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Sea Escape
Acclaimed novelist and nationally recognized family expert Lynne Griffin returns with Sea Escape —an emotional, beautifully imagined story inspired by the author’s family letters about the ties that bind mothers and daughters.
Laura Martinez is wedged in the middle place, grappling with her busy life as a nurse, wife, and devoted mom to her two young children when her estranged mother, Helen, suffers a devastating stroke. In a desperate attempt to lure her mother into choosing life, Laura goes to Sea Escape, the pristine beach home that Helen took refuge in after the death of her beloved husband, Joseph. There, Laura hunts for the legendary love letters her father wrote to her mother when he served as a reporter for the Associated Press during wartime Vietnam.
Believing the beauty and sway of her father’s words will have the power to heal, Laura reads the letters bedside to her mother, a woman who once spoke the language of fabric—of Peony Sky in Jade and Paradise Garden Sage—but who can’t or won’t speak to her now. As Laura delves deeper into her tangled family history, she becomes increasingly determined to save her mother. As each letter reveals a patchwork detail of her parents’ marriage, she discovers a common thread: a secret that mother and daughter unknowingly share.
Weaving back and forth from Laura’s story to her mother’s, beginning in the idyllic 1950s with Helen’s love affair with Joseph through the tumultuous Vietnam War period on to the present, Sea Escape takes a gratifying look at what women face in their everyday lives—the balancing act of raising capable and happy children and being accomplished and steadfast wives while still being gracious and good daughters. It is a story that opens the door to family secrets so gripping, you won’t be able to put this book down until each is revealed.
Laura Martinez is wedged in the middle place, grappling with her busy life as a nurse, wife, and devoted mom to her two young children when her estranged mother, Helen, suffers a devastating stroke. In a desperate attempt to lure her mother into choosing life, Laura goes to Sea Escape, the pristine beach home that Helen took refuge in after the death of her beloved husband, Joseph. There, Laura hunts for the legendary love letters her father wrote to her mother when he served as a reporter for the Associated Press during wartime Vietnam.
Believing the beauty and sway of her father’s words will have the power to heal, Laura reads the letters bedside to her mother, a woman who once spoke the language of fabric—of Peony Sky in Jade and Paradise Garden Sage—but who can’t or won’t speak to her now. As Laura delves deeper into her tangled family history, she becomes increasingly determined to save her mother. As each letter reveals a patchwork detail of her parents’ marriage, she discovers a common thread: a secret that mother and daughter unknowingly share.
Weaving back and forth from Laura’s story to her mother’s, beginning in the idyllic 1950s with Helen’s love affair with Joseph through the tumultuous Vietnam War period on to the present, Sea Escape takes a gratifying look at what women face in their everyday lives—the balancing act of raising capable and happy children and being accomplished and steadfast wives while still being gracious and good daughters. It is a story that opens the door to family secrets so gripping, you won’t be able to put this book down until each is revealed.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2010
14 people are currently reading
877 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Griffin
10 books132 followersAVAILABLE NOW | Lynne's next novel of domestic suspense: DARK RIVERS TO CROSS
ALSO AVAILABLE: Lynne's novel of domestic suspense: THE DANGERS OF AN ORDINARY NIGHT
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LYNNE REEVES GRIFFIN is a novelist and a nationally recognized expert on family life. She is the author of the novels, LIFE WITHOUT SUMMER (St. Martin’s Press, 2009), SEA ESCAPE (Simon & Schuster, 2010) and GIRL SENT AWAY (SixOneSeven, 2015).
Writing as LYNNE REEVES, her novel of domestic suspense, THE DANGERS OF AN ORDINARY NIGHT will be published by Crooked Lane Books in November 2021. AVAILABLE NOW
Lynne is also the author of the nonfiction parenting guide NEGOTIATION GENERATION: Take Back Your Parental Authority Without Punishment (Penguin, 2007).
Lynne teaches writing at Grub Street Writers in Boston, and works with writers to development their book length work. Her short fiction, essays, and articles have appeared in Solstice Literary Magazine; Cognoscenti, The Chautauqua Journal; Craft Literary; Brain, Child; Parenting Magazine, Scholastic Parent & Child, The Writer Magazine, Psychology Today, and more.
Lynne writes regularly for Psychology Today. To learn more about her work, visit Lynne's Website
ALSO AVAILABLE: Lynne's novel of domestic suspense: THE DANGERS OF AN ORDINARY NIGHT
Follow Lynne on Instagram
Follow Lynne on Twitter
LYNNE REEVES GRIFFIN is a novelist and a nationally recognized expert on family life. She is the author of the novels, LIFE WITHOUT SUMMER (St. Martin’s Press, 2009), SEA ESCAPE (Simon & Schuster, 2010) and GIRL SENT AWAY (SixOneSeven, 2015).
Writing as LYNNE REEVES, her novel of domestic suspense, THE DANGERS OF AN ORDINARY NIGHT will be published by Crooked Lane Books in November 2021. AVAILABLE NOW
Lynne is also the author of the nonfiction parenting guide NEGOTIATION GENERATION: Take Back Your Parental Authority Without Punishment (Penguin, 2007).
Lynne teaches writing at Grub Street Writers in Boston, and works with writers to development their book length work. Her short fiction, essays, and articles have appeared in Solstice Literary Magazine; Cognoscenti, The Chautauqua Journal; Craft Literary; Brain, Child; Parenting Magazine, Scholastic Parent & Child, The Writer Magazine, Psychology Today, and more.
Lynne writes regularly for Psychology Today. To learn more about her work, visit Lynne's Website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
February 1, 2021
A beautiful and emotional read about a daughter who tries to find letters from her dad to her mother who had a stroke and the emotional time that makes. When I started it I was sure this was going to be a 5 stars read and while I really enjoyed it, it wasn't quite that.
October 15, 2010
I saw a review of this book that said "I wouldn't recommend it, but it wasn't a waste of time." I think that sums up my reaction to the book perfectly. I got to the end and felt vaguely let down. Two stories - a daugther's and her mother's are told, coming together at the end. The problem was that neither character was particularly interesting (or appealing), the storylines were fairly pedestrian and the resolution unsatisfying. Still, while I was reading it, I was reasonably interested. Count me as lukewarm to this one.
July 27, 2010
Lynne Griffin’s Sea Escape is a quiet, moving novel centering on mothers and daughters, fathers and sons — families, complicated and vast and difficult. Shades of Helen and Laura’s relationship can probably be seen in any mother/daughter duo, no matter how close — or how distant — they may appear. From the onset, I was drawn in by Griffin’s language. Her words brought me straight onto the porch of Sea Escape, her mother’s beloved home, or into the hospital room where she stood reading letters to Helen. The ability to crawl right into language is important to me as a reader.
Sea Escape alternates between Helen and Joseph’s courtship in the 1950s and present day, when Laura is tending to her mother’s needs and attempting to reconcile their difficult relationship. I loved the scenes explaining Helen’s origins most of all — especially those detailing her early life and struggles with her own parents and, later, the difficulties in her marriage with Joseph. As a reader, I never questioned how madly in love Helen was with Joseph, and vice versa — though even that love, at times all-consuming, wasn’t always enough.
Religion plays an important role in the story, though it’s never heavy-handed. A devout Catholic, Helen seeks solace in her faith and the trinkets Laura’s sister-in-law, Luce, brings her as her health is failing. I appreciated the light touch Griffin used when discussing the ways in which Helen found comfort in God while Laura — a realistic, sympathic narrator — still questioned her mother’s feelings. As the story unfolds, Laura begins to see things a little more from her mother’s perspective — but she doesn’t suddenly “find Christ.” Sudden epiphanies are a major pet peeve of mine.
Overall, Sea Escape was a captivating glimpse into a complicated mother/daughter relationship, and I loved getting to know Laura and Helen through one another’s eyes. Though not a fast-paced, happy or humorous tale, Griffin’s second novel succeeded in twisting my heart. Despite its somber tone, I enjoyed this novel steeped just long enough in historical details to give us a flavor of a different era — but still ringing with contemporary truths with which many women, old and young, will understand.
Sea Escape alternates between Helen and Joseph’s courtship in the 1950s and present day, when Laura is tending to her mother’s needs and attempting to reconcile their difficult relationship. I loved the scenes explaining Helen’s origins most of all — especially those detailing her early life and struggles with her own parents and, later, the difficulties in her marriage with Joseph. As a reader, I never questioned how madly in love Helen was with Joseph, and vice versa — though even that love, at times all-consuming, wasn’t always enough.
Religion plays an important role in the story, though it’s never heavy-handed. A devout Catholic, Helen seeks solace in her faith and the trinkets Laura’s sister-in-law, Luce, brings her as her health is failing. I appreciated the light touch Griffin used when discussing the ways in which Helen found comfort in God while Laura — a realistic, sympathic narrator — still questioned her mother’s feelings. As the story unfolds, Laura begins to see things a little more from her mother’s perspective — but she doesn’t suddenly “find Christ.” Sudden epiphanies are a major pet peeve of mine.
Overall, Sea Escape was a captivating glimpse into a complicated mother/daughter relationship, and I loved getting to know Laura and Helen through one another’s eyes. Though not a fast-paced, happy or humorous tale, Griffin’s second novel succeeded in twisting my heart. Despite its somber tone, I enjoyed this novel steeped just long enough in historical details to give us a flavor of a different era — but still ringing with contemporary truths with which many women, old and young, will understand.
July 16, 2014
* Much of this review has been quoted from another reader because it so closely spoke my own thoughts.
Griffin’s Sea Escape is a quiet, moving novel centering on mothers and daughters, family secrets and family ties. Shades of Helen and Laura’s relationship can probably be seen in any mother/daughter duo, no matter how close — or how distant — they may appear. From the onset, I was drawn in by Griffin’s language. Her words brought me straight onto the porch of Sea Escape, her mother’s beloved home, or into the hospital room where she stood reading letters to Helen. The ability to crawl right into language is important to me as a reader.
Sea Escape alternates between Helen and Joseph’s courtship in the 1950s and present day, when Laura is tending to her mother’s needs and attempting to reconcile their difficult relationship. I loved the scenes explaining Helen’s origins most of all — especially those detailing her early life and struggles with her own parents and, later, the difficulties in her marriage with Joseph. As a reader, I never questioned how madly in love Helen was with Joseph, and vice versa — though even that love, at times all-consuming, wasn’t always enough.
Overall, Sea Escape was a captivating glimpse into a complicated mother/daughter relationship, and I loved getting to know Laura and Helen through one another’s eyes. Though not a fast-paced, happy or humorous tale; each chapter unveiled more pieces to a puzzeling truth holding the readers attention. Despite its somber tone, I enjoyed this novel steeped just long enough in historical details to give us a flavor of a different era — but still ringing with contemporary truths with which many women, old and young, will understand.
Griffin’s Sea Escape is a quiet, moving novel centering on mothers and daughters, family secrets and family ties. Shades of Helen and Laura’s relationship can probably be seen in any mother/daughter duo, no matter how close — or how distant — they may appear. From the onset, I was drawn in by Griffin’s language. Her words brought me straight onto the porch of Sea Escape, her mother’s beloved home, or into the hospital room where she stood reading letters to Helen. The ability to crawl right into language is important to me as a reader.
Sea Escape alternates between Helen and Joseph’s courtship in the 1950s and present day, when Laura is tending to her mother’s needs and attempting to reconcile their difficult relationship. I loved the scenes explaining Helen’s origins most of all — especially those detailing her early life and struggles with her own parents and, later, the difficulties in her marriage with Joseph. As a reader, I never questioned how madly in love Helen was with Joseph, and vice versa — though even that love, at times all-consuming, wasn’t always enough.
Overall, Sea Escape was a captivating glimpse into a complicated mother/daughter relationship, and I loved getting to know Laura and Helen through one another’s eyes. Though not a fast-paced, happy or humorous tale; each chapter unveiled more pieces to a puzzeling truth holding the readers attention. Despite its somber tone, I enjoyed this novel steeped just long enough in historical details to give us a flavor of a different era — but still ringing with contemporary truths with which many women, old and young, will understand.
March 4, 2019
After reading some of the reviews on here, I was a bit skeptical to try this one out myself. However, I decided to give-it a go, and after reading it, agreed with many of the reviews that were written. I was excited at the prospect of a dual timeline, as these stories tend to be the most intriguing. As I began reading the story, I did enjoy knowing about Helen's life before getting married, and the relationship between her and Joseph. When the story flipped to Laura, and the difficulties she faced when Helen became ill, I felt that the story took a nosedive. The author went back and forth from one era to another, trying to engage the reader in how Helen survived the difficulties of having Joseph work overseas, and her suffering through a number of miscarriages. However, the book became a bit confusing as I felt that there was too much happening, and it was hard to connect with any of the characters as a result. I truly felt for Laura, as she had to endure her mother's past life through letters, while trying to read between the lines. However, I just couldn't understand her sadness, and was left wondering when the real 'climax' would come. There were a few realizations at the end of the book which surprised me, but then again, it came at the end, leaving the remainder of the book without any real purpose.
August 19, 2010
Sea Escape
Lynne Griffin
Laura Martinez is the person in the life of her mother Helen, who is reliably there for her. Helen lives alone in a wonderful beach home and Laura lives about 15 minutes away. Helen is in frail health but because she and Laura don’t discuss much Laura is unaware of some of her health issues.
This story is heart wrenching and heart warming. It shows the restrictions that people growing up in the 1950’s felt and how it relates to their offspring. How families perceive things that happen and never clear them up letting silences go on for decades. Ms. Griffin relates to the reader that no matter what problems exist in a relationship with a parent, when you are losing that parent you aren’t ready. This is a wonderful story and I couldn’t put it down once I started reading.
Lynne Griffin
Laura Martinez is the person in the life of her mother Helen, who is reliably there for her. Helen lives alone in a wonderful beach home and Laura lives about 15 minutes away. Helen is in frail health but because she and Laura don’t discuss much Laura is unaware of some of her health issues.
This story is heart wrenching and heart warming. It shows the restrictions that people growing up in the 1950’s felt and how it relates to their offspring. How families perceive things that happen and never clear them up letting silences go on for decades. Ms. Griffin relates to the reader that no matter what problems exist in a relationship with a parent, when you are losing that parent you aren’t ready. This is a wonderful story and I couldn’t put it down once I started reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2014
Lynne Griffin does it again !!! She writes the story so well that you dont want to put the book down. You end up getting to a point where you CAN'T put it down. Her style of writing is so unique, you find yourself very emotional and captivated with the people in the story. This, like her other book, leave you with alot to think about....especially at the end of the book. You will continue to think about the story for a while after completing it.
March 9, 2015
The last chapter(s)had me bordering on tears - not good when you're listening in your car driving home in traffic. I'm not an easy crier but the end of this book really gets you in the feels.
In some ways a difficult story to like - one of the major characters is a difficult person. But this is also a very good representation of life, and how you deal with it. A well-told story.
In some ways a difficult story to like - one of the major characters is a difficult person. But this is also a very good representation of life, and how you deal with it. A well-told story.
July 10, 2014
Sea Escape bounces between the histories of a a middle-aged woman and her mother, detailing how their relationship went from loving to strained and the secrets behind that stress. The story got more interesting the deeper into the book, but the start was a bit plodding.
May 14, 2015
This was an enjoyable read. I will admit to being surprised at the ending though. It didn't quite feel right to me. I guess I'm a little old fashioned but I'm always sad when a great love is shown to have been flawed.
September 17, 2023
This isn't my typical read, but I found the author on one of my search-for-a-writing-community rabbit holes and saw that her career life has been spent as a school and family counselor. That's pretty much my career as well (minus the published books on parenting!), so I ordered this one from local library.
The story follows a middle-aged daughter, Laura, in the present, and her elderly mother, Helen, from her teenage days onward in flashback chapters. The heart of the novel is the conflict between them: the mother keeping secrets to preserve the image of the happy life she wanted and the daughter never feel like she could measure up to the mother's standards.
Both mother and daughter are nuanced characters carrying burdens that interrupt their ability to be happy in the present. Who can't relate to that? I did crave a little more depth, or time, spent on the revelations which mostly came late in the novel.
The story follows a middle-aged daughter, Laura, in the present, and her elderly mother, Helen, from her teenage days onward in flashback chapters. The heart of the novel is the conflict between them: the mother keeping secrets to preserve the image of the happy life she wanted and the daughter never feel like she could measure up to the mother's standards.
Both mother and daughter are nuanced characters carrying burdens that interrupt their ability to be happy in the present. Who can't relate to that? I did crave a little more depth, or time, spent on the revelations which mostly came late in the novel.
May 20, 2020
If you’re looking for the perfect read for right now this is it!! I absolutely adored Sea Escape (and the author interview in the back of this edition) — it feels like wrapping yourself up into a warm, cozy blanket. Here’s why:
We’re all missing our families and this is all about the family. Moms and daughters, daughters and sons, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, it’s wonderful. These characters become your family.
Nurses: the daughter, Laura, (one of the MCs) is a nurse and I love that!
Historical Fiction: the mom’s parts start in the 1950s and let’s face it, historical fiction is where is it’s at right now. We all want to go back, ASAP.
The lure of travel: but yet, Joseph, the wartime reporter, speaks of his love for Vietnam (and prior to that Korea) to Helen (Laura’s mother) via letters and I feel that so much right now... we all want to be there with him, exploring the world, but we’re stuck at home.
Real Life: the women in this novel balance careers and family and kids and households and a million other things just like we all are right now.
I don’t want to give any more away but I highly recommend this one!
We’re all missing our families and this is all about the family. Moms and daughters, daughters and sons, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, it’s wonderful. These characters become your family.
Nurses: the daughter, Laura, (one of the MCs) is a nurse and I love that!
Historical Fiction: the mom’s parts start in the 1950s and let’s face it, historical fiction is where is it’s at right now. We all want to go back, ASAP.
The lure of travel: but yet, Joseph, the wartime reporter, speaks of his love for Vietnam (and prior to that Korea) to Helen (Laura’s mother) via letters and I feel that so much right now... we all want to be there with him, exploring the world, but we’re stuck at home.
Real Life: the women in this novel balance careers and family and kids and households and a million other things just like we all are right now.
I don’t want to give any more away but I highly recommend this one!
October 27, 2018
I can't believe that I didn't realize I had read this before till the last couple chapters! I forgot the entire story except one little part about the boy SPOILER ALERT making curtains.
I must make the point that it's been hard getting books on tape to listen to during my commute. Everyone else has started borrowing them from the library and the pickings are slim in the "newly released" section
I must make the point that it's been hard getting books on tape to listen to during my commute. Everyone else has started borrowing them from the library and the pickings are slim in the "newly released" section
July 11, 2023
I was very interested in this story of Laura, caught “in between”, taking care of her own family and suddenly having to also care for her ailing mother. I also enjoyed the many references to places I know in Massachusetts and have a definite case of house envy for Sea Escape, Laura’s mother’s oceanfront home . Long held family secrets are revealed, giving Laura and her mother insights into their difficult relationship.
December 29, 2019
I chose a bad time to read/listen to this book...right through Christmas and getting together with my family. The entire book revolves around family issues. Medical/health related, "family secret" related, crisis management within the family and more.
This book had its flaws, but I still feel it was worth reading.
This book had its flaws, but I still feel it was worth reading.
April 4, 2021
I wasn't prepared to like this book, based on the few Goodreads reviews I read. Those people were wrong. This is a beautiful story about a mother and daughter's relationship healing over the years. It's told from their different perspectives, and jumps back in time to tell the mother's story of falling in love and starting her family.
January 5, 2022
Sea Escape Griffin, Lynne Reeves 4 F Drama distant mother has stroke & daughter reads letters written by her beloved father war correspondent explain her deep love 1950s, loss of stillborn babies, her best friend's suicide & husband's ultimate betrayal leaves mother with difficulty to loving daughter & son 2017 5/23/2017 5/21/2017
June 4, 2023
I brought this book on my beach vacation, certain that it was perfect to read by the waves. I was sorely mistaken. This book was extremely underdeveloped. The story was slow paced and difficult to follow as it kept switching back in time. The characters were flat and unrelatable. There was no plot or climax. Would not recommend.
March 2, 2019
Somehow, it almost didn't seem realistic, at first. And then I kept reading and it became more real They say write what you know. Well, apparently Lynne Griffin did and was able to share this wonderful story. I look forward to reading more of her books, and soon!
October 2, 2025
I decided to look at books I had added to Good Reads "before". prior to quilting, prior to the pandemic, and prior to now, back when I was way younger.
The story was a little slow, but I cared enough about the characters to finish the story.
The story was a little slow, but I cared enough about the characters to finish the story.
February 5, 2018
2.5 stars. A lot of the "revelations" were very predictable or had been heavily hinted at earlier.
November 21, 2018
The author had a brilliant way to introduce the siblings and their families about a part of their family story that they had no clue about.
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January 31, 2020Another story that goes back and forth between present and past. I'd give it a 5.
June 1, 2021
I enjoyed it! I wish I coujld find more that are similar to this one.
September 20, 2024
One of the most BORING and uneventful books I have ever read
July 26, 2020
Being in a sandwich generation - kids on one end and elderly parent on the other, I thought I could relate to the story, but I couldn't. Because neither character was particularly interesting and I found it slightly depressing.
July 9, 2010
I thought the author's last book, her debut: Life Without Summer was wonderful. Her latest novel: Sea Escape, is based in part on letters discovered about the author's own family. It is also a story about the ties that forever bind mothers and daughters.
Laura Tobin Martinez is a 40 something, working wife and mother of two, who suddenly finds herself being stretched even further. Her mother Helen has had a debilitating stroke, and will require extensive rehabilitation. Laura and her mother have always had a strained relationship, and Laura never understood why she could not seem to please her mother no matter how hard she tried. Despite this Laura is committed to stepping up to the plate to care for her mother. She puts her own life on hold in the process.
Helen's husband Joseph was the love of her life, when he was killed in 1975 while working for the Associated Press during the Vietnam Era. After Joseph's death Helen found solace at Sea Escape, a beautiful beach home the couple built, and Helen painstakingly decorated to perfection. It is here at Sea Escape, that Laura discovers old letters written by her parents, dating back as far as 1951. It is through these old letters that Laura discovers shocking things about her parents that she is learning for the first time. The reader gets insight into why Helen was like she was, and why she rarely showed her feelings. The story alternates between the past (letters) and present, Laura's family life and Helen's stoke and rehabilitation. The writing is good, and the story moved along at a satisfying pace.
Sea Escape is a story that should appeal to lots of women, especially those who enjoy stories about the mother/daughter relationship. In many ways I could relate to Laura and her strained relationship with her mother, as well as her struggles trying to please too many people at the same time. I thought the author did a good job overall with this novel. RECOMMENDED - 4/5 stars
Laura Tobin Martinez is a 40 something, working wife and mother of two, who suddenly finds herself being stretched even further. Her mother Helen has had a debilitating stroke, and will require extensive rehabilitation. Laura and her mother have always had a strained relationship, and Laura never understood why she could not seem to please her mother no matter how hard she tried. Despite this Laura is committed to stepping up to the plate to care for her mother. She puts her own life on hold in the process.
Helen's husband Joseph was the love of her life, when he was killed in 1975 while working for the Associated Press during the Vietnam Era. After Joseph's death Helen found solace at Sea Escape, a beautiful beach home the couple built, and Helen painstakingly decorated to perfection. It is here at Sea Escape, that Laura discovers old letters written by her parents, dating back as far as 1951. It is through these old letters that Laura discovers shocking things about her parents that she is learning for the first time. The reader gets insight into why Helen was like she was, and why she rarely showed her feelings. The story alternates between the past (letters) and present, Laura's family life and Helen's stoke and rehabilitation. The writing is good, and the story moved along at a satisfying pace.
Sea Escape is a story that should appeal to lots of women, especially those who enjoy stories about the mother/daughter relationship. In many ways I could relate to Laura and her strained relationship with her mother, as well as her struggles trying to please too many people at the same time. I thought the author did a good job overall with this novel. RECOMMENDED - 4/5 stars
October 23, 2010
This somber tone of this book fits. There are quite a few family relationships that are aching for more affection and less secrets in this book. Even though the situations were often very sad, I could not stop reading especially when the book centered on the mother’s sewing. The book made me recall the draperies and curtains that my mother artfully made for every room of all house that she lived. The act of sewing was a gift of love from the mother to her husband and children but that did not come together until the end of the book. Lynne Griffin really brought the images of the sea and beach to life and the beauty of the fabrics and care of the sewing. The psychological pain of the family had me in tears by the end of the book. I wept because I really cared about the characters, they were very genuine. This is what happens so the author must have had a difficult time telling it. It is very painful to let secrets guarded so long out. Sometimes in families, so much is not said and so much is secret. Just as in the book when the secrets are finally released in this book, it is often a big relief. It creates understanding and make it easier to love others. I think this would be an excellent book for classes on the family. If you cannot bear sad stories then do not read this book, if you want to understand the dynamics of families, and then read it.
July 28, 2011
This is a beautiful novel from front cover to back. The cover design is beautiful and made me think the book would be beautiful too, and it was.
I received SEA ESCAPE by Lynne Griffin as a First Read and was so moved by this story about the relationships within the Tobin family. I had not read her first novel and didn’t know what to expect but Griffin is such a fine writer with an exquisite sensitivity to our flawed natures that long to do and be what is good even as we stumble and then struggle to right ourselves again.
A complex story, but not hard to follow, SEA ESCAPE delves into the relationships of parent and child, husband and wife, grandparent and grandchild, siblings and even best friends. The novel easily pivots between their present and past stories, hopes and dreams, loves, losses and bitter disappointments from generation to generation. The relationships are rich and deep and so real.
The book takes its title from the name given by Laura’s mother, Helen, to her dream home on the shore – the safe harbor she created for herself and Laura’s father, Joseph. I loved this book and read it in two sittings because I was so immersed in their lives, I just didn’t want to put it down!
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I received SEA ESCAPE by Lynne Griffin as a First Read and was so moved by this story about the relationships within the Tobin family. I had not read her first novel and didn’t know what to expect but Griffin is such a fine writer with an exquisite sensitivity to our flawed natures that long to do and be what is good even as we stumble and then struggle to right ourselves again.
A complex story, but not hard to follow, SEA ESCAPE delves into the relationships of parent and child, husband and wife, grandparent and grandchild, siblings and even best friends. The novel easily pivots between their present and past stories, hopes and dreams, loves, losses and bitter disappointments from generation to generation. The relationships are rich and deep and so real.
The book takes its title from the name given by Laura’s mother, Helen, to her dream home on the shore – the safe harbor she created for herself and Laura’s father, Joseph. I loved this book and read it in two sittings because I was so immersed in their lives, I just didn’t want to put it down!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews