A Better View of Paradise: A Novel

by Randy Sue Coburn

Dramatic, moving, and exquisitely written, A Better View of Paradise explores the tender bond between fathers and daughters, ponders the delicate nature of healing, and celebrates the redemptive power of forgiveness and love.

Thirty-six-year-old Stevie Pollack has come into her own as a celebrated landscape architect. Her designs, famed for their evocative natural beauty, reflect her upbringing amid the splendor of Hawai‘i. But when critics blast her latest efforts and her boyfriend abruptly ends their relationship, Stevie seeks solace in her roots among the dazzling flowers, and comforting traditions of the islands and their calming waters. Still, in the back of her mind, Hawai‘i holds troubling memories of a childhood with Hank, her emotionally distant father, and a reserved British mother.

Despite her irascible father’s presence, the trip home promises Stevie a welcome departure from her trials on the mainland. But the shocking news that Hank is dying forces the pair’s reunion into high gear. As father and daughter attempt to rekindle their bond, Stevie discovers sides of Hank she never knew, including family secrets that have shaped their lives. And what started as a holiday escape for the beleaguered architect becomes a chance for transformation, one as exciting as it is uncertain. Inspired by her father’s insight, and energized by the attentions of an attractive local veterinarian, Stevie learns to surrender her inhibitions and seize the day.

Genres: Fiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2009

About the author

Randy Sue Coburn is the author of three novels: "A Better View of Paradise," "Owl Island," and "Remembering Jody." She began her career as a journalist whose work appeared nationally. Her screenplays include "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle," the 1994 film about Dorothy Parker that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won Jennifer Jason Leigh the National Society of Film Critics Award for best actress. "

Reviews

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that makes life feel larger...a book on death and renewal, spirits and spirituality

[M Garner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first of Coburn's books I've read. Most of it is set on Kauai; I lived a significant part of my youth on O'ahu in the 1960's. She's captured local flavor very well, and gets into it well, very deep, not like so many superficial treatments of Hawai'i. I have not read anything that covers Hawaii legend and customs as well. I look forward to trying another of her books, probably "Owl Island."

[Terric853 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephanie Pollack is an up-and-coming architectural landscape designer whose boyfriend dumps her the day before a big opening of a park she designed in Chicago. A few disasters happen at the opening - the pump to the fountain fails and people jump into the fountain, slip and are injured. That evening, her father calls from Hawaii to tell her he has cancer, so Stevie decides to go home, reestablish her relationship with her father and lick her emotional wounds.

Right after the park opening disaster, a woman she's never met walks up to Stevie and starts talking to her as if they know one another. She gives Stevie her email and tells her to get in touch. Stevie thinks about the encounter and emails asking, "How are we related?" Turns out the woman is a cousin she never knew existed because her father was estranged from his family.

The first day back in Hawaii, Stevie meets Japhy (named after a character in a Kerouac novel), a vet who moved to the island about three years prior. She's atracted, but he appears not to be.

The novel is about relationships of all kinds, renewal and fresh starts. It's also about having the courage to move on after bad things happen in your life. I enjoyed it, but found the constant use of Hawaiian words that were not translated irritating. I also thought Japhy and Stevie's first night together was weird (she had smoked her father's medical marijuana and I couldn't tell if she was imagining it or not).

Good read for a freebie.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thirty-six-year-old Stevie Pollack has come into her own as a celebrated landscape architect. Her designs, famed for their evocative natural beauty, reflect her upbringing amid the splendor of Hawaii. But when critics blast her latest efforts and her boyfriend abruptly ends their relationship, Stevie seeks solace in her roots among the dazzling flowers, and comforting traditions of the islands and their calming waters. Still, in the back of her mind, Hawaii holds troubling memories of a childhood with Hank, her emotionally distant father, and a reserved British mother.

Despite her irascible father’s presence, the trip home promises Stevie a welcome departure from her trials on the mainland. But the shocking news that Hank is dying forces the pair’s reunion into high gear. As father and daughter attempt to rekindle their bond, Stevie discovers sides of Hank she never knew, including family secrets that have shaped their lives. And what started as a holiday escape for the beleaguered architect becomes a chance for transformation, one as exciting as it is uncertain. Inspired by her father’s insight, and energized by the attentions of an attractive local veterinarian, Stevie learns to surrender her inhibitions and seize the day.

I initially struggled with the way the book was written. But once I got used to it and remembered some of the Hawaiian words, it was more comfortable for me. A very poignant and dramatic novel.

[Cyrille · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I really did enjoy this book. The author's descriptions of Hawaii, from its wonderful plant life to its culture, really put you smack-dab into some good settings to get away. My current "Happy Place" comes from this book; the image of riding a bike to the beach with a puppy in a basket and your snorkle gear over your shoulder!

It does get tripped up toward the ending, though. The last part feels as if it were just tacked on, as if the author found herself scrambling for an ending and settled for this. Things end up going flat and you find yourself wondering where the rest of the book that you'd been reading went to. Which is a shame, since otherwise it was an enjoyable experience.

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was disappointed in the book. Thought it would be good, but it is written in third person present tense which seemed really weird to me. It is about a landscape architect from Hawaii, now living in the states, and her disfunction family. It was a Redbook Red Hot Summer Read.

[Denis Horgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "A Better View of Paradise" Randy Sue Coburn reaches an amazing height of storytelling, insight, excellence of style and, well, reader-friendliness. Wondrously complex, fascinatingly detailed and so very well told, this is a terrific book by a very, very accomplished writer. Highly recommended.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the condensed version of this book in Redbook magazine. The book is pretty good with some good thoughts on dying and living.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read excerpts of this last year in Redbook and wanted to read it ever since. I finally ordered it since the library didn't have it. I really enjoyed it.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very slow start to the book, the story took way too long to catch my interest.

[sharon murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book!

What a wonderful book. It was like actually being on the island with Stevie! This author captured what it felt like actually experiencing the sites and sounds of Hawaii!!

[Debbie Davis]

Did not finish.