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Surprise Me
The dream of becoming a writer takes hold of Isabelle Rothman during her senior year of college. Feeling brave, she begins a tutorial with a once highly praised novelist, Daniel Jablonski, known on campus as eccentric and disengaged. Despite his reputation, Isabelle loves his novels and hopes he can teach her the secrets of his luminous prose. But their first meeting is a disaster. He never read the chapters she submitted and will not apologize for being unprepared. Slowly, over the semester, they gingerly form a bond that begins to anchor both of them. Over the next twenty years, as they live separate lives--she in California and he in New Hampshire--they reach out to each other. Their connection helps Isabelle find the courage to take greater risks and push Daniel to work through layers of self-loathing and regret that have kept his career from flourishing. They are the single constant in each other's lives. Daniel and Isabelle recognize they are among the blessed few who meet at the exact moment they need each other the most. In a final collaboration, the boundaries of teacher and student give way to a work that heals something in each of them. They truly see each other as extraordinary--as people do when they love--and that belief makes all the difference.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published June 21, 2016
13 people are currently reading
833 people want to read
About the author
Deena Goldstone
2 books21 followersDEENA GOLDSTONE is a screenwriter whose films include A Bunny's Tale, a dramatization of Gloria Steinem's undercover investigation of the Playboy Clubs, starring Kirstie Alley, and Safe Passage, starring Susan Sarandon. She graduated from UC Berkeley and has a master's in theater arts from NYU.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
February 27, 2017
So, this was an interesting read.
Isabelle is in her last semester at college when she meets Daniel, a professor. He's got a reputation and she has second doubts as to how their first meeting would go. Is he going to stare at her and say a word or will he actually say something?
Their meeting doesn't last long. He gives an assignment she's got no idea how she'd complete. Her roommates are no help and neither is her boyfriend. Each week she meets with Daniel, and the more she talks to him the closer they get. She breaks down the barriers and discovers the reasons he's gained his reputation with all the other students, which has nothing to do with him thinking he's above them all as a published author. He actually suffers from agoraphobia and if he didn't need to work he'd stay home and never leave.
The attraction between them grows, though he's like 30 years older than her. They get to understand each other and love between them grows. She gets to write 3 chapters of her novel before she graduates and leaves. When she leaves Daniel doesn't know what to do with himself because in Isabelle he found what he's never had.
They keep in contact throughout the years. Isabelle breaks up with her boyfriend, and moves in with a guy who's got a thing for helping people and has the best job for it. When he's home they have wild sex, but when he's gone he's gone for months at a time. He's not the kind to settle, even after Isabelle has their baby.
Isabelle leaves him and moves on with her kid and her life. She resolves her issues with her parents, she makes new friends, travels to see Daniel upset that he got over his writer's block and wrote a best seller that turned out to be about them. she gets over it and finally sleeps with him expecting nothing in return, and neither does Daniel. She later marries a guy named Michael, though there isn't a whole lot of detail about him other than how much he loves her and how they met.
I'm surprised I was able to finish this book. I still don't know how I feel about Isabelle sleeping with Daniel, granted she was older when she did, but still, he could've been her dad so that was kinda
Isabelle is in her last semester at college when she meets Daniel, a professor. He's got a reputation and she has second doubts as to how their first meeting would go. Is he going to stare at her and say a word or will he actually say something?
Their meeting doesn't last long. He gives an assignment she's got no idea how she'd complete. Her roommates are no help and neither is her boyfriend. Each week she meets with Daniel, and the more she talks to him the closer they get. She breaks down the barriers and discovers the reasons he's gained his reputation with all the other students, which has nothing to do with him thinking he's above them all as a published author. He actually suffers from agoraphobia and if he didn't need to work he'd stay home and never leave.
The attraction between them grows, though he's like 30 years older than her. They get to understand each other and love between them grows. She gets to write 3 chapters of her novel before she graduates and leaves. When she leaves Daniel doesn't know what to do with himself because in Isabelle he found what he's never had.
They keep in contact throughout the years. Isabelle breaks up with her boyfriend, and moves in with a guy who's got a thing for helping people and has the best job for it. When he's home they have wild sex, but when he's gone he's gone for months at a time. He's not the kind to settle, even after Isabelle has their baby.
Isabelle leaves him and moves on with her kid and her life. She resolves her issues with her parents, she makes new friends, travels to see Daniel upset that he got over his writer's block and wrote a best seller that turned out to be about them. she gets over it and finally sleeps with him expecting nothing in return, and neither does Daniel. She later marries a guy named Michael, though there isn't a whole lot of detail about him other than how much he loves her and how they met.
I'm surprised I was able to finish this book. I still don't know how I feel about Isabelle sleeping with Daniel, granted she was older when she did, but still, he could've been her dad so that was kinda
June 23, 2016
Unusual!
Not at all what I was expecting when I first read the summary. I thought it will be a love story when it was the story of a deep connexion and a wonderful meeting of two connected writing souls.
Both Isabelle and Daniel are teacher and student during their life. Through their relationship, they are helping each other to live, to face fears and to think outside the box.
It was an interesting read and the author was able to beautifully describe two people who love each other but are not in love with each other.
A great one!
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
Not at all what I was expecting when I first read the summary. I thought it will be a love story when it was the story of a deep connexion and a wonderful meeting of two connected writing souls.
Both Isabelle and Daniel are teacher and student during their life. Through their relationship, they are helping each other to live, to face fears and to think outside the box.
It was an interesting read and the author was able to beautifully describe two people who love each other but are not in love with each other.
A great one!
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
November 8, 2020
Isabelle Rothman meets Professor Daniel Jablonkski during her writing mentorship program in her college years. Daniel is known for his eccentric and wonky personality other fellow students interpreted as “difficult ones to work with.” However, Isabelle loves his first two novels and hopes to gain some literature insight under his mentorship. She walks into Daniel’s life when he is at his lowest-- two divorces struggling with an illness called agoraphobia, and stuck in writer’s block. So we can see that Daniel carries with him a gloomy and standoffish character. While........Isabelle was a lovely, youthful, optimistic, and bright aspiring writer to be. The author’s short prologue: “Opposites attract.” makes all the sense to see the entire story unravel to two lost people, finding each other, going separate ways again until life ended.
The story spans over a term of 20 years. Isabelle and Daniel fell “a little” in love with each other, then life took a unique turn, and they went separate ways. A lot of things can happen to you for over 20 years. Isabelle moved back home and then impulsively took a trip to San Francisco that had changed her course of life totally! There she met and swept away in love with her child's father (Casey); they never got married. Happily ever after is not in Isabelle’s love story, yet. Her relationship ended with Casey later down the years. Casey’s presence was always a question since half the time; he would be away for a mission to save the world. Isabelle, could not put up with it and took the absent request. She and Casey ended. Her life with her son, Avi, continues without the father. Isabelle married Michael later down the years. It settled then, her marriage into a pleasant one.
Daniel’s life took place in Colorado Springs with his son, Stefan. Stefan jobless and taken full time caring for his dad and attending to his basic needs. Stefan’s harmless infatuation for a young skater got him in big trouble. Father and son had to move out of Colorado. Stefan and Daniel’s relationship is intense and broken, amid tender love. But, tenderly as it may be, it was not enough to cure the shattered trust that was lost years back. Stefan could no longer live and care for his dad. He sends Daniel to Alina, his sister, in New Hampshire. Alina’s relationship with Daniel was estranged and cold. Despite the abandonment and neglect Alina thinks her dad gave her, she took him in.
Separated over 20 years, Isabelle being in California and Daniel’s life unfolds for the better in New Hampshire, they somehow disconnect and reconnect. The story's beauty stands here; two people find the courage to overcome life obstacles and come out of it. It’s bizarre, two far apart people, separate lives across the country, and remain a single constant in each other’s lives.
The finale, collaboration between Isabelle and Daniel to finish the last book when time is up for Daniel, left a bittersweet feeling in my heart. Daniel’s last book made it, titled “The Regrets of a Grateful Man,” signifies a deep meaning that life may take us by surprise for good or bad. Tough decisions happened. Mistakes can be inevitable. And… a relationship is a fragile entity that needs careful and gentle tending. Once shattered, it will probably not return to its original form. Regardless, forgiving ourselves and others could be the only best way out? Easier said than done. I know.
This novel is slow, steady, and heart-warming. The writing and expressions are poised and composed. If you enjoy stories that are laid back and comfortable, this book is for you. For some, the storyline may be slow-growing and monotonous. The book carries within the message about unconventional love, regrets, and failures that should be appreciated. This book is not my cup of coffee. STILL, I READ IT ALL.
The story spans over a term of 20 years. Isabelle and Daniel fell “a little” in love with each other, then life took a unique turn, and they went separate ways. A lot of things can happen to you for over 20 years. Isabelle moved back home and then impulsively took a trip to San Francisco that had changed her course of life totally! There she met and swept away in love with her child's father (Casey); they never got married. Happily ever after is not in Isabelle’s love story, yet. Her relationship ended with Casey later down the years. Casey’s presence was always a question since half the time; he would be away for a mission to save the world. Isabelle, could not put up with it and took the absent request. She and Casey ended. Her life with her son, Avi, continues without the father. Isabelle married Michael later down the years. It settled then, her marriage into a pleasant one.
Daniel’s life took place in Colorado Springs with his son, Stefan. Stefan jobless and taken full time caring for his dad and attending to his basic needs. Stefan’s harmless infatuation for a young skater got him in big trouble. Father and son had to move out of Colorado. Stefan and Daniel’s relationship is intense and broken, amid tender love. But, tenderly as it may be, it was not enough to cure the shattered trust that was lost years back. Stefan could no longer live and care for his dad. He sends Daniel to Alina, his sister, in New Hampshire. Alina’s relationship with Daniel was estranged and cold. Despite the abandonment and neglect Alina thinks her dad gave her, she took him in.
Separated over 20 years, Isabelle being in California and Daniel’s life unfolds for the better in New Hampshire, they somehow disconnect and reconnect. The story's beauty stands here; two people find the courage to overcome life obstacles and come out of it. It’s bizarre, two far apart people, separate lives across the country, and remain a single constant in each other’s lives.
The finale, collaboration between Isabelle and Daniel to finish the last book when time is up for Daniel, left a bittersweet feeling in my heart. Daniel’s last book made it, titled “The Regrets of a Grateful Man,” signifies a deep meaning that life may take us by surprise for good or bad. Tough decisions happened. Mistakes can be inevitable. And… a relationship is a fragile entity that needs careful and gentle tending. Once shattered, it will probably not return to its original form. Regardless, forgiving ourselves and others could be the only best way out? Easier said than done. I know.
This novel is slow, steady, and heart-warming. The writing and expressions are poised and composed. If you enjoy stories that are laid back and comfortable, this book is for you. For some, the storyline may be slow-growing and monotonous. The book carries within the message about unconventional love, regrets, and failures that should be appreciated. This book is not my cup of coffee. STILL, I READ IT ALL.
May 3, 2016
Finding it hard to know what, precisely, to say about this one, as it is not my cup of tea either in subject matter or the skill level of the writing. Then again, I am admittedly not its target reader, and therefore my comments should be taken with a grain or a pinch or—hell, a pillar of salt.
After a rocky introduction, a student writer and her teacher develop a long-term friendship/mentorship that spans decades. We follow their story together and apart via dueling viewpoints, and we see the way they inspire and better each other as writers and as people. Some readers may find all of this touching or inspirational, but ... eh. One character writes a book entitled Regrets of a Grateful Man and that, as much as anything, can be the litmus test as to whether this will suit your tastes. Does it strike you as mawkish and on-the-nose? Then avoid this book! Or does it quirk your interests and make you want to know more? Then this is the book for you.
After a rocky introduction, a student writer and her teacher develop a long-term friendship/mentorship that spans decades. We follow their story together and apart via dueling viewpoints, and we see the way they inspire and better each other as writers and as people. Some readers may find all of this touching or inspirational, but ... eh. One character writes a book entitled Regrets of a Grateful Man and that, as much as anything, can be the litmus test as to whether this will suit your tastes. Does it strike you as mawkish and on-the-nose? Then avoid this book! Or does it quirk your interests and make you want to know more? Then this is the book for you.
August 24, 2025
Surprise Me by Deena Goldstone was the story of college student and aspiring writer, Isabelle, and washed-up agoraphobic author, Daniel, finding themselves intrinsically linked. As the story goes on, you realize that it is about unhappy people trying to make amends with their unhappy lives. I don't know... maybe the book just wasn't for me, but defining what kind of relationship Isabelle and Daniel had was... weird. Sometimes they were friends, sometimes confidants, sometimes teacher/student, sometimes father-daughter esque, and yet... sometimes an actual relationship? I just couldn't get past the strangeness of it, even from early on towards the end of part one. Maybe not the book for me.
August 23, 2019
I’ve seen better, but this book is really cute!
March 28, 2016
Isabelle Rothman’s itch to write gives her the ill advised opportunity to be tutored by a successful novelist, Daniel Jablonski. Ill advised because he is known for his dismissive, disorganized cold manner. In fact, there may be more disturbing said author than strange behavior and a sort of writer's block. Daniel can't get rid of Isabelle so easily, and soon the two bond in ways that will connect them for years to come. This is an 'unconventional' love store, over time their lives fork into different directions and somehow they manage to find each other through words, keeping one toe in each other's lives in spite of partners and children. From a distance the two still inspire each other- Isabelle to take more chances, to live outside her fears and Daniel to engage in life and the people in it.
Isabelle's 'living' includes a lot of heartbreak and loss, realizing that sometimes regardless of how much you love someone, you can't sacrifice your own needs to keep them. That you have to disappoint even parents and the expectations for the neat life they have been forecasting for you. This is certainly not the sort of story where lovers meet and bam, happily ever after. It's years of becoming, growing, gaining, losing and how motherhood even strengthens a woman. It is loving many people and each with a purpose in your life, even if there is still another person on the periphery who is also vital to your being. They change one another, they become who they need to be and love deeply- but sometimes it's not a lifetime spent together that creates the most lasting bond. It is someone showing up at a point in your life that you need direction, but you may just end up being their compass too. Isabelle and Daniel are student and teacher each in their own way- both of them give and take lessons. The novel does have flashbacks that sometimes disrupt the flow, but in the novels I have been reading lately it seems many authors are approaching stories in this manner. It is always interesting how every year certain subjects and styles dominate writer's minds. With that said, it is a realistic love story but much more. Enjoyed it.
Isabelle's 'living' includes a lot of heartbreak and loss, realizing that sometimes regardless of how much you love someone, you can't sacrifice your own needs to keep them. That you have to disappoint even parents and the expectations for the neat life they have been forecasting for you. This is certainly not the sort of story where lovers meet and bam, happily ever after. It's years of becoming, growing, gaining, losing and how motherhood even strengthens a woman. It is loving many people and each with a purpose in your life, even if there is still another person on the periphery who is also vital to your being. They change one another, they become who they need to be and love deeply- but sometimes it's not a lifetime spent together that creates the most lasting bond. It is someone showing up at a point in your life that you need direction, but you may just end up being their compass too. Isabelle and Daniel are student and teacher each in their own way- both of them give and take lessons. The novel does have flashbacks that sometimes disrupt the flow, but in the novels I have been reading lately it seems many authors are approaching stories in this manner. It is always interesting how every year certain subjects and styles dominate writer's minds. With that said, it is a realistic love story but much more. Enjoyed it.
June 22, 2016
This review, and many more, was originally posted on 125pages.com
Surprise Me by Deena Goldstone is a début that had all the feels. Isabelle is a college student who feels her words. Compelled to write, she begins working with noted novelist Daniel. It has been twenty years since Daniel’s last hit and suffering from agoraphobia, he can barely handle the few students he has. But he sees something in Isabelle that he is drawn to and he takes her under his wing. From that beginning they weave into and out of each others lives for the next twenty years.
Surprise Me is the tale of two people who end up deeply loving each other, but not in love with each other. Their very divergent paths cross every few years and through letters and email they stay connected. They slowly become each others solace and in each other they find the best parts of themselves. There were a few scenes that felt added for bulk, but for the most part this was a highly engaging read.
Deena Goldstone wrote a compelling tale about how a person can be separated by great distance from you, but still be an intrinsic part of your life. I loved the interactions between Isabelle and Danielle and how each helped the other to grow. This was a book that made me cry, laugh and smile. There were no shocking moments, no explosions or murders, just slow friendship and personal discovery and I loved it.
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Surprise Me by Deena Goldstone is a début that had all the feels. Isabelle is a college student who feels her words. Compelled to write, she begins working with noted novelist Daniel. It has been twenty years since Daniel’s last hit and suffering from agoraphobia, he can barely handle the few students he has. But he sees something in Isabelle that he is drawn to and he takes her under his wing. From that beginning they weave into and out of each others lives for the next twenty years.
Surprise Me is the tale of two people who end up deeply loving each other, but not in love with each other. Their very divergent paths cross every few years and through letters and email they stay connected. They slowly become each others solace and in each other they find the best parts of themselves. There were a few scenes that felt added for bulk, but for the most part this was a highly engaging read.
Deena Goldstone wrote a compelling tale about how a person can be separated by great distance from you, but still be an intrinsic part of your life. I loved the interactions between Isabelle and Danielle and how each helped the other to grow. This was a book that made me cry, laugh and smile. There were no shocking moments, no explosions or murders, just slow friendship and personal discovery and I loved it.
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
August 10, 2016
I was fortunate to receive an eARC of Surprise Me by Deena Goldstone -- her first published novel. While parts of this book were certainly intriguing, it felt a bit disjointed and rambling to me. Additionally, several scenes, in retrospect, didn't make sense and were perhaps unnecessary.
I did appreciate the idea of exploring how difficult it is to maintain a passion and muse for writing. It even inspired me further to get back to my own writing, after several long years of radio silence on my end.
For this seasoned reader, this story fell a bit short of the mark, but I do think there are readers who will enjoy it quite a bit.
Surprise Me is a good weekend read for those who enjoy stories about deep friendships, overcoming personal troubles (including certain anxiety disorders), and a love for the power of the written word.
I did appreciate the idea of exploring how difficult it is to maintain a passion and muse for writing. It even inspired me further to get back to my own writing, after several long years of radio silence on my end.
For this seasoned reader, this story fell a bit short of the mark, but I do think there are readers who will enjoy it quite a bit.
Surprise Me is a good weekend read for those who enjoy stories about deep friendships, overcoming personal troubles (including certain anxiety disorders), and a love for the power of the written word.
March 30, 2016
Loved this book.
July 7, 2020
Surprise Me by Deena Goldstone was a very heartwarming read. It took a few chapters for me to get into it mostly because I disliked the main characters. I found them weak and uninteresting for a while; however, as the story advanced they started to grow on me.
The story focuses on Isabelle, an aspiring writer, and Daniel, a formerly successful author who has lost the magic of writing well. They initially connect as student and teacher/mentor when Isabelle is in college and decides to courageously pursue her dream of writing. The novel follows them over decades as their lives take many different complex turns on opposite ends of the country.
As a fellow writer I found myself relating to both of them in their quest to find inspiration and write well, especially young Isabelle. She reminded me of my early-20-something self who wanted to write but lacked the confidence and the ideas to do so.
This book does a good job of addressing how one's upbringing and past decisions will effect their future lives for better or worse. It does not sugar-coat anything as it shows the characters needing to make tough decisions. The only thing I felt was unrealitiatic was Isabelle's tendency to always have her necessities falling into place so easily. It felt a bit out of touch with the financial struggles I would have assumed she would have had - although this is set in the 90s, so maybe life was just more affordable then. All in all this was a touching story that I would recommend to others.
The story focuses on Isabelle, an aspiring writer, and Daniel, a formerly successful author who has lost the magic of writing well. They initially connect as student and teacher/mentor when Isabelle is in college and decides to courageously pursue her dream of writing. The novel follows them over decades as their lives take many different complex turns on opposite ends of the country.
As a fellow writer I found myself relating to both of them in their quest to find inspiration and write well, especially young Isabelle. She reminded me of my early-20-something self who wanted to write but lacked the confidence and the ideas to do so.
This book does a good job of addressing how one's upbringing and past decisions will effect their future lives for better or worse. It does not sugar-coat anything as it shows the characters needing to make tough decisions. The only thing I felt was unrealitiatic was Isabelle's tendency to always have her necessities falling into place so easily. It felt a bit out of touch with the financial struggles I would have assumed she would have had - although this is set in the 90s, so maybe life was just more affordable then. All in all this was a touching story that I would recommend to others.
June 18, 2019
I really liked this book about two lost souls who come to trust themselves through trusting each other. It is a very realistic depiction of life and how expectations don’t always go as planned due to derailments by your own devising or by others. We see Isabelle and Daniel over the course of the rest of their lives from their meeting during Isabelle’s senior year in college with Daniel during his mentoring of her in her quest to be a writer. Surprise Me will surprise you as you read and become drawn into the lives of these characters as they grow and develop separately but still connect to each other over the years.
March 2, 2024
I love that their being in love wasn’t the main point of the story. It gave it so much more depth. It was a piece of their dynamic but it was about so much more to them and their connection. In passionate romance novels sometimes it seems to get so caught up in the lust and feeling of it that way. I love that they were just each-other’s lifeline of help and inspiration throughout. I love that their lives were messy and that there weren’t really tidy clean ups of those messes, it felt more real. There were two to three situations touched on that I have personally experienced, it felt good to witness someone else be it, do it, say it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2017
I had to read this for a website review, so I thought I'd add a review here as well.
As her first novel, I think the plot is interesting, but she has a lot to learn mechanically and stylistically for refraining from rambling and over-generalizing. Descriptions were often overwritten and wrought with adverbs, and it was a struggle to finish this book. The jump at the end to years later made me lose interest entirely and skim to the end.
If you read less for mechanics and style and enjoy a surprising plot, this aptly named book will do so for you. As a writer, this book annoyed me greatly.
As her first novel, I think the plot is interesting, but she has a lot to learn mechanically and stylistically for refraining from rambling and over-generalizing. Descriptions were often overwritten and wrought with adverbs, and it was a struggle to finish this book. The jump at the end to years later made me lose interest entirely and skim to the end.
If you read less for mechanics and style and enjoy a surprising plot, this aptly named book will do so for you. As a writer, this book annoyed me greatly.
December 3, 2017
No le quería dar dos estrellas, pero tampoco tres. No está bueno, pero tampoco sentí que fuera una pérdida de tiempo. Tampoco es palomero. Me gusta el manejo que hace de los tiempos, pero la mayoría de los diálogos, sobre todo dramáticos, son muy poco creíbles. Todavía no decido qué pienso del libro... estuvo... ¿Ok?... Hagan de cuenta que es como una película de Hallmark en forma de libro. Pues bueno, después del melodrama, toca leer uno de ciencia ficción 🤓
April 20, 2018
Thank you Deena for a powerful, yet touching story for readers, and even more so, for all of us writers. It brought me out of my writer's block funk and hopefully I'll be able to keep moving forward. Hope to see another from you soon.
February 16, 2021
I did not love this book but I didn’t hate it either. It made me cry so clearly it had SOME impact on me. I just felt like there were a lot of things going on but some of the things were vague. I don’t know how I feel about it really.
May 22, 2019
Not my cup of tea. I didn't finish it.
Read
July 21, 2019I'm hoping it's one of those... Not in mood- will finish laters <3 Got to pg 54. Will try again a new day <3
September 30, 2020
Another easy kinsella read that is entertaining and light.
July 17, 2022
the age difference is not doing it for me
April 7, 2024
It is a very good book, it is super interesting, I loved the story it conveys and the plot.
January 31, 2025
I absolutely loved it. It was complicated, like real life. Great characters!
January 2, 2017
"- There is more than we know.
- There better be more than we know. Or else what's the fucking point?"
"- Where are all the unhappy people?
- All around you."
"He remembers great sex. He remembers feeling he had invented it. He must have. No one else could be experiencing what he was."
Well not a big fan of this one. Actually, I have mixed feelings. Not sure how to feel is more like it. So I do care a lot about the characters. I care about their stories and their quirks and even the small bookstore where Isabelle works. I relate to the random decisions they make and their odd relationship. The beauty of this work is the story it draws up in my mind: down-to-earth but still dreamy and lovely.
What went wrong with the book, however, is the writing. I was not surprised at all to find out later on that it was the writer's first novel. While she managed to conjure up lovely characters, the way the story was told was messy and aggravating. The writing was just plainly inadequate, which is ironic, given the fact the the book keeps trying to give writing advices and critiques.
All in all, I guess (?) the book was a success given how I care enough to finish it despite not really wanting to.
May 11, 2016
Boy, do I have mixed feelings about this book! On one hand, I think Deena Goldstone is a superb creator of characters, especially minor ones like Orson Pratt, the owner of the home Isabelle and Casey lived in at first; Mrs. Hershfeld, Isabelle’s communist neighbor, who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era; Meir Schapiro, Mrs. Hershfeld’s brother, a capitalist who owns the bookstore where Isabelle works; the ladies in Daniel’s book group in Winnock; and Michael, the man Isabelle marries. Many of her major characters had their own uniqueness, too. Deepti was one of my favorites, and Isabelle’s father was at times very humorous, both his words and thoughts.
On the other hand, Daniel and Isabelle. I thought it was a mistake to make their relationship sexual. That first incident on graduation day seemed ridiculous, and the later major incident seemed out of place in the story. While this is obviously a story of the two of them being each other’s muses, it’s hard not to remember his successful novel about their relationship is about a college instructor having a hot and heavy affair with a college student. That’s a dime a dozen happening--worn out, middle-aged college teacher needing a young college girl to ignite his life, motivate him to move forward, make him feel special again. Their "special" relationship seemed like nothing more than extreme emotional neediness.
No, they had no real affair when she was a student, but that emotional affair supposedly benefited both of their writings. Yet whose writings went on to become a successful book? His. What happened to her writing? Very little. She ends up in a relationship with a mostly absent guy, becomes a mother and works in a bookstore. Not that there is anything at all wrong with the latter two, but this is still really not a story of two people being inspired by each other to write. At least not for long in Isabelle's case. She writes one unnoteworthy book with a ludicrous title, in response to his successful novel, and then stops writing. Yes, she does help Daniel at the end to write his final book, but it’s still his story, not hers.
The end. That’s where I had my most problems with this novel, a novel that at times did truly surprise and delight me. The third and final part of the story unfortunately did no such things. First, it strangely read like a really long epilogue. Second, Daniel’s relationship with his two grown children was no longer interesting. Those two adult children themselves were no longer interesting, and it seemed a bit odd by that time that both of them would be so emotionally scarred by his absence during their childhood. Couldn’t one of them have been more normal and well-adjusted? Was Daniel's lack of presence such a powerful emotional crippler to both of them?
Deena Goldstone gives Daniel too much power in this book, even though he was an emotionally weak man for much of his adult life. By the end of the story, everyone’s life is revolving around him, everyone is concerned about him, everyone is helping to take care of him. He is slowly dying of cancer, and here we have yet another contemporary novel where that is happening. That ending was a particular disappointment with this book since it did seem so unique at times, like something so unlike other fiction books.
At the very end, Daniel dies of cancer and everyone is mourning his death, particularly Isabelle, who is thinking how much Daniel was loved, especially by her. In other words, it’s all about Daniel, and when this book ends, it suddenly seems like a self-centered man’s fantasy-come-true type of story. No matter how much he messed up his life, no matter how little he did for others or thought of others, everyone ends up loving him and taking care of him, and missing him now that he’s gone. Maybe it would be more fitting for this novel to be listed under the fantasy genre.
(Note: I received a free copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.)
On the other hand, Daniel and Isabelle. I thought it was a mistake to make their relationship sexual. That first incident on graduation day seemed ridiculous, and the later major incident seemed out of place in the story. While this is obviously a story of the two of them being each other’s muses, it’s hard not to remember his successful novel about their relationship is about a college instructor having a hot and heavy affair with a college student. That’s a dime a dozen happening--worn out, middle-aged college teacher needing a young college girl to ignite his life, motivate him to move forward, make him feel special again. Their "special" relationship seemed like nothing more than extreme emotional neediness.
No, they had no real affair when she was a student, but that emotional affair supposedly benefited both of their writings. Yet whose writings went on to become a successful book? His. What happened to her writing? Very little. She ends up in a relationship with a mostly absent guy, becomes a mother and works in a bookstore. Not that there is anything at all wrong with the latter two, but this is still really not a story of two people being inspired by each other to write. At least not for long in Isabelle's case. She writes one unnoteworthy book with a ludicrous title, in response to his successful novel, and then stops writing. Yes, she does help Daniel at the end to write his final book, but it’s still his story, not hers.
The end. That’s where I had my most problems with this novel, a novel that at times did truly surprise and delight me. The third and final part of the story unfortunately did no such things. First, it strangely read like a really long epilogue. Second, Daniel’s relationship with his two grown children was no longer interesting. Those two adult children themselves were no longer interesting, and it seemed a bit odd by that time that both of them would be so emotionally scarred by his absence during their childhood. Couldn’t one of them have been more normal and well-adjusted? Was Daniel's lack of presence such a powerful emotional crippler to both of them?
Deena Goldstone gives Daniel too much power in this book, even though he was an emotionally weak man for much of his adult life. By the end of the story, everyone’s life is revolving around him, everyone is concerned about him, everyone is helping to take care of him. He is slowly dying of cancer, and here we have yet another contemporary novel where that is happening. That ending was a particular disappointment with this book since it did seem so unique at times, like something so unlike other fiction books.
At the very end, Daniel dies of cancer and everyone is mourning his death, particularly Isabelle, who is thinking how much Daniel was loved, especially by her. In other words, it’s all about Daniel, and when this book ends, it suddenly seems like a self-centered man’s fantasy-come-true type of story. No matter how much he messed up his life, no matter how little he did for others or thought of others, everyone ends up loving him and taking care of him, and missing him now that he’s gone. Maybe it would be more fitting for this novel to be listed under the fantasy genre.
(Note: I received a free copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2016
What it's all about...
Isabelle and Daniel meet as professor and student. Daniel is an established author but after two successful books he hasn't written a successful book in years. Isabelle wants to learn to write from him. This starts a relationship that continues for years. They never really live in the same places but they email each other. They maintain a correspondence that seems to help both of them. Daniel has tons of issues...shattered relationships with his children, agoraphobia, and his writer's block. He seems to live all over the country but when he lands near his estranged daughter...he feels as though he is finally home. Isabelle also has her share of issues...a wandering boyfriend, issues with her mother, and a surprise pregnancy...all take her life into unchartered areas. She also doesn't really work on her book...the one she started with Daniel. However...when a newly released book from Daniel takes Isabelle's breath away...she feels compelled to see him...and that's what she does.
Why I wanted to read it...
The idea of two writers staying in touch with each other over a lengthy period of time was very interesting to me.
What made me truly enjoy this book...
I loved all of the characters in this book. There were sons and daughters and writers and book store owners, boyfriends, grandparents and adventure seekers. These characters truly made this book an interesting one for me.
Why you should read it, too...
Readers who love a deep and thoughtful book should really enjoy this one.
March 10, 2016
Isabelle Rothman is closing in on her college graduation, and with a major in English, her parents expect that she will teach. However, Izzy wants to be a writer. So, Izzy signs up for a tutorial with a professor that everyone says is gruff and unfriendly. Daniel Jablonski turns out to be all that and more. He is now bitter. "Writing for him is a mysterious process, and he has no explanation for the fact that it yielded first two books of wondrous reviews and respectable sales, and then two books that fell of the face of the earth". Isabelle shows up at his office for their first meeting, having previously dropped off three chapters of a potential book, and looks expectantly at this curmudgeon. He has trouble finding the sheets in his disheveled office, and it is obvious that he has not read them. "I'll come back next week", says Isabelle. The next week, determined to tell him that she feels she should find someone else for the tutorial, he cites several instances of her writing that he did not anticipate and found refreshing and then says, "I want you to surprise me some more."
And so begins a lifelong relationship between the two that is nothing short of delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and hope I will be surprised by more by this author.
I read this DARC courtesy of Edelweiss and Nan A. Talese. pubdate 06/21/16
And so begins a lifelong relationship between the two that is nothing short of delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and hope I will be surprised by more by this author.
I read this DARC courtesy of Edelweiss and Nan A. Talese. pubdate 06/21/16
July 4, 2016
I receive this book through netgalley in exchange for a honest review*
What an interesting book.
This really is an unusual read because it isn't a love story. This is a story about life and the people who are important to us. Life is not easy and there are things we are deal with, which is portrayed in the book. No one miraculously lives the best life ever but in a way, they try to live without regrets- they try to live to the best of their abilities.
I definitely thought it was awkward at times. Really, the book itself didn't speak to me so, I'm thinking this is mostly a 'me' thing. It does seem like a great book many would enjoy just, it was too... slow? real? unexciting? All of the above for me, I suppose.
The book was beautifully written and the descriptions were lovely. There was really a flow and a feeling was given off for each event and such.
Characters were done well and truly had their own life and voice.
Recommend? Probably to my friends that like fiction. To people who don't usually read Contemporary fiction, maybe not.
What an interesting book.
This really is an unusual read because it isn't a love story. This is a story about life and the people who are important to us. Life is not easy and there are things we are deal with, which is portrayed in the book. No one miraculously lives the best life ever but in a way, they try to live without regrets- they try to live to the best of their abilities.
I definitely thought it was awkward at times. Really, the book itself didn't speak to me so, I'm thinking this is mostly a 'me' thing. It does seem like a great book many would enjoy just, it was too... slow? real? unexciting? All of the above for me, I suppose.
The book was beautifully written and the descriptions were lovely. There was really a flow and a feeling was given off for each event and such.
Characters were done well and truly had their own life and voice.
Recommend? Probably to my friends that like fiction. To people who don't usually read Contemporary fiction, maybe not.
August 16, 2016
This took me a bit longer than I'd like to admit to complete - nearly two months.
At the start, I wasn't entirely engaged with this story - originally, it felt a bit bland and a bit "done", as though it was something I'd seen before - and multiple times at that. When I finally finished, I was left with a feeling of surprise, myself - I didn't dislike it as I thought I would once I started reading. "Surprise Me" definitely has more depth than I expected. The relationship between Isabelle and Daniel (thankfully), mostly remains that of mentor/mentee and the majority of the depth of that relationship is non-romantic in nature.
On the whole, no the book isn't particularly inventive or complex - it remains a bit bland and I don't think it's something that's going to be fulfilling for a reader who is used to and enjoys complexity in their reading. But it's a decent story and is decently told.
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for an ARC of this novel.
At the start, I wasn't entirely engaged with this story - originally, it felt a bit bland and a bit "done", as though it was something I'd seen before - and multiple times at that. When I finally finished, I was left with a feeling of surprise, myself - I didn't dislike it as I thought I would once I started reading. "Surprise Me" definitely has more depth than I expected. The relationship between Isabelle and Daniel (thankfully), mostly remains that of mentor/mentee and the majority of the depth of that relationship is non-romantic in nature.
On the whole, no the book isn't particularly inventive or complex - it remains a bit bland and I don't think it's something that's going to be fulfilling for a reader who is used to and enjoys complexity in their reading. But it's a decent story and is decently told.
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for an ARC of this novel.
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