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Willing Spirits
A novel Jodi Picoult calls "beautifully written, full of wit...and heart," from the author of The Sinner's Guide to Confession.
Both teachers in their forties, Jane Hoffman and Gwen Baker have a friendship that has helped them endure. It was Jane who looked after Gwen when her husband left her with two young sons to raise. And when Jane comes home one day unexpectedly and finds her husband in a shameless act of betrayal, she turns to Gwen for support.
Now, tested by additional personal crises, Jane and Gwen face new challenges-as mothers, as daughters, as women. And in the process, they will learn unexpected truths about their friendship-and themselves.
Both teachers in their forties, Jane Hoffman and Gwen Baker have a friendship that has helped them endure. It was Jane who looked after Gwen when her husband left her with two young sons to raise. And when Jane comes home one day unexpectedly and finds her husband in a shameless act of betrayal, she turns to Gwen for support.
Now, tested by additional personal crises, Jane and Gwen face new challenges-as mothers, as daughters, as women. And in the process, they will learn unexpected truths about their friendship-and themselves.
- GenresFiction
295 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 20, 2009
So far this is a nice chick book - for more mature chicks.
Perhaps the proper terminology would be hens :-)
Update after completion - wow. I am still not sure which character I can identify with more. There were elements that were soothing and other elements that made me reflect and go "hmmmmm". I know that I overanalyze sometimes (ha) and this book does a good job of analyzing relationships and why, despite glitches and serious flaws, we still let certain people in...
Perhaps the proper terminology would be hens :-)
Update after completion - wow. I am still not sure which character I can identify with more. There were elements that were soothing and other elements that made me reflect and go "hmmmmm". I know that I overanalyze sometimes (ha) and this book does a good job of analyzing relationships and why, despite glitches and serious flaws, we still let certain people in...
April 4, 2016
Couldn't put this down. Gwen had a failed marriaged thT produced 2 boys. Their grown now and she's currently seeing a married man who reveals he's left his wife. Jane married a man she never was really in love with but he wasn't interested in her sister and that was good enough for her. Thy had a daughter and Jane and Gwen were neighbors that developed a great friendship. Their kids are grown and one day Jane walks in on her husband having sex with a. Former student of his. At that moment Jane decides she wants a divorce she's tired of not being happy. Together Jane and Gwen rely on each other for support to get through these new stages of life.
August 12, 2013
The author truly defines how special a woman's best friend is and what WILLING SPIRITS we become. This book is good for the heart, mind and souls of all women who read it. Each and every woman will see something of themselves and will take something positive away after reading it.
July 7, 2010
Loved this book. It made me think of my own friendships and how much they mean to me. You know who you are!!
November 30, 2018
These Willing Spirits keep going as their ghosts remain in their thinking.
Outlined shapes are memorized and connect to reveal a path experienced here in this book. Wisdom is always valued and is often the best way to share with others needing some help.
First of all, Let us discuss this cover. I am a bit put off by it because I think there is something else inside this book that needs to be viewed on the floor instead of this slice of bread! If you read this book, I think you will know what I am referring to in a scene that is very important to these characters. This cover has nagged at me for the duration of this read.
The close relationship between Jane and Gwen is beautiful, timeless, and intriguing to outsiders. Their shared bond echoes through their actions and reactions as this story progresses and unfolds the changes they are experiencing in their lives.
Death is an important device in this story and how it has its presence bestowed on others for many lingering moments as a deep reflection that is visited and keeps the living minds busy in thoughts of the past while a pain is ever-present. Jane is downplaying cancer her mother is experiencing. She wants her mother to protect her from this pain. As parents, we often do this, even though, it is not the truth.
Certain items in our lives take on meaning that is only apparent us and there are items in this story that do just that for these characters.
Being unfaithful is a device discussed between these two friends and their family members. It becomes a driving force behind their actions and reactions and what happens to their family units.
Gwen uses her fantasies about life to cope with her rejection and pain while she is with Theodore. Her refuge in her imaginary world. She reaches for a comfortable role. She wants to live a hundred years earlier and stay at home tending to her family and their needs. Her hurt stems from the absence of his touch. He judges her and she can't let that go. She cooks to cover her unhappiness with her life. Happiness is an intangible feeling that she craves to have in her life.
Jane and Gwen often think about the first time they met and how their bond is strong and always there. They are best friends and this is always present even when they are involved in different relationships. Jane doesn't like to be alone and Gwen does value her alone time. When Jane brings Gwen dinner while Arnold is working late, Jane is so helpful and she helps give the boys a bath. The children are docile instead of boisterous like they usually behave in this situation. Gwen recalls this moment as the night they fell in love with each other. Women comfort each other and heal each other with their presence. The lucky females find men that are more like women to spend their lives with and to experience this deeply shared love for each other.
Caroline arrived late and Jane felt she already knew this child. She fell in love with her daughter, Caroline right away. It became an enduring love that lasted. Caroline became a careful being that loved swimming with the manatees and she understood them.
Cayenne Pepper, mothers, and becoming mothers as well as differences and how relationships change are discussed in these pages written by Schieber. Childhood relationships also have a lasting bearing on these grown women as they form new relationships.
Outlined shapes are memorized and connect to reveal a path experienced here in this book. Wisdom is always valued and is often the best way to share with others needing some help.
First of all, Let us discuss this cover. I am a bit put off by it because I think there is something else inside this book that needs to be viewed on the floor instead of this slice of bread! If you read this book, I think you will know what I am referring to in a scene that is very important to these characters. This cover has nagged at me for the duration of this read.
The close relationship between Jane and Gwen is beautiful, timeless, and intriguing to outsiders. Their shared bond echoes through their actions and reactions as this story progresses and unfolds the changes they are experiencing in their lives.
Death is an important device in this story and how it has its presence bestowed on others for many lingering moments as a deep reflection that is visited and keeps the living minds busy in thoughts of the past while a pain is ever-present. Jane is downplaying cancer her mother is experiencing. She wants her mother to protect her from this pain. As parents, we often do this, even though, it is not the truth.
Certain items in our lives take on meaning that is only apparent us and there are items in this story that do just that for these characters.
Being unfaithful is a device discussed between these two friends and their family members. It becomes a driving force behind their actions and reactions and what happens to their family units.
Gwen uses her fantasies about life to cope with her rejection and pain while she is with Theodore. Her refuge in her imaginary world. She reaches for a comfortable role. She wants to live a hundred years earlier and stay at home tending to her family and their needs. Her hurt stems from the absence of his touch. He judges her and she can't let that go. She cooks to cover her unhappiness with her life. Happiness is an intangible feeling that she craves to have in her life.
Jane and Gwen often think about the first time they met and how their bond is strong and always there. They are best friends and this is always present even when they are involved in different relationships. Jane doesn't like to be alone and Gwen does value her alone time. When Jane brings Gwen dinner while Arnold is working late, Jane is so helpful and she helps give the boys a bath. The children are docile instead of boisterous like they usually behave in this situation. Gwen recalls this moment as the night they fell in love with each other. Women comfort each other and heal each other with their presence. The lucky females find men that are more like women to spend their lives with and to experience this deeply shared love for each other.
Caroline arrived late and Jane felt she already knew this child. She fell in love with her daughter, Caroline right away. It became an enduring love that lasted. Caroline became a careful being that loved swimming with the manatees and she understood them.
Cayenne Pepper, mothers, and becoming mothers as well as differences and how relationships change are discussed in these pages written by Schieber. Childhood relationships also have a lasting bearing on these grown women as they form new relationships.
January 9, 2012
Eh, it was ok. I mean I guess it's a book geared toward an older more experienced woman. I mean a woman that's been through way more than any 30 yr. old (myself). The part about friendship and how much you share with a woman I could completely relate to. There is just something about that friendship you have with a woman, that person you call a sister that is like no other and could never compare to a relationship you have with a man. But the other stuff that was happening in the book was definitely something I hope never to endure like divorce and cheating spouses and feeling lonely with your children afterwards, even after they're adults. And being an adult way past your time and still not having found yourself. These are things I know anyone can go through but it's hard to want to read about it and hope you never go through.
January 6, 2010
I was not wanting more and fine with the book ending. I am sure there is some great message I could take from it about relationships - but did not really attach to anything! Not a terrible read - it occupied some down time.
January 10, 2012
This book is about the friendship between two women. The stories also involve their children, husbands, and other love interests. It was an ok read, but I did find myself annoyed at some of their life's decisions.
October 15, 2012
I found it to be slow moving. Although the relationship between the two women friends was well portrayed as caring and deep, I felt as though their other relationships were shallow. Not my favorite book.
December 2, 2009
Just started reading this and it already had enough twists for an entire novel. Love it. Seems to be a good choice.
April 28, 2009
Life doesn't always turn out the way you expect that it will--embracing the uncertainty instead of trying to escape is key.
April 28, 2009
Another great book about friends and why we need that special person by our side
Currently reading
May 6, 2009Just finishing this one - Its a really enjoyable read - so dead on about friendship and closeness of two women.
August 18, 2009
Somewhat forgettable story about the friendship between two women, teachers in their forties and the trials with their children, mothers and the men in their lives.
October 15, 2009
Friendship between two 40+yr old teachers ...I wanted to like it more than I did...it was just OK.
Read
April 29, 2011A wonderful story of friendship as it should be.
September 30, 2013
A classic chick book about two friends whose marriages and lives weren't quite what they expected, but the close friendship the women share sustains them through the rough times. Enjoyable.
May 28, 2009
A bit slow a times, but good overall.
Read
June 13, 2018Read my thoughts over on Many a Quaint & Curious Volume: https://manyaquaintandcuriousvolume.b...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews