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Newport, Rhode Island #2
Un albastru infinit
Cu ani în urmă, Lyra Davis lăsa în urmă o lume de bogăție și privilegii, precum și pe cei pe care îi iubea cel mai mult în lume, incapabilă să împace așteptările familiei sale cu năzuințele propriei inimi sălbatice. Acum duce o existență liniștită pe insula Capri, învățând să e bucure cu adevărat de viață, alături de bărbatul pe care îl consideră sufletul pereche.
Fiica ei, Pell, acum în vârstă de 16 ani, și sora ei mai mică, Lucy, încă îi duc dorul mamei care le-a părăsit când erau copii. Pell crede că știe motivele pentru care Lyra le-a abandonat, și, după moartea tatălui lor, va traversa lumea ca să o găsească pe mama pe care și-o amintește și să afle adevărurile adânc ascunse, pe care Lyra nu a putut să le dezvăluie până acum.
Un albastru infinit este o poveste despre dragoste, familie și prietenie în viețile a două femei care se reîntâlnesc în locul unde încep visele – și unde se pot împlini în cele din urmă.
Fiica ei, Pell, acum în vârstă de 16 ani, și sora ei mai mică, Lucy, încă îi duc dorul mamei care le-a părăsit când erau copii. Pell crede că știe motivele pentru care Lyra le-a abandonat, și, după moartea tatălui lor, va traversa lumea ca să o găsească pe mama pe care și-o amintește și să afle adevărurile adânc ascunse, pe care Lyra nu a putut să le dezvăluie până acum.
Un albastru infinit este o poveste despre dragoste, familie și prietenie în viețile a două femei care se reîntâlnesc în locul unde încep visele – și unde se pot împlini în cele din urmă.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
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About the author
Luanne Rice
107 books3,138 followersLuanne Rice is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-eight novels, translated into thirty languages. Rice often writes about love, family, nature, and the sea. Most recently she has written thrillers, including one based on a murder that affected her family. She received the 2014 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement in the Literary Arts category.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
August 8, 2016
A soap opera of the worst kind in book format. Every character is suffering terrible tragedies, dead bodies pile in their past, deceptions are exposed, emotions are exploding, and everyone is filthy rich.
I didn’t like this novel. It’s written very well – this author is a master of beautiful prose – but one of the protagonists, Lyra, vexed me so much, I had trouble finishing the book. It might be personal, but let me explain.
Lyra is an heiress from America. She got married to a nice guy, had two wonderful children, and suffered horribly from depression. When her oldest daughter Pell was six, Lyra left her family, left America, and settled on the Isle of Capri to find herself. Ten years later, Pell comes to Capri to get her mother back. Then they do the mutual understanding and forgiveness routine with Capri in the background: the sea, the sun, the dolphins. That’s the plot.
What got my hackles up was the fact that they are all so wealthy. They don’t know what real problems are. Money, especially big money they have, cushion their every difficulty. So Lyra had depression. Too bad. I know about depression. I had it too. Still do, although I’m managing it better now. But unlike Lyra, I don’t have money to spare. Never had. I’m lower middle class, and most people of middle class are in the same boat. Depression or not, suicidal thoughts or not, we just muddle through, one step at a time. We don’t have the luxury of abandoning our kids and haring off on a self-exploration quest. On a gorgeous Italian island. So I don’t have much sympathy for the millionaire woman who left her two kindergarten-age kids to go live on Capri and search for herself.
I didn’t like this novel. It’s written very well – this author is a master of beautiful prose – but one of the protagonists, Lyra, vexed me so much, I had trouble finishing the book. It might be personal, but let me explain.
Lyra is an heiress from America. She got married to a nice guy, had two wonderful children, and suffered horribly from depression. When her oldest daughter Pell was six, Lyra left her family, left America, and settled on the Isle of Capri to find herself. Ten years later, Pell comes to Capri to get her mother back. Then they do the mutual understanding and forgiveness routine with Capri in the background: the sea, the sun, the dolphins. That’s the plot.
