that's not a typical reaction you have to any man in that situation (and don't give me shit about damaged characters, I know all about damaged characters and she wasn't one). But as if that wasn't enough, they would pray each night and the priest "gently cupped her breasts with his hands and began to pray for the soul of the child who nursed at this bosom". So much ick...a priest taking advantage of a grieving mother. Plus, here we go again with the boobs...so much obsession with boobs!
Thank you Turner! She's the character who said everything I was thinking. She flipped the fuck out and punched the fisherman when she saw him holding Dory's boobs, she went to the priest and threatened him when she found out he was taking advantage of Charlotte, and she saved Dory from Tripp and Smoke. How was this woman rewarded? Although she ended up protecting the fisherman and truly believing in him, giving up her life to follow him around and help with his teachings, she died in the end. From breast cancer. I guess fisherman Jesus couldn't warn her in the many conversations they had or the six years she spent following him around. WWJD? Hold a grudge because she cockblocked him.
More boobs. Turner "considered her breasts to be not her strongest asset but still enough to hold up a strapless dress without spilling out of the top of it - a blessing, she surmised, of long-deferred childbirth". Sorry honey but your boobs just aren't that great, otherwise fisherman Jesus would've touched them and you wouldn't have died of breast cancer.
Then what I thought was the ending happened and it was a complete downer. As I mentioned, Turner died. But the "bad guys", including the creepy priest, had no consequences and actually made a ton of money capitalizing off the tale of the fisherman. So that sucked.
Then the actual ending happened and my head exploded. In one final disgusting moment, Charlotte is summoned by a letter from a widow. Long story short, Charlotte would use the backyard shower and the widow and her (then alive, obviously) husband were her neighbors. The husband would sneak over and peep through the bushes at Charlotte while she was showering but it's okay and not creepy because he's an ARTIST and was painting her. And somehow the painting was sold to a local bar but again, it's okay because the widow is giving Charlotte the money! So Charlotte and Dory walk into the bar and there is a large painting of Charlotte in all her full frontal nudity (can't forget to include "her tits were fabulous" when describing it!) behind the bar. Do they take it down? Nope, Dory pays Charlotte $100 because they had a bet going of who was going to age better and Dory decided it would be no contest based on how great she looked in that painting from six years ago. And then they go play with their kids. But they do take the money from the painting and open a school for girls in honor of Turner which is really nice.
THE. FUCKING. END.
Find all my (much nicer, I swear) reviews at: http://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
Warning: there could be spoilers and there will definitely be language.
My notes as I was reading the book present the downward spiral...
By page 32 I was doubting if the male author had ever talked to a woman. Dude, girls do NOT think about their boobs as often as your characters do. It was weird but kind of funny at first but then I got to the part where Charlotte was committing suicide by drowning and this was her last lucid thought as she was sinking (and her dress had come off): "Charlotte's breasts now floated heavenward in hopeful anticipation of the end. She caught herself wondering if angels in heaven had perfect boobs to go along with the perfect rest of them..." Ummm, what? This was the point where I felt a little dread as I continued the book.
But then Charlotte is saved by the mysterious fisherman with obvious Jesus similarities and I had bigger problems than boobs; that was the point where I realized this was a sneaky religious book. Here's the deal...I don't read a lot of Christian fiction because it's not my taste. Knowing that, if I do happen to read one as a recommendation or for book club, I tend to be gentler in my review and try to be objective because I'm not going to blast a book for doing something I don't like (preach) when I knew going in that it was that kind of book. But when there are NO indications that would let me know ahead of time that this is a religious book and I discover it as I'm reading, all bets are off and I'm reviewing it as is. Tough shit for the author if you don't like it, next time take better care with your descriptions and you can find the correct audience.
**In hindsight as I look as these notes, it's cute that I thought my biggest problem with the book was that it was a sneaky religious book. So cute. Turns out religion was the least of my concerns so don't blow off my 1 star rating as someone who just doesn't like Christian fiction...there's plenty more on my mind than Jesus. And in the end it was not that much of a religious book either because what faithful person wants to read about a masturbating priest or a boob-grabbing Jesus? Making the audience of this book dipshits like me who were suckered in by the description and have to finish every book they start (plus, I had to know just how bad it would get and the answer surpassed my wildest dreams).**
Then it was Dory's turn to interact with the fisherman. As she approached him to buy shrimp/ask about Charlotte he pushes the straps on her dress off her shoulders so it comes off and she's standing nude in front of him. Then "the fisherman placed his hands on Dory's bare breasts and leaned over as if to kiss her cheek. With this, Dory's body dropped lifelessly to the ground." Dory is taken to the hospital and when she wakes up it turns out he told her she has breast cancer even though a mammogram said she didn't so they had a second opinion and yup, she has cancer. What in the actual fuck? WWJD? Touch her boobs!!! But don't worry about this plot point, she doesn't have any treatment and doesn't have cancer a few weeks later. Thank God she saved her boobs!!!
Then we meet a character who is stereotypically all bad: Smoke. This becomes a theme throughout the book, the good characters are all good and the "bad guys" are all bad. This also becomes the first of many side trips that were completely unnecessary. At a time when the book should've been reaching a resolution on a few of the shitstorms that had already been created, the author decided to throw in some more: Financial difficulty! Impotence! Blackmail! Positive pregnancy test! And so on...
Then it gets worse! Charlotte, having survived her suicide attempt, is seeing a priest for counseling because she's struggling over the death of her daughter (the reason she wanted to die in the first place was to be with her). The motherfucking priest is a creep with romantic feelings for her. Does the author give Charlotte any sort of realistic backbone? Nope. Instead, even though Charlotte doesn't feel the same way, "out of the odd mixture of pity and high regard for the burden of his vow of celibacy, she had permitted deep kisses and lingering hugs." WHAT? Even ignoring the fact that he's a priest, that's not a typical reaction you have to any man in that situation (and don't give me shit about damaged characters, I know all about damaged characters and she wasn't one). But as if that wasn't enough, they would pray each night and the priest "gently cupped her breasts with his hands and began to pray for the soul of the child who nursed at this bosom". So much ick...a priest taking advantage of a grieving mother. Plus, here we go again with the boobs...so much obsession with boobs!
Thank you Turner! She's the character who said everything I was thinking. She flipped the fuck out and punched the fisherman when she saw him holding Dory's boobs, she went to the priest and threatened him when she found out he was taking advantage of Charlotte, and she saved Dory from Tripp and Smoke. How was this woman rewarded? Although she ended up protecting the fisherman and truly believing in him, giving up her life to follow him around and help with his teachings, she died in the end. From breast cancer. I guess fisherman Jesus couldn't warn her in the many conversations they had or the six years she spent following him around. WWJD? Hold a grudge because she cockblocked him.
More boobs. Turner "considered her breasts to be not her strongest asset but still enough to hold up a strapless dress without spilling out of the top of it - a blessing, she surmised, of long-deferred childbirth". Sorry honey but your boobs just aren't that great, otherwise fisherman Jesus would've touched them and you wouldn't have died of breast cancer.
Then what I thought was the ending happened and it was a complete downer. As I mentioned, Turner died. But the "bad guys", including the creepy priest, had no consequences and actually made a ton of money capitalizing off the tale of the fisherman. So that sucked.
Then the actual ending happened and my head exploded. In one final disgusting moment, Charlotte is summoned by a letter from a widow. Long story short, Charlotte would use the backyard shower and the widow and her (then alive, obviously) husband were her neighbors. The husband would sneak over and peep through the bushes at Charlotte while she was showering but it's okay and not creepy because he's an ARTIST and was painting her. And somehow the painting was sold to a local bar but again, it's okay because the widow is giving Charlotte the money! So Charlotte and Dory walk into the bar and there is a large painting of Charlotte in all her full frontal nudity (can't forget to include "her tits were fabulous" when describing it!) behind the bar. Do they take it down? Nope, Dory pays Charlotte $100 because they had a bet going of who was going to age better and Dory decided it would be no contest based on how great she looked in that painting from six years ago. And then they go play with their kids. But they do take the money from the painting and open a school for girls in honor of Turner which is really nice.
THE. FUCKING. END.
Find all my (much nicer, I swear) reviews at: http://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
September 19, 2018
I won the kindle edition of this book from Goodreads (Thank you Goodreads). I liked the premise about 3 friends reuniting on Martha’s Vineyard and the mysterious man they meet known as “the fisherman.” I thought the story was a bit unusual and had a mystical feel to it. I also thought the flow was choppy especially in the beginning of the story. I would have liked to have had a different ending but I thought the story was good overall.
November 21, 2014
The Vineyard is a riveting multi-layered tale about the bonds of friendship; deep secrets; troubled personal lives and relationships; faith, hope and healing.
College friends Dory Delano, Charlotte Harris, and Turner Graham reunite for the summer on Martha's Vineyard ten years after their college graduation. Each of women have lived very different lifestyles; have dealt with personal challenges, trials, and tribulations; yet have maintained a strong bond of friendship. Their bond of friendship will be tested when an encounter with a reclusive fisherman threatens to forever change the way they view their life and the world around them.
Dory Delano is a member of one of the most established and wealthy families on Martha’s Vineyard. She has lived a life of privilege, but she desperately wants a life filled with love and passion. Dory's encounter with the reclusive fisherman and his prophesy that she has breast cancer will change her life forever.
Charlotte Harris is a lost soul after the loss of her child Madeleine, and then the demise of her marriage. She comes to Martha’s Vineyard with the express intent to end her life. The first night on the island, Charlotte leaves Dory’s home to do commit suicide, but fate brings the fisherman who intervenes and miraculously saves Charlotte from dying. As her story unfolds, Charlotte suffering is massive, but the encounter with the fisherman helps her to survive against all odds.
Turner Graham is at loose ends in her life. She has dreamed of becoming a writer and has a blog with a handful of followers. But Turner's blogging gets out of hand when she blogs about the events of Charlotte attempted suicide and the“miracle” that kept her alive. And if that doesn't cause enough of a stir, Turner's exaggerated blog posts goes viral, and demands from the public to know more about the reclusive fisherman causes more turmoil in her life.
Author Michael Hurley weaves an intriguing tale that easily draws the reader into the story. As the three college friends come together on Martha's Vineyard, their bonds of friendship and lives are intertwined as they deal with their private turmoils. Each of these wounded women's lives will forever be altered and transformed when they encounter the reclusive fisherman, a mysterious and prophetic man who knows personal things about each of them, things that no one else could ever have known. The author does a wonderful job of delving into the complexity of the three women's lives and intertwines it with the mystery of the reclusive fisherman. This is a gripping story that will captivate the reader as the story unfolds with richly detailed description into the lives of the three women and the fisherman, and intriguing twists and turns that will keep the reader turning the pages until the pivotal and life changing conclusion.
The Vineyard is a compelling and thought provoking story about the strong connection of friendship and the complexities of life experiences and choices, and the ability to have faith and find a way to overcome, survive, heal, and move forward.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
College friends Dory Delano, Charlotte Harris, and Turner Graham reunite for the summer on Martha's Vineyard ten years after their college graduation. Each of women have lived very different lifestyles; have dealt with personal challenges, trials, and tribulations; yet have maintained a strong bond of friendship. Their bond of friendship will be tested when an encounter with a reclusive fisherman threatens to forever change the way they view their life and the world around them.
Dory Delano is a member of one of the most established and wealthy families on Martha’s Vineyard. She has lived a life of privilege, but she desperately wants a life filled with love and passion. Dory's encounter with the reclusive fisherman and his prophesy that she has breast cancer will change her life forever.
Charlotte Harris is a lost soul after the loss of her child Madeleine, and then the demise of her marriage. She comes to Martha’s Vineyard with the express intent to end her life. The first night on the island, Charlotte leaves Dory’s home to do commit suicide, but fate brings the fisherman who intervenes and miraculously saves Charlotte from dying. As her story unfolds, Charlotte suffering is massive, but the encounter with the fisherman helps her to survive against all odds.
Turner Graham is at loose ends in her life. She has dreamed of becoming a writer and has a blog with a handful of followers. But Turner's blogging gets out of hand when she blogs about the events of Charlotte attempted suicide and the“miracle” that kept her alive. And if that doesn't cause enough of a stir, Turner's exaggerated blog posts goes viral, and demands from the public to know more about the reclusive fisherman causes more turmoil in her life.
Author Michael Hurley weaves an intriguing tale that easily draws the reader into the story. As the three college friends come together on Martha's Vineyard, their bonds of friendship and lives are intertwined as they deal with their private turmoils. Each of these wounded women's lives will forever be altered and transformed when they encounter the reclusive fisherman, a mysterious and prophetic man who knows personal things about each of them, things that no one else could ever have known. The author does a wonderful job of delving into the complexity of the three women's lives and intertwines it with the mystery of the reclusive fisherman. This is a gripping story that will captivate the reader as the story unfolds with richly detailed description into the lives of the three women and the fisherman, and intriguing twists and turns that will keep the reader turning the pages until the pivotal and life changing conclusion.
The Vineyard is a compelling and thought provoking story about the strong connection of friendship and the complexities of life experiences and choices, and the ability to have faith and find a way to overcome, survive, heal, and move forward.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
November 26, 2014
A digital copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
This is a superb read about self-realisation, existentialism and facing life as it comes. Dory, Charlotte and Turner are three ladies who had been friends since their college days. They each are in different circumstances in their lives. Dory invites the other two to spend a summer at Martha's Vineyard. While Dory is at crossroads with her destiny, on the verge of having to take up the reins of her inheritance and family tradition, Charlotte has a very sinister solution to end her disappointments and depressions in life. Planning to end her life once and for all, she turns up at Martha's Vineyard hoping that the place will help her put her plan to effect. Turner, on the other hand, desperately needs an aim, direction and propulsion in her life, clinging on to her blog for sanity. They each happen to encounter the mysterious and enigmatic Enoch, or simply the "fisherman", as he is often referred to, in different ways. The encounter changes them all - in radically different ways.
The book was gripping and thoroughly absorbing. The opening shook me up - with Charlotte and the ashes. The effect continued throughout! The characters' have their own uncanny sense of living. The characterisation is remarkable. Be it Dory's reticence on taking up her family's matters in hand, or Turner's skepticism about how much good a "fisherman" can go, the author's writing brings to life the character's emotions. The book has a refreshingly original plot which is delivered deftly at a brilliant pace - neither dazingly fast nor achingly slow.
I would highly recommend this book to lovers of drama, existentialism and philosophical realism.
My rating for this book: 5 stars
This is a superb read about self-realisation, existentialism and facing life as it comes. Dory, Charlotte and Turner are three ladies who had been friends since their college days. They each are in different circumstances in their lives. Dory invites the other two to spend a summer at Martha's Vineyard. While Dory is at crossroads with her destiny, on the verge of having to take up the reins of her inheritance and family tradition, Charlotte has a very sinister solution to end her disappointments and depressions in life. Planning to end her life once and for all, she turns up at Martha's Vineyard hoping that the place will help her put her plan to effect. Turner, on the other hand, desperately needs an aim, direction and propulsion in her life, clinging on to her blog for sanity. They each happen to encounter the mysterious and enigmatic Enoch, or simply the "fisherman", as he is often referred to, in different ways. The encounter changes them all - in radically different ways.
The book was gripping and thoroughly absorbing. The opening shook me up - with Charlotte and the ashes. The effect continued throughout! The characters' have their own uncanny sense of living. The characterisation is remarkable. Be it Dory's reticence on taking up her family's matters in hand, or Turner's skepticism about how much good a "fisherman" can go, the author's writing brings to life the character's emotions. The book has a refreshingly original plot which is delivered deftly at a brilliant pace - neither dazingly fast nor achingly slow.
I would highly recommend this book to lovers of drama, existentialism and philosophical realism.
My rating for this book: 5 stars
March 6, 2015
The Vineyard by Michael Hurley
Wanted to read this book after hearing the title and I recall liking the author's previous book. This one is about Martha's Vineyard, an island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New England.
I grew up on an island and immediately connected to the characters in the book and like them I can see them on the island I was raised on, fitting right in.
Island life is like no other. This book starts out with 3 college friends reuniting for the summer months, all for different reasons. They do have the poacher in common, he's also known as the fisherman.
Love all the nautical descriptions and island life. Love the turn of events that really turns the whole book around. Just when things are flowing along smoothly mayhem happens and you just don't see it happening.
Love the connections they share once they all hear of the past secrets, they do unite as a united whole and form an even stronger bond. Tragedies and miracles make them rally towards one another as they get over the fears and troubles.
They are all out for one another, in their time of need.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review
Wanted to read this book after hearing the title and I recall liking the author's previous book. This one is about Martha's Vineyard, an island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New England.
I grew up on an island and immediately connected to the characters in the book and like them I can see them on the island I was raised on, fitting right in.
Island life is like no other. This book starts out with 3 college friends reuniting for the summer months, all for different reasons. They do have the poacher in common, he's also known as the fisherman.
Love all the nautical descriptions and island life. Love the turn of events that really turns the whole book around. Just when things are flowing along smoothly mayhem happens and you just don't see it happening.
Love the connections they share once they all hear of the past secrets, they do unite as a united whole and form an even stronger bond. Tragedies and miracles make them rally towards one another as they get over the fears and troubles.
They are all out for one another, in their time of need.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review
October 8, 2018
I won the kindle edition of this book from Goodreads! I read the reviews and was looking forward to reading about a summer reunion of three college girlfriends in Martha’s Vineyard. However, the book got pretty strange early on when Charlotte and Dory had encounters with the mysterious man called "the fisherman” who performed miracles. I enjoyed the book enough to keep reading but did not love the ending. Nor did I like reading about the despicable male characters, Tripp, Smoke and the corrupt priest...but maybe that was the point. 3 stars.
November 16, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
A few spoilers
Wow…a great read… Now of course the challenge will be telling you what a gripping tale this is without giving any crucial details away :) .
Dory (Eudora Delano) is a member of one of the most established and wealthy families of Martha’s Vineyard – the Delano family. Dory is “Vineyard” stock and has lived a life of privilege. But is that all life is about? Dory does not want to do as she has been brought up to do….marry the right person regardless of love and feelings, have children, partake in high society, etc. Dory wants a life filled with love and passion…but will her mother let her? Dory is a strong woman, but her encounter with the “fisherman” irrevocably changes her life forever. So gut wrenching is all I can say.
Charlotte is a lost soul after the loss of her child Madeleine, and then the demise of her marriage. She comes to Martha’s Vineyard to stay with Dory with the express intent to end her life….to join her daughter in the afterlife. As a result of differing belief systems within Charlotte’s marriage, Charlotte put off baptising Madeleine…and then fate took over and it was too late to do so. Charlotte, the very first night in town, leaves Dory’s home to do the “deed” (commit suicide), however, fate (or should I say the “fisherman”) intervenes. And so death is averted. But many mysteries surround how Charlotte was saved. I must say….whether Charlotte knew it or not, she is one strong woman…the sheer number of weird things to happen to her would drive the average woman crazy (I was so close to tears a couple of times for Charlotte). Charlotte certainly has suffered and continued to suffer as the story unfolds…but she survives against all odds.
Turner is good people, but has had a challenging life. She looks for the quick way to make it big, but frequently misses the mark (or so it seems). Turner fancies herself a writer and has a blog with a handful of followers….until she blogs about the events of the evening that Charlotte attempts suicide and the resulting “miracle” as to why she is still alive. This event certainly changes Turner and as her story unfolds, I was confused and many varying emotions were brought out. At times I was spiting mad at some of Turner’s insensitive actions and at other times, I wanted to cry for the odd happenings that seemed to plague Turner’s life.
All three women were at loose ends so Dory invited her friends to spend the summer with her at her family’s estate at Martha’s Vineyard. The gals encounter old friends (Tripp, Smoke (scum bag that he is) and new acquaintances (Enoch, Simon, Father Vecchio) and the woven tale is intricate, interesting and held this readers attention throughout.
The complexity of other characters is also very evident in this story. Tripp (Trafalgar) Wallace has been essentially the de facto intended for Dory all her life…they skirt around getting involved…until this summer. Interesting, unique and even twisted events happen between Dory and Tripp which will leave you shaking your head with disbelief. Learning of Enoch’s story from his mother was very gripping. I also had VERY strong emotions regarding Father Vecchio….
Okay…..I promised not to give too much away…so I must stop here. As with all books, this will be entertaining for some and not so much for others. For this reader I found the story gripping and entertaining. It held my interest throughout. The character development was excellent and at all times, I felt like I was living the story. The emotional gambit was great and touching. But read this book for yourself and make up your mind.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
A few spoilers
Wow…a great read… Now of course the challenge will be telling you what a gripping tale this is without giving any crucial details away :) .
Dory (Eudora Delano) is a member of one of the most established and wealthy families of Martha’s Vineyard – the Delano family. Dory is “Vineyard” stock and has lived a life of privilege. But is that all life is about? Dory does not want to do as she has been brought up to do….marry the right person regardless of love and feelings, have children, partake in high society, etc. Dory wants a life filled with love and passion…but will her mother let her? Dory is a strong woman, but her encounter with the “fisherman” irrevocably changes her life forever. So gut wrenching is all I can say.
Charlotte is a lost soul after the loss of her child Madeleine, and then the demise of her marriage. She comes to Martha’s Vineyard to stay with Dory with the express intent to end her life….to join her daughter in the afterlife. As a result of differing belief systems within Charlotte’s marriage, Charlotte put off baptising Madeleine…and then fate took over and it was too late to do so. Charlotte, the very first night in town, leaves Dory’s home to do the “deed” (commit suicide), however, fate (or should I say the “fisherman”) intervenes. And so death is averted. But many mysteries surround how Charlotte was saved. I must say….whether Charlotte knew it or not, she is one strong woman…the sheer number of weird things to happen to her would drive the average woman crazy (I was so close to tears a couple of times for Charlotte). Charlotte certainly has suffered and continued to suffer as the story unfolds…but she survives against all odds.
