What do you think?
Rate this book
Tess
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 26, 2010
I called my friend, the author, Jane St. Clair first to share some of my inital impressions about Tess with her. Unfortunately she wasn't at home so I left one of my rambling phone messages.
Mostly I felt there was more of her heart and soul in this story. I saw and heard "Jane": the sweet and dear soul I treasure so much. Her first book Walk Me to Midnight is more chic; a modern mystery with jetsetters skimming cross country at the drop of a hat. This book, by contrast, is tender and about learning to love, really love someone. The way Jane describes "falling in love" with your new baby describes EXACTLY what happened to me with both of my children, something I was totally unprepared for the first time it happened. All the baby books I'd read dealt with every baby care 'issue' from cradle cap to trimming toenails, but they didn't begin to prepare me for the real experience of true and self-giving love, not the way it really happens. So I appreciated having that experience validated for me.
The basic story is told by a snowbound pregnant woman, Angela, who finds a diary the reading of which transforms her life. I, too, was transported and tranformed by Angela's discovery of Tess's diary. Tess writes about her life back in 1910 when women's lives, expectations and choices were seemingly more restrictive. But were they? Tess was influenced and inspired by the (then) Blessed Thérèse of Lisieux who she knew had promised to spend eternity sending roses from Heaven. Through the faith and courage of Tess, Angela learns to face her own struggles which although they occur almost 100 years later, are not so very different.
There's more I want to write but these are my first impressions.
Thank you Jane for sharing this with me. It is unputdown-able.
p.s. I just heard from Jane and she confirmed that the reason the story rings so true, and is so moving, is because most of the other characters and vignettes which weave in and out of the overall story did indeed exist or happen, either to her or to someone she knew and loved. The book has that feel to it!
><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><
25 March 2010: I've been reading a manuscript edition of this book, thanks to the kindness and friendship of the author ... and I'm loving every minute of it! My husband keeps reminding me I have to get some sleep because I have to get up and go to work in the morning. But NOT tonight! Tomorrow is my day off and I'm going to read as late as I like and maybe even finish the story tonight. (sigh) On the other hand, since reading good books like this is my chocolate, I am also going to TRY to slowly savor each moment of pure pleasure!!!
Thank you SO much Jane!
Mostly I felt there was more of her heart and soul in this story. I saw and heard "Jane": the sweet and dear soul I treasure so much. Her first book Walk Me to Midnight is more chic; a modern mystery with jetsetters skimming cross country at the drop of a hat. This book, by contrast, is tender and about learning to love, really love someone. The way Jane describes "falling in love" with your new baby describes EXACTLY what happened to me with both of my children, something I was totally unprepared for the first time it happened. All the baby books I'd read dealt with every baby care 'issue' from cradle cap to trimming toenails, but they didn't begin to prepare me for the real experience of true and self-giving love, not the way it really happens. So I appreciated having that experience validated for me.
The basic story is told by a snowbound pregnant woman, Angela, who finds a diary the reading of which transforms her life. I, too, was transported and tranformed by Angela's discovery of Tess's diary. Tess writes about her life back in 1910 when women's lives, expectations and choices were seemingly more restrictive. But were they? Tess was influenced and inspired by the (then) Blessed Thérèse of Lisieux who she knew had promised to spend eternity sending roses from Heaven. Through the faith and courage of Tess, Angela learns to face her own struggles which although they occur almost 100 years later, are not so very different.
There's more I want to write but these are my first impressions.
Thank you Jane for sharing this with me. It is unputdown-able.
p.s. I just heard from Jane and she confirmed that the reason the story rings so true, and is so moving, is because most of the other characters and vignettes which weave in and out of the overall story did indeed exist or happen, either to her or to someone she knew and loved. The book has that feel to it!
><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><
25 March 2010: I've been reading a manuscript edition of this book, thanks to the kindness and friendship of the author ... and I'm loving every minute of it! My husband keeps reminding me I have to get some sleep because I have to get up and go to work in the morning. But NOT tonight! Tomorrow is my day off and I'm going to read as late as I like and maybe even finish the story tonight. (sigh) On the other hand, since reading good books like this is my chocolate, I am also going to TRY to slowly savor each moment of pure pleasure!!!
Thank you SO much Jane!
September 3, 2010
Jane St. Clair has not yet allowed "Tess" to be published because she insists it needs revision. More's the pity. This is a rare, heartfelt book about two women and their children who lived in the same house in different eras. The woman in the present finds the diary of the one writing in 1910. As Tess overcomes one obstacle after another, the modern woman experiences a life-changing epiphany the likes of which I haven't read since Scrooge on Christmas morning.
Like all extremely well-written books, a short synopsis cannot do it justice because its glory lies in its telling and not in what is told. There is theology and philosophy here, very deep waters indeed, yet the book is haunting and touching. The characters are believable and humanly flawed but the author is on their side. She has you cheering for them and for her life-affirming attitude that the earth is meant for the living and life is meant to be lived. Bravo, Jane.
Like all extremely well-written books, a short synopsis cannot do it justice because its glory lies in its telling and not in what is told. There is theology and philosophy here, very deep waters indeed, yet the book is haunting and touching. The characters are believable and humanly flawed but the author is on their side. She has you cheering for them and for her life-affirming attitude that the earth is meant for the living and life is meant to be lived. Bravo, Jane.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews