Next up, as this has been promised to jamesmum on the Relay.

Very skillfully written. Ann Patchett is adept at creating characters that are believable and that you care about even with their imperfections.

Rose runs away from her previous life to a home for unwed pregnant women run by nuns. There, she decides to keep the baby, and a visit that was to last a few months turns into years.

I've had the book 2 days and can already give it a 10. Ann Patchett is absolutely wonderful... Thank you, *again*, jamesmum!

Another great accomplishment by Ann Patchett. All her characters have depth...each with their own private story, that they ultimately, unanimously (without consulting the others) choose to keep private. Wonderful writing as always.

thanks!

This has been added to my 'on deck' TBR pile and then it will be going via bookrelay to cathyinoz, Warrandyte North, Victoria, Australia.

I wasn't satisfied with the ending but I suppose it kept with the theme of the book. I was overall impressed with the writing and crafting of the story, though the first change of perspective, from Rose to Son, was a surprise to me and it took me a chapter or two to get used to it. Still, very impressive for a first novel and I'll look forward to trying another novel of hers.

This is ready to be packed up and shipped to Australia! =)

This arrived in the post today. The package a bit worse for wear but the book is fine. Thank you for sending this so far away, dospescados.

I too was a bit worried when the author changed narrative voices in the story, I was worried she wouldn't be able to make them different enough to be believable but she did. The only part that didn't quite work for me was the lack of reason in Rose's leaving Thomas at the beginning. I can accept that she was private and that things were not turning out as she expected and that we can't know people's reasons as sometimes they don't know their own reasons but ... it somehow didn't come off strong enough to have torn her away from her mother. Her characters tho' had depth and I enjoyed reading about them finding their depths.

My NY resolution for 2007 was to read all the RABCK's, swaps and relays I have on my shelves -- this book is one of them and I'm so glad I've been keeping my resolution! I've never read anything by Ann Patchett before and now I have a new top 10 favourite author. If this was her first novel, I'm hoping to come across another soon.

I'm reserving this book for another Melbourne BCer who has heard of Patchett and is looking forward to reading it.

Thanks all for sharing =)

Ooooh! A wishlist book! Onto the mighty heights of Mt TBR with you!

I'm working my way backwards through Patchett's work, having become an instant fan upon reading 'Bel Canto'. This, her first novel, shows her obvious talent, though suffers a little from some sketchy character development and a, to me, unsatisfying ending.

That said, an ingenue Ann Patchett novel is still more beautifully written and satisfying book than that offered up by more established and well known authors.

Thank you for sharing this one with me... and I'll try to ensure it continues on to another appreciative reader!

RELEASE NOTES:

Hopefully this will find an enthusiastic new reader at the convention!

Thanks lmn60! Reserved for release at the 2008 Australian convention, Brisbane! Bring it on!

RELEASE NOTES:

Found this in my goodie bag on registration night ABC 2008 (Australian Bookcrossing Convention, Brisbane)

Looks like my kind of read! ...and it is a new author for me.
Thanks all....I'll get back to you.