Trophy House: A Novel

by Anne Bernays

Her happy life shattered in the wake of an acerbic new neighbor's instigation of a racial incident, her daughter's lost job, and her own failed marriage, illustrator Dannie Faber enters into an unexpected love affair and is forced to reevaluate the things and people closest to her heart. 25,000 first printing.

Genres: Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 26, 2005

About the author

Anne Bernays is a novelist and writing teacher. Her articles and essays have appeared in numerous major publications, among them The Nation, The New York Times, Town & Country, and Sports Illustrated. She lives in Cambridge and Truro, Massachusetts with her husband, Justin Kaplan.

Reviews

[Diane D · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love books with an Island setting, so when I heard about Trophy House, I had high expectations. I was sorely disappointed. The characters were superficial & highly underdeveloped, and this book did not do justice to the beauty of Cape Cod. I generally read a good book in one day, this realtively short novel took me 4 days as I found it EASY to put down and DIFFICULT to pick back up. If you'd like to read a truly great book this summer try: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See! 5 stars & more

[Sandy Neal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of obnoxious old money attitudes to which I cannot relate. Cape Cod setting.

[CLM · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review:

https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...

[Satchmo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Incredibly poorly written. I found myself rereading sentences trying to make them grammatically correct or even trying to make them make sense. Lots of Conservative bashing. Glad it was from the library and I didn't drop a dime on this rubbish.

[Ann Marie]

Didn't really finish this book because I did not like at all. Yuk,

[Teresa Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by a friend. Did surprise and keep my interest although sometimes the narrator seemed a little too close, too open. I wasn't always comfortable with her thoughts, particularly when they were unpleasant.
Perhaps it's what I brought to the book, having divorced and remarried and witnessing my ex go through relationships and remarriage with our nearly grown children on the sidelines.
Overall I liked the book and will look for more by the author. At least it wasn't another Gone Girl/twisted relationships/shock ending that seem to spew forth these days.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Kind of an odd book.....you think it's about the Trophy House but it's not. Characters are a little too superficial. Tries to take a political stand where there are no politics. But over all a decent book.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something kept me reading. I’m not sure what.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't think this book was all that complex. I thought the main character was really unhappy, and she didn't develope at all through the story.

[Mollyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good character development, the story line was a little flat

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is set in Truro, Maine, (where Hopper painted) and NYC. A first person narrative in which the characters have distinctly different voices. The small community is clearly portrayed, both summer people and year 'rounders.

I consider it an adult novel because the characters are grown-ups and face grown-up issues -- marriage, relationships with children, adultery, loyalty in friendships and such. As in most of life, none of the characters are truly bad people, just people with their own personal flaws who are doing the best they can under the circumstances.

I enjoyed "Trophy House" and will be reading more of Bernays novels. Years ago, I remember reading her "Growing Up Rich," and found the novel so convincing I thought it was an autobiography (it was a rented audiobook, with no dust-jacket blurb or library shelving info on the spine).

The only reason I selected "Trophy House" was because of my liking for "Growing Up Rich." Now I'm on the prowl for more Bernays titles.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know whether I liked this book because it takes place on Cape Cod—one of my favorite places on the planet—or because it just has a compulsively readable plot. Who cares? It is a novel with a little bit of everything in it-romance, suspense and characters you care about. I read it in just about one sitting.

[Haley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just ok for me. Maybe it wasn't targeted to my age group but I just didn't connect with the characters. And the rich guy turning his huge flashy house into a B&B to make the locals happy? Unlikely.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read set during the Bush era following 9/11. I enjoyed many aspects of the book, including the setting, descriptions of houses, etc. It's very possible that some readers may be put off by outspoken political views and rather unlovable characters.

[June]

Total waste of time. Not worth carrying home from the library. I forced myself to read about half the book just in case it came up with a plot, good story line, interesting characters.....anything that would make it worthwhile. Never happened.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story held my interest through 3/4 of the book. Then it seemed to fall apart...Dannie is a likeable character as is her daughter and her best friend. Her husband then ex-husband and her boyfriend were not developed.

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick read...simple story

[Nancy P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Middle aged woman finds a different perspective about a McMansion built on her beloved Cape Cod.

[Mary sipp rigby · Rating 2 out of 5]

good

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple read, simple story.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title caught my eye! I hope this is a good book, I have never read this author before. Interesting book, not sure if I really liked it or not. I felt that the main character was a bit whiney.

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like the ending.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

about Truro and marriage

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

CD Library - woman illustrator living on Cape, divorces husband of 30 years.