tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post7892360179363480839..comments2024-03-28T15:00:12.581-04:00Comments on Letters from a Hill Farm: Emily, Alone by Stewart O'NanNanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-41478091539192938232011-10-06T13:48:56.868-04:002011-10-06T13:48:56.868-04:00Beth, I'm so glad you came by to tell me! I...Beth, I'm so glad you came by to tell me! I'll be over to read your review.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-48731682209204419802011-10-06T08:09:15.306-04:002011-10-06T08:09:15.306-04:00This is most definitely making it into my top 10 o...This is most definitely making it into my top 10 of the year. Just loved it.<br /><br />You shared some great passages. I put up my review today.Beth Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08627666337961326265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-80536080539285855552011-09-03T14:38:45.487-04:002011-09-03T14:38:45.487-04:00Les, and say hi from me, too!Les, and say hi from me, too!Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-5642576402067632782011-09-03T13:32:57.126-04:002011-09-03T13:32:57.126-04:00I don't know? I'll ask her when we chat to...I don't know? I'll ask her when we chat tomorrow.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-59534825142622987772011-08-29T12:23:30.250-04:002011-08-29T12:23:30.250-04:00Les, I'll be very interested to see what you t...Les, I'll be very interested to see what you think. Did your mother read it?Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-74549571727071769312011-08-27T19:40:05.098-04:002011-08-27T19:40:05.098-04:00If lgraves loved this as much as Atonement (my #1 ...If lgraves loved this as much as Atonement (my #1 read the year it was published) and Major Pettigrew's Last Stand (sure to be in my Top Ten in 2011), I definitely have to read it now! Of course, I was planning to based solely on your review, Nan. But lgraves has motivated me to get it ASAP!Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-37683737882985345652011-08-25T11:53:51.115-04:002011-08-25T11:53:51.115-04:00And I thank you, lgraves, for taking the time to c...And I thank you, lgraves, for taking the time to come back and tell me. This is my favorite, favorite part of blogging - these conversations that spring up in comments. I want to read more of his work, too.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-58771235976167934782011-08-25T11:37:22.729-04:002011-08-25T11:37:22.729-04:00I just finished Emily, Alone, and like you, I didn...I just finished Emily, Alone, and like you, I didn't want the book to end. I loved this book! And what writing! I would count Emily, Alone as one of the best books I've read this year, right up there with Atonement and Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. Thanks so much for writing about Emily, Alone. I'll be reading more of Stewart O'Nan.Laurie Graveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17595023276463524101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-28293152259027620982011-08-18T12:56:19.104-04:002011-08-18T12:56:19.104-04:00Gosh, thank you, Les. I have had your review of th...Gosh, thank you, Les. I have had your review of the Lobster book in my head since you wrote it, and I plan that to be my next Stewart O'Nan book. I was fascinated by the concept.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-86682360348349886202011-08-17T16:18:15.800-04:002011-08-17T16:18:15.800-04:00You write the most enticing book reviews, Nan! I d...You write the most enticing book reviews, Nan! I didn't care for this author's Last Night at the Lobster, but I'm willing to give this novel a try based on your wonderful write-up! Great passages!Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-80497907310314957992011-08-17T09:09:08.617-04:002011-08-17T09:09:08.617-04:00lgraves, I think you'll like it. The writing i...lgraves, I think you'll like it. The writing is beautiful.<br /><br />JoAnn, thank you! It isn't really a 'sequel' in the way that you must read them in order. But WYWH is where Emily and her family were introduced. <br /><br />Joanne, I go one better, and have my phones (landline and cell) on no sound. I let the answering machine and voicemail answer. :<)Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-69502598198330916072011-08-17T08:56:23.238-04:002011-08-17T08:56:23.238-04:00Nan,
I just love your write-up! Yes, that is defi...Nan,<br />I just love your write-up! Yes, that is definitely a book I can't wait to read and have ordered it as well as the first book...love the descriptive narrative!<br />Once again you have done a lovely job of giving enough excerpts to whet the appetite:)<br />Hope you are enjoying your own garden and letting that phone ring...<br />JoanneJoannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06363088920250327589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-84821821844654561652011-08-17T08:02:32.861-04:002011-08-17T08:02:32.861-04:00What a wonderful review, Nan! I immediately went t...What a wonderful review, Nan! I immediately went to the library and picked up Emily, Alone. The inside flap tells me it's a sequel to Wish You Were Here. I haven't read that one, and have this thing about reading books out of order. <br /><br />Since I have been wanting to read Stewart O'Nan anyway, got a copy of Wish You Were Here yesterday. The cover says "the perfect summer-by-the lake read". How could I resist? Ten pages in and I love it already...JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-58104091657151145382011-08-16T13:41:30.616-04:002011-08-16T13:41:30.616-04:00After reading this post, I decided to get Emily, A...After reading this post, I decided to get Emily, Alone through interlibrary loan. Looking forward to reading it. Love your recommendations.Laurie Graveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17595023276463524101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-14055240050041690412011-08-16T10:14:05.598-04:002011-08-16T10:14:05.598-04:00Janice, I did begin Wish You Were Here, but it was...Janice, I did begin Wish You Were Here, but it was due back to the library before I got very far. I'll be interested to hear what you think. And again, it is so very good to hear from you again.<br /><br />Diane, I used to listen to audio books all the time, but quit when they went from tape to cd. I just found it harder to deal with cds when it came to books.<br /><br />Kay, I loved that part. The whole book is full of such wonders.<br /><br />Vintage Reading, as Gertrude Stein said, 'we are always the same age inside.' Certainly there are changes as we age, but it seems to me that our hearts and minds don't change a whole lot.<br /><br />Staci, I want to read more of Stewart O'Nan's writing. It is so good.<br /><br />Pages of Julia, I think in their position I wouldn't want aging memoirs or fiction or illness books. I would definitely want distraction in the form of mysteries, most likely. <br /><br />Karla, good to hear from you! I think you'd like this one.<br /><br />Sallie, thanks. I was happy to find the picture she had been looking at.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-10576825065631702422011-08-15T15:41:54.188-04:002011-08-15T15:41:54.188-04:00I do not know this author; I will look for him and...I do not know this author; I will look for him and for this book or the first one about EMily.<br /><br />I love your book reviews -- and the illustrations you add, i.e. the almond branch painting are perfect. Thanks.Sallie (FullTime-Life)http://travelingrainvilles.typepad.com/traveling_home/2011/08/indian-paintbrush.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-16510006126264937932011-08-15T13:33:40.255-04:002011-08-15T13:33:40.255-04:00I've not heard of this author but I do love bo...I've not heard of this author but I do love books about older women especially. Thanks for recommending this! Can't wait to read it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-47549234164792012622011-08-15T12:17:39.163-04:002011-08-15T12:17:39.163-04:00That's a lovely review, thanks.
I also liked ...That's a lovely review, thanks.<br /><br />I also liked your discussion at the beginning of our reluctance to read about a certain phase of life... I run (and buy books for) a general-reading library in a cancer hospital. I go back and forth on these books. Sometimes it seems my clientele (overwhelmingly elderly) do appreciate them and other times I see them sit unused. Memoirs or gentle contemplations of late-life and/or widowhood (widowerhood?) are sometimes comforting, and sometimes, the same people seem to want fluffy, light things to read. Less sad, they say. It's an interesting thing to watch, and to try and predict (buy for).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-79724627376275645342011-08-14T20:19:06.859-04:002011-08-14T20:19:06.859-04:00One of the very best you've ever read? I will ...One of the very best you've ever read? I will have to add this to my must read list for sure. I read another book by this author and enjoyed it.Stacihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07600979915661464945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-59894774626340751532011-08-14T19:10:47.568-04:002011-08-14T19:10:47.568-04:00Loved the musings on Van Gogh you quoted and yes, ...Loved the musings on Van Gogh you quoted and yes, the extremely elderly should be represented more in fiction.Vintage Readinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05971819409379613967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-56103699461785612152011-08-14T19:02:00.283-04:002011-08-14T19:02:00.283-04:00Nan,
The way that the character was inspired by a...Nan, <br />The way that the character was inspired by art... oh, this really sounds like a great book. Thanks for the great review!<br />KayKay Guestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-46725588887290262622011-08-14T18:22:25.718-04:002011-08-14T18:22:25.718-04:00Nan, so happy you had a chance to enjoy this one. ...Nan, so happy you had a chance to enjoy this one. I loved it as well; the audio version was very good.(Diane) Bibliophile By the Seahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519875632878992728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-60889851495299967862011-08-14T17:37:43.656-04:002011-08-14T17:37:43.656-04:00so I got on the end of the long waiting list at th...so I got on the end of the long waiting list at the library, and meanwhile I'm reading "Wish You were Here" on my KindleJanicehttp://blogdelivre.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-67179009488158860242011-08-14T16:11:44.356-04:002011-08-14T16:11:44.356-04:00Christy, he is a new writer to me, though my husba...Christy, he is a new writer to me, though my husband read the book he did with Stephen King on the Red Sox, Faithful, and thought it was great. Emily, Alone is perfectly written. A wonderful reading experience.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-71962573268619762082011-08-14T13:55:13.175-04:002011-08-14T13:55:13.175-04:00I always perk up when someone reviews a book by O&...I always perk up when someone reviews a book by O'Nan, even though I've loved only one of his books - A Prayer for the Dying. The other books I've read by him, I've just thought were okay. Maybe I should take another stab at this one though. I love the excerpt about the necklace.Christyhttp://agoodstoppingpoint.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com