What got my hackles up was the fact that they are all so wealthy. They don’t know what real problems are. Money, especially big money they have, cushion their every difficulty. So Lyra had depression. Too bad. I know about depression. I had it too. Still do, although I’m managing it better now. But unlike Lyra, I don’t have money to spare. Never had. I’m lower middle class, and most people of middle class are in the same boat. Depression or not, suicidal thoughts or not, we just muddle through, one step at a time. We don’t have the luxury of abandoning our kids and haring off on a self-exploration quest. On a gorgeous Italian island. So I don’t have much sympathy for the millionaire woman who left her two kindergarten-age kids to go live on Capri and search for herself.
November 7, 2009
I once upon a time read Luanne Rice. And then stopped reading her books because it seemed the characters were starting to overlap themselves in my mind. And even though it’s been years since I read Rice, it seemed like just yesterday, and the characters were once again typical of her novels. This book is all about the relationships between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and the choices they made in life. As a mother of a wonderful daughter I found myself often angry with Lyra and the selfish choices she made. I could relate to her feelings prior to abandoning her children, but couldn’t reconcile her actions. There are some things you just don’t do. One of those things is have children and then stop fighting for the right and ability to parent them. And then I found myself angry with the author for giving sixteen and fourteen year old girls wisdom far beyond their years. Seriously, there are not many girls that age who can think in the pattern that Rice seems to think they do and be able to express those thoughts in just such as way as Rice writes. I doubt I’ll be reading Rice in the future.
June 14, 2012
Ora aqui está um livro que me surpreendeu pela positiva. Comprei este livro na Feira do Livro de Lisboa este ano porque estava em promoção e porque nunca tinha lido nada desta escritora. E gostei, gostei bastante da história, da escrita, da forma como a autora abordava os assuntos. Nada de muito complexo, um romance simples e encantador para se ler nas férias que se aproximam. As descrições da zona de Capri são deliciosas e fiquei com uma vontade enorme de atirar com o livro para o ar e ir a correr apanhar um avião e depois um barco para chegar a esta ilha paradisíaca.... :) Houvesse dinheiro para tal!!!! Fiquei fã da escritora e com vontade de ler mais livros da sua autoria (vou já pô-los aqui no GR "a ler")
December 4, 2009
The most angst-ridden, dramatic people in the world gather together in Italy. I like a few of Rice's books, but this one just kept getting more and more silly. How many tragedies can possibly occur between so few people? Guess we'll find out. And if there aren't enough tragic deaths at young ages (was EVERYONE'S father dead in this book?) then we'll put in terrible choices and misunderstandings, etc etc. I just wanted a little comic relief, or a laugh, or a smile!
July 11, 2012
3 1/2 stars! I loved the characters and the backdrop of this book, the story line had a ways to go with me though. I felt the Climax came to early and Luanne Rice was grasping at straws to find the right ending...it just did not happen. I would have also liked a true Epilogue instead of one that really should have just been the last chapter.
November 29, 2013
- This review may contains sopilers - read at your own risk.
Well , well ,well.I have so many things to say about this book, it pissed me off in so many ways!It took me a while until I managed to finish this story, the first part was just too depressing for me, I mean I went "WTF" a lot of times because the emotions and memories were so strong. I just have to get all of this out of my chest.
I had problems in understanding Lyra's tantrums and what made her fall into that big depression.I mean, come on!Complaining that your mom programed your live and you get tired of this and you start to make decissions by yourself and you marry your true love (and not the man that mom picked for you) you have a blessed family and two wonderful girls but you decide to abandon everything because all of a sudden you get so depressed that you were this close to kill yourself and one of your daughters!What would you call that?I really fail to see Lyra's true problem.Its like "You know what!I love you guys so damn much but I must leave you!Bye!"
I don't think that Lyra really loved Taylor I think she married him just so she can throw it into her mother's face , to prove that things won't be as she wanted to be for her.Her mom was a rich personality and she wanted Lyra to be the same , yet Lyra opt for a normal life next to the man that she claims to love.I don't see it like that.I believe that her depression was caused by the normal life because in the end she moves on Capri , a place like a paradise surrounded by rich and well known artists, and she never looks back ,she did not care about her two daughters, she never tried to contact them nor did she cared that her kids were struggling in misery.All alone.And I really felt pitty for her when she told Pell that their father was the one who made her go away while in reality he kept on insisting for her to come back to the family.Wrong.She wanted to leave and she was dreaming of Capri every since she created the map of Dorstat.
On the other hand I love intensive books, I love when you are able to connect with the characters and their deepest emotions and feelings.I loved that this book was written from the point of view of each characters.It is just like reading the past of the characters through their memories.Each one of the characters had a dark past and a serious problem and they all ended up on Capri.Makes me think of people who suffer an entire life on earth then they die and they go to Paradise and live happily everafter.
February 19, 2017
This is my second read of Luanne Rice's. This novel was miles above the other that I read (True Blue) but still seemed to lack substance for me. The characters seemed rather unbelievable- Lyra was too selfish, Pell was too mature, Lucy was too smart, Travis was too loyal, Rafe was too broken. All the characters seemed to be superlatives. I have never had depression, so I can't pretend to understand what having it is like- but I do have children- and I can't imagine ever abandoning them for any reason at all. I can understand Lyra needing some time to herself, to get away, to heal- but 10 years? I can't reconcile with that as a mother- especially after learning that their father had died. The backdrop was certainly beautiful, and I believe it saved this story from itself. Rice writes well, but I believe her characters need work. Just as in the novel I previously read of hers, the description of the place was spot on and became its own character in the story. It was an OK read, but I'm not taking much away from it- other than I might want to visit Capri some day.
February 21, 2019
Just finished this and call me sappy (I don't care!), but the ending had me crying.
I LOVED this book!! Luanne Rice, in my opinion, is one of the best writers when it comes to weaving a story about family relationships.
I couldn't put this book down. I literally thought about it all the time--upon waking in the mornings, and when I went to bed at night, I would lay there and wonder if the damage between mother and daughters were just too much to repair.
I read the 1st book (
) back in 2014. I did have to go back and skim the later part of that book due to some of the characters appearing in this one. I do recommend reading them in order or you'll ruin certain surprises. If that doesn't matter to you, then by all means, read this one!
Pell (now 16) and her sister Lucy (now 14) had their world ripped apart 10 years ago when their mother (Lyra) left them for good. As young as they were, they knew their mom wasn't well and had to spend time in the hospital. They just didn't expect her to leave after being home a week, to go live in Capri and never return to them.
I loved all the characters!! I seemed to identify with Pell the most. Although my mother never left me, I just didn't have the emotional support from her growing up. Like Pell's mom (Lyra), I knew my mother loved me in her own way, just not the way I needed it the most. This was definitely an emotional read for me.
Highly recommend to readers ages 16 and up.
I LOVED this book!! Luanne Rice, in my opinion, is one of the best writers when it comes to weaving a story about family relationships.
I couldn't put this book down. I literally thought about it all the time--upon waking in the mornings, and when I went to bed at night, I would lay there and wonder if the damage between mother and daughters were just too much to repair.
I read the 1st book (
) back in 2014. I did have to go back and skim the later part of that book due to some of the characters appearing in this one. I do recommend reading them in order or you'll ruin certain surprises. If that doesn't matter to you, then by all means, read this one!Pell (now 16) and her sister Lucy (now 14) had their world ripped apart 10 years ago when their mother (Lyra) left them for good. As young as they were, they knew their mom wasn't well and had to spend time in the hospital. They just didn't expect her to leave after being home a week, to go live in Capri and never return to them.
I loved all the characters!! I seemed to identify with Pell the most. Although my mother never left me, I just didn't have the emotional support from her growing up. Like Pell's mom (Lyra), I knew my mother loved me in her own way, just not the way I needed it the most. This was definitely an emotional read for me.
Highly recommend to readers ages 16 and up.
November 27, 2021
DNF - I got a little way in and couldn't go on. My problem with her books is that many of the characters are the same to me. I used to really like her books, but the ones I have read lately - I can't take them. The characters are so selfish like the mother, Lyra, in this one. No thanks. Too many good books to concentrate on.
June 12, 2019
While I enjoy a good, heartwarming story, this one was a little too depressing for my tastes. I didn't care for any of the characters so the ending didn't matter. Other readers may like this, but it just wasn't for me.
January 24, 2020
Just too depressing for me. I stopped halfway through. Just could not continue. None of the characters appealed to me and none of them seemed likable. So i just DNF this book.
September 12, 2024
I don't think it's genre I don't like I just don't like thus author
September 9, 2024
Liked the storyline concept, the scenery was beautiful, the characters were well developed, but this dragged in many parts for me.
May 27, 2014
What this novel lacks in an attention grabbing storyline, it makes up for in its' beautiful descriptions of the landscape and people of Capri. Luanne Rice writes well...she definitely makes me consider pulling a Lyra and escaping from all responsibilities to a beautiful island where I could garden my life away. But it just wasn't realistic. Lyra is essentially a loving mother and I just don't believe she would leave her daughters the way she did. Mental illness is no excuse...Pell's relationship with Rafe left much to be desired. I waited and waited for their inherent climax and was left with nothing. And lucky Pell...Travis forgave her. Although at the end a happy ending was achieved, I was only left wanting more. I wanted to know more about Max and Lyra's growing love, I wanted to know if the girls moved to Capri, did Lucy stop sleepwalking?, did Pell and Travis get married?, what about Rafe and Monica??? I hate it, but I love it....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2013
Confesso que ao princípio não lhe estava a achar muita piada. Achava-o chato. Mas há medida que a história se vai desenvolvendo, comecei a querer descobrir o que ia acontecer e a ler mais rapidamente.
A história de Pell e Lucy é muito triste e, quando comecei a ler, não percebi muito bem o lado da mãe, que abandonou as filhas. E quando aparece Rafe dei por mim a desejar tanto que Pell não ficasse com ele que quase fui ver mais à frente se eles ficavam juntos ou não. Não sei bem porquê, mas gostava de Travis e achava-os fofinhos juntos. Infelizmente, depois de começar a ler o livro, percebi que este é o segundo volume de uma sérié e e que a primeira é sobre a família de Travis e fiquei com enorme vontade de lê-lo. Mas nem sei se foi editado em Portugal...
Não é o primeiro livro que leio desta autora, mas até agora foi o que gostei mais :)
A história de Pell e Lucy é muito triste e, quando comecei a ler, não percebi muito bem o lado da mãe, que abandonou as filhas. E quando aparece Rafe dei por mim a desejar tanto que Pell não ficasse com ele que quase fui ver mais à frente se eles ficavam juntos ou não. Não sei bem porquê, mas gostava de Travis e achava-os fofinhos juntos. Infelizmente, depois de começar a ler o livro, percebi que este é o segundo volume de uma sérié e e que a primeira é sobre a família de Travis e fiquei com enorme vontade de lê-lo. Mas nem sei se foi editado em Portugal...
Não é o primeiro livro que leio desta autora, mas até agora foi o que gostei mais :)
October 7, 2018
Soooo, I finally finished The Deep Blue Sea for Beginners by Luanne Rice. I looked forward to reading it since it was the second book in the Newport, Rhode Island series and I wanted to follow Lucy's story. I enjoyed Lucy's journey but had a hard time connecting with Lyra, her mother. I understand the sufferings of mental health, but I can't grasp the reasons behind a parent deserting children. Anyway, I did enjoy the closure of the series. Now on to another author!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
November 5, 2012
Esta foi a minha estreia com a autora, e foi com um pé atrás que iniciei esta leitura, devido a críticas mistas.
A história é simples. Lyra Davis, abandonou as suas filhas há 10 anos atrás, indo viver para a ilha de Capri. As suas filhas ficam a viver com o pai, mas depois deste falecer a filha mais velha, Pell, decide ir ter com a sua mãe na esperança de voltarem a conviver como uma família.
As personagens são bastante palpáveis e bem construídas e as descrições da ilha de Capri são maravilhosas e mágicas.
Esta obra é uma leitura leve e agradável para saborear nestes últimos dias de Verão.
Gostei.
A história é simples. Lyra Davis, abandonou as suas filhas há 10 anos atrás, indo viver para a ilha de Capri. As suas filhas ficam a viver com o pai, mas depois deste falecer a filha mais velha, Pell, decide ir ter com a sua mãe na esperança de voltarem a conviver como uma família.
As personagens são bastante palpáveis e bem construídas e as descrições da ilha de Capri são maravilhosas e mágicas.
Esta obra é uma leitura leve e agradável para saborear nestes últimos dias de Verão.
Gostei.
October 27, 2009
Really like Luanne Rice's books. Loved that she continues "Geometry of Sisters" with the other two sisters, Lucy & Pell. Story set on the island of Capri where mother and daughters reunite after 10 years. Read to find out what happens
August 30, 2016
Um romance de leitura muito agradável, ideal para ler no verão, já que nos transporta para a maravilhosa ilha de Capri e nos faz sonhar com aquelas paisagens deslumbrantes.
Gostei muito do enredo, dos personagens e mais uma vez, aprecio a simplicidade da escrita de Luanne Rice.
Gostei muito do enredo, dos personagens e mais uma vez, aprecio a simplicidade da escrita de Luanne Rice.
August 19, 2012
Opinião: http://quandoseabreumlivro.blogspot.p...
Livro pertencente ao Clube BlogRing do My Imaginarium. Obrigada à Maria pelo empréstimo!
Livro pertencente ao Clube BlogRing do My Imaginarium. Obrigada à Maria pelo empréstimo!
March 22, 2018
Beautifully written but not my favorite by her. I felt as if I had come in 30 minutes late to a made for TV movie and then had the last 30 minutes cut off abruptly.
April 12, 2022
În acesta carte este vorba despre drama unei familii, adevărată fata a depresiei și unde poate duce ea, dragoste și prietenie...
Lyra Davis, ceva ani în urma,își părăsise familia:cele doua fiice: Pell de 6 ani, Lucy de 4 ani și soțul ei,refugindu-se pe insula Capri, unde sa încerce sa se regăsesca pe ea însuși, sa se vindece și să-și găsească calea, cu gândul ca într-o zi, va fii pregătită să se întoarcă casa la familia ei.
După 10 ani fiica ei Pell, acum în vârstă de 16 ani, încă sufera după plecare mamei sale, și pleacă în căutare ei, sperând sa o facă sa se întoarcă acasă. În tot acest timp,pierderea tatălui lor, care muri,și lăsându-le a nimănui,a făcut ca aceasta durere sa se adâncească și mai mult, mai ales surioare ei mai mici,suferind de somnambulism.
Ajunsa pe insula Capri, Pell descoperi o mama diversa, și nu ceea ce ii povestise bunica ei, ca ar fii una care fuge după bărbați, înconjurată numai de oamneii cu bani, locuind într-o vila etc.
Și defapt, o mama simpla, care muncea ca și grădinărita, cu o casa modesta și o viata simpla...
Dar pe Pell, o macină trecutul:de ce oare mama lor le-a părăsit și de ce aceasta evita mereu subiectul, când ea o întreba?
Pe insula îl întâlnește pe Max,un văduv, prietenul cel mai bun al mamei sale,care o iubea în secret, și care ar face orice pentru ea.
Si pe Rafe, nepotul lui Max, un tânăr cu un trecut urat,simțindu-se atrasa de el de când îl vede de prima data.
Numai ca Pell, are un iubit, care la lăsat la câțiva kilometri distanta, pentru a veni sa se întâlnească cu mama sa... Atunci de ce aceasta se simte atrasa de acest băiat?
Va reuși Pell sa o convingă pe mama sa să se întoarcă?
Și ce secret șocant ascunde Lyra?
Asta veti descoperi numai citind cartea
Lyra Davis, ceva ani în urma,își părăsise familia:cele doua fiice: Pell de 6 ani, Lucy de 4 ani și soțul ei,refugindu-se pe insula Capri, unde sa încerce sa se regăsesca pe ea însuși, sa se vindece și să-și găsească calea, cu gândul ca într-o zi, va fii pregătită să se întoarcă casa la familia ei.
După 10 ani fiica ei Pell, acum în vârstă de 16 ani, încă sufera după plecare mamei sale, și pleacă în căutare ei, sperând sa o facă sa se întoarcă acasă. În tot acest timp,pierderea tatălui lor, care muri,și lăsându-le a nimănui,a făcut ca aceasta durere sa se adâncească și mai mult, mai ales surioare ei mai mici,suferind de somnambulism.
Ajunsa pe insula Capri, Pell descoperi o mama diversa, și nu ceea ce ii povestise bunica ei, ca ar fii una care fuge după bărbați, înconjurată numai de oamneii cu bani, locuind într-o vila etc.
Și defapt, o mama simpla, care muncea ca și grădinărita, cu o casa modesta și o viata simpla...
Dar pe Pell, o macină trecutul:de ce oare mama lor le-a părăsit și de ce aceasta evita mereu subiectul, când ea o întreba?
Pe insula îl întâlnește pe Max,un văduv, prietenul cel mai bun al mamei sale,care o iubea în secret, și care ar face orice pentru ea.
Si pe Rafe, nepotul lui Max, un tânăr cu un trecut urat,simțindu-se atrasa de el de când îl vede de prima data.
Numai ca Pell, are un iubit, care la lăsat la câțiva kilometri distanta, pentru a veni sa se întâlnească cu mama sa... Atunci de ce aceasta se simte atrasa de acest băiat?
Va reuși Pell sa o convingă pe mama sa să se întoarcă?
Și ce secret șocant ascunde Lyra?
Asta veti descoperi numai citind cartea
June 29, 2021
This was the second book I've read by Luanne Rice - I liked the first one (Last Kiss) a lot better. There is a saying that writers should write what they know. These characters have so much tragedy in their lives - it makes me wonder just how much tragedy one author has to draw on. Some of the grief responses in children seemed exaggerated. I have experience with childhood grief and, while everyone's experience and reaction differs, the repeated accounts of one young child scratching her face and her older sister pulling her hair out was unbelievable.
I was drawn to this book because it is about a mother who felt her children would be better off without her. There was a great passage on pg. 120 that really summed it up for me: How could she explain how this made her feel? She felt she'd abdicated the right to be needed by her kids. There was a sacredness about being a mother. Everyone expected devotion and sacrifice. A woman leaving her family shocked people more than if she committed murder for them. If she became a prostitute to take care of the, it would be more acceptable.
Of course, it's a happy ending. But along the way I got the plot lines confused more than once. If you really want to read something by this author, I suggest "Last Kiss".
Also worth noting, the story is set largely on the isle of Capri and I have never read a book that made me want to visit the locale more than this one has. (Not even Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series made me want to visit Scotland.)
I was drawn to this book because it is about a mother who felt her children would be better off without her. There was a great passage on pg. 120 that really summed it up for me: How could she explain how this made her feel? She felt she'd abdicated the right to be needed by her kids. There was a sacredness about being a mother. Everyone expected devotion and sacrifice. A woman leaving her family shocked people more than if she committed murder for them. If she became a prostitute to take care of the, it would be more acceptable.
Of course, it's a happy ending. But along the way I got the plot lines confused more than once. If you really want to read something by this author, I suggest "Last Kiss".
Also worth noting, the story is set largely on the isle of Capri and I have never read a book that made me want to visit the locale more than this one has. (Not even Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series made me want to visit Scotland.)
August 22, 2021
Sixteen year old Pell has come to the lovely island of Capri to find out why her mother left her and her sister so many years before. Why did she never return? What could possibly have caused the rift? Like all children in similar situations, Pell blames herself, unfairly of course, as she was six when her mother disappears.
It was a lovely story built around the effects of depression on families and individuals, showcasing events that happen and almost happen in various stages of the illness and recovery.
What it didn't show was the blanketing of the damage done to the mother, Lyra, due to the extreme wealth that surrounded her. I have heard of other well to do women who just exist in a mold of alcoholism, drug use and avoidance, but somehow they can't come out of it. Perhaps because they don't really have to?
Still, although there was much more that could have been added to pull the families together, and some that really didn't need to be included, this was a well written book that brought me to tears.
It was a lovely story built around the effects of depression on families and individuals, showcasing events that happen and almost happen in various stages of the illness and recovery.
What it didn't show was the blanketing of the damage done to the mother, Lyra, due to the extreme wealth that surrounded her. I have heard of other well to do women who just exist in a mold of alcoholism, drug use and avoidance, but somehow they can't come out of it. Perhaps because they don't really have to?
Still, although there was much more that could have been added to pull the families together, and some that really didn't need to be included, this was a well written book that brought me to tears.
August 24, 2019
This is the 2nd book in the series and focuses on Pell and Lucy family. We were introduced to them in the first book. This is a story about a mom who significant depression left her nearly killing herself and her oldest daughter. After a stint in a hospital, it is decided that she should go away and 'find' herself. Her children are left without a mother and when their dad dies and the youngest of the siblings becomes herself depressed the oldest goes to get her mother to return and parent them. I was disappointed in the epilogue as it seemed more like an ending chapter rather than telling us what happens to the mother and daughters ( perhaps the next novel ?). I also was disappointed that the dad was painted in a negative light. The mother nearly killed her child! The father had a nanny for the children and appeared to be doing everything to support his wife and he was afraid that she might again take that drastic action.
February 3, 2022
I only just now discovered that this was a sequel to another book. I didn't feel like I was missing any information, so I wouldn't say that this shouldn't be read on its own.
Enjoyable book with characters who are mature beyond reason, which is slightly annoying, though possibly explained by their years of therapy. Or perhaps I was an immature teenager and therefore cannot relate. I like books that show how everyone has issues and shows these through their own perceptions, and this is certainly accomplished. I also like a happy ending, though Rice comes dangerously close to an ending that is too perfect as they (spoiler alert) ride off in the sunset holding hands on a beautiful Italian island where everyone speaks English and where it's easy to apparently own beautiful seaside property with an amazing, yet dangerous overlook. But I guess they deserve; everyone has had a ridiculously hard life.
Enjoyable book with characters who are mature beyond reason, which is slightly annoying, though possibly explained by their years of therapy. Or perhaps I was an immature teenager and therefore cannot relate. I like books that show how everyone has issues and shows these through their own perceptions, and this is certainly accomplished. I also like a happy ending, though Rice comes dangerously close to an ending that is too perfect as they (spoiler alert) ride off in the sunset holding hands on a beautiful Italian island where everyone speaks English and where it's easy to apparently own beautiful seaside property with an amazing, yet dangerous overlook. But I guess they deserve; everyone has had a ridiculously hard life.
March 1, 2025
This book was a pleasant surprise.
I am not very familiar with Luanne's writing, having read only on other book by her (10+ years ago).
As I started reading the book I knew I wasn't going to like the main character very much. After reading her story I can understand her feelings and therefore her choices, but I just couldn't sympathize with her. Although leaving her kids was not her idea, I feel like she could definitely had gone back when she knew her ex was sick or when he had passed. Instead her daughter had to be the one to come and "try to bring the family together."
I cant say that I fell in love with any of the characters but Pell and Rafe were the most likeable for me. Realistically speaking I thought Pell was very wise and mature for her age, but not in a unbelievable way. She always knew the right thing to say.
Overall I enjoyed the development of the characters, how they grew closer to each other as well as within the story. This isn't a book where I personally liked the story line or most of the characters for that matter, instead I enjoyed the growth of each character and how they allowed their pain to open new pathways to move forward.
I am not very familiar with Luanne's writing, having read only on other book by her (10+ years ago).
As I started reading the book I knew I wasn't going to like the main character very much. After reading her story I can understand her feelings and therefore her choices, but I just couldn't sympathize with her. Although leaving her kids was not her idea, I feel like she could definitely had gone back when she knew her ex was sick or when he had passed. Instead her daughter had to be the one to come and "try to bring the family together."
I cant say that I fell in love with any of the characters but Pell and Rafe were the most likeable for me. Realistically speaking I thought Pell was very wise and mature for her age, but not in a unbelievable way. She always knew the right thing to say.
Overall I enjoyed the development of the characters, how they grew closer to each other as well as within the story. This isn't a book where I personally liked the story line or most of the characters for that matter, instead I enjoyed the growth of each character and how they allowed their pain to open new pathways to move forward.
December 30, 2023
Loved the story of the family the two girls came from and how the eldest searched for her mother in Capri after she was sent away. The father dies and the search for the mother and to find out why or who made her leave. The story goes into depression and wealth and the girls need to know why they were left with their father. Emotional story line and the descriptions of Capri and the rescue of starfish and the community there.
December 24, 2019
Sequel to “The Geometry of Sisters”, so hopefully you can read them back to back. That didn’t work exactly that way for me so I had to struggle to remember characters. This one was a sweet story and lots of things kept popping up in the plot. It was a terrific read along with book #1. I highly r but please read in order.
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