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Best Contemporary Women's Fiction: Six Novels
Six novels in one volume by today’s most outstanding female writers—includes The Magician’s Assistant, Those Who Save Us, and more. From the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Commonwealth and Bel Canto, to the multiple award-winning author of This Must Be the Place, this collection gathers a half-dozen top-notch literary talents in a treasure trove for fiction lovers. Almost by Elizabeth Benedict chronicles the attempt of writer Sophy Chase to come to terms with the death of her almost ex-husband—who may have committed suicide on the New England resort island where she left him just months before. Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum follows Trudy, a professor of German history, as she investigates her mother’s past in WWII Germany, combining a passionate, doomed love story; a vivid evocation of life during the war; and a poignant mother/daughter drama. The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss is a heartwarming story of a young woman with the rare talent of “gentling” wild horses, and the unexpected and profound connections between people and animals. The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones takes readers inside the hidden world of elite cuisine in modern China, through the story of an American food writer in Beijing who discovers that her late husband may have been leading a double life. The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell is a gothic, intricate tale of family secrets, lost lives, and the freedom brought by truth. The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett tells the story of the death of a secretive magician—and how it sets in motion his partner’s journey of self-discovery.
1887 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
522 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 13, 2017
As there are 6 books here, it will take me awhile to read as I'll intersperse others requirement for book clubs.
Susanne - check out "The Hearts of Horses" by Molly Gloss. It is a heartwarming, greatly satisfying story of a young woman with the rare talent of “gentling” wild horses. The style reminded me of The Cowboy and The Cossack - one of Nancy Pearl's book lust choices.
"Almost" by Elizabeth Benedict was wonderful.
"Those Who Save Us" by Jenna Blum is well done but a bit tough as it's about WWII Germans and Jews.
"Esme Lennox", I've already read awhile ago.
Same true for "The Magician's Assistant" by Ann Patchett.
So - I really have only one to go - "The Last Chinese Chef".
Susanne - check out "The Hearts of Horses" by Molly Gloss. It is a heartwarming, greatly satisfying story of a young woman with the rare talent of “gentling” wild horses. The style reminded me of The Cowboy and The Cossack - one of Nancy Pearl's book lust choices.
"Almost" by Elizabeth Benedict was wonderful.
"Those Who Save Us" by Jenna Blum is well done but a bit tough as it's about WWII Germans and Jews.
"Esme Lennox", I've already read awhile ago.
Same true for "The Magician's Assistant" by Ann Patchett.
So - I really have only one to go - "The Last Chinese Chef".
November 13, 2011
Read all six novels. Excellent buy and great novels. Truly enjoyed the variety of novels!
January 6, 2025
A Shelf Full of Novels Gathered in One Book
What a treat! Six well written, engaging novels by talented women. And not obscure, early efforts by the authors, but some of their best works.
E. Benedict’s entry features a woman who began to feel trapped: in her island home, full of strangers in the summer and hardy anyone in the winter, and in her marriage to a man who is withdrawing into himself. When he dies after she leaves him, was it suicide? Was she culpable in some way? The bare bones of the story sound depressing, but outrageous characters thrown in her path don’t leave time for such thoughts.
Jena Blum’s story was the most difficult to read. When I was a child, my father, a WWII veteran, would periodically sit down with my sister and me and tell us about Nazis and what they did. He told us that the best way prevent such horrors in the future was to remember what happened in the past. When reading this book became painful, I would remember my father and forge ahead. The novel shows the effects of severe trauma and how it extends through generations.
Molly Gloss follows the coming of age of a teenage girl setting out on her own in western Oregon during the early days of WWI. A very tall girl, she is shy around people, but she communicates well with horses and can break them in without dominating them through physical violence. The book is meticulously researched, showing the harsh realities of pioneer life as well as the ways people respond to those realities with kind hearts or mean spirits or a mixture of the two.
Nicole Mones offers what is ostensibly a romance between a recently widowed woman who is a writer for a food magazine and a young Chinese-American chef who is dedicated to his trade, focusing on Chinese tradition and culture. However, the real object of love in the story is the people and culture of China.
Maggie O’Farrell’s entry is a powerful mystery story. Esme Lennox was a young girl who never fit into her family or the society of her time. She is “found” when she is an old woman, finally set free.
Ann Patchett’s fascinating tale involves Sabine and and Parsifal. Parsifal is a magician, who dies very early in the story. Sabine, the magician’s assistant, spends the book trying to discover his life before they met and why he never told her about it. The story is too complex to summarize. Sabine is a very sympathetic character who even goes to Nebraska in winter on her quest—her idea of hell. A summary wouldn’t convey the bits of humor and quirky twists, the moments of horror, or the enjoyment of reading the book.
What a treat! Six well written, engaging novels by talented women. And not obscure, early efforts by the authors, but some of their best works.
E. Benedict’s entry features a woman who began to feel trapped: in her island home, full of strangers in the summer and hardy anyone in the winter, and in her marriage to a man who is withdrawing into himself. When he dies after she leaves him, was it suicide? Was she culpable in some way? The bare bones of the story sound depressing, but outrageous characters thrown in her path don’t leave time for such thoughts.
Jena Blum’s story was the most difficult to read. When I was a child, my father, a WWII veteran, would periodically sit down with my sister and me and tell us about Nazis and what they did. He told us that the best way prevent such horrors in the future was to remember what happened in the past. When reading this book became painful, I would remember my father and forge ahead. The novel shows the effects of severe trauma and how it extends through generations.
Molly Gloss follows the coming of age of a teenage girl setting out on her own in western Oregon during the early days of WWI. A very tall girl, she is shy around people, but she communicates well with horses and can break them in without dominating them through physical violence. The book is meticulously researched, showing the harsh realities of pioneer life as well as the ways people respond to those realities with kind hearts or mean spirits or a mixture of the two.
Nicole Mones offers what is ostensibly a romance between a recently widowed woman who is a writer for a food magazine and a young Chinese-American chef who is dedicated to his trade, focusing on Chinese tradition and culture. However, the real object of love in the story is the people and culture of China.
Maggie O’Farrell’s entry is a powerful mystery story. Esme Lennox was a young girl who never fit into her family or the society of her time. She is “found” when she is an old woman, finally set free.
Ann Patchett’s fascinating tale involves Sabine and and Parsifal. Parsifal is a magician, who dies very early in the story. Sabine, the magician’s assistant, spends the book trying to discover his life before they met and why he never told her about it. The story is too complex to summarize. Sabine is a very sympathetic character who even goes to Nebraska in winter on her quest—her idea of hell. A summary wouldn’t convey the bits of humor and quirky twists, the moments of horror, or the enjoyment of reading the book.
August 19, 2025
Women's fiction is usually not my go-to choice but I have read many books in that genre. I couldn't resist the offer of 6 books in one. What a great collection. I enjoyed the first 3 books the best. But each grabbed my attention and kept it throughout.
I hope to get more offers like this in the future.
I hope to get more offers like this in the future.
April 2, 2024
Loved it. Great bargain! Loved every one of the six novels.
July 21, 2025
Unbeatable
Every story in this collection is incredible in its own way. What a treasure ! I couldn’t put it down.
Every story in this collection is incredible in its own way. What a treasure ! I couldn’t put it down.
September 24, 2018
This rating is for The Magician's Assistant by Patchett. Story of love, friendship, grief, found families. Set in LA and small town, Nebraska. Bits of magic show culture interwoven in story. Charming. Character-driven.
August 12, 2025
I enjoyed getting a multi-book to read six authors' works.
April 9, 2024
I actually enjoyed all 6 novels. I didn't expect to so it was a delight.
November 14, 2011
It is both a drawback and a boon to be reading these novels on the Kindle - no peeking at the ending, and it is tough though not impossible to estimate how much longer to go. With all the endings so far I am pleasantly surprised: not necessarily because they are all 'happy', but because they are all reflective and for the most part they succeed in tying up most loose ends. The ordering of the works is to be applauded, interleaving lighter-hearted stories with (in my regard) the more gothic ones.
December 27, 2024
This is a wonderful collection. Starting my third novel of six . Love Almost. Just a wonderful work of a woman just dedicated to sorting out what is right and good and the work to be done to see herself as this really strong women. Not disappointed. Love being able to move from one very good novel to the next with no work… older printing. Still good work
July 11, 2016
I *loved* 2 of the stories I've read so far, so if you can get this collection <10$ would definitely recommend.
Read:
-The Magician's Assisstant 4/5
-The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox 5/5
-The Chinese Chef - didn't finish, couldn't get into it
Read:
-The Magician's Assisstant 4/5
-The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox 5/5
-The Chinese Chef - didn't finish, couldn't get into it
October 23, 2011
Such a great deal on the kindle...but too bad these novels are all so mediocre. I reviewed them all individually, but they are all easily missable. "best": harrumph!
June 27, 2014
delightful compilation of incredible writing by women.
March 17, 2013
Five of these six books appealed to my story preferences, a treasure trove for avid readers.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews