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‘We came home because we were failures … we crafted careful excuses and alibis, and wrapped them around ourselves like a cloak to keep out the cold truth.’
The story opens as three sisters: Rosalind, Bianca and Cordelia – named after characters from Shakespeare’s infamous writings – head back to their childhood home, for three different reasons and with three very different internal issues to work out.
Cuddling with my pug, my oversized coffee cup and a new book is one of my most favorite pastimes. I read anything – from Clancy to Capote; autobiographies or romance – I just love a good book. Ninety percent of the time I am able to recall a books’ characters and plot when asked, however, some novelettes just float into the back recesses of my brain and are lost in the abyss. That is why I wanted to document my literary journey – so I could A) remember all that I have read, B) be prepared at the drop of a hat when people are itching for recommendations, and C) recall my thoughts on a novel and be able to share them + my favorite quotes – ten, twenty, thirty years down the line.
Me and SEP (Susan Elizabeth Phillips) go way way back. I discovered her novel ‘Fancy Pants’, sitting all alone on a little old bookshelf, in a small bookstore somewhere along the east coast. And since then I have religiously read every single one of SEP’s books – at least twice; a few a dozen times.
‘There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain … Or so says the legend.’
You’re thinking, ‘Wow, this is a different type of book than Carolann usually discusses’ aren’t you? And you would be absolutely right. See, a couple of years ago my husband and I did a favorite book exchange. I made him read ‘Summer Sisters‘ by Judy Blume; he made me read ‘Rainbow Six‘ by Mr. Clancy. And I actually really liked it and have been hooked on character Jack Ryan ever since. I can honestly say I have read every book in the series, seen all the movies – and at this time, read officially more Clancy books than my husband.
As Holly would say: Bon chers amis,
Good morning! Good afternoon! Good day! And welcome to the true story behind ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and the domino effect the movie had on the modern woman by introducing a good girl yet still a prostitute to the big screen – or so the book jacket boasts.
“… There was always sex in Hollywood, but before ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s', only the bad girls were having it.”
“There are some people who say they’re able to ‘compartmentalize’ things, as though it is possible to put negative or distressing thoughts into neat mental drawers to be taken out only at a psychologically convenient time. It’s a beguiling idea, but I’ve never bought it. In my experience, sadness and regret seek into one’s consciousness willy-nilly, or they suddenly leap out at you with a snarl. The only real remedy is time…”
Over the past several months I have learned a lot about friendship. I have learned:
1. Real friends stay by your side through the good times; better friends stay by your side through the bad times
2. Mom was right in saying that if I can fill one hand with good, true friends then I am one lucky duck
3. Sometimes friendship hurts
4. To forgive is easy; forget impossible
Maybe that is why I was drawn to this novel.
