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Things I Want My Daughters to Know
Product No Defects.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
299 people are currently reading
5887 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Noble
63 books477 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)literature & fiction
Elizabeth Noble is the author of several previous Sunday Times bestsellers: The Reading Group, which reached Number One, The Friendship Test (formerly published as The Tenko Club), Alphabet Weekends, Things I Want My Daughters to Know, The Girl Next Door, The Way We Were, Between a Mother and her Child and Love, Iris. Her last two books were also Richard & Judy Book Club selections. The Family Holiday is her ninth novel. She lives in Surrey.
Follow Elizabeth on Facebook and Instagram: @elizabethnoblebooks
(1)literature & fiction
Elizabeth Noble is the author of several previous Sunday Times bestsellers: The Reading Group, which reached Number One, The Friendship Test (formerly published as The Tenko Club), Alphabet Weekends, Things I Want My Daughters to Know, The Girl Next Door, The Way We Were, Between a Mother and her Child and Love, Iris. Her last two books were also Richard & Judy Book Club selections. The Family Holiday is her ninth novel. She lives in Surrey.
Follow Elizabeth on Facebook and Instagram: @elizabethnoblebooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 858 reviews
September 2, 2010
Given the topic--a mother of 4 daughters in her early 60's who dies of cancer--this book was too simple and too neatly packaged. With one minor exception, the mother is portrayed as perfect. Also, the book unrealistically ends a year after the mother's death with the suggestion that the four daughters and the widower get past their grief and live happily ever after. Good fiction certainly does not have to be realistic, but some topics do better when they are treated more realistically--with emphasis on messiness and complicated emotions.
April 7, 2016
I would like to have given this 3.5 stars. The premise of the book, "How do you cope in a world without your mother"? I truly enjoyed 3/4 of the book and found it to be wonderfully written. The characters came alive for me and the true-to-life problems were realistic. But at the end- everything was wrapped up with a big, "happily-ever-after" bow. I am all for happy endings, but in this case too many issues were simply erased or glossed over to make everyone's lives sunshine and blue sky.
The prose was memorable and well developed. Stories of each character are woven together into a tapestry that includes them all.
"Why was it, that sometimes you needed to see the people closest to you as others saw them to remember how fantastic they were?"
"You are not here to live out my dreams for me. I have had my dreams, some of them have come true and some haven't. But, they've been my dreams. You have to have your own. Have them, cherish them, and never let go of them."
"If we all knew- if there was some fortune cookie that would tell you what your allotted time was- would we all live entirely different lives? Would we carpe diem more?"
The prose was memorable and well developed. Stories of each character are woven together into a tapestry that includes them all.
"Why was it, that sometimes you needed to see the people closest to you as others saw them to remember how fantastic they were?"
"You are not here to live out my dreams for me. I have had my dreams, some of them have come true and some haven't. But, they've been my dreams. You have to have your own. Have them, cherish them, and never let go of them."
"If we all knew- if there was some fortune cookie that would tell you what your allotted time was- would we all live entirely different lives? Would we carpe diem more?"
March 9, 2012
An interesting premise. A mother dies and leaves a journal of things she wants her daughters to know about her life, and thoughts.....It follows her 3 grown daughters and 1 teenaged daughter through the first year of their mother's death. It revolves around their stories and problems in their life and relationships and the way they have coped with her death. I would have liked to read more journal entries from the mother but overall an ok read.
December 6, 2009
Barbara has been diagnosed with cancer, and realises she isn’t going to be around for her family much longer. So she decides to write her four daughters a series of letters, each personal and individual for them, so that they have a little bit of their mother left after she has gone.
Her daughters are devastated at their loss, but will they manage to draw any comfort from their mothers letters?? Will they be able to come together as a family to miss their mother properly, and will the letters set them free from the lives they are living in?
When you read that synopsis, it doesn’t sound like the most cheerful book in the world. It certainly is emotional and upsetting at points, because of course the topic is the death of a mother and the grief suffered by the ones left behind, but at the same time, there is an uplifting side to the book which comes through the sad side of the book and makes you smile and feel good. That for me is what worked about this book – it had a good balance of sadness and sorrow, and happiness and a family really coming together much closer than they ever have before, albeit in terrible circumstances.
We don’t get to meet Barbara in person, for obvious reasons. The only way we hear from her is the letters and diaries she has left for her daughters which are written in the first person. She comes across as a lovely mum, but there are a few bits which are quite shocking, and certainly not something you’d expect a dying woman to admit in a letter. Her character was instantly likeable and I warmed to her, and really enjoyed reading the letters from her. Her daughters on the other hand, well my opinion of them changed throughout the book to be honest!
The eldest daughter Lisa is a commitment-phobe to the highest degree. It was her who really grated on me throughout the book, because although she clearly missed her mother, she seemed to push away everyone who wanted to love her, and I just can’t understand that myself. She was well-written but not particularly likeable by anyone. Jennifer, the second daugher is trapped in her marriage to Stephen, neither one admitting their true feelings to each other. She was a more complex character, with different layers to her. I particularly enjoyed a scene where she was drinking with her step-father and the author really allowed the character to let herself go. It made great reading, and showed the talent of the author.
Amanda is the traveller of the group, jetting off around the world for months at a time leaving her family behind. She doesn’t feel settled at home, and shocking things are revealed to Amanda which makes her question everything she thought was true about herself. Finally, there is teenage Hannah, who is devastated to lose her mother just when she needs her most. Her father Mark is concerned about bringing up hus daughter and 3 step-daughters without Barbara but will his family make it easy for him?
This really is a wonderful book full of love and hope, and shows how important families are when you need them the most. The book explores so many levels of relationships between people; mother and daughter, father and daughter, step-parenting, first loves, old loves and finding a new love – its all in this emotional roller-coaster of a book. The third person narrative from the author makes it easy for the reader to follow each girls story, as the book is divided not into chapters, but into a section about a person of the story (Lisa, Jen, Amanda, Hannah and Mark) and this allows the book to flow freely with an ease of reading that makes it a joy. The switch to first person for Barbara’s letter feels wholely appropriate and fits in well with the story and allows a break from the present and the girls to really come into the mind of Barbara during her dying days. It’s a really emotional book which will touch your heart and leave you praying that the awful tragedy in this book never affects you. Brilliantly written and a joy to read – I recommend it highly.
Her daughters are devastated at their loss, but will they manage to draw any comfort from their mothers letters?? Will they be able to come together as a family to miss their mother properly, and will the letters set them free from the lives they are living in?
When you read that synopsis, it doesn’t sound like the most cheerful book in the world. It certainly is emotional and upsetting at points, because of course the topic is the death of a mother and the grief suffered by the ones left behind, but at the same time, there is an uplifting side to the book which comes through the sad side of the book and makes you smile and feel good. That for me is what worked about this book – it had a good balance of sadness and sorrow, and happiness and a family really coming together much closer than they ever have before, albeit in terrible circumstances.
We don’t get to meet Barbara in person, for obvious reasons. The only way we hear from her is the letters and diaries she has left for her daughters which are written in the first person. She comes across as a lovely mum, but there are a few bits which are quite shocking, and certainly not something you’d expect a dying woman to admit in a letter. Her character was instantly likeable and I warmed to her, and really enjoyed reading the letters from her. Her daughters on the other hand, well my opinion of them changed throughout the book to be honest!
The eldest daughter Lisa is a commitment-phobe to the highest degree. It was her who really grated on me throughout the book, because although she clearly missed her mother, she seemed to push away everyone who wanted to love her, and I just can’t understand that myself. She was well-written but not particularly likeable by anyone. Jennifer, the second daugher is trapped in her marriage to Stephen, neither one admitting their true feelings to each other. She was a more complex character, with different layers to her. I particularly enjoyed a scene where she was drinking with her step-father and the author really allowed the character to let herself go. It made great reading, and showed the talent of the author.
Amanda is the traveller of the group, jetting off around the world for months at a time leaving her family behind. She doesn’t feel settled at home, and shocking things are revealed to Amanda which makes her question everything she thought was true about herself. Finally, there is teenage Hannah, who is devastated to lose her mother just when she needs her most. Her father Mark is concerned about bringing up hus daughter and 3 step-daughters without Barbara but will his family make it easy for him?
This really is a wonderful book full of love and hope, and shows how important families are when you need them the most. The book explores so many levels of relationships between people; mother and daughter, father and daughter, step-parenting, first loves, old loves and finding a new love – its all in this emotional roller-coaster of a book. The third person narrative from the author makes it easy for the reader to follow each girls story, as the book is divided not into chapters, but into a section about a person of the story (Lisa, Jen, Amanda, Hannah and Mark) and this allows the book to flow freely with an ease of reading that makes it a joy. The switch to first person for Barbara’s letter feels wholely appropriate and fits in well with the story and allows a break from the present and the girls to really come into the mind of Barbara during her dying days. It’s a really emotional book which will touch your heart and leave you praying that the awful tragedy in this book never affects you. Brilliantly written and a joy to read – I recommend it highly.
July 14, 2011
This is something I walked by in the library and though "why the hell not." I could have saved a day or two of my life.
Normally I run away at the sight of first abrupt point of view change between first and third person story telling. Here, I knew it was going to happen and I still read it. The letters and diary entries made it okay somehow. Unfortunately that's about it.
It took me longer than it should have to remember all the names of the girls and how to tell them apart. That's a sure sign the author is overreaching in my book. Too many central characters will tear the plot and its balance apart. But maybe there's a point to this imbalance and I'm supposed to compare how each daughter comes to her own (as much as they can considering their ages) and maybe they'll find their different paths in life. Or maybe . I think not. Early on I decided that my rating of this book would depend on whether or not either Lisa or Jennifer would and from the rating you can see the outcome of that.
It's not a bad book, just not my cup of tea.
Normally I run away at the sight of first abrupt point of view change between first and third person story telling. Here, I knew it was going to happen and I still read it. The letters and diary entries made it okay somehow. Unfortunately that's about it.
It took me longer than it should have to remember all the names of the girls and how to tell them apart. That's a sure sign the author is overreaching in my book. Too many central characters will tear the plot and its balance apart. But maybe there's a point to this imbalance and I'm supposed to compare how each daughter comes to her own (as much as they can considering their ages) and maybe they'll find their different paths in life. Or maybe . I think not. Early on I decided that my rating of this book would depend on whether or not either Lisa or Jennifer would and from the rating you can see the outcome of that.
It's not a bad book, just not my cup of tea.
August 19, 2016
Η Μπάρμπαρα πεθαίνει από καρκίνο νεότατη, γύρω στα εξήντα, αφήνοντας πίσω της τον δεύτερο σύζυγό της, Μαρκ, και τις τέσσερις κόρες της Αμάντα, Λίζα, Χάνα και Τζένιφερ. Έχει ετοιμάσει τέσσερα γράμματα για να παραδοθούν στα παιδιά της και ένα ημερολόγιο, στο οποίο τους περιγράφει διάφορα περιστατικά και τους δείχνει πολλά χαρακτηριστικά της. Θα βρουν τα κορίτσια τον δρόμο τους και θα ζήσουν καλά και σωστά μόνες τους; Η μάνα είναι πανταχού παρούσα αλλά χωρίς τη φυσική της παρουσία τα πράγματα θα γίνουν καλύτερα ή χειρότερα; Πόσο καλά έχει προετοιμάσει το έδαφος της ωρίμανσης η Μπάρμπαρα;
Ένα συγκινητικό, κοινωνικό αριστούργημα, τόσο αληθινό και ρεαλιστικό που δεν μπορούσα να το αφήσω από τα χέρια μου, ούτε να σταματήσω να δακρύζω ή να γελάω εναλλάξ. Σπάνια έχω ταυτιστεί τόσο έντονα με χαρακτήρες μυθιστορήματος και πραγματικά άφηνα τα πάντα στην άκρη ώστε να επιστρέψω στο γνώριμο, μυρωδάτο περιβάλλον της οικογένειας της Μπάρμπαρα. Από γυναίκα σε γυναίκες και όχι μόνο, το κείμενο έχει ανατροπές, δράση και αντίδραση, εξελίξεις απρόσμενες, υπέροχα σκιαγραφημένους πρωταγωνιστές και δευτεραγωνιστές, προσεκτικά διαλεγμένες καθημερινές σκηνές που σίγουρα θα θυμίσουν σε όλους τους αναγνώστες κάτι δικό τους και πολλά διαχρονικά και σημαντικά μηνύματα. Χωρίς να τραβάει την πλοκή στα άκρα, χωρίς να διαποτίζεται από πολύ συγκίνηση, κάτι που θα ευτέλιζε την πανέμορφη ιστορία, το κείμενο ακροβατεί επιδέξια ανάμεσα στο κοινωνικό και το ρομαντικό, χωρίς να βάφεται πολύ ροζ, ούτε να αφηγείται παρατραβηγμένα περιστατικά.
