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Follow the Stars Home
Acclaimed novelist Luanne Rice "touches the deepest, most tender corners of the heart" (Tami Hoag, author of A Thin Dark Line). Her stories remind us how precious and fragile life can be—and that we must risk our hearts every day to know happiness. Follow the Stars Home is just such a a story of poignancy and heartbreak, grace and courage.
Being a good mother is never each day brings new choices and challenges. For Dianne Robbins, being a devoted single mother has resulted in her greatest joy and her darkest hours. Weeks before her daughter was born, she and her husband, Tim McIntosh, received the news every parent fears. Tim had not reckoned on their child being anything less than perfect, and abruptly fled to a solitary existence on the sea, leaving Dianne with a newborn—almost alone.
It was Tim's brother, Alan, the town pediatrician, who stood by Dianne and her exceptional daughter. Throughout years of waiting, watching, and caring, Alan hid his love for his brother's wife. But one of the many hard choices Dianne has made is to close her heart toward any man—especially one named McIntosh. It will take a very special twelve-year-old to remind them all that love comes in many forms and can be received with as much grace as it is given.
As lyrical and moving as the poetry of nature, Follow the Stars Home is a miracle of storytelling that will take your breath away. If words alone can dare us to confront our fears and to choose joy over sorrow, then Luanne Rice's magnificent novel is a benediction and a call to celebrate our lives.
Being a good mother is never each day brings new choices and challenges. For Dianne Robbins, being a devoted single mother has resulted in her greatest joy and her darkest hours. Weeks before her daughter was born, she and her husband, Tim McIntosh, received the news every parent fears. Tim had not reckoned on their child being anything less than perfect, and abruptly fled to a solitary existence on the sea, leaving Dianne with a newborn—almost alone.
It was Tim's brother, Alan, the town pediatrician, who stood by Dianne and her exceptional daughter. Throughout years of waiting, watching, and caring, Alan hid his love for his brother's wife. But one of the many hard choices Dianne has made is to close her heart toward any man—especially one named McIntosh. It will take a very special twelve-year-old to remind them all that love comes in many forms and can be received with as much grace as it is given.
As lyrical and moving as the poetry of nature, Follow the Stars Home is a miracle of storytelling that will take your breath away. If words alone can dare us to confront our fears and to choose joy over sorrow, then Luanne Rice's magnificent novel is a benediction and a call to celebrate our lives.
462 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published January 2, 2001
701 people are currently reading
5961 people want to read
About the author
Luanne Rice
109 books3,145 followersLuanne Rice is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-eight novels, translated into thirty languages. Rice often writes about love, family, nature, and the sea. Most recently she has written thrillers, including one based on a murder that affected her family. She received the 2014 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement in the Literary Arts category.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
February 7, 2017
Idk, it's very hard to rate this one. This is not a bad book, but it's just... argh, I can't put it in to the words. I know that I was supposed to be touched, but I didn't feel that way. And I didn't feel for the characters. Finished it quickly and I'm sure I will forget it soon.
April 18, 2012
My mom read this while on vacation a few months ago and since then has been IMPLORING me to read it. I finally did and wow, do we have different taste in books. This was torture to read - the whole thing was cheesy. The writing was bad, the love scenes were hokey, it was at least 100 pages longer than necessary. The best thing I can say about it is: I'M FINALLY DONE WITH IT!
Can't wait to return it to my mom tomorrow. Ugh. Never again.
Can't wait to return it to my mom tomorrow. Ugh. Never again.
August 25, 2009
I returned this to the library unfinished. I found I didn't have the patience to listen to this woman's problems and what was keeping her back from finding love.
October 19, 2010
Oh man, so unbelievably corny. And I have a high corny threshold.
September 10, 2013
This is not my favorite Luanne Rice book, but it's lovely and made me cry (as usual) because of the characters' strong love for each other. It revolves around an unusual family where one brother married the girl, got her pregnant, but took off when the baby was born defective. Dianne then continues her life caring for a badly deformed daughter, but with the loving support of her mother and her husband's brother. They all develop a strong bond, then expand to include a lost and neglected girl about Julia's age who sees beyond Julia's sad exterior and becomes her friend. I love the tight unit they create, sharing a very deep and enduring love. My favorite character was Amy, the friend. Occasionally Dianne would be annoying over-emotional and needy. And Dr. Alan would be suffocatingly kind and supportive at times. But most of the time I enjoyed the characters and their interactions.
I particularly liked the format of the book. It starts with a tragedy, when we don't know anything about the characters. I was happy at first as the scenario developed, rooting for one of the characters. Within a few pages, we go back in time and live and grow with the family. Then when we get to the tragedy a second time, I had an entirely different viewpoint and was upset about the first scenario I had loved at the beginning. Amazing how perceptions change, which of course was the point of the format, I would think. When you dig deeper and know the whole story, you might change your mind. Which is also a metaphor for Julia and her deformed body surrounding a beautiful spirit. Most people only see the surface and don't look deep enough to see beyond the exterior. And I laughed at Tim's "it's all about me" attitude which was so blatantly and excellently described.
Really good book if you don't mind becoming emotionally invested in a story. It's not for the faint of heart!
Favorite quote about love, "The biggest mistake any of us can make...is thinking that love is a feeling, an emotion. It's not that at all. It's an action, a way of life."
12-year-old Amy's beautiful poem really struck a chord with me. This stanza is my favorite: "You see, I'm just an apple girl...And someone came and picked me up...She polished me, just like a pearl...And set me in a loving cup."
I particularly liked the format of the book. It starts with a tragedy, when we don't know anything about the characters. I was happy at first as the scenario developed, rooting for one of the characters. Within a few pages, we go back in time and live and grow with the family. Then when we get to the tragedy a second time, I had an entirely different viewpoint and was upset about the first scenario I had loved at the beginning. Amazing how perceptions change, which of course was the point of the format, I would think. When you dig deeper and know the whole story, you might change your mind. Which is also a metaphor for Julia and her deformed body surrounding a beautiful spirit. Most people only see the surface and don't look deep enough to see beyond the exterior. And I laughed at Tim's "it's all about me" attitude which was so blatantly and excellently described.
Really good book if you don't mind becoming emotionally invested in a story. It's not for the faint of heart!
Favorite quote about love, "The biggest mistake any of us can make...is thinking that love is a feeling, an emotion. It's not that at all. It's an action, a way of life."
12-year-old Amy's beautiful poem really struck a chord with me. This stanza is my favorite: "You see, I'm just an apple girl...And someone came and picked me up...She polished me, just like a pearl...And set me in a loving cup."
November 10, 2012
This book is really amazing....
Julia, her mother and Alan'll make a really good family...
And I love you Luanne for writing this book...
Julia, her mother and Alan'll make a really good family...
And I love you Luanne for writing this book...
June 22, 2012
Let me be honest. I gave a less than 5 star review because Diane ends up in a relationship with her former brother in law, Alan.
I did find this enjoyable. Diane was neighbors with Tim and Alan. She falls for and marries Tim. Weeks before their child is born, they receive devestating news. The child will have defects. Tim reacts badly and leaves Diane before the baby comes. Years go by with no contact or interaction between Tim and Diane.
Tim's brother Alan is the town pediatrician. He cares for his niece and is in love with Diane. He remains a steadfast friend and loyal supporter without revealing his feelings to Diane. In truth, Diane is bitter towards Tim and is so wrapped up in being a good mother to her daughter she's oblivious to Alan's feelings.
Alan finds a friend for his niece. There's a young lady who has an alcoholic mother who's involved with an abusive boyfriend. As her life at home isn't great he figures she can escape to Diane's house. It'll be helpful for all parties. A great friendship develops between Diane and the young lady as well. She treats the young girl as a daughter and the young lady thrives under her care.
Tragedy strikes when Diane is in an accident. Tim resurfaces and asks for another chance. Diane quickly sees thru him and sends him away. She then realizes she cares deeply for Alan. She'd failed to see what was in front of her for a number of reasons.
The story told here teaches us to make the best and do the best with what we have to work without. don't become bitter. But, keep your eyes and ears open to what's around you. There could be an opportunity to have another chance or change your path.
I did find this enjoyable. Diane was neighbors with Tim and Alan. She falls for and marries Tim. Weeks before their child is born, they receive devestating news. The child will have defects. Tim reacts badly and leaves Diane before the baby comes. Years go by with no contact or interaction between Tim and Diane.
Tim's brother Alan is the town pediatrician. He cares for his niece and is in love with Diane. He remains a steadfast friend and loyal supporter without revealing his feelings to Diane. In truth, Diane is bitter towards Tim and is so wrapped up in being a good mother to her daughter she's oblivious to Alan's feelings.
Alan finds a friend for his niece. There's a young lady who has an alcoholic mother who's involved with an abusive boyfriend. As her life at home isn't great he figures she can escape to Diane's house. It'll be helpful for all parties. A great friendship develops between Diane and the young lady as well. She treats the young girl as a daughter and the young lady thrives under her care.
Tragedy strikes when Diane is in an accident. Tim resurfaces and asks for another chance. Diane quickly sees thru him and sends him away. She then realizes she cares deeply for Alan. She'd failed to see what was in front of her for a number of reasons.
The story told here teaches us to make the best and do the best with what we have to work without. don't become bitter. But, keep your eyes and ears open to what's around you. There could be an opportunity to have another chance or change your path.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2012
One of Luanne Rice's best novels. I still remember the character's vividly and read this book over 12 years ago. m
January 17, 2023
Bralna knjiga, a zelo preprosta, zelo predvidljiva in zelo črno bela. Zgodba o materi s hčerko, ki je telesno in umsko prizadeta, z njeno ljubeznijo do hčerke po tem, ko je oče ni želel niti videti. Zgodba o ljubezni, izbira med dvema bratoma, za kar se zdi, da je je bila odločitev napačna.
V zgodbo vpletena tudi usoda deklice Amy, ki živi z mamo, ki se bori z depresijo in ima nasilnega partnerja. Amy postane prijateljica Julije, prizadete deklice. Tudi razmere Amy so orisane zelo črno in zelo belo, s hitrim preskokom iz slabega v boljše.
Knjiga za bolj romantične duše in za vse tiste, ki imajo radi lepe in srečnejše konce knjig.
Sicer lepa in topla zgodba, a brez pravih odtenkov karakterjev, zgodba pa je bila jasna, zelo hitro po začetku knjige.
V zgodbo vpletena tudi usoda deklice Amy, ki živi z mamo, ki se bori z depresijo in ima nasilnega partnerja. Amy postane prijateljica Julije, prizadete deklice. Tudi razmere Amy so orisane zelo črno in zelo belo, s hitrim preskokom iz slabega v boljše.
Knjiga za bolj romantične duše in za vse tiste, ki imajo radi lepe in srečnejše konce knjig.
Sicer lepa in topla zgodba, a brez pravih odtenkov karakterjev, zgodba pa je bila jasna, zelo hitro po začetku knjige.
December 22, 2020
It's a hard book to write and review, actually. Long before reading this book, I remember seeing this film on the Hallmark movie network years. Reading the book, I kept saying in my head "this is exactly what the stereotypical Hallmark movie is like." Just like the typical TV film, it is cheesy, with hokey lines, and love scenes that will make your eyes roll more than touch your soul.
It's not a terrible book, it's just not a very memorable one.
It's not a terrible book, it's just not a very memorable one.
October 2, 2021
Luanne Rice tells a story of a single mother with a disabled child. Her husband left soon after he discovered his daughter is anything but perfect. Throughout her journey she reflects on she and her husband Tim McIntosh met until finally realising she might have picked the sibling to marry. Will she choose the wrong brother or will she choose the supposed sibling?
I like how the author tells the story straightforwardly without me being able to put it down.
I like how the author tells the story straightforwardly without me being able to put it down.
July 27, 2022
I loved this book. It's the first book in a very long time that made me cry. I loved the characters and I felt the story really flowed well. The descriptions of the surroundings and the authors attention to detail were amazing without being too much. I will be thinking of this book for a while!
Read
June 14, 2017Dianne was in NY with 12 yr. old Amy. It was snowing and they were attempting to hail a cab when a taxi spun out of control and hit them. Amy broke her collar bone and Dianne was in serious condition when they were both taken to the hospital. Her wallet was stolen but a card with the name of her husband's boat was in her purse and they called him, Tim McIntosh.
Dianne met Tim's brother, Alan first. They had one date after he moved into town to become the local pediatrician. She then met Tim when he came into town to visit. Dianne made playhouses and Tim came by to pick one up that she had made for Alan's office. They married soon after. Diane got pregnant and the baby had both physical and mental problems. Tim was a fisherman and took off back to the sea after the baby was born without ever seeing her, Julia. Dianne raised Julia on her own with help from her mother. Alan was Julia's pediatrician. He had never married and was jealous of Tim for marrying Dianne. For Alan, it was love at first sight and he had never gotten over her.
For 11 years Dianne devoted her life to her daughter, Julia. She had time for little else. She followed in her father's footsteps and became a carpenter. Her father had worked on houses where Dianne made expensive playhouses to support herself and Julia. After Tim left, Dianne moved back home. Her mother was Lucinda, the town librarian. Her father, Emmett, had died and her mother just retired. Dianne hadn't let herself get involved with Alan because he reminded her too much of Tim. Alan ran in the mornings and had often stopped by the library to read periodicals. Lucinda kept a towel for him to wipe off his sweat and they developed a friendship. Lucinda wanted Dianne and Alan to develop a relationship and did small things for Alan to get Dianne to notice him.
He was sick when he came by once and Lucinda persuaded Dianne to deliver some soup she made. Alan was asleep when she went by. Alan came by and Dianne would be there to see him and began to notice things like his nice body.
There was a girl in town who often came into Alan's office to play in the playhouse in his reception area. Her name was Amy and she was a year older than Julia. Her father had drowned when he was out fishing when she was a baby and her mother was depressed. She had an abusive boyfriend. Buddy brought home a dog one day and beat it while trying to make it mean. He called him Slash. Amy did what she could to protect the dog. Alan introduced Amy to Dianne and she quickly became a friend to Julia. She kept her home life to herself for much of the time while they were getting to know each other.
Alan continued to come around to check on Julia and Amy. Amy began to come by almost every afternoon. Dianne was worried that her mother would be concerned and Amy assured her that she wouldn't be missed. There came a time that Buddy grabbed Amy and threatened to kill the dog. Amy ran away with the dog to Dianne's. Dianne called Alan and he came with a camera. He took pictures of the hand print on Amy's arm and the Child Welfare Service placed Amy in Dianne's care. They told Amy's mother that she wouldn't get Amy back unless she kept Buddy away from Amy and got herself on medication for her depression. She did that and Amy spend the summer with Dianne while her mother was getting better.
Dianne was also beginning to realize that Alan was a different person than Tim and they were growing closer. Dianne was frightened for Julia and she seemed to be getting worse in small increments. She had Rhett's syndrome and was autistic.
Lucinda retired and her favorite book was Anne of Green Gables. The women decided to rent a Winnebago and take a trip to Canada to see where the story was written. They had a good trip and grew closer together. Lucinda and Amy grew close because Lucinda had grown up as an orphan and felt as unloved and Amy did. They visited many beaches and built lots of sandcastles. They were headed home when Julia had a seizure. She had the name of a friend of the McIntosh boys and called him to find out where to take Julia. Tim just happened to be with him at the time and he suggested a nearby hospital in Fairfax. Dianne took Julia there and called Alan. Alan told Dianne to get Julia stabilized and then to fly her home.
Malachy had been around when the two boys were small and was like a second father to them. Their father had died and their mother had turned to drink after their older brother, Neal, had died. The death tore their family apart. Tim spent a lot of time on the sea and Alan became a doctor to help others. Tim couldn't handle sickness and imperfection. Alan had once tried to get Tim to donate blood for Amy when she was about 3 and he refused. He told Alan that his baby would be better off dead. Now that she was in the hospital at 11, Malachy told him that he needed to go to the hospital to see her. Tim refused and Malachy told Tim that he was through with him. He was a coward and that his behavior was unacceptable. Tim accepted that and left back to his boat.
Dianne returned home and there was a house that Dianne and her father often stopped by when she was young. It was the house that her father had used for to design her playhouse when she was young. Alan found out that the house was for sale and purchased it. It had a bedroom for he and Dianne and another downstairs for Julia. Dianne was hurting herself by carrying Julia and down the stairs in her mother's house.
Amy returned back home with her mother and she was taking her medication. She was doing really well in school this year. She began writing and was pretty good. She was disappointed that her mother wasn't taking more of an interest in what she was doing. She couldn't help but compare her mother to Dianne. Her mother started returning to her previous state of sleeping a lot and wasn't consistent about taking her medication.
She ran out of her house one night after arguing with her mother and she went by Dianne's. She wasn't noticed by anyone but her dog who she had renamed Orion after Buddy had left. Buddy was watching Dianne's house and picked up both Amy and Orion. He drove them to a bridge and tied Orion in a bag and threw him off the bridge. Amy didn't know what Buddy was going to do with her so she jumped off the bridge while Buddy drove off. Both the dog and Amy were rescued from the freezing water by a lobster fisherman.
Buddy was arrested and put in jail. Her mother realized that she needed to get back on her medication and resolved to get better for Amy. Amy spent Thanksgiving with Lucinda, Dianne, Julia and Alan. Alan asked Dianne to marry him after her and Amy returned from NY where they were going to see the Nutcracker. Lucinda had bought them tickets. Dianne agreed to marry Alan. She realized that she had married the wrong brother and Alan had filled out the paperwork to adopt Julia. Dianne was worried that she was too happy.
Her and Amy traveled to NY where they were struck by a taxi and ended up in the hospital. The hospital called Tim while Amy gave them Alan's number. Alan drove to NY and Tim had already seen Dianne. Dianne could barely talk but she told Tim to get out of her room. Alan asked Tim to stay when he walked in as Tim was leaving. Tim and Alan talked and Tim told Alan that he wouldn't stop the adoption and he knew that he was leaving and would never see either of them again.
Dianne had told Tim that she forgave him as she was telling him to get away from her.
The final chapter of the book was from Julia's perspective. She was locked inside of her body and knew she was leaving soon. She was anxious to die and be freed from her body. She knew she had a friend in Amy and loved her mother. She considered Alan her father and was glad for her mother that they would soon be living together. She thought of the apples that they had picked up and dried from their time in Canada. Lucinda had taken the apples and made them into dolls with clothes and all. They were to be Christmas presents this year. They were all like the dolls where they were ugly things that someone had seen the worth in and picked them up and made them into something beautiful.
Dianne met Tim's brother, Alan first. They had one date after he moved into town to become the local pediatrician. She then met Tim when he came into town to visit. Dianne made playhouses and Tim came by to pick one up that she had made for Alan's office. They married soon after. Diane got pregnant and the baby had both physical and mental problems. Tim was a fisherman and took off back to the sea after the baby was born without ever seeing her, Julia. Dianne raised Julia on her own with help from her mother. Alan was Julia's pediatrician. He had never married and was jealous of Tim for marrying Dianne. For Alan, it was love at first sight and he had never gotten over her.
For 11 years Dianne devoted her life to her daughter, Julia. She had time for little else. She followed in her father's footsteps and became a carpenter. Her father had worked on houses where Dianne made expensive playhouses to support herself and Julia. After Tim left, Dianne moved back home. Her mother was Lucinda, the town librarian. Her father, Emmett, had died and her mother just retired. Dianne hadn't let herself get involved with Alan because he reminded her too much of Tim. Alan ran in the mornings and had often stopped by the library to read periodicals. Lucinda kept a towel for him to wipe off his sweat and they developed a friendship. Lucinda wanted Dianne and Alan to develop a relationship and did small things for Alan to get Dianne to notice him.
He was sick when he came by once and Lucinda persuaded Dianne to deliver some soup she made. Alan was asleep when she went by. Alan came by and Dianne would be there to see him and began to notice things like his nice body.
There was a girl in town who often came into Alan's office to play in the playhouse in his reception area. Her name was Amy and she was a year older than Julia. Her father had drowned when he was out fishing when she was a baby and her mother was depressed. She had an abusive boyfriend. Buddy brought home a dog one day and beat it while trying to make it mean. He called him Slash. Amy did what she could to protect the dog. Alan introduced Amy to Dianne and she quickly became a friend to Julia. She kept her home life to herself for much of the time while they were getting to know each other.
Alan continued to come around to check on Julia and Amy. Amy began to come by almost every afternoon. Dianne was worried that her mother would be concerned and Amy assured her that she wouldn't be missed. There came a time that Buddy grabbed Amy and threatened to kill the dog. Amy ran away with the dog to Dianne's. Dianne called Alan and he came with a camera. He took pictures of the hand print on Amy's arm and the Child Welfare Service placed Amy in Dianne's care. They told Amy's mother that she wouldn't get Amy back unless she kept Buddy away from Amy and got herself on medication for her depression. She did that and Amy spend the summer with Dianne while her mother was getting better.
Dianne was also beginning to realize that Alan was a different person than Tim and they were growing closer. Dianne was frightened for Julia and she seemed to be getting worse in small increments. She had Rhett's syndrome and was autistic.
Lucinda retired and her favorite book was Anne of Green Gables. The women decided to rent a Winnebago and take a trip to Canada to see where the story was written. They had a good trip and grew closer together. Lucinda and Amy grew close because Lucinda had grown up as an orphan and felt as unloved and Amy did. They visited many beaches and built lots of sandcastles. They were headed home when Julia had a seizure. She had the name of a friend of the McIntosh boys and called him to find out where to take Julia. Tim just happened to be with him at the time and he suggested a nearby hospital in Fairfax. Dianne took Julia there and called Alan. Alan told Dianne to get Julia stabilized and then to fly her home.
Malachy had been around when the two boys were small and was like a second father to them. Their father had died and their mother had turned to drink after their older brother, Neal, had died. The death tore their family apart. Tim spent a lot of time on the sea and Alan became a doctor to help others. Tim couldn't handle sickness and imperfection. Alan had once tried to get Tim to donate blood for Amy when she was about 3 and he refused. He told Alan that his baby would be better off dead. Now that she was in the hospital at 11, Malachy told him that he needed to go to the hospital to see her. Tim refused and Malachy told Tim that he was through with him. He was a coward and that his behavior was unacceptable. Tim accepted that and left back to his boat.
Dianne returned home and there was a house that Dianne and her father often stopped by when she was young. It was the house that her father had used for to design her playhouse when she was young. Alan found out that the house was for sale and purchased it. It had a bedroom for he and Dianne and another downstairs for Julia. Dianne was hurting herself by carrying Julia and down the stairs in her mother's house.
Amy returned back home with her mother and she was taking her medication. She was doing really well in school this year. She began writing and was pretty good. She was disappointed that her mother wasn't taking more of an interest in what she was doing. She couldn't help but compare her mother to Dianne. Her mother started returning to her previous state of sleeping a lot and wasn't consistent about taking her medication.
She ran out of her house one night after arguing with her mother and she went by Dianne's. She wasn't noticed by anyone but her dog who she had renamed Orion after Buddy had left. Buddy was watching Dianne's house and picked up both Amy and Orion. He drove them to a bridge and tied Orion in a bag and threw him off the bridge. Amy didn't know what Buddy was going to do with her so she jumped off the bridge while Buddy drove off. Both the dog and Amy were rescued from the freezing water by a lobster fisherman.
Buddy was arrested and put in jail. Her mother realized that she needed to get back on her medication and resolved to get better for Amy. Amy spent Thanksgiving with Lucinda, Dianne, Julia and Alan. Alan asked Dianne to marry him after her and Amy returned from NY where they were going to see the Nutcracker. Lucinda had bought them tickets. Dianne agreed to marry Alan. She realized that she had married the wrong brother and Alan had filled out the paperwork to adopt Julia. Dianne was worried that she was too happy.
Her and Amy traveled to NY where they were struck by a taxi and ended up in the hospital. The hospital called Tim while Amy gave them Alan's number. Alan drove to NY and Tim had already seen Dianne. Dianne could barely talk but she told Tim to get out of her room. Alan asked Tim to stay when he walked in as Tim was leaving. Tim and Alan talked and Tim told Alan that he wouldn't stop the adoption and he knew that he was leaving and would never see either of them again.
Dianne had told Tim that she forgave him as she was telling him to get away from her.
The final chapter of the book was from Julia's perspective. She was locked inside of her body and knew she was leaving soon. She was anxious to die and be freed from her body. She knew she had a friend in Amy and loved her mother. She considered Alan her father and was glad for her mother that they would soon be living together. She thought of the apples that they had picked up and dried from their time in Canada. Lucinda had taken the apples and made them into dolls with clothes and all. They were to be Christmas presents this year. They were all like the dolls where they were ugly things that someone had seen the worth in and picked them up and made them into something beautiful.
May 14, 2008
Taken from www.barnesandnoble.com:
"Being a good mother is never simple: each day brings new choices and challenges. For Dianne Robbins, being a devoted single mother has resulted in her greatest joy and her darkest hours. Weeks before her daughter was born, she and her husband, Tim McIntosh, received the news every parent fears. Tim had not reckoned on their child being anything less than perfect, and abruptly fled to a solitary existence on the sea, leaving Dianne with a newborn—almost alone.
It was Tim's brother, Alan, the town pediatrician, who stood by Dianne and her exceptional daughter. Throughout years of waiting, watching, and caring, Alan hid his love for his brother's wife. But one of the many hard choices Dianne has made is to close her heart toward any man—especially one named McIntosh. It will take a very special twelve-year-old to remind them all that love comes in many forms and can be received with as much grace as it is given.
As lyrical and moving as the poetry of nature, Follow the Stars Home is a miracle of storytelling that will take your breath away. If words alone can dare us to confront our fears and to choose joy over sorrow, then Luanne Rice's magnificent novel is a benediction and a call to celebrate our lives."
"Being a good mother is never simple: each day brings new choices and challenges. For Dianne Robbins, being a devoted single mother has resulted in her greatest joy and her darkest hours. Weeks before her daughter was born, she and her husband, Tim McIntosh, received the news every parent fears. Tim had not reckoned on their child being anything less than perfect, and abruptly fled to a solitary existence on the sea, leaving Dianne with a newborn—almost alone.
It was Tim's brother, Alan, the town pediatrician, who stood by Dianne and her exceptional daughter. Throughout years of waiting, watching, and caring, Alan hid his love for his brother's wife. But one of the many hard choices Dianne has made is to close her heart toward any man—especially one named McIntosh. It will take a very special twelve-year-old to remind them all that love comes in many forms and can be received with as much grace as it is given.
As lyrical and moving as the poetry of nature, Follow the Stars Home is a miracle of storytelling that will take your breath away. If words alone can dare us to confront our fears and to choose joy over sorrow, then Luanne Rice's magnificent novel is a benediction and a call to celebrate our lives."
January 16, 2016
This is a very, very good book. I am so impressed with the author's ability to bring the relationship of a mother and her invalid daughter to light. I had heard of Rett's syndrome, but wasn't aware of the details of it. I loved how much the mother loved her daughter, and even more, how her friend loved her and did not judge her, but loved her not in spite of her disabilities, but just loved and accepted her. There is so much misunderstanding about invalids, mental illness, physical disabilities, that this book is a wonderful way to help people understand and learn to love people without condition. The only thing I had a hard time with, is that the mother wasted so much time in regret over losing her daughter's father, that it took her 11 years to finally accept Alan's love, who had loved her all along. I doubt that she would have really kept him at bay for that long, given that they had daily contact for 11 years. I think that if this story had happened when Julia was 5, it would have been more believable, in that respect.
Anyway, it's very good.
Anyway, it's very good.
June 5, 2013
Weeks before her daughter was born, Dianne and her husband, Tim McIntosh, received the news every parent fears. Tim can't deal with the thought of having a child that is anything less than perfect. He abandons his wife and flees to a life at sea as a lobsterman.
Tim's brother, Alan, the town pediatrician, stands by Dianne and her special needs daughter. Throughout years he is their rock of emotional support. Alan hides his love for Dianne. Dianne closes her heart to love. She devotes all her time to caring for her daughter.
Enter Amy, a very special 12 year old in need of some serious mothering. Amy reminds everyone, that love comes in many forms and can be received with as much grace as it is given. This was a sweet, poignant story. I'm excited to read other Luanne Rice books!!
Tim's brother, Alan, the town pediatrician, stands by Dianne and her special needs daughter. Throughout years he is their rock of emotional support. Alan hides his love for Dianne. Dianne closes her heart to love. She devotes all her time to caring for her daughter.
Enter Amy, a very special 12 year old in need of some serious mothering. Amy reminds everyone, that love comes in many forms and can be received with as much grace as it is given. This was a sweet, poignant story. I'm excited to read other Luanne Rice books!!
October 1, 2009
I really enjoyed this book because it was a quick and easy read. The story is about a woman named Diane who's husband left her after finding out their child would be handicap. It goes through her life as she deals with being a single mom taking care of her child with the help of her mother. She also gets help from her brother-in-law, Alan who is the girls doctor and is in love with Diane.
He finds a friend for his niece named Amy, who doesn't have a pleasant childhood because she has a drug addict mom and a boyfriend who beats her. Diane treats Amy like a daughter and learns to love again by listening to what she has to say.
He finds a friend for his niece named Amy, who doesn't have a pleasant childhood because she has a drug addict mom and a boyfriend who beats her. Diane treats Amy like a daughter and learns to love again by listening to what she has to say.
January 28, 2010
An 11-year old girl with Rett syndrome; her mother, abandoned by her father even before she was born; her father’s brother, who stood by and cared for them through all those years; a neglected 12-year old girl, in need of love and yet has so much love to give herself. What I like about Luanne Rice’s stories is their redeeming quality – through all of life’s trials, there’s always hope to overcome; though there are mean people, the good are the ones rewarded with happiness at the end. Life is good, after all...no matter what.
November 23, 2008
This is a nice book about nice people.
They also turned it into a decent Hallmark movie.
A woman, with a disabled child, is abandoned by her husband, but is making it alone (with the help of the husband's brother who of course becomes the love interest).
There is a girl, on the wrong side of town, who is more or less abandoned by her mother (family). The two get together and form a wonderful bond centered around the disabled girl. Really sweet book.
They also turned it into a decent Hallmark movie.
A woman, with a disabled child, is abandoned by her husband, but is making it alone (with the help of the husband's brother who of course becomes the love interest).
There is a girl, on the wrong side of town, who is more or less abandoned by her mother (family). The two get together and form a wonderful bond centered around the disabled girl. Really sweet book.
October 23, 2008
Slightly better than average romance. Women with handicapped child learns to take love again. Book club selection.
December 10, 2011
I have seen this movie, and like all movies it seems the book is much more indepth. Tears of beauty and tears of sadnees melted into my pillow. I couldn't put the book down until I finished.
July 22, 2017
I really liked this book and found it a compelling read; but, at the same time, the writing was flawed in spots. There was a lot of repetition as if the reader couldn't get it the first time, some of the scenes were cloyingly sweet, and every character at one time or another had tears in their eyes or were always crying or choked up.
The book opens with two of the main characters going to New York to see The Nutcracker Ballet. There is a horrible accident, and the rest of the book is a flashback leading up to this moment. Twelve years previously, Dianne Robbins has a date with Alan McIntosh. She then meets his brother Tim, falls in love, and marries him. Tim is a fisherman and lives on the sea. Dianne learns she is pregnant and that the baby will be born with serious birth defects. Tim can't deal with imperfection and is so wrapped up in self due to the childhood death of another brother named Neil from leukemia that he abandons Dianne. He leaves and Dianne doesn't see or hear from him until the accident twelve years later. The baby is born with spina bifida and Rett syndrome. The baby is named Julia and she endures numerous surgeries to repair some major defects. She can't talk, is confined to a wheelchair, and uses feathery hand gestures. Dianne is a devoted mother but bitter toward Tim and doesn't perceive Alan's love for her. Alan is the town pediatrician and the doctor of choice for Dianne. He stands by and supports her, is always on call for her and Julia, but never reveals that he is in love with Dianne thru the years of "waiting, watching, and caring". And Dianne can't keep from comparing Alan to his brother because they look alike so it's hard for her to be around Alan.
Dianne is a carpenter and makes child size playhouses as a living. A neglected girl named Amy likes to visit Dr. McIntosh's waiting room because he has one of the playhouses there. She comes from a dysfunctional home where the mother is in deep depression and sleeps all the time and the boyfriend is abusive. Alan thinks Amy would make a good friend to friendless Julia. He introduces them and Amy accepts Julia with unconditional love. She develops a friendship with Dianne who treats her like a daughter; and Amy, who is in desperate need of a functioning mother, begins to blossom. Dianne lives with her mother Lucinda who is the town librarian on the verge of retirement and who seems to understand all the dynamics going on with the other characters. She is understanding and compassionate. The town gives her a retirement gift that takes the women on a road trip and ends with a medical emergency. Beware, if you are an animal lover, there are a couple of scenes of abuse between Amy's mother's boyfriend and a puppy named Slash/Orion.
The next to last chapter brings the reader back to where the book started. Tim shows up at the hospital and thinks Amy is his daughter Julia. There is a confrontation between him and his brother Alan. Will Tim let go of Dianne and finally meet his daughter? You will be surprised by the abrupt ending and what he does. The last chapter is written from the perspective of Julia who has not had a voice thru the book except for utterings like Gaaa, Gleee, Maaa, etc. This is an inspiring story and an uplifting one - just beware that it is written with some weaknesses in literary style.
The book opens with two of the main characters going to New York to see The Nutcracker Ballet. There is a horrible accident, and the rest of the book is a flashback leading up to this moment. Twelve years previously, Dianne Robbins has a date with Alan McIntosh. She then meets his brother Tim, falls in love, and marries him. Tim is a fisherman and lives on the sea. Dianne learns she is pregnant and that the baby will be born with serious birth defects. Tim can't deal with imperfection and is so wrapped up in self due to the childhood death of another brother named Neil from leukemia that he abandons Dianne. He leaves and Dianne doesn't see or hear from him until the accident twelve years later. The baby is born with spina bifida and Rett syndrome. The baby is named Julia and she endures numerous surgeries to repair some major defects. She can't talk, is confined to a wheelchair, and uses feathery hand gestures. Dianne is a devoted mother but bitter toward Tim and doesn't perceive Alan's love for her. Alan is the town pediatrician and the doctor of choice for Dianne. He stands by and supports her, is always on call for her and Julia, but never reveals that he is in love with Dianne thru the years of "waiting, watching, and caring". And Dianne can't keep from comparing Alan to his brother because they look alike so it's hard for her to be around Alan.
Dianne is a carpenter and makes child size playhouses as a living. A neglected girl named Amy likes to visit Dr. McIntosh's waiting room because he has one of the playhouses there. She comes from a dysfunctional home where the mother is in deep depression and sleeps all the time and the boyfriend is abusive. Alan thinks Amy would make a good friend to friendless Julia. He introduces them and Amy accepts Julia with unconditional love. She develops a friendship with Dianne who treats her like a daughter; and Amy, who is in desperate need of a functioning mother, begins to blossom. Dianne lives with her mother Lucinda who is the town librarian on the verge of retirement and who seems to understand all the dynamics going on with the other characters. She is understanding and compassionate. The town gives her a retirement gift that takes the women on a road trip and ends with a medical emergency. Beware, if you are an animal lover, there are a couple of scenes of abuse between Amy's mother's boyfriend and a puppy named Slash/Orion.
The next to last chapter brings the reader back to where the book started. Tim shows up at the hospital and thinks Amy is his daughter Julia. There is a confrontation between him and his brother Alan. Will Tim let go of Dianne and finally meet his daughter? You will be surprised by the abrupt ending and what he does. The last chapter is written from the perspective of Julia who has not had a voice thru the book except for utterings like Gaaa, Gleee, Maaa, etc. This is an inspiring story and an uplifting one - just beware that it is written with some weaknesses in literary style.
April 13, 2023
It’s the perfect Christmas trip to pre-pandemic New York. Horse-drawn carriages announce themselves with a cadre of sleighbells. Ice skaters do their thing at Rockefeller Square. If you’re 12 like Amy Brooks is, you’re immersed in magic. Best of all, you’re going to see a performance of the Nutcracker that day.
That all changes when the sloppily drunk cab driver runs Amy down in the street. Also severely injured was Dianne Robbins, a one-time foster mom to Amy.
Will they live? You aren’t initially sure. Instead, the author treats you to flashbacks to the previous spring and more especially the summer before the accident. Amy lives in a rundown section of town with her clinically depressed mother and her mother's abusive boyfriend. Dianne is a single mom to a congenitally disabled girl, and because of her past with the girl’s father, Dianne has closed and boarded up her heart against love coming from anywhere.
Julia, the disabled girl, isn’t likely to live many more months. No one knows that better than Alan McinTosh, a local physician and brother of the man who abandoned Dianne the minute he learned their child would be born disabled. Alan has carried a torch for Dianne for years, and he’s the go-to guy when Julia gets sick or has a life-threatening scare. Alan’s brother, Tim, who fathered the disabled child, embittered Dianne such that she can’t see Alan’s love for her.
I’ve botched my description of this badly. It’s a tender uplifting story that emphasizes the need to take risks and embrace the best of the present and future. The little group comprised of Amy, Dianne, and her mom, the town’s retiring librarian, take a trip to Prince Edward Island to take in the sites relevant to L. M. Montgomery, the librarian’s favorite author. They make touching memories and draw closer to one another. It is 12-year-old Amy who is the catalyst to open the hearts of those around her. Amy doesn’t see a diminished child who is hard to look at. She sees a friend. She and Juliet are close in age, but it is Amy with her remarkable gifts of seeing beyond shallowness that broadens the horizons for all of them.
Is this overly schmaltzy? Maybe a little. There’s a cat who stares at the Orion star formation at night. Are you serious? The cat can pick out the Orion star formation? There are millions of people who can’t do that. That pretty much pegged the needle of my schmaltz meter.
But if you’re looking for something that uplifts and gives you a reason to believe that the future is positive, as it surely is, then this is your kind of book.
That all changes when the sloppily drunk cab driver runs Amy down in the street. Also severely injured was Dianne Robbins, a one-time foster mom to Amy.
Will they live? You aren’t initially sure. Instead, the author treats you to flashbacks to the previous spring and more especially the summer before the accident. Amy lives in a rundown section of town with her clinically depressed mother and her mother's abusive boyfriend. Dianne is a single mom to a congenitally disabled girl, and because of her past with the girl’s father, Dianne has closed and boarded up her heart against love coming from anywhere.
Julia, the disabled girl, isn’t likely to live many more months. No one knows that better than Alan McinTosh, a local physician and brother of the man who abandoned Dianne the minute he learned their child would be born disabled. Alan has carried a torch for Dianne for years, and he’s the go-to guy when Julia gets sick or has a life-threatening scare. Alan’s brother, Tim, who fathered the disabled child, embittered Dianne such that she can’t see Alan’s love for her.
I’ve botched my description of this badly. It’s a tender uplifting story that emphasizes the need to take risks and embrace the best of the present and future. The little group comprised of Amy, Dianne, and her mom, the town’s retiring librarian, take a trip to Prince Edward Island to take in the sites relevant to L. M. Montgomery, the librarian’s favorite author. They make touching memories and draw closer to one another. It is 12-year-old Amy who is the catalyst to open the hearts of those around her. Amy doesn’t see a diminished child who is hard to look at. She sees a friend. She and Juliet are close in age, but it is Amy with her remarkable gifts of seeing beyond shallowness that broadens the horizons for all of them.
Is this overly schmaltzy? Maybe a little. There’s a cat who stares at the Orion star formation at night. Are you serious? The cat can pick out the Orion star formation? There are millions of people who can’t do that. That pretty much pegged the needle of my schmaltz meter.
But if you’re looking for something that uplifts and gives you a reason to believe that the future is positive, as it surely is, then this is your kind of book.
March 7, 2023
2.5 rounded up to 3 stars. I bought this book because I saw and liked the movie and wanted to read it. It was a bit saccharine, flowery and somewhat repetitive for my taste but overall not a bad novel. This is not my typical genre and it is over 20 years old so I was in a very forgiving mood while reading it. It also says a lot that I did finish it. I have been a serial DNFer with anything that even mildly displeases me lately. I will say that this is a case of the movie is better than the book. Condensing the story and cutting certain events/characters was a good move I think.
Just want to say. The number of times characters throats ached made me wish I had the ebook instead of the print copy just so I could search it to find out exactly how many times it was said in 300ish pages.
Fairly straightforward plot, decent prose if a bit repetitive at times and bit of a love triangle. Pretty typical for this genre of book. The good people were good, the bad people were bad and nobody switched sides. The long suffering good guy waiting in the wings got the girl once she decided she was good enough to accept his love and that whole chestnut. The adult characters with the exception of Lucinda (I loved her retirement arc) were all a little grating at times. Something about the brothers (Tim and Alan) didn't come off as natural. Tim more so than Alan. I'm sure there are people who do think the way Tim did in the passages from his perspective but they read oddly to me.
The friendship between Amy and Julia was nice and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. I also thought Amy was a very well done character. Her story arc was probably my favorite in the book. The found family theme for her was very enjoyable. I also really liked how it was portrayed that Julia and Amy were truly friends and mutually enjoyed each other's company. I think that was a very positive view of a person with the disabilities that Julia had without an undertone of deep pity that so often accompanies characters like Julia. Julia was portrayed as a happy person and time was devoted to detailing things she enjoyed doing/seeing. It wasn't just constant descriptions of how she suffered. I really could have done without the chapter from Julia's perspective and the repetitive descriptions of her body though. Those were pretty over the top even with my low expectations going in.
I am kind of on the fence about a possible reread on this one. I will probably keep it on my shelf just in case the mood strikes me again.
Just want to say. The number of times characters throats ached made me wish I had the ebook instead of the print copy just so I could search it to find out exactly how many times it was said in 300ish pages.
Fairly straightforward plot, decent prose if a bit repetitive at times and bit of a love triangle. Pretty typical for this genre of book. The good people were good, the bad people were bad and nobody switched sides. The long suffering good guy waiting in the wings got the girl once she decided she was good enough to accept his love and that whole chestnut. The adult characters with the exception of Lucinda (I loved her retirement arc) were all a little grating at times. Something about the brothers (Tim and Alan) didn't come off as natural. Tim more so than Alan. I'm sure there are people who do think the way Tim did in the passages from his perspective but they read oddly to me.
The friendship between Amy and Julia was nice and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. I also thought Amy was a very well done character. Her story arc was probably my favorite in the book. The found family theme for her was very enjoyable. I also really liked how it was portrayed that Julia and Amy were truly friends and mutually enjoyed each other's company. I think that was a very positive view of a person with the disabilities that Julia had without an undertone of deep pity that so often accompanies characters like Julia. Julia was portrayed as a happy person and time was devoted to detailing things she enjoyed doing/seeing. It wasn't just constant descriptions of how she suffered. I really could have done without the chapter from Julia's perspective and the repetitive descriptions of her body though. Those were pretty over the top even with my low expectations going in.
I am kind of on the fence about a possible reread on this one. I will probably keep it on my shelf just in case the mood strikes me again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2021
The story wasn't good enough for a higher rating from me. Definitely a slow read, but that I did not mind. The characters however...smh...Tim, what a sorry piece of sh*t...that's one case I wished they gave up on earlier in the book. That's some serious self pitying traits he has there and nothing the author wroye pointed to him carrying those traits before his brother died. I understand someone's fear of sickness and death, but that is one chronic case of bullshit self-pitying taking place that seems unfounded. Alan, toooooo much of a saint. Wish the book found a way to get Lucinda a man. Wished Julia's perspective came in earlier in the book...even throughout the book. If she had a brain to comment on events at the end of the book, why limit her point of view to only the end...could have made for more interesting read. Buddy is not a human, he's not even an animal...he's dirt that does not nourish. I couldn't believe what I read when he threw that dog off the bridge. Tess was lost too long... It's a story after all. And Julia needed to wake the f*ck up earlier. Amy was my favorite character. Only thing is I don't know if a 12 year old will act that way with a child with Rhett Syndrome. I think a 10 year old maybe...maybe even 11 year old, but I fell like a 12 year old would not naturally be accepting and non judgmental as Amy was ad a 12yr old.Amy is the only one that brought any change or transformation in the book. What happened with Dianne and Alan wasn't juicy/good enough. Sweetest part of the book was when Alan claimed Julia as his daughter (when he told Dianne when they were in TBE White House.
January 31, 2024
A very emotional book. Dianne lives with her mother, Lucinda, and disabled daughter, Julia. They live in a beautiful seaside town where Dianne has been raising Julia alone for eleven years. Julia’s father, Tim, left them when he found out Julia would be disabled. Tim’s brother, Alan, is Julia’s pediatrician and has been taking care of her since her birth. He also has been in love with Dianne since they went out on their first and only date, Dianne having met Tim soon afterward. One of Alan’s patients, Amy, has a difficult life at home. Her father passed away, her mother is depressed, and her boyfriend, Buddy, is abusive, especially to a puppy he wants to be a watch dog. When child protective services get involved, Amy and the puppy are allowed to stay with Dianne, Lucinda, and Julia. They become inseparable, and even though Amy misses her mother, she has the time of her life with Julia, her new best friend. They all go on a summer road trip to Canada, Amy learns the enjoyment of reading the writing, and building sand castles. One of the main things we gain from this story is the way we learn how love is the most important thing in this world.
One of the things I would have added to the story since love was so important was Malachy, the oceanographer who was close like a father to Tim and Alan, should have offered to drive the RV back from Canada with Lucinda and Amy. (Since Dianne had to be with Julia at the hospital after she suffered a seizure.) Malachy and Lucinda would have been great companions to each other in their golden years!
One of the things I would have added to the story since love was so important was Malachy, the oceanographer who was close like a father to Tim and Alan, should have offered to drive the RV back from Canada with Lucinda and Amy. (Since Dianne had to be with Julia at the hospital after she suffered a seizure.) Malachy and Lucinda would have been great companions to each other in their golden years!
July 7, 2024
I have loved me a good Luanne novel (or twenty), especially in the late 90’s and early 2000s, and probably still have a few of her paperbacks on my shelves. She is always just the right amount of sweet romance but also has deeper themes of friendship and family, so when I saw the prompt to find a book published I the year 2000, she immediately came to mind as someone I read in yester-year, and I googled her extensive list on which one would fit.
Follow The Stars Home is a lovely story that begins on a winter evening in New York City, but the setting quickly jumps backwards to a small town in Connecticut where you see what events take place to bring you to that day. The story seemed familiar as I was reading it (which I likely did when it was first published), but it was still a fresh, timeless story exploring the idea of #kindredspirits and Love in its many forms (parent/child, friend/friend, elder/grandchild, partners, mentors, and more). #SpinaBifida #RettSyndrome
TW: child and animal abuse and neglect, depression
Follow The Stars Home is a lovely story that begins on a winter evening in New York City, but the setting quickly jumps backwards to a small town in Connecticut where you see what events take place to bring you to that day. The story seemed familiar as I was reading it (which I likely did when it was first published), but it was still a fresh, timeless story exploring the idea of #kindredspirits and Love in its many forms (parent/child, friend/friend, elder/grandchild, partners, mentors, and more). #SpinaBifida #RettSyndrome
TW: child and animal abuse and neglect, depression
February 12, 2020
Tissues at the ready, we can fear for Orion, but it's ok, Stella saves the day!
The gathered emotional and interrelated feelings of this unique family carry the characters along so deeply that they become real. The typical book review would read "a heartbreaking story of love, loss and courage."
And yes the story involves these things, but much more, much more. The central heart is Julia, a 12 year old who was born into a much mangled tangle of nerves, organs and appendages. And although she cannot voice her thoughts, within she is exceptionally articulate, observant, positive and prescient. She is the family's cornerstone. This is a very raw book, not full of sugary anecdotes but rather the harshness within surrounding hearts that run like the tides in and out from shore to sea and back. Overall an innovative challenge to read from your heart.
The gathered emotional and interrelated feelings of this unique family carry the characters along so deeply that they become real. The typical book review would read "a heartbreaking story of love, loss and courage."
And yes the story involves these things, but much more, much more. The central heart is Julia, a 12 year old who was born into a much mangled tangle of nerves, organs and appendages. And although she cannot voice her thoughts, within she is exceptionally articulate, observant, positive and prescient. She is the family's cornerstone. This is a very raw book, not full of sugary anecdotes but rather the harshness within surrounding hearts that run like the tides in and out from shore to sea and back. Overall an innovative challenge to read from your heart.
May 24, 2021
OK -- so I'm a bitch. BUT -- if Dianne cried, wept, sobbed or said stupid things one more time I would have returned this to the library unread. I can only imagine what she'll do when Julia dies. Which was apparently coming at the end of the book. And her adoptive father (I've forgotten his name already) also spends a lot of time crying and bemoaning his fate. Amy also has her cross to bear -- HER MOTHER. AMY was good with Buddy that last time around -- went right off that bridge after the you-know-what. Last but definitely not least is Lucinda -- more sense in her little finger than all the rest of the crew put together. I was imagining her with Malachy. And the kitty also had her story -- which was more interesting than some others !! I'm so glad I'm not much into movies. This would have been -- well, too much.
May 1, 2020
What a delightful read. On these past two freezing sudden Arctic blast days with nothing to do but read, I lost myself in this beautiful story. To know of these characters is in many ways similar to loving the Anne of Green Gables novels, just as in the story refers to as well. I loved the heartfelt passion both Dianne and Amy have for life. Amy truly is a little girl who reminds me of me, and Anne!
I think those who have given this a low star rating have never been in that position of loving someone so much it hurts for so little return.
I enjoyed this very much to the point of tears, and I think I have only ever once cried whilst reading a book, in all my near 57 years of reading.
I think those who have given this a low star rating have never been in that position of loving someone so much it hurts for so little return.
I enjoyed this very much to the point of tears, and I think I have only ever once cried whilst reading a book, in all my near 57 years of reading.
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