Grace

Evelyn Oppenheimer #1

by Jane Roberts Wood

In 1944, the inhabitants of the east Texas town of Cold Springs wait for the war to end, in particular the four families on the 900 block of Pine Street, whose neighborhood ties and Southern etiquette challenge their separation by class, money, and family. Reprint.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Emmie Bazemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5!
I truly enjoyed it. One of my favorite historical fictions I’ve read! It was perfectly sweet and lighthearted while being placed in a time of such grief and uncertainty for every character—extremely hopeful. Grace Gillian is quite like myself, just with a little more frill, so I felt very immersed in the story.
If you enjoy more fast paced & exciting books, this is probably not for you but if you love a slower, more calm plot then this is perfect!

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Peace. The most beautiful word in the English language."

General Latham. An Ernie Pyle reference.

[Antof9 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this once long ago, and then I actually read it again so I could write a review for it on BookCrossing. It's rather telling that as I upload this information to Goodreads, I still remember nothing about this book.

What I wrote on BC: I remember it didn't really do much for me. It's a wierd story. Grace's husband is gone, but she's clearly still young and beautiful. She's in danger of turning into an old-maid schoolteacher, but believes herself in love with her best friend's husband. The best friend is dying (of cancer?), and that part is a little confusing.

I found Bobby's character fascinating. He's a high school student (of Grace's), and wants to "join up", but is afraid the military won't take him because of his lazy eye. His relationship with Willie B., his mother's new "maid", is also very interesting. As this story is set in a small Texas town in 1944, Willie B. being black is just one of the many things he is learning about in his young life.

I really liked the parts about Grace and the soldiers on the train; in fact, I enjoyed much of the references to WWII and the military. I was happy when Grace finally got over John.

I guess it's a story about a woman trying to figure out what to do with herself in a world where women don't usually get to figure that out . . . but I guess it just didn't really speak to me very much.

[Joanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This kept trying to be a good book, and almost succeeding here and there. A lot of it is pointless and repetitive. It isn't necessary to mention the maid's gold tooth more than ten times. Really, once is enough.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. The story is about a neighborhood in a small town during WWII. It's a story of coming of age and learning more about yourself and those around you. (The characters in the story I mean). Realities can be surprising and disappointing.

[Missyjohnson1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

not sure why I had this book except that it was a Texas author. story was sweet but not terribly interesting or imaginative. maybe Grace was the focus or maybe Bobby, not really sure. I think that Barbara Moore would have been more interesting. This story takes place 1944-1945 in Cold Spring. The location is not unique and very generic. Grace is a high school english teacher that enjoys her garden. Bobby is one of Grace's students and lives next door. He helps her with gardening work. Grace meets a few soldiers on a train and one falls in love with her. Bobby's old aunties want his sister to be debutant material. Money is tight. Boys want to join the armed services. Bobby has a lazy eye............blah, blah, blah.

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy read. Not exceptionally exciting but just as I would be ready to put it down another twist in the plot.
It is told from many of the characters view point. Grace is the main character. It covers many modern day problems that we have had to deal with for centuries. Spouses leaving without a word or after an argument.
Young men going off to war leaving wives and families.
Death of community members, and a black maid leave the community to grieve even those not in the war. Grace reconnects with an old flame, but he leaves to go to war after his wife dies. They both find love with others after the war. A nice epilogue to wrap up was nice.

[Treasure Island Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in World War II, Grace's story is convoluted. She is an English teacher who has been abandoned by her husband and is in love with her friend's husband, John, who lives next door. When her friend dies, Grace assumes she and John will become a couple, but he leaves to do his part for the war effort. Grace is a popular teacher and really takes an interest in her students, especially Bobby Moore. Bobby's story is actually the most interesting part of the book. If you like stories from this era with a romantic bent, this is the book for you.

[Bamboozlepig · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. The title is for the main character but the focus of the novel isn't just on her, it's on other people in the town. There was a bit at the end that felt shoved in that involved characters not mentioned in previous chapters, but otherwise the plot was smooth. Characters were a little undeveloped and the romance angle is a bit quirky, but it worked at the end.

[Stephanie Mahoney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book.

It felt like a "day in the life" type book.

This is a book you read on a plane or car trip, maybe pool side when you don't want to get sucked in but still curious what happens next.

[MBenzz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I'm not sure what to make of this book. I thought it was pretty good, but I'd say about 70% of the book was about Bobby Moore and his family and friends, not so much about Grace. I kept wanting to know more about Grace and Bucy and what lead to his leaving her...but no detail was really given, and his response to her asking why was pretty lame.
In fact, almost every problem in this book was solved with a simple answer and a wave of the hand. I wanted more detail about some issues that truly could have been more entertaining had they been a little more in-depth.
As for the ending, I don't know how I feel about it. Part of me says...'Well, it COULD have happened that way...I guess'...the other part says...'What the heck?!?!? What kind of ending was THAT! Could she have wrapped it up any quicker?' I don't know, I like the book, it made for a pleasant and thoughtless read just to pass time, but I don't know that I'd really recommend this to anyone I know

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

1944. Cold Creek, TX. sons are fighting abroad and the senior boys cannot wait to enter the army. Bobby Moore has a lazy eye which will undoubtedly keep him out, but his desire to go and fight is strong.
Grace Gillian, English teacher, abandoned wife, lovesick for her neighbor, goes against the concept of the proper Southern woman in several ways, painting her house turquoise is simply the most obvious. Barbara Moore, mother of Bobby and Celia and wife to businessman Robert Moore, hires a new maid, Willie B., whose presence transforms the house to a place of song and whistling (except for Robert of course) and becomes a friend to Barbara. When Robert will not pay for Willie B's surgery, Barbara leaves, takes a job in Washington D. C. Much of the story focuses on the changes of her family in parallel with the growth and changes of Grace and the community.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good old fashioned story set during the war. Great as read on a lazy cool day, sitting outside on the porch, listening to the birds chirp and the squirrels play.

I must say, this isn't a book that I would normally read. However, for some reason I was just in the mood for a good old fashioned read.

[Nicole Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book sent during World War II in the small town of Cold Springs, Texas. The story follows several people and how their lives are affected by the war and changing times for our country. It is a great read about a much simpler time in our history. Definately look forward to reading more from this author.

[Jeb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: Jane is a lifelong friend of my mom's...so, I'm biased.

There are times when I need to read a book that's about a microscopic view into a real life. Jane, I believe, captures the sense of the small town and their inhabitants as well as Richard Russo.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet, wonderful book about love, honor, and finding oneself--all set in the backdrop of a town waiting for WWII to end and the boys and men to come home. I absolutely loved it. Reminiscent of a Fannie Flagg novel.

[Bridget Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this never-read 2002 book while making room on the shelves for new titles - and speed read in a single sitting among the piles. Isn't that what happens to everyone?!
Very slight, mostly sweet tale set in small town East Texas during WWII. With an improbably happy romantic ending, of course.

[Libbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

a book about choices and figuring out what you want. grace is a young woman caught between her husband (past) and the man she (thinks she)wants. thank goodness she gets over that!

[Jegan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok. She didn't develop characters or story well.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in a small town in Texas during World War II, it tells the story of Grace, whose husband has left her, and the neighboring Moore family.

[Ramona Fontenot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick, easy and enjoyable read. Sweet story. I loved Grace. Just as characters in the book mentions, "who wouldn't?"

[Bradley Brill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabric of lives transcends the ordinary.