Crown Publishing Group, 309 Pages
US Release Date: June 5, 2012
Format: Finished Copy
Source: Publisher, via TLC Book Tours (thank you Crown & TLC!)
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository | Barnes & Noble
Before there were blogs, there were journals. And in them we’d write as we really were, not as we wanted to appear. But there comes a day when journals outlive us. And with them, our secrets.
Summer vacation on Great Rock Island was supposed to be a restorative time for Kate, who’d lost her close friend Elizabeth in a sudden accident. But when she inherits a trunk of Elizabeth's journals, they reveal a woman far different than the cheerful wife and mother Kate thought she knew.
The complicated portrait of Elizabeth—her troubled upbringing, and her route to marriage and motherhood—makes Kate question not just their friendship, but her own deepest beliefs about loyalty and honesty at a period of uncertainty in her own marriage.
The more Kate reads, the more she learns the complicated truth of who Elizabeth really was, and rethinks her own choices as a wife, mother, and professional, and the legacy she herself would want to leave behind. When an unfamiliar man’s name appears in the pages, Kate realizes the extent of what she didn’t know about her friend, including where she was really going on the day she died.
Set in the anxious summer after the September 11th attacks, this story of two women—their friendship, their marriages, private ambitions and fears—considers the aspects of ourselves we show and those we conceal, and the repercussions of our choices.
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--------------------------------Goodreads summary
Notable Quote
The single greatest point of interest about a woman's thirty-eight years was not what she had done, but what she hadn't told anyone she'd done.
I'm going to be upfront about this: I'm not the target audience for this book. I'm not a mother, a wife, an East Coast suburban woman. I don't have a sister, I don't know the struggles of family, marriage, juggling a career with kids. And for that purpose, I had a hard time getting into the book. I'm at a completely different point in my life and have no experience with most of the situations in the book, which made it difficult for me to relate. What little parts I could were difficult because I felt my personality was so different from Kate. She's measured, a bit brash and a lot quiet. The way she approaches relationships, partnerships and her life is completely different from the way I do. It was frustrating for a lot of the book, because I would have handled so many things differently than she does. I also felt like Kate was quite cynical and negative, which was bothersome.
Despite my lack of connection to Kate and our differences, I can still recognize the value of the story. This one is strong. It's sad, and raw, and I applaud Nichole Bernier for confronting those feelings we're not only afraid to admit to, but feel guilty to have. There were times my heart went out for her, like a friend going through a hard time that I wanted to hug; and there were times I could feel her fear. A lot of the time I hated how much she let the news affect her, but I can see that a lot of people will share her feelings.
I did enjoy the slow reveal about Elizabeth and getting to see her real life unfold within the context of how Kate knew her. It really makes you think about how much and how closely you can possibly know a person, since what you're seeing is what has been given to you. We take for granted that what we see is what we get, even though most of us know how untrue that is. Just consider yourself - how many people see every facet of you? What do you hide from someone, and why? They're difficult questions to confront, and I think Nichole Bernier did it wonderfully.
If you're looking for a strong novel about friendship, family and relationships, The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D is for you. It'll make you feel and cry; it'll make you cherish what you have; it may make you see the world a bit differently. Most of all, you'll find the courage to examine what's presented and hidden, what's been offered and concealed for what reasons, and most of all, the 'why.'
3.5 Stars / 5
And thanks to Crown Publishing, you can win a copy!
US/Canada only, no PO Boxes allowed (sorry, publisher rules!)
Enter through the rafflecopter below, and all my giveaway policy rules apply. Good luck!
Ends 6/30
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Thanks Ashley for the review and the giveaway. I know I've read a number of books where I'm not the target audience and I think it's good when a reviewer looks past that.
ReplyDeleteI recently read an interview or more so a guest post by the author and just reading that brought me to tears I can only guess I will sit with a box of kleenex while reading her book. I hope to find out :D
The impact of 9/11 was felt far and wide. It's amazing how people from other walks of life and other countries and cultures felt that moment in ways as devastating as many Americans.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to Nicole's new book very much.
Thank you for the amazing giveaway. I saw this book awhile ago and was interested in it but I guess I forgot about it (I thought I had added it to my GR but didn't even do that) Your review reminded me about the book and has made me want to read it even more. I'm glad to hear that even though you weren't the target audience it was still an enjoyable book! Beautiful review!
ReplyDeleteGreat review and giveaway! Thanks :) New follower.
ReplyDeleteCierra @ Books Ahoy & Blogovation Design
This sounds so sad ;_; And I know what you mean about military families, my dad is retired Navy so I've lived that life my entire childhood. I agree that I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like for families nowadays. My heart goes out to anyone who has lost someone :(
ReplyDelete~Jaime @ The Lost Lola
This book has def caught my interest- I think it would be a great book to have a lively discussion about for a book club meeting.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate that, although you had difficulty connecting with the story and Kate, you recognized this as a good story with value. I'm intrigued by how Ms. Bernier slowly introduces her readers to the real Elizabeth through Kate's reading of her letters. It's an interesting idea that someone we know may be an entirely differewnt person in their private and personal life. It makes me wonder if a lot not knowing who somebody truly is is because we don't pay enough attention to them and the little things they reveal or is it because they are so adept at hiding and putting on a 'false front' so to speak. I expect it's probably a combination of the two and also may differ depending on the people and personalities involved.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy novels about family, friendship and relationships and, although I've shied away from most books that even touch on 9/11, this one sounds too captivating to me not to read.
Thank you for an fantastic review!
I'm glad you could appreciate this book even though you didn't necessarily connect with the main character.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to read and review this for the tour!
The book sounds wonderful, I would enjoy adding it to my library. Thank you for the giveaway
ReplyDeletethanks for the review. I'm sorry it wasnt' your most favorite, but it sounds quite interesting!
ReplyDelete-Lauren