Turner is good people, but has had a challenging life. She looks for the quick way to make it big, but frequently misses the mark (or so it seems). Turner fancies herself a writer and has a blog with a handful of followers….until she blogs about the events of the evening that Charlotte attempts suicide and the resulting “miracle” as to why she is still alive. This event certainly changes Turner and as her story unfolds, I was confused and many varying emotions were brought out. At times I was spiting mad at some of Turner’s insensitive actions and at other times, I wanted to cry for the odd happenings that seemed to plague Turner’s life.
All three women were at loose ends so Dory invited her friends to spend the summer with her at her family’s estate at Martha’s Vineyard. The gals encounter old friends (Tripp, Smoke (scum bag that he is) and new acquaintances (Enoch, Simon, Father Vecchio) and the woven tale is intricate, interesting and held this readers attention throughout.
The complexity of other characters is also very evident in this story. Tripp (Trafalgar) Wallace has been essentially the de facto intended for Dory all her life…they skirt around getting involved…until this summer. Interesting, unique and even twisted events happen between Dory and Tripp which will leave you shaking your head with disbelief. Learning of Enoch’s story from his mother was very gripping. I also had VERY strong emotions regarding Father Vecchio….
Okay…..I promised not to give too much away…so I must stop here. As with all books, this will be entertaining for some and not so much for others. For this reader I found the story gripping and entertaining. It held my interest throughout. The character development was excellent and at all times, I felt like I was living the story. The emotional gambit was great and touching. But read this book for yourself and make up your mind.
November 22, 2014
The Vineyard by Michael Hurley is a highly recommended novel about friendship and overcoming difficult circumstances.
Three friends in their early 30's gather at Martha's Vineyard for a summer of reconnections but it ultimately becomes a time of healing and reawakening - with some added mysticism and allegorical tie-ins. Dory, Charlotte, and Turner all reunite on Dory's family residents on Martha's Vineyard. For Dory it is a time to keep trying to escape the expectations placed upon her based on her heritage and wealth. Charlotte has accepted her invitation because she is planning to commit suicide as soon as she arrives. Turner is simply at loose ends in her life and has no direction, beyond continuing her blog.
All three women have encounters with the fisherman. "His name was Enoch, which didn’t much matter, because almost no one knew his name or referred to him as anything other than “the fisherman.” In the turn of events, he changes the lives of all three women.
The Vineyard opens with Charlotte planning to wade out into the ocean with her daughter Meredith's ashes immediately after she arrives. "Only the sea was far and wide enough to cover the grief of losing a daughter, a marriage, and a life that once had seemed to rise continually skyward, like a zephyr." She is still mourning the loss of her daughter and lamenting the refusal of the church to bury Meredith because she died unbaptized. Charlotte has the numbers 1183-2 tattooed on her left forearm as a self-imposed badge of shame. "They comprised the paragraph and section number of a single line of the Code of Canon Laws of the Catholic Church: The local ordinary can permit children whom the parents intended to baptize but who died before baptism to be given ecclesiastical funerals." She buys shrimp from the fisherman, and he later touches her life in an unexpected way.
Dory is a larger than life character who does nothing in half measures. It was all or nothing at all—with everything. The expectations her family's name seem to require of her has placed a restraint on her life from which that she wants to rebel. Her encounter with the fisherman is miraculous and alters her life.
Turner is a skeptic and negative about any help from a fisherman. She does know a good story hook when she sees one, however, so she blogs about the miraculous doings of the fisherman, freely making her posts allegorical as well as exaggerated. Her blog posts go viral and her hit numbers are unprecedented. Suddenly people all over want to know more. "The world was eager and the market was ripe for a new theology of redemption, and Turner’s stories about a strange fisherman on the Vineyard conveniently filled that void." People are all clamoring for a copy of what they think is Turner's soon to be published The Book of Enoch.
After enjoying Hurley's The Prodigal last year, I was pleased to read The Vineyard. The writing is still excellent and the narrative encompasses many of the same features: personal challenges, Catholicism, allegorical tie-ins, and sailing. This time there is a whole lot of sex, however, and not of the romantic variety or even with any care (emotional or practical). It's either a sexual predator, someone using their sexuality for their own purposes, or raw lust. So, although the quality of the writing is just as good and descriptive, the actual story lost some of the momentum for me because the female characters just seemed off and rather mindless during those scenes. I enjoyed the novel enough to keep reading, though the ending, while it ties up all the storylines, was a bit too pat and sort of fizzled out for me.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of the author for review purposes.
Three friends in their early 30's gather at Martha's Vineyard for a summer of reconnections but it ultimately becomes a time of healing and reawakening - with some added mysticism and allegorical tie-ins. Dory, Charlotte, and Turner all reunite on Dory's family residents on Martha's Vineyard. For Dory it is a time to keep trying to escape the expectations placed upon her based on her heritage and wealth. Charlotte has accepted her invitation because she is planning to commit suicide as soon as she arrives. Turner is simply at loose ends in her life and has no direction, beyond continuing her blog.
All three women have encounters with the fisherman. "His name was Enoch, which didn’t much matter, because almost no one knew his name or referred to him as anything other than “the fisherman.” In the turn of events, he changes the lives of all three women.
The Vineyard opens with Charlotte planning to wade out into the ocean with her daughter Meredith's ashes immediately after she arrives. "Only the sea was far and wide enough to cover the grief of losing a daughter, a marriage, and a life that once had seemed to rise continually skyward, like a zephyr." She is still mourning the loss of her daughter and lamenting the refusal of the church to bury Meredith because she died unbaptized. Charlotte has the numbers 1183-2 tattooed on her left forearm as a self-imposed badge of shame. "They comprised the paragraph and section number of a single line of the Code of Canon Laws of the Catholic Church: The local ordinary can permit children whom the parents intended to baptize but who died before baptism to be given ecclesiastical funerals." She buys shrimp from the fisherman, and he later touches her life in an unexpected way.
Dory is a larger than life character who does nothing in half measures. It was all or nothing at all—with everything. The expectations her family's name seem to require of her has placed a restraint on her life from which that she wants to rebel. Her encounter with the fisherman is miraculous and alters her life.
Turner is a skeptic and negative about any help from a fisherman. She does know a good story hook when she sees one, however, so she blogs about the miraculous doings of the fisherman, freely making her posts allegorical as well as exaggerated. Her blog posts go viral and her hit numbers are unprecedented. Suddenly people all over want to know more. "The world was eager and the market was ripe for a new theology of redemption, and Turner’s stories about a strange fisherman on the Vineyard conveniently filled that void." People are all clamoring for a copy of what they think is Turner's soon to be published The Book of Enoch.
After enjoying Hurley's The Prodigal last year, I was pleased to read The Vineyard. The writing is still excellent and the narrative encompasses many of the same features: personal challenges, Catholicism, allegorical tie-ins, and sailing. This time there is a whole lot of sex, however, and not of the romantic variety or even with any care (emotional or practical). It's either a sexual predator, someone using their sexuality for their own purposes, or raw lust. So, although the quality of the writing is just as good and descriptive, the actual story lost some of the momentum for me because the female characters just seemed off and rather mindless during those scenes. I enjoyed the novel enough to keep reading, though the ending, while it ties up all the storylines, was a bit too pat and sort of fizzled out for me.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of the author for review purposes.
December 15, 2014
After reading The Prodigal by this author, I just knew that I was in for a treat with The Vineyard. This novel really touches your soul and makes you think about what it would be like to reunite with your friends that you had before even if it had been a while. Would you have changed much as a group and what types of circumstances would each of you be facing? Ten years is a long time to go without seeing someone that you used to see every day during your high school years. I will be coming up on being graduated from high school for ten years in 2016. I could not even imagine what my friends lives are like now that I used to hang out with all the time. We have drifted over the years because priorities changed and we moved away from where we went to high school.