Η Λίζα είναι 35 χρονών και αποφεύγει τις ευθύνες μιας σχέσης. Ο Άντι της έκανε πρόταση γάμου κι εκείνη ακόμη το σκέφτεται ενώ η κόρη του από τον πρώτο γάμο, Σίσι, πηγαινοέρχεται στα πόδια τους, μεγαλωμένη από μια γυναίκα που κοιτάει κυρίως τη ζωή της. Γιατί η Λίζα έκανε μια απονενοημένη κίνηση; Θα έρθει αντιμέτωπη ποτέ με τις συνέπειες αυτής της παράλογης πράξης; Τελικά ποια είναι τα πραγματικά της αισθήματα απέναντι στον άντρα που τη θέλει για γυναίκα του;
Η Τζένιφερ έχει παγιδευτεί στον γάμο της με τον Στέφαν. Πνίγεται, στριμώχνεται, δεν ξέρει τι της φταίει. Νιώθει ότι δε θέλει παιδιά αλά δεν έχει καταλάβει αν δε θέλει γενικά ή αν δε θέλει με τον Στέφαν. Κι αν ισχύει το δεύτερο, γιατί; Φταίει που την πιέζει ο Στέφαν πάνω σε αυτό, αρκετά εγωιστικά ομολογουμένως; Ή κάτι δεν της κολλάει στον χαρακτήρα του; Γιατί θεωρεί τον εαυτό της ρίψασπι της ζωής; Τι θα κάνει τελικά; Πόσο κατακριτέο είναι στη σημερινή εποχή να μη θες να αποκτήσεις παιδιά με τον σύντροφό σου, έναν άντρα που σε καλύπτει σχεδόν απόλυτα σε όλα όσα συνιστούν την καθημερινότητά σου;
Η Αμάντα είναι ένα κορίτσι που μεγάλωσε όσο μπορούσε μακριά από την οικογενειακή εστία και έχασε τις τελευταίες μέρες της μητέρας της, ένα βάρος που το ένιωσε περισσότερο όταν επέστρεψε για την κηδεία. Γιατί αυτό το κορίτσι δημιούργησε απόσταση ανάμεσα στον εαυτό της και τους δικούς της; Τι σκέφτεται; Τι της συμβαίνει; Θα συνεχίσει να ταξιδεύει ανά τον κόσμο ή θα βρει κάτι που θα την κρατήσει επιτέλους κοντά στην οικογένειά της και ίσως δίπλα στα προβλήματά της, από τα οποία θα σταματήσει να δραπετεύει; Πόσο έτοιμη είναι να μάθει ένα μυστικό που θα της αλλάξει για πάντα τη ζωή;
Η μικρότερη, η Χάνα, κόρη της Μπάρμπαρα και του Μαρκ, είναι ένα κορίτσι 16 χρονών, με τον δικό της συναισθηματικό κόσμο, τα δικά της προβλήματα, που μεγαλώνει με τον Μαρκ, έναν άντρα που αγωνίζεται να σταθεί αντάξια πλάι της και να καλύψει όσο μπορεί τα συναισθηματικά κενά της. Θα τα καταφέρουν; Πόσο αρμονική είναι μια τέτοια συμβίωση; Θα οδηγηθούν ποτέ στα άκρα οι σχέσεις τους;
Η Μπάρμπαρα, μια γυναίκα που αγάπησε δύο άντρες στη ζωή της, μια μάνα που μεγάλωσε ολομόναχη τρεις κόρες και ρίσκαρε όταν γνώρισε τον Μαρκ να ξαναμείνει έγκυος μετά τα σαράντα της. Μια μητέρα που φρόντισε όσο μπορούσε τα παιδιά της, χωρίς να τα διαχωρίζει στην καρδιά της, που αγωνιζόταν να κρατήσει τις ισορροπίες σε ένα πολυμελές σπίτι και τώρα το μόνο που έμεινε από κείνη είναι συμβουλές, νουθεσίες και αναμνήσεις. Νομίζετε ότι η Μπάρμπαρα είναι μια γλυκανάλατη, άψογη, συνηθισμένη μαμά; Κι όμως, στο ημερολόγιό της ξεδιπλώνονται όλοι οι φόβοι, οι ανασφάλειες και τα τραγικά λάθη που έχει κάνει στη ζωή της, λάθη των οποίων τις συνέπεις φοβήθηκε να υποστεί, γι’ αυτό τις καταγράφει απρόσωπα και ψυχρά σε ένα άσπρο χαρτί, χωρίς να δίνει το δικαίωμα στις κόρες της να την αντιμετωπίσουν και να συζητήσουν για αυτά από κοντά. Μια ολοκληρωμένη προσωπικότητα, πιο ανθρώπινη από κάθε άλλον χαρακτήρα που έχω συναντήσει.
Στο κείμενο λοιπόν αναλύονται οι σχέσεις μεταξύ των αδελφών, οι σχέσεις των αδελφών με τους άντρες, οι σχέσεις Μπάρμπαρα και Μαρκ απέναντι στα παιδιά τους και τανάπαλιν, οι σχέσεις της Μπάρμπαρα με τους άντρες της και την ασθένειά της και όλα κλείνουν αρμονικά και αισιόδοξα, σε ένα τέλος που απλώς ολοκληρώνει αίσια την ιστορία, χωρίς κάτι ιδιαίτερο, ήταν όμως τόσα πολλά και τόσο έντονα τα αισθήματα που αποκόμισα διαβάζοντάς το που δε με ενόχλησε ιδιαίτερα.
Πολυεπίπεδο, ανθρώπινο, συγκινητικό (όχι μελό), τρυφερό (όχι πολύ ρομαντικό), πολύπλευρο, ψαγμένο, άμεσο, καίριο, αληθινό, γνήσιο, δεν ξέρω πώς αλλιώς να το χαρακτηρίσω. Η γραφή και οι λύσεις που εμφανίζονται ίσως θεωρηθούν κλισέ και καθόλου πρωτότυπες, όμως το ύφος και η ροή της πλοκής με κέρδισαν. Το αγάπησα και θα το θυμάμαι πάντα!
Χαρκτηριστικά αποσπάσματα:
«Εσείς οι τέσσερις δεν υπάρχετε για να ζήσετε τα όνειρά μου στη θέση μου. Εγώ είχα τα δικά μου όνειρα και μερικά από αυτά εκπληρώθηκαν, ενώ άλλα όχι. Όμως, ήταν δικά μου όνειρα. Εσείς έχετε τα δικά σας. Κάντε όνειρα, φροντίστε τα και ποτέ μην τα εγκαταλείψετε. Κάντε κάτι που αγαπάτε» (σελ. 82).
«Εγώ λοιπόν θα σας πω πως είναι οδυνηρό και είναι αναξιοπρεπές [η γέννα]. Σας προειδοποιώ για να είστε προετοιμασμένες. Αν σας προσφέρουν παυσίπονα πάρτε τα....Ελέγξτε την περιφέρεια του κεφαλιού κάποιου άντρα, πριν συμφωνήσετε να κάνετε παιδιά μαζί του. Μην πιστεύετε καμιά από αυτές τις ανοησίες σχετικά με μεγάλα χέρια και μεγάλα πόδια. Το θέμα είναι το μεγάλο κρανίο. Θα με ευγνωμονείτε. Αν μπορείτε, να μείνετε ξαπλωμένες και τους εννέα μήνες της εγκυμοσύνης, γιατί θα είστε τυχερές αν τους επόμενους εννέα μήνες καταφέρετε να ξαπλώσετε έστω και μια στιγμή» (σελ. 246).
«Ήταν σαν κάθε φορά να απομακρυνόμασταν λίγο περισσότερο ο ένας από τον άλλο, σαν ο καθε τσακωμός να πρόσθετε ένα εκατοστό στην απόσταση μεταξύ μας. Στο τέλος, δεν μπορούσαμε να επιστρέψουμε εκεί όπου ήμασταν πριν...Να μην το κάνετε ποτέ αυτό, εντάξει; Μην πέσετε για ύπνο με το σύντροφό σας προτού συμφιλιωθείτε» (σελ. 279).
«Απεχθάνομαι να ακούω γυναίκες να λένε πως οι κόρες τους είναι οι καλύτερες φίλες τους. Αυτό μου φαίνεται τόσο ασφυκτικό. Δεν είναι αυτό που θα έπρεπε να είναι οι μητέρες με τις κόρες τους. Εγώ ήμουν πάντοτε μαμά, πάντοτε σε επιφυλακή. Όμως αυτό δε μας απέτρεψε από το να διασκεδάζουμε» (σελ. 297).
«Όταν δεν μιλάς πολύ, δεν χρειάζεται και να παραδεχτείς πως κατι πάει λάθος. Αν κανένας τους δεν σχολίαζε το χάσμα που όλο και μεγάλωνε ανάμεσά τους, τότε θα μπορούσαν να προσποιούνται επ’ άπειρον πως δεν υπάρχει» (σελ. 397).
«Νομίζω πως η μητρότητα είναι η απόλυτη ανιδιοτέλεια» (σελ. 494).
Ένα συγκινητικό, κοινωνικό αριστούργημα, τόσο αληθινό και ρεαλιστικό που δεν μπορούσα να το αφήσω από τα χέρια μου, ούτε να σταματήσω να δακρύζω ή να γελάω εναλλάξ. Σπάνια έχω ταυτιστεί τόσο έντονα με χαρακτήρες μυθιστορήματος και πραγματικά άφηνα τα πάντα στην άκρη ώστε να επιστρέψω στο γνώριμο, μυρωδάτο περιβάλλον της οικογένειας της Μπάρμπαρα. Από γυναίκα σε γυναίκες και όχι μόνο, το κείμενο έχει ανατροπές, δράση και αντίδραση, εξελίξεις απρόσμενες, υπέροχα σκιαγραφημένους πρωταγωνιστές και δευτεραγωνιστές, προσεκτικά διαλεγμένες καθημερινές σκηνές που σίγουρα θα θυμίσουν σε όλους τους αναγνώστες κάτι δικό τους και πολλά διαχρονικά και σημαντικά μηνύματα. Χωρίς να τραβάει την πλοκή στα άκρα, χωρίς να διαποτίζεται από πολύ συγκίνηση, κάτι που θα ευτέλιζε την πανέμορφη ιστορία, το κείμενο ακροβατεί επιδέξια ανάμεσα στο κοινωνικό και το ρομαντικό, χωρίς να βάφεται πολύ ροζ, ούτε να αφηγείται παρατραβηγμένα περιστατικά.
