|
Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Eileen Goudge's WOMAN IN RED.
Bridget from Port Charlotte, FL
Have you previously read a book by Eileen Goudge?
No, this was the first.
What authors do you read?
Connie Willis, Jody Shields, James Patterson and Linda Greenlaw (all recently).
What did you think of WOMAN IN RED?
I enjoyed the book very much. WOMAN IN RED is a gripping, bittersweet story of Alice Kessler, who avenges her son's death on the drunk driver who killed him. She is not only sentenced in prison, but also by her unforgiving hometown that hasn't forgotten about her past mistakes when she is released. Even her surviving son resents her return. As she tries to re-establish herself in the small town, she's also slowly trying to make amends with her son --- who was with her that day she exacted her revenge on who is now the present-day mayor. When her son finds himself in trouble, he turns to Alice, and she turns to a new friend and supporter who is a recovering alcoholic lawyer who lost his wife on 9/11. Together, they find the real source behind her son's problem, never knowing that they share a link to the past, until it's all revealed in the end.
In between flashbacks and the present, we see just how important that link is and the significance of the portrait of the Woman in Red.
Would you ever read a future book by Eileen Goudge?
Yes.
Cam from Murrells Inlet, SC
Have you previously read a book by Eileen Goudge?
I have read a few of her books.
What authors do you read?
I read Jodi Picoult, P. D. James, Ron Rash, Chris Bohjalian, Peter Robinson, Anita Shreve, Lisa See, and so many others.
What did you think of WOMAN IN RED?
I found it to be a fast-paced, "can't-put-it-down" read. I like the way Goudge interwove the 2 stories together --- I thought it was done seamlessly, and was not as jarring as it was in other novels that I've read. I particularly enjoyed the return of Yoshi at the end of the book as the winning bidder of Alice's grandmother's portrait; I had wondered what had happened to that character. It was certainly a very enjoyable book.
Would you ever read a future book by Eileen Goudge?
I would definitely read a future book. I do want to say thank you to Bookreporter.com for enabling me to receive this book.
Diane from Auburn, NY
Have you previously read a book by Eileen Goudge?
Yes --- I read GARDEN OF LIES and THORNS OF TRUTH.
What authors do you read?
I read a variety of authors --- Joyce Carol Oates, Janet Evanovich, Anne LaMott.
What did you think of WOMAN IN RED?
It was enjoyable and I read it in one sitting. The multiple storylines were interesting and I liked how she tied everything together in the end, especially with Yoshi. Alice and Colin were well-drawn characters who were very relatable. You could put yourself in the place of Alice and all of the tough situations she went through.
Would you ever read a future book by Eileen Goudge?
I would read future books by Eileen Goudge. I think a follow-up book fiiling in what happened to Alice and her family while she was in prison would be fascinating.
Joy from Phoenix, AZ
Have you previously read a book by Eileen Goudge?
This was the first book I read by Eileen Goudge.
What authors do you read?
Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Berg, Anne Lamott, Sarah Ban Breathnach, Kim Edwards, Anita Shreve, Janet Fitch, Nicholas Sparks, James Patterson, Melody Beattie, Emily Giffin, Anna Quindlen, Kris Radish, Joan Anderson, Alice Sebold, Amy Tan, and Jane Green....just to name a few :-)
What did you think of WOMAN IN RED?
I could not stop reading the book until I was finished. I loved it.
Ms. Goudge has a way of captivating a reader with her words. I was brought to tears at several points. The characters became real to me. I didn't want the book to end and was so grateful for an epilogue. I thought ....what happens now! I thorougly enjoyed this book more than I can express in words. I am an avid reader and shared this title with all of my avid reader friends and family.
I will urge my book club to consider this book, and since I'm the founder, I think there's a strong chance they will want to read it.
Would you ever read a future book by Eileen Goudge?
Without a doubt!
Norine from New Rochelle, NY
Have you previously read a book by Eileen Goudge?
Yes.
What authors do you read?
James Patterson, Tami Hoag, Joseph Finder, Mariah Stewart, Lee Child, Harlan Coben, J. D. Robb, Stephen White, Dean Koontz, Brad Meltzer, Iris Johansen, Lisa Gardner and Robert Tanenbaum.
What did you think of WOMAN IN RED?
[The book was set] in a part of the country that is exquisitely beautiful, and I could relate very easily to the locale. I enjoyed the details about oyster farming. I also liked the "Colin" character, who appeared very believable. (I knew 30 people who died in the 9/11 debacle.) I could relate in some way to his pain and misery.
However, I didn't enjoy the jumping around, and felt that the story lacked the proper type of continuity. I wanted to read the end at about page 10. The book was written decently, but was missing the WOW factor. The ending was sad, although better than being totally non-existent. I wish the main characters had found a diary from one of the grandparents. I guess whatever Yoshi will tell them will have to suffice. It just wasn’t a good read for me.
Would you ever read a future book by Eileen Goudge?
Maybe.
Toni from New Hartford, CT
Have you previously read a book by Eileen Goudge? Would you ever read a future book by Eileen Goudge?
Thanks so much for the great read. I have never read anything by Eileen Goudge but will seek her out in the future.
What authors do you read?
Mostly, I read current literary fiction and nonfiction but enjoy a good mystery now and then.
What did you think of WOMAN IN RED?
I liked WOMAN IN RED because I grew to care about the characters. There was a very clear sense of place, plenty of specific details, along with some humor, insight, and discoveries. I wonder if the author had any say in the cover of the book. I think a painting by McGinty would have been a better choice. If you had not sent it, the cover wouldn't have attracted me in the bookstore. Just the opposite, actually.
Thanks for the gift of discovering a new author.
© Copyright 1996-2010, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.
Back to top.
|