Three women head together to reunite after ten years on an island, Martha’s Vineyard. Dory has her wealth and family heritage to worry about upholding. She struggles with it and wants nothing more but a life of her own that she can say that she created, but she sees no way out of the life that has been laid out before her. Charlotte lost her daughter and though traumatic wants to commit suicide while taking her daughter’s ashes out into the ocean. She wants peace, and I felt for her. I don’t condone suicide at all but reaching a low point has people have notions that they wouldn’t normally. The sadness is just too much for her. Turner has a blog and that is her life goal as of late. She really has no true idea who she really is and needs to find herself and her path that she wants from life. All three of these women are so different, yet they mold together in such a way that you would think that it had not been ten years since they had last been together.
Charlotte is saved from committing suicide by a mysterious fisherman. Turner takes the chance to blog about this fisherman that saved her friend and the miracles that went along with it. All three women change when they are together on that island. The fisherman makes them think about the journey that they are each on and that there is always something out there to live for. The exploration of the soul parts of the book were my favorite part. We each need a little bit of that inspiration and cause to live in our lives. This book was excellent and a real page turner. I wanted to know more about these three ladies and to go with them on their journey of finding self worth and discovery. Bravo for yet another great novel from Michael Hurley!
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
Three women head together to reunite after ten years on an island, Martha’s Vineyard. Dory has her wealth and family heritage to worry about upholding. She struggles with it and wants nothing more but a life of her own that she can say that she created, but she sees no way out of the life that has been laid out before her. Charlotte lost her daughter and though traumatic wants to commit suicide while taking her daughter’s ashes out into the ocean. She wants peace, and I felt for her. I don’t condone suicide at all but reaching a low point has people have notions that they wouldn’t normally. The sadness is just too much for her. Turner has a blog and that is her life goal as of late. She really has no true idea who she really is and needs to find herself and her path that she wants from life. All three of these women are so different, yet they mold together in such a way that you would think that it had not been ten years since they had last been together.
Charlotte is saved from committing suicide by a mysterious fisherman. Turner takes the chance to blog about this fisherman that saved her friend and the miracles that went along with it. All three women change when they are together on that island. The fisherman makes them think about the journey that they are each on and that there is always something out there to live for. The exploration of the soul parts of the book were my favorite part. We each need a little bit of that inspiration and cause to live in our lives. This book was excellent and a real page turner. I wanted to know more about these three ladies and to go with them on their journey of finding self worth and discovery. Bravo for yet another great novel from Michael Hurley!
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
November 23, 2014
Three college friends reunite on Martha's Vineyard for the summer. Expecting a care-free summer, the reunion is really anything but. Dory, who lives on the Vineyard and come from old money. Bearing the name Delano, Dory defies many of the standards for a woman in her position, including being unmarried at age 32. Charlotte arrives at the island with an immense amount of grief. With the ashes of her dead daughter in tow, Charlotte does not plan to visit for long; but has plans of walking out into the ocean and never coming back. Turner is running from some bad decisions made on her blog, hoping a much older man with her home address won't be able to stalk her. Each of these women has a life-changing encounter with a mysterious man on the island known only as the fisherman. Outside the law, the fisherman sells mouth-watering jumbo shrimp out of the back of his truck. The fisherman also seems to have a sixth sense for knowing certain things about people.
The Vineyard was a very surprising read for me, not at all what I was expecting. Each of the women's characters were very in-depth and unique. First introduced is Charlotte. I was not very sure that I was going to like her, quite literally drowning in grief at the death of her young daughter and the Church's refusal to bury her unbaptized remains in consecrated ground, Charlotte makes the decision that if her daughter will not be going to heaven, than neither will she. Charlotte's actions soon after this quickly change my views of her, also the scene of her attempted suicide is very well written and seems honest to the experience. Dory seems very carefree at first, but after her encounter with the fisherman and a grim diagnosis, things seem to change. Turner is a very strange character, often making decisions that seem out of place, however, she uses her friends experiences with the fisherman as stories on her blog and that decision brings around more strange events. The fisherman himself is an enigma, I was wrapped up in solving the mystery around him. Without giving too much away, this was a unique story with excellent characters that went on unexpected routes.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
The Vineyard was a very surprising read for me, not at all what I was expecting. Each of the women's characters were very in-depth and unique. First introduced is Charlotte. I was not very sure that I was going to like her, quite literally drowning in grief at the death of her young daughter and the Church's refusal to bury her unbaptized remains in consecrated ground, Charlotte makes the decision that if her daughter will not be going to heaven, than neither will she. Charlotte's actions soon after this quickly change my views of her, also the scene of her attempted suicide is very well written and seems honest to the experience. Dory seems very carefree at first, but after her encounter with the fisherman and a grim diagnosis, things seem to change. Turner is a very strange character, often making decisions that seem out of place, however, she uses her friends experiences with the fisherman as stories on her blog and that decision brings around more strange events. The fisherman himself is an enigma, I was wrapped up in solving the mystery around him. Without giving too much away, this was a unique story with excellent characters that went on unexpected routes.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
November 14, 2014
Who doesn’t love a reunion? Three women who had not seen each other since their college days ten years ago decide to meet for the summer at Dory Delano’s house located on beautiful Martha’s Vineyard. Only, one of the three, Charlotte Harris, arrived with the intention to take her own life. Someone known only as ‘the fisherman’ rescues her when she nearly succeeds with her plan.
Dory knows ‘the fisherman’ only in that he sells the biggest, best shrimp anyone has ever tasted. That is until the day he prophesied that she had breast cancer – something the tests missed. ‘The fisherman’ also caused her to be healed.
Turner Graham, a blogger, begins to post these miracles on her blog, making them more outlandish than they already are. Later when Dory’s mom plans a big party for 500, ‘the fisherman’ supplies shrimp that never seem to run out. Turner’s online rant was ‘The Feeding of the 5,000.’ The exaggerated posts go viral. Now, everyone is demanding to know more about ‘the fisherman.’ Since she’s claimed status as a Bennett & Donald author, she has obligated herself to fulfill a book deal.
The law is searching for ‘the fisherman’. He doesn’t have a permit for selling the shrimp and they are trying to shut him down. With a bad cop in the mix, things turn disastrous for both Turner and ‘the fisherman.’
This novel started out on a very sad note; it is very descriptive over Charlotte’s plan to end her life. But with the suicide attempt thwarted, the women build a new bond after ten years of separation. I do have a couple of issues. One is that I’ve always had a problem with novels in which sex is performed just for sex’ sake with little thought to love or even ‘like.’ Second, Dory has family money – a lot of it. But, I wondered how Charlotte and Turner (not teachers) just happen to take the entire summer off without severe monetary problems. What I did like is that this was not a predictable read. There were a few times when I was surprised by a turn of events, or a new side revealed of a character. I rated The Vineyard at 3 out of 5.
Dory knows ‘the fisherman’ only in that he sells the biggest, best shrimp anyone has ever tasted. That is until the day he prophesied that she had breast cancer – something the tests missed. ‘The fisherman’ also caused her to be healed.
Turner Graham, a blogger, begins to post these miracles on her blog, making them more outlandish than they already are. Later when Dory’s mom plans a big party for 500, ‘the fisherman’ supplies shrimp that never seem to run out. Turner’s online rant was ‘The Feeding of the 5,000.’ The exaggerated posts go viral. Now, everyone is demanding to know more about ‘the fisherman.’ Since she’s claimed status as a Bennett & Donald author, she has obligated herself to fulfill a book deal.
The law is searching for ‘the fisherman’. He doesn’t have a permit for selling the shrimp and they are trying to shut him down. With a bad cop in the mix, things turn disastrous for both Turner and ‘the fisherman.’
This novel started out on a very sad note; it is very descriptive over Charlotte’s plan to end her life. But with the suicide attempt thwarted, the women build a new bond after ten years of separation. I do have a couple of issues. One is that I’ve always had a problem with novels in which sex is performed just for sex’ sake with little thought to love or even ‘like.’ Second, Dory has family money – a lot of it. But, I wondered how Charlotte and Turner (not teachers) just happen to take the entire summer off without severe monetary problems. What I did like is that this was not a predictable read. There were a few times when I was surprised by a turn of events, or a new side revealed of a character. I rated The Vineyard at 3 out of 5.
December 5, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
The Vineyard is a touching, reflective novel. Ten years after spending their college days together, three women reunite for a summer on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Dory struggles with the high expectations put on her by her family and the vast wealth of her family heritage, and rebels against it, wanting a life of her own – even though she doubts her family will ever allow it. Charlotte has just lost her daugther and plans to commit suicide, taking her daughter’s ashes into the ocean. She can’t cope with the sadness anymore. And then there’s Turner, who has no goals in life besides her blog, and is still trying to find out who she is and who she wants to be, a lost soul.
Charlotte goes out to commit suicide, and is saved by a mysterious figure known only as ‘the fisherman’. Turner wants nothing more than to reach celebrity status, but she doesn’t have more than a handful of followers on her blog, until she begins to blog about the fisherman, and his miracles, exaggerating them more than once. Dory too has an encounter with the mysterious ‘fisherman’, an encounter she won’t soon forget.
As all three women undergo a metamorphosis during their time on the island, and ever since their encounter with the fisherman, it leads them on a journey of absolution, of self-discovery, of finding something worth living for.
I enjoyed these parts of the book, the deep explorations of the human psyche, of the healing power of friendship. These parts stood out from the others. An other great part of the book was how developed the secondary characters were – they too were complex and interesting. The writing is excellent, and the author manages to craft some magnificent scenes, and makes it easy for the reader to picture the scenes.
The Vineyard is a touching, reflective novel. Ten years after spending their college days together, three women reunite for a summer on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Dory struggles with the high expectations put on her by her family and the vast wealth of her family heritage, and rebels against it, wanting a life of her own – even though she doubts her family will ever allow it. Charlotte has just lost her daugther and plans to commit suicide, taking her daughter’s ashes into the ocean. She can’t cope with the sadness anymore. And then there’s Turner, who has no goals in life besides her blog, and is still trying to find out who she is and who she wants to be, a lost soul.
Charlotte goes out to commit suicide, and is saved by a mysterious figure known only as ‘the fisherman’. Turner wants nothing more than to reach celebrity status, but she doesn’t have more than a handful of followers on her blog, until she begins to blog about the fisherman, and his miracles, exaggerating them more than once. Dory too has an encounter with the mysterious ‘fisherman’, an encounter she won’t soon forget.
As all three women undergo a metamorphosis during their time on the island, and ever since their encounter with the fisherman, it leads them on a journey of absolution, of self-discovery, of finding something worth living for.
I enjoyed these parts of the book, the deep explorations of the human psyche, of the healing power of friendship. These parts stood out from the others. An other great part of the book was how developed the secondary characters were – they too were complex and interesting. The writing is excellent, and the author manages to craft some magnificent scenes, and makes it easy for the reader to picture the scenes.
November 25, 2014
I think we can all agree that the worst feeling in the world is having your child die before you. It wouldn’t feel right to live. The Vineyard starts on exactly that note: Charlotte “Charlie” Harris is going to kill herself.
I’m pretty surprised by the tone of the book — there’s a tinge of dark humour. Like this scene where Charlie is having second thoughts about the sundress she’s wearing.
The Vineyard is stuffed full of distinctive characters, especially the fisherman. He’s a compelling character that commands attention.
I loved that these characters are flawed. Turner strikes me the most. After hearing Charlie’s failed suicide attempt, she blogs about it (which promptly went viral) without asking for permission; totally exploiting the situation. I wish I could say more, but it’s going to spoil the entire book. Let me just say that she’s an extremely conflicted character.
I really enjoyed The Vineyard. It’s positively lengthy and heartfelt. Michael Hurley has an extremely captivating writing style. In fact, I’m going to get a paperback copy to display on my bookshelf!
The Vineyard is for you if you:
- enjoy reading books about friendship put to the test
Favourite Quote:
I have failed even at failure.
More quotes and full review: Priscilla and her Books
-- I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I’m pretty surprised by the tone of the book — there’s a tinge of dark humour. Like this scene where Charlie is having second thoughts about the sundress she’s wearing.
The Vineyard is stuffed full of distinctive characters, especially the fisherman. He’s a compelling character that commands attention.
I loved that these characters are flawed. Turner strikes me the most. After hearing Charlie’s failed suicide attempt, she blogs about it (which promptly went viral) without asking for permission; totally exploiting the situation. I wish I could say more, but it’s going to spoil the entire book. Let me just say that she’s an extremely conflicted character.
I really enjoyed The Vineyard. It’s positively lengthy and heartfelt. Michael Hurley has an extremely captivating writing style. In fact, I’m going to get a paperback copy to display on my bookshelf!
The Vineyard is for you if you:
- enjoy reading books about friendship put to the test
Favourite Quote:
I have failed even at failure.
More quotes and full review: Priscilla and her Books
-- I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
October 22, 2014
[I received this book from GoodReads/ First Reads and the author. And I thank them in advance for their generosity. However, I was not compensated otherwise and my opinions are my own. Now you know, and knowing's half the battle ;) ]
I was priviledged to read Hurley's amazing book The Prodigal last year, and reviewed it on GoodReads at the time. It was a gracious book that has never quite let me go.
And now, this wonder of a book joins it. The Vinyard is a book outwardly about three lifetime friends and intrigue around longtime scions of wealthy families on Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod Massachusetts. It is also the story of a loner whose faith and understanding transcends and cuts through all the one upsmanship and pettiness these people are mired in and helps them to be true to themselves.
Eudora(Dory)Delano is the only child of the uber riche Delano family. She and her friends Charlotte(Charlie)Harris and Turner Graham are meeting up on The Vineyard for the summer in hopes a reunion will strengthen old ties and maybe forge others. Charlotte, Turner, and even Dory all have other things on their mind, but they pale in comparison to the the "soap opera" that unfolds around them and changes them completely as they mature in faith, in hope and in love that transforms everyone around them, especially those who may not feel they need it.
Please, please get this more than five star rating book and get ready to be testing everything after you have
I was priviledged to read Hurley's amazing book The Prodigal last year, and reviewed it on GoodReads at the time. It was a gracious book that has never quite let me go.
And now, this wonder of a book joins it. The Vinyard is a book outwardly about three lifetime friends and intrigue around longtime scions of wealthy families on Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod Massachusetts. It is also the story of a loner whose faith and understanding transcends and cuts through all the one upsmanship and pettiness these people are mired in and helps them to be true to themselves.
Eudora(Dory)Delano is the only child of the uber riche Delano family. She and her friends Charlotte(Charlie)Harris and Turner Graham are meeting up on The Vineyard for the summer in hopes a reunion will strengthen old ties and maybe forge others. Charlotte, Turner, and even Dory all have other things on their mind, but they pale in comparison to the the "soap opera" that unfolds around them and changes them completely as they mature in faith, in hope and in love that transforms everyone around them, especially those who may not feel they need it.
Please, please get this more than five star rating book and get ready to be testing everything after you have
December 2, 2014
“His name was Enoch, which didn’t much matter, because almost no one knew his name or referred to him as anything other than “the fisherman.”
This is a line from Michael Hurley’s The Vineyard which is so pivotal and foreboding. I am reminded of my rhetorical english class as an undergrad where much posturing and discussion was had over such a turn as this, and rightfully so. On that one sentence a lot of this novel turns. Enoch, the fisherman, the prophet, knows a lot about the lives of the 3 college roommates who come, together, to Martha’s Vineyard for this moment, this encounter that should be something, anything, to this time of individual turmoil in their lives.
Hurley comes from inside of each character’s life and pulls us in, captivating us with the complexities of Dory, whose family name is both a privilege and an albatross; Charlotte, grieving the death of her daughter, her marriage and her life; and Turner, without direction and with nothing to anchor her except the one creation that centers her.
Dory invited Charlotte and Turner, to spend the summer with her at her family home in Martha’s Vineyard, and their lives intertwine and unfold from their as the fisherman’s presence work to change not only them, but the whole town.
The Vineyard is story about the strong connection of strength and endurance of friendship, awakening of religiosity, hints of existentialism, and intricacies of faith. Plus much, much more.
This is a line from Michael Hurley’s The Vineyard which is so pivotal and foreboding. I am reminded of my rhetorical english class as an undergrad where much posturing and discussion was had over such a turn as this, and rightfully so. On that one sentence a lot of this novel turns. Enoch, the fisherman, the prophet, knows a lot about the lives of the 3 college roommates who come, together, to Martha’s Vineyard for this moment, this encounter that should be something, anything, to this time of individual turmoil in their lives.
Hurley comes from inside of each character’s life and pulls us in, captivating us with the complexities of Dory, whose family name is both a privilege and an albatross; Charlotte, grieving the death of her daughter, her marriage and her life; and Turner, without direction and with nothing to anchor her except the one creation that centers her.
Dory invited Charlotte and Turner, to spend the summer with her at her family home in Martha’s Vineyard, and their lives intertwine and unfold from their as the fisherman’s presence work to change not only them, but the whole town.
The Vineyard is story about the strong connection of strength and endurance of friendship, awakening of religiosity, hints of existentialism, and intricacies of faith. Plus much, much more.
December 18, 2014
The Vineyard grabbed my attention as soon as I started reading and the first part of the book is still my favorite part of the story. Three college friends, Charlotte, Dory and Turner reunite at Dory's place in The Vineyard ten years after seeing other. Each with their own personal soul searching story that interlinks making the story flow together, keeping you well and truly intrigued, grasping you to read on.
As I mentioned I was drawn to one particular character in the story, Charlotte, who's sadness and despair weighed far too heavy for her that she could no longer carry on. What happens next will have your undivided attention and gives you the understanding of the true face of suicide, the author I felt did an amazing job with this.
The story is a lot more than the girls reunion, we also have an elusive spiritual figure known by locals as 'The Fisherman', to the girls as 'Enoch', who seems to have miraculous gifts of kindness and healing. This innocent, beautiful soul wants peace and beauty in the world and for the people in it and he will help the girls in their time of need in ways they certainly would not expect. Yet not everyone sees The Fisherman in good light.
There is some sexual content in the story so I would recommend this for adults.
Certainly a reminder that if we slowed down in our lives we would find the real person we want to be. A story of faith, real friendship and mystery after mystery that keeps you reading on to find out more.
As I mentioned I was drawn to one particular character in the story, Charlotte, who's sadness and despair weighed far too heavy for her that she could no longer carry on. What happens next will have your undivided attention and gives you the understanding of the true face of suicide, the author I felt did an amazing job with this.
The story is a lot more than the girls reunion, we also have an elusive spiritual figure known by locals as 'The Fisherman', to the girls as 'Enoch', who seems to have miraculous gifts of kindness and healing. This innocent, beautiful soul wants peace and beauty in the world and for the people in it and he will help the girls in their time of need in ways they certainly would not expect. Yet not everyone sees The Fisherman in good light.
There is some sexual content in the story so I would recommend this for adults.
Certainly a reminder that if we slowed down in our lives we would find the real person we want to be. A story of faith, real friendship and mystery after mystery that keeps you reading on to find out more.
December 4, 2014
I am in love with this book. I was lucky enough to get to read and review his first book, The Prodigal. I loved it, too. Michael Hurley does a wonderful job of writing. His style is reminiscent of the classics. In fact, I'm sure his books will become classics. I totally understand why he has already won awards for his writing.
His writing is so vivid, so realistic. You will be transported to life on The Vineyard. Michael Hurley draws you in, and doesn't let you go until the end. Well, not really, because it will stay with you for a long time to come. This is a thinking book. It will have you thinking about so many things including your beliefs. The book is not about religion and does not represent any specific religion. Yes, there is a lot of symbolism that seems to be Christian related but is more about how to treat others.
I give this book 5 stars. It is a book that will stick with you for a long time. I can not say enough good things about this book or the author. I will be passing my copy on to my family, especially my kids, on the condition that I get it back. My children are 25, 22, and 18. You will want to read this first if you have younger children because there are some adult situations that are not appropriate for all readers.
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
His writing is so vivid, so realistic. You will be transported to life on The Vineyard. Michael Hurley draws you in, and doesn't let you go until the end. Well, not really, because it will stay with you for a long time to come. This is a thinking book. It will have you thinking about so many things including your beliefs. The book is not about religion and does not represent any specific religion. Yes, there is a lot of symbolism that seems to be Christian related but is more about how to treat others.
I give this book 5 stars. It is a book that will stick with you for a long time. I can not say enough good things about this book or the author. I will be passing my copy on to my family, especially my kids, on the condition that I get it back. My children are 25, 22, and 18. You will want to read this first if you have younger children because there are some adult situations that are not appropriate for all readers.
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
November 26, 2014
This is a novel about three women in their thirty's who have been very close since their college days. Dory comes from money and lives in Martha's Vineyard. She is the epitome of the spoiled rich girl who is in all the right social circles and knows all the right people, and doesn't really know what she wants from life. She invites her two closest friends to spend the summer with her. Charlotte, the first of the friends to arrive has decided to commit suicide. Her child has died and the Church will not bury her because she had not been baptized yet. Her husband divorced her. Turner, an angry woman, poor as a church mouse is the third.
A man known only as the fisherman will turn all their lives as well as the towns around--
This novel was confusing to me in parts trying to figure out where I was exactly in the story. Human fragility abounds throughout. The ending is sad and uplifting all at the same time. It is well worth the read.The Vineyard
A man known only as the fisherman will turn all their lives as well as the towns around--
This novel was confusing to me in parts trying to figure out where I was exactly in the story. Human fragility abounds throughout. The ending is sad and uplifting all at the same time. It is well worth the read.The Vineyard
October 29, 2014
Ten years post college graduation, three friends gather for a reunion at Martha's Vineyard. Each woman has led a different lifestyle than the others, bringing with them their own stories and expectations.
The presence of an elusive poacher known only as "the fisherman" that sells the largest shrimp on the island has become a very important part of the lives of these women and will affect each one profoundly. They will each begin to doubt all they ever believed about life, themselves, and their faith, or lack of.
The Vineyard is a very thought provoking story that makes you wonder if we at times had just let go, pushed our egos aside and practiced acceptance, just how differently our lives might have been.
I really enjoyed The Vineyard. The story began strong and remained so to the end. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great story with a little different angle! I received The Vineyard for free through Good Reads First Reads.
The presence of an elusive poacher known only as "the fisherman" that sells the largest shrimp on the island has become a very important part of the lives of these women and will affect each one profoundly. They will each begin to doubt all they ever believed about life, themselves, and their faith, or lack of.
The Vineyard is a very thought provoking story that makes you wonder if we at times had just let go, pushed our egos aside and practiced acceptance, just how differently our lives might have been.
I really enjoyed The Vineyard. The story began strong and remained so to the end. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great story with a little different angle! I received The Vineyard for free through Good Reads First Reads.
November 25, 2014
Three different women come together at the Vineyard. Friends in college rejoining old times is what you might expect... but this is so far from what happens. Spirited Dory (still unmarried) plans a laid back summer. Charlotte is still reeling after the death of her child. Doubting her faith because her child was not baptized, therefore could not have a catholic burial. Determined to join and care for her child, she plans to use this trip to let the sea take her from this world. Then there is Turner, one with a secret that may tear at the fabric of her friendship with Dory. Another character, called the fisherman, is more than a man selling huge shrimp out of his truck. Seems like miracles happen around him. I can't begin to tell you all the interesting things that go on surrounding these three women. Colorful (and not so nice) characters are cleverly woven into the story, which will draw you in as well.
December 9, 2014
I felt bad because I didn’t immediately like the book.
I have read others’ reviews and seen all the positive talk about it, but I just wasn’t seeing it. I couldn’t find the good. I didn’t care for it. I felt it was slow.
And then, about a quarter of the way, maybe a third of the way; my opinion slowly started to change.
The book continued to feel slow, but I was so intrigued that I didn’t want to put the book down. (I fell asleep reading the book a couple nights!)
It had the intriguing, mystifying element to it that I really liked.
It isn’t your typically every day read, and I do feel that I must point out – this is definitely a trigger book for those that may have experience with suicide.
If you like mystifying with a bit of spirituality, I think this will be a book you will enjoy.
I have read others’ reviews and seen all the positive talk about it, but I just wasn’t seeing it. I couldn’t find the good. I didn’t care for it. I felt it was slow.
And then, about a quarter of the way, maybe a third of the way; my opinion slowly started to change.
The book continued to feel slow, but I was so intrigued that I didn’t want to put the book down. (I fell asleep reading the book a couple nights!)
It had the intriguing, mystifying element to it that I really liked.
It isn’t your typically every day read, and I do feel that I must point out – this is definitely a trigger book for those that may have experience with suicide.
If you like mystifying with a bit of spirituality, I think this will be a book you will enjoy.
February 21, 2015
So far, the best book I have read this year. The Vineyard could also be called The Book of Enoch. Enoch is a very unique, mystical shrimp/fisherman, who while not a main character, is the subject of much speculation in Edgartown and the focus of three friends, Charlotte, Dora and Turner. Without spoiling this new classic, the simplicity of goodness really spoke to me; and the plotting/scheming/conniving of evil was driven home.
I was caught by surprise with a number of biblical parallels; this was done in such a remarkable modern way that even if one weren't religious still makes this a really unique story.
Can't go wrong with giving this book a read.
I was caught by surprise with a number of biblical parallels; this was done in such a remarkable modern way that even if one weren't religious still makes this a really unique story.
Can't go wrong with giving this book a read.
October 21, 2014
As I dragged myself through this book, the story line was unusual with promise, I continually looked at the author's picture. The women in this story are described as an adolescent's dream and the continual nasty sex scenes are sophomoric at best. The characterization is weak, without any characters that I cared how things ended. All of the men are sexual deviant and/or predators and basically felons. So I come to the star system, do I give it 2 stars for having an unusual and interesting story idea or just one star for squandering the plot in so much word diarrhea. In the end, I chose 2 stars as I love a free book, thank you goodreads.
December 1, 2014
I love to read, mainly because of all the wonderful places you can travel to through books. But there’s something about reading a book that takes place in a place you know. This book was a great read not just because it takes place on an island that I love to visit. The way the author describes the characters that is so magical that I felt like I knew them. It’s a story about friendship that goes beyond the years. I read this book in 2 days (interruptions because of the boys) because I just couldn't put it down. It’s as if this book grabbed me, and wouldn't let go. You must read this captivating and intriguing book to experience the spirit of it.
I highly recommend…The Vineyard.
I highly recommend…The Vineyard.
December 8, 2014
Michael Hurley did a wonderful job with this book! Reading The Vineyard has made me want to read his first book, The Prodigal! After reading this one, I can understand why he has won awards for his writing & books! His writing is so vivid and realistic. This is not a book that I would pass down for Michael to read because there are some adult situations that he just doesn’t need to be introduced to just yet (He is only 8.) However, I will be loaning this book to my mom, who I believe I got my love of reading from! The book is a good read with a great story line that will make you root for the ladies in the book! Like Mysteries? Check this book out!!
December 11, 2014
I have to admit that this is one of the best books I've read in 2014. I highly recommend that you read this book to find out how Enoch was able to affect the lives of Charlotte, Turner and Dory.
In this book by Michael Hurley, he showed everyone the value of having great friendships and knowing how to deal with circumstances in our lives. He presented several personal challenges that will make readers think. I love how he was able to come up with the characters in The Vineyard. Every character is truly interesting. It seems like every reader would be able to relate to this amazing book. It's perfectly written and an absolute must-read.
In this book by Michael Hurley, he showed everyone the value of having great friendships and knowing how to deal with circumstances in our lives. He presented several personal challenges that will make readers think. I love how he was able to come up with the characters in The Vineyard. Every character is truly interesting. It seems like every reader would be able to relate to this amazing book. It's perfectly written and an absolute must-read.
November 15, 2014
I won this book in a giveaway at goodreads.com...thank you!
This book grabs you and doesn't let go! From the back cover: "Ten years after their college days together, three wounded and very different women reunite for a summer on the island of Martha's Vineyard." You must read this compelling and engrossing novel to experience the essence of the novel. I read it whenever I could, staying up into the wee hours. Mr. Hurley has written three other books that I will be reading, The Prodigal, Once Upon a Gypsy Moon, and Letters from the Woods. Thank you Mr. Hurley!
This book grabs you and doesn't let go! From the back cover: "Ten years after their college days together, three wounded and very different women reunite for a summer on the island of Martha's Vineyard." You must read this compelling and engrossing novel to experience the essence of the novel. I read it whenever I could, staying up into the wee hours. Mr. Hurley has written three other books that I will be reading, The Prodigal, Once Upon a Gypsy Moon, and Letters from the Woods. Thank you Mr. Hurley!
February 20, 2015
I liked this book a lot more than I expected I would. The first few pages had me worried that maybe this would be a Christian inspirational novel, a genre I do not read willingly, but thnakfully this turned out to be a much more complex book. Some Christians will of course read this book as just a straight inspirational novel, but to me it seemed a bit similar to Heinlein's Stangers in a Strange Land, with an interesting spin on Christian mythology that is actually enjoyable for atheist readers.
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