Η Λίζα είναι 35 χρονών και αποφεύγει τις ευθύνες μιας σχέσης. Ο Άντι της έκανε πρόταση γάμου κι εκείνη ακόμη το σκέφτεται ενώ η κόρη του από τον πρώτο γάμο, Σίσι, πηγαινοέρχεται στα πόδια τους, μεγαλωμένη από μια γυναίκα που κοιτάει κυρίως τη ζωή της. Γιατί η Λίζα έκανε μια απονενοημένη κίνηση; Θα έρθει αντιμέτωπη ποτέ με τις συνέπειες αυτής της παράλογης πράξης; Τελικά ποια είναι τα πραγματικά της αισθήματα απέναντι στον άντρα που τη θέλει για γυναίκα του;
Η Τζένιφερ έχει παγιδευτεί στον γάμο της με τον Στέφαν. Πνίγεται, στριμώχνεται, δεν ξέρει τι της φταίει. Νιώθει ότι δε θέλει παιδιά αλά δεν έχει καταλάβει αν δε θέλει γενικά ή αν δε θέλει με τον Στέφαν. Κι αν ισχύει το δεύτερο, γιατί; Φταίει που την πιέζει ο Στέφαν πάνω σε αυτό, αρκετά εγωιστικά ομολογουμένως; Ή κάτι δεν της κολλάει στον χαρακτήρα του; Γιατί θεωρεί τον εαυτό της ρίψασπι της ζωής; Τι θα κάνει τελικά; Πόσο κατακριτέο είναι στη σημερινή εποχή να μη θες να αποκτήσεις παιδιά με τον σύντροφό σου, έναν άντρα που σε καλύπτει σχεδόν απόλυτα σε όλα όσα συνιστούν την καθημερινότητά σου;
Η Αμάντα είναι ένα κορίτσι που μεγάλωσε όσο μπορούσε μακριά από την οικογενειακή εστία και έχασε τις τελευταίες μέρες της μητέρας της, ένα βάρος που το ένιωσε περισσότερο όταν επέστρεψε για την κηδεία. Γιατί αυτό το κορίτσι δημιούργησε απόσταση ανάμεσα στον εαυτό της και τους δικούς της; Τι σκέφτεται; Τι της συμβαίνει; Θα συνεχίσει να ταξιδεύει ανά τον κόσμο ή θα βρει κάτι που θα την κρατήσει επιτέλους κοντά στην οικογένειά της και ίσως δίπλα στα προβλήματά της, από τα οποία θα σταματήσει να δραπετεύει; Πόσο έτοιμη είναι να μάθει ένα μυστικό που θα της αλλάξει για πάντα τη ζωή;
Η μικρότερη, η Χάνα, κόρη της Μπάρμπαρα και του Μαρκ, είναι ένα κορίτσι 16 χρονών, με τον δικό της συναισθηματικό κόσμο, τα δικά της προβλήματα, που μεγαλώνει με τον Μαρκ, έναν άντρα που αγωνίζεται να σταθεί αντάξια πλάι της και να καλύψει όσο μπορεί τα συναισθηματικά κενά της. Θα τα καταφέρουν; Πόσο αρμονική είναι μια τέτοια συμβίωση; Θα οδηγηθούν ποτέ στα άκρα οι σχέσεις τους;
Η Μπάρμπαρα, μια γυναίκα που αγάπησε δύο άντρες στη ζωή της, μια μάνα που μεγάλωσε ολομόναχη τρεις κόρες και ρίσκαρε όταν γνώρισε τον Μαρκ να ξαναμείνει έγκυος μετά τα σαράντα της. Μια μητέρα που φρόντισε όσο μπορούσε τα παιδιά της, χωρίς να τα διαχωρίζει στην καρδιά της, που αγωνιζόταν να κρατήσει τις ισορροπίες σε ένα πολυμελές σπίτι και τώρα το μόνο που έμεινε από κείνη είναι συμβουλές, νουθεσίες και αναμνήσεις. Νομίζετε ότι η Μπάρμπαρα είναι μια γλυκανάλατη, άψογη, συνηθισμένη μαμά; Κι όμως, στο ημερολόγιό της ξεδιπλώνονται όλοι οι φόβοι, οι ανασφάλειες και τα τραγικά λάθη που έχει κάνει στη ζωή της, λάθη των οποίων τις συνέπεις φοβήθηκε να υποστεί, γι’ αυτό τις καταγράφει απρόσωπα και ψυχρά σε ένα άσπρο χαρτί, χωρίς να δίνει το δικαίωμα στις κόρες της να την αντιμετωπίσουν και να συζητήσουν για αυτά από κοντά. Μια ολοκληρωμένη προσωπικότητα, πιο ανθρώπινη από κάθε άλλον χαρακτήρα που έχω συναντήσει.
Στο κείμενο λοιπόν αναλύονται οι σχέσεις μεταξύ των αδελφών, οι σχέσεις των αδελφών με τους άντρες, οι σχέσεις Μπάρμπαρα και Μαρκ απέναντι στα παιδιά τους και τανάπαλιν, οι σχέσεις της Μπάρμπαρα με τους άντρες της και την ασθένειά της και όλα κλείνουν αρμονικά και αισιόδοξα, σε ένα τέλος που απλώς ολοκληρώνει αίσια την ιστορία, χωρίς κάτι ιδιαίτερο, ήταν όμως τόσα πολλά και τόσο έντονα τα αισθήματα που αποκόμισα διαβάζοντάς το που δε με ενόχλησε ιδιαίτερα.
Πολυεπίπεδο, ανθρώπινο, συγκινητικό (όχι μελό), τρυφερό (όχι πολύ ρομαντικό), πολύπλευρο, ψαγμένο, άμεσο, καίριο, αληθινό, γνήσιο, δεν ξέρω πώς αλλιώς να το χαρακτηρίσω. Η γραφή και οι λύσεις που εμφανίζονται ίσως θεωρηθούν κλισέ και καθόλου πρωτότυπες, όμως το ύφος και η ροή της πλοκής με κέρδισαν. Το αγάπησα και θα το θυμάμαι πάντα!
Χαρκτηριστικά αποσπάσματα:
«Εσείς οι τέσσερις δεν υπάρχετε για να ζήσετε τα όνειρά μου στη θέση μου. Εγώ είχα τα δικά μου όνειρα και μερικά από αυτά εκπληρώθηκαν, ενώ άλλα όχι. Όμως, ήταν δικά μου όνειρα. Εσείς έχετε τα δικά σας. Κάντε όνειρα, φροντίστε τα και ποτέ μην τα εγκαταλείψετε. Κάντε κάτι που αγαπάτε» (σελ. 82).
«Εγώ λοιπόν θα σας πω πως είναι οδυνηρό και είναι αναξιοπρεπές [η γέννα]. Σας προειδοποιώ για να είστε προετοιμασμένες. Αν σας προσφέρουν παυσίπονα πάρτε τα....Ελέγξτε την περιφέρεια του κεφαλιού κάποιου άντρα, πριν συμφωνήσετε να κάνετε παιδιά μαζί του. Μην πιστεύετε καμιά από αυτές τις ανοησίες σχετικά με μεγάλα χέρια και μεγάλα πόδια. Το θέμα είναι το μεγάλο κρανίο. Θα με ευγνωμονείτε. Αν μπορείτε, να μείνετε ξαπλωμένες και τους εννέα μήνες της εγκυμοσύνης, γιατί θα είστε τυχερές αν τους επόμενους εννέα μήνες καταφέρετε να ξαπλώσετε έστω και μια στιγμή» (σελ. 246).
«Ήταν σαν κάθε φορά να απομακρυνόμασταν λίγο περισσότερο ο ένας από τον άλλο, σαν ο καθε τσακωμός να πρόσθετε ένα εκατοστό στην απόσταση μεταξύ μας. Στο τέλος, δεν μπορούσαμε να επιστρέψουμε εκεί όπου ήμασταν πριν...Να μην το κάνετε ποτέ αυτό, εντάξει; Μην πέσετε για ύπνο με το σύντροφό σας προτού συμφιλιωθείτε» (σελ. 279).
«Απεχθάνομαι να ακούω γυναίκες να λένε πως οι κόρες τους είναι οι καλύτερες φίλες τους. Αυτό μου φαίνεται τόσο ασφυκτικό. Δεν είναι αυτό που θα έπρεπε να είναι οι μητέρες με τις κόρες τους. Εγώ ήμουν πάντοτε μαμά, πάντοτε σε επιφυλακή. Όμως αυτό δε μας απέτρεψε από το να διασκεδάζουμε» (σελ. 297).
«Όταν δεν μιλάς πολύ, δεν χρειάζεται και να παραδεχτείς πως κατι πάει λάθος. Αν κανένας τους δεν σχολίαζε το χάσμα που όλο και μεγάλωνε ανάμεσά τους, τότε θα μπορούσαν να προσποιούνται επ’ άπειρον πως δεν υπάρχει» (σελ. 397).
«Νομίζω πως η μητρότητα είναι η απόλυτη ανιδιοτέλεια» (σελ. 494).
July 2, 2020
A well told story about life after death. I couldn't bear if one day I'm losing the one I love. How would I say goodbye to the people I dearly love. I can't. It's killing me.
Beautiful written. This one is a tear-jerker! A definite must-read!
Beautiful written. This one is a tear-jerker! A definite must-read!
Currently reading
March 29, 2010Loving it - made me laugh and cry!
August 18, 2013
Already loving this book. I knew I was in big trouble when I was crying at only page 2.
August 10, 2023
Predivna saga o sestrinstvu, njih četiri različite strane svijeta, i majka u sredini. Nas smo četiri sestre, što me je i privuklo na čitanje ove knjige, i u svakoj od Lize, Dženifer, Amande i Hane...pronašla sam po dio nas. Čudo je imati sestru (ne znam osjećaj za bratom) i to čudo vrvi iz svake stranice ove knjige. A da vam ne govorim o tom da nam je otac na samrti ostavio pisma, kao Barbara...
October 24, 2024
I had high hopes for this book based on the cover which is beautiful. However, I decided to put it down before I reached the 15 percent mark.
The premise was about a mother leaving her last words to her four daughters before dying of cancer. I take these things to heart and it was so sad that this mother was facing death without God even though she is a fictional character. Oh she mentioned God a few times, but mostly wanted nothing to do with God as she faced death. The point where I decided to quit the book was at the end of one of the mother's journal entries. Here is the quote, "Whoever was the fool who decided that we should work for six days and rest for one? But if you're doing something you love, you'll be okay."
Now I'm not saying that I never work on Sunday. But calling God a fool is to me the definition of blasphemy. Therefore, I'm not giving this book or this author any more of my time.
Also ironic is that the author's name is Elizabeth, which means consecrated to God. It's too bad that she has not left a better legacy for her name.
The premise was about a mother leaving her last words to her four daughters before dying of cancer. I take these things to heart and it was so sad that this mother was facing death without God even though she is a fictional character. Oh she mentioned God a few times, but mostly wanted nothing to do with God as she faced death. The point where I decided to quit the book was at the end of one of the mother's journal entries. Here is the quote, "Whoever was the fool who decided that we should work for six days and rest for one? But if you're doing something you love, you'll be okay."
Now I'm not saying that I never work on Sunday. But calling God a fool is to me the definition of blasphemy. Therefore, I'm not giving this book or this author any more of my time.
Also ironic is that the author's name is Elizabeth, which means consecrated to God. It's too bad that she has not left a better legacy for her name.
July 23, 2019
I had trouble getting into this story. It had so many different "main" characters that I didn't feel a real connection with any of them. The book switches point of view among the 4 daughters and the husband. (Unless you count all the letters and diary entries from the mom.)
July 1, 2025
Još jedno čitalačko razočarenje i klasičan primjer zapadnjačke sentimentalnosti koja mnogo obećava, a malo toga daje. Roman se na prvi pogled dotiče jedne od najdelikatnijih i najintimnijih životnih tema - smrti majke i njenog odnosa s kćerkama, no ono što bi mogla biti potresna i dirljiva priča, pretvara se u plitku, gotovo bezdušnu naraciju lišenu istinske dubine, introspektivnosti i emocionalne težine.
Umjesto suptilne i produbljene analize porodičnih odnosa, dobijamo niz klišea, labavo povezanih epizoda i emocionalno praznih trenutaka. Očekivala sam roman koji će me prodrmati, možda i natjerati da zastanem i razmislim o vlastitim odnosima i životu, ali umjesto toga, čitala sam nešto što djeluje kao da je napisano na brzinu, da se posao obavi, a ne da se priča doživi i prenese s osjećajem.
Likovi su površni, često lišeni stvarne psihološke motivacije, a sestrinski odnosi su toliko slabo oslikani da više podsjećaju na slučajni susret starih poznanica povodom 20 godina mature, nego na povezanost osoba koje su odrasle pod istim krovom.
Zapravo, nedostaje bilo kakav osjećaj stvarne intime. Dijalozi su često isprazni, emocionalne reakcije predvidljivo konstruisane, a ono što bi trebalo biti srž romana - oproštaj, žalovanje i prihvatanje gubitka, svedeno je na moralno upitne poruke. Posebno mi je zasmetala ideja da su određene životne greške, uključujući prevaru, zamajavanje partnera, kao i svjesno zapuštanje odnosa u vezi i braku, trivijalizovane i opravdane kroz prizmu "slabosti trenutka" i "nerazriješenih unutrašnjih konflikta". Kao da je čitava knjiga posveta izbjegavanju odgovornosti i racionalizaciji toksičnog ponašanja.
Najveća falinka romana je upravo u tome što ne nudi ni trun stvarne životne mudrosti - ni o smrti, ni o životu, ni o porodici. Sve djeluje kao zamagljeni pokušaj da se ispriča nešto veliko, ali bez ikakve suštine. Povremeno sam imala osjećaj da čitam loš scenarij za film druge kategorije. Nema napetosti, nema unutrašnjih preokreta, nema čak ni te stvarne tuge koju bi ovakva priča prirodno morala nositi i oslikavati.
Sestrinska dinamika koja bi mogla spasiti ovu priču jednostavno ne funkcioniše, te samim tim ni sam roman nema na čemu "da stoji". Njihova međusobna interakcija je mlaka, distancirana i toliko nedinamična da sam jedva uspjela da razlikujem njihove glasove. Djeluje kao da su prisilno okupljene ne zbog gubitka majke, već radi nekakvog formalnog porodičnog performansa.
Postoji jedan kolokvijalni balkanski izraz koji ću upotrijebiti u originalu, i to je, u suštini, sve ono što trebate znati o ovom djelu: Sra** kroz gusto granje!
Umjesto suptilne i produbljene analize porodičnih odnosa, dobijamo niz klišea, labavo povezanih epizoda i emocionalno praznih trenutaka. Očekivala sam roman koji će me prodrmati, možda i natjerati da zastanem i razmislim o vlastitim odnosima i životu, ali umjesto toga, čitala sam nešto što djeluje kao da je napisano na brzinu, da se posao obavi, a ne da se priča doživi i prenese s osjećajem.
Likovi su površni, često lišeni stvarne psihološke motivacije, a sestrinski odnosi su toliko slabo oslikani da više podsjećaju na slučajni susret starih poznanica povodom 20 godina mature, nego na povezanost osoba koje su odrasle pod istim krovom.
Zapravo, nedostaje bilo kakav osjećaj stvarne intime. Dijalozi su često isprazni, emocionalne reakcije predvidljivo konstruisane, a ono što bi trebalo biti srž romana - oproštaj, žalovanje i prihvatanje gubitka, svedeno je na moralno upitne poruke. Posebno mi je zasmetala ideja da su određene životne greške, uključujući prevaru, zamajavanje partnera, kao i svjesno zapuštanje odnosa u vezi i braku, trivijalizovane i opravdane kroz prizmu "slabosti trenutka" i "nerazriješenih unutrašnjih konflikta". Kao da je čitava knjiga posveta izbjegavanju odgovornosti i racionalizaciji toksičnog ponašanja.
Najveća falinka romana je upravo u tome što ne nudi ni trun stvarne životne mudrosti - ni o smrti, ni o životu, ni o porodici. Sve djeluje kao zamagljeni pokušaj da se ispriča nešto veliko, ali bez ikakve suštine. Povremeno sam imala osjećaj da čitam loš scenarij za film druge kategorije. Nema napetosti, nema unutrašnjih preokreta, nema čak ni te stvarne tuge koju bi ovakva priča prirodno morala nositi i oslikavati.
Sestrinska dinamika koja bi mogla spasiti ovu priču jednostavno ne funkcioniše, te samim tim ni sam roman nema na čemu "da stoji". Njihova međusobna interakcija je mlaka, distancirana i toliko nedinamična da sam jedva uspjela da razlikujem njihove glasove. Djeluje kao da su prisilno okupljene ne zbog gubitka majke, već radi nekakvog formalnog porodičnog performansa.
Postoji jedan kolokvijalni balkanski izraz koji ću upotrijebiti u originalu, i to je, u suštini, sve ono što trebate znati o ovom djelu: Sra** kroz gusto granje!
June 11, 2020
WOW WOW WOW!!! Jag är helt kär i den här boken och jag tror att jag har hittat min nya favoritbok! Jag har gråtit både ledsna och glada tårar, jag har skrattat, skrikit, rodnat, lett från öra till öra, blivit överraskad och älskat så mycket under dessa 400 sidor.
Gick bland bokhyllorna i en second hand affär och samlade på mig alla böcker jag tyckte såg intressanta ut. Den här tyckte jag inte var speciellt tilltalande men; fem kronor per bok kunde jag inte avstå. Kanske var det ödet som drog mig till boken, visst känns det så nu efter.
Jag älskade boken från första början, karaktärerna är så fina och jag har verkligen fått lära känna de på ett sätt som känns så självklart och nära.
Boken handlar om de fyra syskonen Lisa, Jennifer, Amanda och Hannah som försöker ta sig igenom livets svåra utmaningar efter att precis förlorat sin mamma, Barbara. Vi får följa med det kommande året i upp och nergångar, i sorg och glädje, i vilsenhet och rädsla men också i trygghet. Vi får ta del av brev som Barbara skrivit till sina döttrar när hon var döende.
Det var en berättelse som tog mig med storm och som lindade sig om mig redan från allra första sidorna. Den är så kärleksfull, så rolig, klyftig och sorglig. Det var såklart gånger då jag inte älskade den, när den bitvis var lite tråkig men det var aldrig att jag inte kunde fortsätta.
Det här är en bok jag kommer läsa många gånger, som kanske kommer hjälpa mig genom livet och som förhoppningsvis alltid kommer ha en plats i både min bokhylla och mitt hjärta. En bok som kommer vikas och slitas ut, som kommer lånas ut och kanske ta sig vidare till någon annan som tycker lika mycket om den som jag.
Tack Elizabeth för den här magnifika boken, jag är dig evigt tacksam. Perfektion.
Gick bland bokhyllorna i en second hand affär och samlade på mig alla böcker jag tyckte såg intressanta ut. Den här tyckte jag inte var speciellt tilltalande men; fem kronor per bok kunde jag inte avstå. Kanske var det ödet som drog mig till boken, visst känns det så nu efter.
Jag älskade boken från första början, karaktärerna är så fina och jag har verkligen fått lära känna de på ett sätt som känns så självklart och nära.
Boken handlar om de fyra syskonen Lisa, Jennifer, Amanda och Hannah som försöker ta sig igenom livets svåra utmaningar efter att precis förlorat sin mamma, Barbara. Vi får följa med det kommande året i upp och nergångar, i sorg och glädje, i vilsenhet och rädsla men också i trygghet. Vi får ta del av brev som Barbara skrivit till sina döttrar när hon var döende.
Det var en berättelse som tog mig med storm och som lindade sig om mig redan från allra första sidorna. Den är så kärleksfull, så rolig, klyftig och sorglig. Det var såklart gånger då jag inte älskade den, när den bitvis var lite tråkig men det var aldrig att jag inte kunde fortsätta.
Det här är en bok jag kommer läsa många gånger, som kanske kommer hjälpa mig genom livet och som förhoppningsvis alltid kommer ha en plats i både min bokhylla och mitt hjärta. En bok som kommer vikas och slitas ut, som kommer lånas ut och kanske ta sig vidare till någon annan som tycker lika mycket om den som jag.
Tack Elizabeth för den här magnifika boken, jag är dig evigt tacksam. Perfektion.
June 20, 2008
Didn't love it but didn't hate it.
Taken place somewhere in the UK, it's a story about a mother name Barbara who passed away due to cancer and the life lessons she left behind in letters and journals to her 4 daughters, Lisa, Jennifer, Amanda, and Hannah. Mark, the man that she loved and married (2nd marriage)has to deal with all the drama the daughters go thru and unfotunately without his wife he struggles to juggle all the emotions and being a great father figure.
Throughout the book, you will unravel the history behind each girl and the family secrets that were written in the letters/journals. They fight and laugh, deal with relationship with bfs & husbands, etc. At times you feel the emotions (i admit i cried at some parts) but some parts seemed too soap-opera-ish.
overall it was a fast read.
I would recommend this book to those who absolutely love chick-lit...but if you want something more in-depth i would skip it.
Taken place somewhere in the UK, it's a story about a mother name Barbara who passed away due to cancer and the life lessons she left behind in letters and journals to her 4 daughters, Lisa, Jennifer, Amanda, and Hannah. Mark, the man that she loved and married (2nd marriage)has to deal with all the drama the daughters go thru and unfotunately without his wife he struggles to juggle all the emotions and being a great father figure.
Throughout the book, you will unravel the history behind each girl and the family secrets that were written in the letters/journals. They fight and laugh, deal with relationship with bfs & husbands, etc. At times you feel the emotions (i admit i cried at some parts) but some parts seemed too soap-opera-ish.
overall it was a fast read.
I would recommend this book to those who absolutely love chick-lit...but if you want something more in-depth i would skip it.
March 23, 2023
2.5*.. whenever it takes me this long to read a book it’s not a good sign. I just couldn’t get hooked. It was more than halfway through the book before I could tell the difference between the four sisters they weren’t strong characters. The writing wasn’t exceptionally witty or compelling I saw the plot twists coming before they happened. Even picked up on a few grammar mistakes.
Almost chose this to be my first “did not finish” but forced my way to the end. I can’t even really file this under the category of an ‘easy read for a boring day’ because with the amount of main characters and the switch from diary to letters to book it’s not really an easy read for a boring day.
The only way I could see this book having an impact is if you’ve experienced a similar thing EG mothers death to cancer. I can see it has good reviews so maybe I’m the problem.
Almost chose this to be my first “did not finish” but forced my way to the end. I can’t even really file this under the category of an ‘easy read for a boring day’ because with the amount of main characters and the switch from diary to letters to book it’s not really an easy read for a boring day.
The only way I could see this book having an impact is if you’ve experienced a similar thing EG mothers death to cancer. I can see it has good reviews so maybe I’m the problem.
August 17, 2016
Bleugh! If I was in a less cynical mood this might just about scrape 3 stars, but that is not the case. This is one for my book club and not something I would ever choose to read normally. It's just so over-written, totally predictable and overly sentimental. No thank you!
March 24, 2015
Odlična, dirljiva ali bez patetike, optimistična i pored naizgled "teške" teme, lako se čita ali nije "lagana" jer te natjera da se malo podsjetiš pravih životnih vrijednosti, od mene preporuka.
April 6, 2022
This was the most 3 star book ever
September 16, 2009
Things I Want My Daughters To Know is Elizabeth Noble’s fourth novel. It tells the story of a mother (Barbara) who has to say goodbye to those she loves most in the world. She does this via letters expressing her hopes and fears for each daughters as well as a journal. Things I Want My Daughters To Know is quite like Cecelia Ahern’s PS I Love You and Lola Jaye’s By The Time You Read This in the way that we never get to meet the people writing the letters. I enjoyed the previous two I read and also loved this one.
I loved how the writing style wasn’t divided up into chapters but was divided up between the months and the thoughts of each person (Hannah, Amanda, Lisa, Jennifer & Mark) as well as having the odd journal entry from Barbara. It was a very clever way of writing the novel and worked really well.
I thought Elizabeth Noble wrote each character very well and loved how they were all so different from each other. Lisa, the eldest who is terrified of commitment; unhappily married Jennifer; Amanda the traveller; and Hannah a teenager who faces adulthood without her mother.
I felt sympathetic to all four sisters and absolutely loved the different obstacles each sister had to face. My favourite of the sisters had to be Amanda, I loved her flighty nature and yet, when love came calling… I so hoped Jennifer and Amanda would overcome their relationship worries. Hannah was also great and had her own problems to overcome, too.
I thought Mark’s, Barbara’s husband and Hannah’s dad, perspective gave us a different angle on grief and the struggles he faced on how to move on and whether or not it was OK to move on.
I enjoyed reading the letters to each girl – and found a few shocking – and loved the journal entries. While we never met Barbara it did feel like we knew her – through the journal entries and the letters as well as what we learnt from the girls’ and Mark’s point of view – and could also sympathise with how she was finding knowing she was going to die as well as how it impacted on the rest of the family.
There were a few scenes in the book that really lifted the lid on grief and keeping things bottled up in particular a scene where Jennifer is drinking with Mark and she really lets go of herself and lets out some shocking revelations.
Eilizabeth Noble has taken a really difficult subject and made it into a fabulous novel. Light-hearted yet serious and very moving. A lot of books say they are tear-jerkers but this one is actually one that is a tear-jerker! A definite must-read!
Rating: 5/5
I loved how the writing style wasn’t divided up into chapters but was divided up between the months and the thoughts of each person (Hannah, Amanda, Lisa, Jennifer & Mark) as well as having the odd journal entry from Barbara. It was a very clever way of writing the novel and worked really well.
I thought Elizabeth Noble wrote each character very well and loved how they were all so different from each other. Lisa, the eldest who is terrified of commitment; unhappily married Jennifer; Amanda the traveller; and Hannah a teenager who faces adulthood without her mother.
I felt sympathetic to all four sisters and absolutely loved the different obstacles each sister had to face. My favourite of the sisters had to be Amanda, I loved her flighty nature and yet, when love came calling… I so hoped Jennifer and Amanda would overcome their relationship worries. Hannah was also great and had her own problems to overcome, too.
I thought Mark’s, Barbara’s husband and Hannah’s dad, perspective gave us a different angle on grief and the struggles he faced on how to move on and whether or not it was OK to move on.
I enjoyed reading the letters to each girl – and found a few shocking – and loved the journal entries. While we never met Barbara it did feel like we knew her – through the journal entries and the letters as well as what we learnt from the girls’ and Mark’s point of view – and could also sympathise with how she was finding knowing she was going to die as well as how it impacted on the rest of the family.
There were a few scenes in the book that really lifted the lid on grief and keeping things bottled up in particular a scene where Jennifer is drinking with Mark and she really lets go of herself and lets out some shocking revelations.
Eilizabeth Noble has taken a really difficult subject and made it into a fabulous novel. Light-hearted yet serious and very moving. A lot of books say they are tear-jerkers but this one is actually one that is a tear-jerker! A definite must-read!
Rating: 5/5
January 19, 2015
This book was not what I expected at all! I expected the story to be dominated by the advise which a mother has left for the children she knows she will be forced to leave but the diary entries are few and far between and the letters are very short. The story is more about four daughters moving through lives which were already pretty messed up before their mum died.
The story was really difficult to get into, this may have been because I didn't particularly like any of the main characters. That said, once I got into it the story flowed well even though there was a lot going on. The characters also started to grow on me and by the end of the book I was really starting to care about Hannah and Mark in particular.
I didn't love this book but I didn't completely hate it either. The story was extremely well written. Although there were a lot of characters I could still follow the story and understand what was happening. There were points in the second half of the book where I couldn't put the book down as I wanted to know what would happen next but it did take a while to get to that point.
This is the first book I have read by Elizabeth Noble. I would read another although perhaps not straight away..
The story was really difficult to get into, this may have been because I didn't particularly like any of the main characters. That said, once I got into it the story flowed well even though there was a lot going on. The characters also started to grow on me and by the end of the book I was really starting to care about Hannah and Mark in particular.
I didn't love this book but I didn't completely hate it either. The story was extremely well written. Although there were a lot of characters I could still follow the story and understand what was happening. There were points in the second half of the book where I couldn't put the book down as I wanted to know what would happen next but it did take a while to get to that point.
This is the first book I have read by Elizabeth Noble. I would read another although perhaps not straight away..
June 22, 2020
I don't usually read "adult" books, but this one pulled me in! After Barbara dies from cancer, her 4 daughters, Lisa, Jennifer, Amanda, and Hannah, and husband, Mark, have to learn how to do life without her. Lisa has commitment issues, Jennifer is in a stale marriage, Amanda runs off whenever things get serious, and Hannah is still in high school. This book did such a good job of weaving through all of their perspectives. At first, I confused the girls for each other, but it didn't take long for me to become invested in all of their personal stories. Although it was absolutely AWFUL that Barbara died so early, it was beautiful to see the family find their way back to each other and comfort each other through it all. By the end, I was so happy with everyone's character growth and where they were in life!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2020
fun to try a british accent in your head when reading. don't need to have a daughter to enjoy this book, simply to be a daughter! good, light read :)
10 years later, a 2nd go. I chose to read this as my feel-good pick-me-up and I loved it again. I wouldn't give it 5 stars again, but probably 4 because of the feelings it elicits--joy, happiness, introspection, sentimentality, nostalgia, a little fear. It's a wonderful story 🙂
10 years later, a 2nd go. I chose to read this as my feel-good pick-me-up and I loved it again. I wouldn't give it 5 stars again, but probably 4 because of the feelings it elicits--joy, happiness, introspection, sentimentality, nostalgia, a little fear. It's a wonderful story 🙂
June 19, 2019
Fairly decent story about a woman who dies of cancer and leaves letters and journals to help her adult daughters "grow up." Sweet.
February 21, 2016
Topla, ljupka ali i potresna prica o cetiri sestre koje prozivljavaju prvu godinu posle smrti njihove majke.
November 25, 2017
Typical chic lit... it was alright but I felt it was pushing the idea that women can only be happy if they find a man and have children..
was okay... not great.
was okay... not great.
July 8, 2023
“If we all knew — if there was some fortune cookie you could open and find out what your allotted time was — would we all live entirely different lives? Would we waste less time? “Carpe” the diem more. Really?”
First, I will say that I enjoyed this book. The author is English so there are some phrases that is different than American English. I enjoyed reading the new to me phrases. There were many moments throughout the book I found myself tearing up. There are several emotional heartstring pulls for the reader. This quote from the book above really spoke to me & stuck with me as I read the book. Especially since at the moment my own mother is going through a health scare that we are trying to get answers to. I feel like it has made me really think about my own life and my three daughters and if we found ourself in the same situation.
The book is written in the view point of Barbara (the mother who dies) through her journal pages, Lisa (the oldest daughter who is afraid of commitment), Jennifer (the second oldest daughter who has a very stuffy personality that doesn’t allow anyone to get close), Amanda (the third daughter who would rather travel and run away from problems), Hannah (the youngest daughter who is 15 and trying to figure out who she is amidst the pain and loss of her mom) and Mark (Barbara’s younger second husband, step-father to Lisa, Jennifer and Amanda, dad to Hannah). It could be a lot to keep straight at times with so many characters (the main characters, their boyfriend/spouse/the family of the significant others) and their issues & that is why I gave the book a 3 star.
Book synopsis taken from Amazon.
How do you cope in a world without your mother?
When Barbara realizes time is running out, she writes letters to her four daughters, aware that they'll be facing the trials and triumphs of life without her at their side. But how can she leave them when they still have so much growing up to do? Take Lisa, in her midthirties but incapable of making a commitment; or Jennifer, trapped in a stale marriage and buttoned up so tight she could burst. Twentysomething Amanda, the traveler, has always distanced herself from the rest of the family; and then there's Hannah, a teenage girl on the verge of womanhood about to be parted from the mother she adores. But by drawing on the wisdom in Barbara's letters, the girls might just find a way to cope with their loss. And in coming to terms with their bereavement, can they also set themselves free to enjoy their lives with all the passion and love each deserves?
This heartfelt novel by bestselling author Elizabeth Noble celebrates family, friends . . . and the glorious, endless possibilities of life.
First, I will say that I enjoyed this book. The author is English so there are some phrases that is different than American English. I enjoyed reading the new to me phrases. There were many moments throughout the book I found myself tearing up. There are several emotional heartstring pulls for the reader. This quote from the book above really spoke to me & stuck with me as I read the book. Especially since at the moment my own mother is going through a health scare that we are trying to get answers to. I feel like it has made me really think about my own life and my three daughters and if we found ourself in the same situation.
The book is written in the view point of Barbara (the mother who dies) through her journal pages, Lisa (the oldest daughter who is afraid of commitment), Jennifer (the second oldest daughter who has a very stuffy personality that doesn’t allow anyone to get close), Amanda (the third daughter who would rather travel and run away from problems), Hannah (the youngest daughter who is 15 and trying to figure out who she is amidst the pain and loss of her mom) and Mark (Barbara’s younger second husband, step-father to Lisa, Jennifer and Amanda, dad to Hannah). It could be a lot to keep straight at times with so many characters (the main characters, their boyfriend/spouse/the family of the significant others) and their issues & that is why I gave the book a 3 star.
Book synopsis taken from Amazon.
How do you cope in a world without your mother?
When Barbara realizes time is running out, she writes letters to her four daughters, aware that they'll be facing the trials and triumphs of life without her at their side. But how can she leave them when they still have so much growing up to do? Take Lisa, in her midthirties but incapable of making a commitment; or Jennifer, trapped in a stale marriage and buttoned up so tight she could burst. Twentysomething Amanda, the traveler, has always distanced herself from the rest of the family; and then there's Hannah, a teenage girl on the verge of womanhood about to be parted from the mother she adores. But by drawing on the wisdom in Barbara's letters, the girls might just find a way to cope with their loss. And in coming to terms with their bereavement, can they also set themselves free to enjoy their lives with all the passion and love each deserves?
This heartfelt novel by bestselling author Elizabeth Noble celebrates family, friends . . . and the glorious, endless possibilities of life.
August 29, 2019
3.5 out of 5 stars
This is such a lovely chic lit book full of love, families and the lessons to learn.. We have loads of weepy bits which are to be expected in a contemporary about a mother leaving letters and and a notebook to her daughters for after she has died. This starts off with Barbara funeral and we meet her family. There are the four daughters; Lisa, Jennifer, Amanda and Hannah, we also hear from Barbara’s husband mark. I do love the way it’s written with separate characters for each main character and it links them together really well. All the daughters have very different personalities which is quite standard in these type of books and yes we get happy endings which is lovely. Certain points I got very emotional which showed it was very well written. If you want a cosy read then definitely go for this author.
This is such a lovely chic lit book full of love, families and the lessons to learn.. We have loads of weepy bits which are to be expected in a contemporary about a mother leaving letters and and a notebook to her daughters for after she has died. This starts off with Barbara funeral and we meet her family. There are the four daughters; Lisa, Jennifer, Amanda and Hannah, we also hear from Barbara’s husband mark. I do love the way it’s written with separate characters for each main character and it links them together really well. All the daughters have very different personalities which is quite standard in these type of books and yes we get happy endings which is lovely. Certain points I got very emotional which showed it was very well written. If you want a cosy read then definitely go for this author.
March 17, 2019
Ένα εξαιρετικά τρυφερό βιβλίο που μιλάει για τη σχέση μητέρας-κόρης ,τις οικογένειες και τις υπέροχες στιγμές που μας χαρίζει η ζωή. Τόσο δυνατό και γεμάτο συναισθήματα που θα το θυμάμαι πάντα. Μακάρι να το διαβάσουν κι οι δικές μου κόρες κάποτε...
Γιατί μερικές φορές χρειάζεται να δεις τους πιο κοντινούς σου ανθρώπους μέσα από τα μάτια των άλλων για να θυμηθείς πόσο υπέροχοι είναι; Γιατί να μην το θυμάσαι αυτό συνέχεια; Όταν είσαι μόνη μαζί τους.... ( σελ.71 )
Γιατί μερικές φορές χρειάζεται να δεις τους πιο κοντινούς σου ανθρώπους μέσα από τα μάτια των άλλων για να θυμηθείς πόσο υπέροχοι είναι; Γιατί να μην το θυμάσαι αυτό συνέχεια; Όταν είσαι μόνη μαζί τους.... ( σελ.71 )
March 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't life changing or amazingly written, but it was a lovely story about the relationship between a mother and daughter and sisters. honestly after reading this I wanted to rush to my Mum and see her.
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