The Fine Art of Insincerity

by Angela Elwell Hunt

Three grown Southern sisters have ten marriages between them—and more loom on the horizon—when Ginger, the eldest, wonders if she’s the only one who hasn’t inherited what their family calls “the Grandma Gene”: the tendency to like the casualness of courtship better than the intimacy of marriage. Could it be that her two sisters are fated to serially marry, just like their seven-times wed grandmother, Mrs. Lillian Irene Harper Winslow Goldstein Carey James Bobrinski Gordon George? It takes a “girls only” weekend, closing up Grandma’s treasured beach house for the last time, for the sisters to really unpack their family baggage, examine their relationship DNA, and discover the true legacy their much-marrying grandmother left behind . . .

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Audiobook, Womens Fiction, Chick Lit

302 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2011

About the author

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With nearly six million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 165 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.

Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.

Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.

Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.

Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and American Christian Fiction Writers bestowed the same award in 2019.

In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.

Reviews

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm thankful for "The Fine Art of Insincerity". Often I read fiction when I need a brain break, but Angela Hunt isn't interested in distracting me from my life. She writes to make me contemplate my life.

This book masquerades as a light-hearted beach book, but the books is more than Chick-lit. Hunt explores families who sweep pain and darkness under the rug, and our tendency to by myopic about our own problems at the expense of those around us. In such a small paperback, Hunt manages to touch on marriage and divorce, self-esteem, adultery, abortion, infertility, suicide, and legacy.

Perhaps the breadth of subjects deserved more treatment. The solution and resolution to much of the issues in the book seems to come a little to conveniently and easily. And yet, maybe that's a good thing, in that maybe Hunt is showing us that forgiveness shouldn't be so hard.

In the end, the book I hoped to relax with has challenged me to think about my own relationships, about the perspective of others and about the power of forgiveness, of myself and others.

[Sunnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started slowly, wrapping tiny little tendrils of coziness around and into my mind. I was drawn in . . no, sucked in like a vacuum tube at the drive in bank. Then BAMM! What a punch to the gut. Listened to the audio version. of The Fine Art of Insincerity. The dulcet tones of the narrators danced in and out of my consciousness. A solid 4.5 based on the surprise ending. I will definitely look for other books by author, Angela Elwell Hunt. This book opened truths about what happens in a family of three sisters who finally learn the truths about each other while clearing out a family home that has been sold after months on the market. The house with its contents stirs memories of youth, early adulthood, and the often magical yet difficult marital life. Take a lesson . . .

[Christy Trever · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fine Art of Insincerity by Angela Hunt is an insightful look at the relationships that shape us especially that between sisters. Ginger, Penny, and Rose spent their childhood summers that their Grandma Lillian's cottage on St Simon's Island. Since then, they've racked up nine marriages between them, rivaling Lillian's seven marriages before her death. The three have grown apart in many ways over the years, and are forced to come together to clean out the cottage for its sale. Each woman arrives on the brink of major change in her life (even if she isn't aware of it yet). Penny has decided to leave her husband, Bob, because even though he loves her, he wants a child, and she's already found his replacement. Rose has postponed her impending suicide to spend this weekend fooling her sisters into thinking she's fine, so when she drives off of a bridge they will think it was an accident. Since a miscarriage two years ago, Rose has isolated herself from any joy in the world, including in her relationship with husband, Wort. Ginger has always felt like she knows better than her younger two sisters, especially after she nearly raised them herself after their mother's abandonment. She arrives filled with advice and judgment on their many marriages, but when a phone call to her husband Mike shocks her and shakes her foundations, she is forced to reconsider everything she thought she knew. Hunt is absolutely one of the best writers in the business. I love how she never shoves religion on readers. Narration alternates between the sisters, giving readers an inside view into their lives and how they view this weekend of reconciliation. This is a fantastic read about relationships, faith, love, and most of all hope.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first, I wasn't sure if this book was worth my time. Three sisters, with messed up lives, get together to clean out their grandmother's house who had been married seven times before she passed away. I didn't like some of the choices these women made but I became interested in them as people. I wanted to learn what the result of the weekend they spent together would be. They learn about being honest with each other and their husbands, facing pain, and the love of family and importance of maintaining healthy relationships. This book addresses many of the painful issues of today's world with love and grace.

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner]

I DNF'd at 1/3 of the book. The beginning is heavy. One sister is talking about committing suicide, another sister is toying with an affair...I am not here for this. I had heard there was humor in the book that keeps it light, but I haven't gotten there yet. At this point, I am not going to.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always learn something from Angela Hunt’s novels and The Fine Art of Insincerity is no exception. I’m thankful to have received a review copy of such a powerful and moving story! Once again Angela delivers an unexpected story with multi-dimensional characters that evoke a depth of thought and emotion which surprise the reader.

Three sisters come together for a weekend to clean their grandmother’s house because it’s sold. They are here to split up their grandmothers’ belongings. Each hopes to find that special something of hers to keep their memory of her alive. Being together in this house they once had called home, reminded them of precious times with their grandmother and each other.

Angela Hunt quotes this scripture 1 Cor 13:3 …”So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” (The Message)

Love, the topic of the weekend, each saw the depths of their grandmothers’ love. Love! Ginger didn’t think her sisters knew about that kind of love. They’d been married so many times - Love hung in there when the times were tough, right? Ginger and Michael were married 25 years she knew that kind of love and that marriage took time and hard work. She felt her sisters just needed to work a little harder at their relationships before they called it quits.

In the middle of it all these sisters see, “People aren’t really free to love someone until they know us, warts and all – and then the warts don’t matter because it’s so freeing to be loved completely! The truth will set you free – free from bondage and vows we made as children. When we are free it allows us to begin to love like Jesus.”

Angela captures the camaraderie, love and joy sisters share as they play the role each learned to play in their family of origin. I could relate to this because of what I’ve experienced this with my three sisters. I appreciate these sisters’ relationships and how they challenged and loved each other through thick and thin.

Can these sisters get the house clean, reminisce about the past, remember the special times, the sadness and still love each other at the end of the weekend? Could they trust each other with their heart ache, and their mistakes?

Angela Hunt is a brilliant, thought provoking writer who talks about unusual and interesting subjects in her books that grip the readers’ heart, mind and emotions. Angela has the gift of writing a novel you think you have figured out – then she comes up with a few surprises that are a shock to her characters and also the reader. I love that.

Looking for a great summer read that will stir your heart, make you laugh and cry? You’ll definitely want to read this one. Angela will get you looking at relationships, love and marriage in a whole new light….especially the intricate relationship between sisters. Thanks Angela for another entertaining surprising ride through time, relationships and life. It’s definitely made me think about loving others in an honest, practical way. This is a rich story with loving colorful characters that won’t disappoint.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Laura B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried reading this book last year and gave up about a third of the way through because it didn't hold my interest. I picked it back up a couple of weeks ago and tried it again, and from the beginning. I have enjoyed other books by AEH, and decided to truly give this one a second chance. It did hold my interest this time, I guess I was more in the frame of mind for this story of the three sisters.

AEH does a great job with writing the point of view of each character, and each chapter was clearly marked on whose view you would read. I liked being in the head of each sister as they deal with each other, getting glimpses of past baggage that comes along with any sibling relationship; of course, everything comes out into the open and tensions rise to the boiling point. There is a definite climax in the story and the author did a great job keeping the reader turning the pages throughout that part of the story.

There were twists in the story which kept the plot moving along, however the ending wasn't all neat and tidy, but if it had continued the story would have "outstayed its welcome."

I only gave it three stars because I do not think it's AEH's best work. I have enjoyed other novels of hers so much more. Her best, IMHO, is "The Awakening." Also if you're a fan of AEH, I also highly recommend "The Debt."

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angela Hunt's books never disappoint me. I love her style of writing. Once you start to read her books you can't seem to put them down. They just suck you in. This book is about 3 sisters who have their own set of problems and a whole lot of issues. When they go to clean out their grandmothers house after she dies, they discover who they really are and how they need to change to come to grips with their own lives. They discover why they have spoken to each other that much over the years and the years pass without them really knowing each other even though they are sisters. Cleaning out the house brings them closer to the truth and discoveries and they finally understand the messages that their grandmother had tried to tell them over the years. The grandmother leaves a photo album and a legacy.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow the link below to see my review of this fantastic book!

http://shereads-sheblogs.blogspot.com...

~Melissa

[Amy ~ Insomniac Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 3.5 ⭐️ read.

I wanted to like this one more than I did. There was excellent drama and a lot of gut-wrenching, thought-provoking emotional turmoil between the sisters. The lessons they learned while reflecting on their grandmother’s life and teaching were poignant. But I just can’t get past my disappointment with the way the adulterous affair was handled.

The wife took too much blame; the church’s “no divorced people can work here” idea was not explored (she would lose her job even though her husband cheated on her and impregnated another woman); and too much consideration was given for what it would “look like” to others. I ended the story feeling like each person in the marriage was taking equal blame for the affair, and the whole mess was wrapped up way too easily.

In this book, an aborted baby and a new baby (in 2 separate relationships) were treated as less important than the adults involved. For a Christian book, I was shocked that little time was spent considering the life lost (aborted child) or the difficult life that lay ahead for the child conceived in the affair. I just felt the characters in this book (including the one college kid who called home) were too selfish for me to really like.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable, really a 3.5. I enjoy Hunt's books as they're clean and decently written, but not the stereotypical inspirational fare where the reader must endure recounted sermons or homilies from the wise neighbor. Grandma came to Christ later in life, and the three girls find evidence of what that meant to her -- but no one is miraculously changed in a single evening or anything.

So three sisters, each struggling in her own way, come together for a weekend to get a job done. I found the personalities well developed and their confrontations very believable. I can't say that anything deeply affected me, though (even with Rose planning her suicide) or that I will be pondering this book for the next few weeks.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, made me cry at times, good writing, and good observations on human nature. But I do kind of hate when women who are hurt by adulterous husbands end up making themselves out to be the culprits or just as much to blame... There is a touch of that in this book. 3.5 stars, just because the topic wasn't my favorite, and I really don't like insincerity or hypocrisy, or conflicts in a book that rely so heavily on lack of openness: I get impatient.

[Kathleen Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never know what to expect when I pick up a book from this author, except that I won't be able to put it down. This family drama between three sisters and their husbands made me uncomfortably interested and pulled me through quickly to the end. True to life characters and women as different from each other as night and day make up an interesting tale of betrayal, pride, selfishness, and a host of other sins we all battle. Another good read by Angela Hunt.

[Janet Friesner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really liked this. Read it all in one day. Story of three sisters, in their 40's who go to their deceased grandmother's cottage to clean it out since it has been sold. Sisters who have lived their lives in a totally different way and how they worked out their differences in a three day weekend. Christian fiction. Easy reading and I thought extremely good.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one by Angela Hunt. It's the story of three sisters. Their grandmother was a bit unusual having quite a few husbands. However, she showed them love. Each sister is struggling with something different and they have to work together to help each other. All three sisters are quite interesting.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the development of the characters into imperfect relatable people who I could sympathise with and learn from. Not an action packed or fast moving story, but the characters and their relationships were beautifully developed and the process made for a pleasant read. I will read more from this author.

[Cara Noyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a dramatic tale! I loved it! All 3 sisters lived thru such tragedy and bottled their emotions up. Their grandma was a wise woman indeed!
I'd like to read it again and make a list of granny truths. 😀

[Gayle Vegter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn’t all bad, but I just didn’t really care much about the characters. I’ve read several 5-star books by this author, so my expectations were too high, perhaps. I liked what the ladies learned about their grandmother but their relationship just didn’t seem very believable. Meh.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated the message that real love involves honesty, openness, and acceptance... of the good, bad, and ugly.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written. Good, strong characters. Great storyline to hold the reader's interest.

[Margaret Boehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angela never disappoints. Excellent novel

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and the writing. I found some of the plot somewhat contrived.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gets confusing at times because it is told from three first-person perspectives. It takes some getting used to.

[Ranette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just not that interesting or well-written. Sorry

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough subjects, well written novel that digs deep. Resolution is too quick and unrealistic, but glad the characters change was wrapped up. I do appreciate a book that has an ending.

[Carmella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has some amazing insights in relationships. Amazing what a person takes for granted and doesn’t open their eyes to the real truth.

[Deedee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.....

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story..... really touched my heart.

[Lynn Bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Shelly Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and makes you think.