All I’ve Done For You

by Joanne Greenberg

Lily Higgins Beausoleil, respected mother, grandmother, bank employee and upstanding citizen of bucolic Gold Flume, has passed. A suicide no one will mention. Now the grieving family and town is turned upside down as her secret life is slowly uncovered.
Joanne Greenberg, renowned author of the classic, I Never promised You a Rose Garden, spins an intriguing tale of family, betrayal, false appearances, and a stained family legacy in this, her 20th novel. All I Have Done For You is told from the perspective of Lily’s ghost as she watches her family and town struggle through her betrayal, the false veneers, and finally, the ultimate truth.

163 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2017

About the author

Joanne Greenberg, also known as Hannah Green, is a writer whose style lends itself to the mature reader yet simultaneously presents themes suitable for all ages. Greenberg addresses the persistent doubts that plague all of us by relating stories of others in need. Though the scenarios in which her characters find themselves may be unfamiliar to the average reader, the emotions they feel while enmeshed in the plotlines are universal in appeal and scope. Her works include magazine publications, short stories, novels, and a movie adaptation of her book, I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a difficult book to read- the characters are laid bare, stripped to the raw realness buried deep inside all of us. A realness that isn’t always nice.

I didn’t much like Lily in the beginning but came to have sympathy for her as her story unfolded (in the end). She was a cynical and bitter woman.

In fact I didn’t like most of the characters. One exception was one of her childhood friends, Lowayne, one of the Ellies. She seemed more honest, with herself and others, and more tolerant.

[Tiffany Silverberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting premise, but...

I was intrigued by the idea that the main character, Lily, had some dark secret of revenge on the town's people who misunderstood her. The writing was excellent, however, each chapter was told by a different character in the book, and I found that to be a little disjointing to the story. The character of Lily was interesting, too, but she was not believable, or like-able. I was disappointed by the ending, as well.

[Sandi Cooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It put me through a range of emotions --- liking characters, not liking the same character. And really made me think about gratitude and revenge and how they can be intertwined. Also I liked the Colorado vibe. Highly recommend it!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting story line. Amazing characters and plot.

[Julie Lundy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t hate it, I just kept waiting for some redeeming twist to pop through and it did not. Felt kind of pointless in the end. Too many opportunities to do something great just passed by.