13 member(s) found this review helpful.
I'm sorry, I really am. But this is the most contrived, cliche piece of trash I think I have ever had to read. So overwrought. So dramatic. There were passages that were so bad, we took turns at book club reading them out loud and laughing. If you love low end, southern-ish chick lit, this is the one for you. Otherwise, keep moving.
10 member(s) found this review helpful.
While charming in its way, this book seemed about thirty years behind the curve to me, touting in sometimes unrealistically lyrical terms, the bonds of women's friendships and overcoming life's challenges with the help of one's friends. Didn't we all learn about consciousness-raising groups in the 60's? Lesbian love is also given an unnecessarily strong boost here; it is already pretty much an accepted fact of life and doesn't need to be wrapped up in a pretty package and sold so hard. We get it, for some women, it's better. This book would have been a lot more interesting, and controversial, a generation ago. Now it seems absurd to portray a group of seven women who decide to go walking together for a week as somehow capturing national attention and effecting change across the globe.
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
It was okay. Not my favorite. I didn't enjoy the style of writing. There were some touching moments, but most seemed very contrived.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
A wonderful story of women, loss, love, happiness, sorrow... a true "chick" book! I only wish we got to know some of the men in the book a little better. This is a road trip reminiscent of Forest Gump's run across country.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I was completely sucked in by this book and its characters. It is a fairly easy read, but mostly because the story is so well-written. A great setting that I would highly recommend to the female reader looking for some mental bonding time!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I hated this book, it made no sense at all to me, and I usually have a pretty high tolerance for nonsense.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I don't get Kris Radish and I don't get her books, but this is not to say it was not well-written. Just not my cup of tea. Some people would enjoy the book and call it thought-provoking and soul-stirring. I was looking for brain candy and entertainment. We were just working on different levels. It is very well-written though and the right reader would get a lot of enjoyment from it.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Lyrical and mystical, this tale of the sisterhood of women is a mesmerizing read. I found the vignettes of women whose lives were affected by the walk, even though they weren't walking, to be more satisfying than the main story of the walkers.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
It's a story of what the power of friendship between a group
of women can accomplish.
of women can accomplish.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This title is referring to tea and yet it also works to highlight the group of women friends who decide to support each other by "going for a walk". It is a character study of diverse women, differing ages, backgrounds, work history, relationship status. They are friends living in south central Wisconsin when they begin their walk.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Very intriguing and fun book to read.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
disappointing
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a great book that explores the bonds of woman. As a member of a all women book club I found myself wishing that I had a similar connection with our members. These woman are from different backgrounds, in different stages of life and they decide to step out of their lives and go on a search for...what, thay don't know, but they think they'll know when they finally get there.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
What would it be like to chuck it all and walk away for that wonderful "my time?" A group of 8 best friends begins a walk that will open their eyes to what their lives are about.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
DNF!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
From back cover:
"Just after midnight in a small town in Wisconsin, eight women begin walking together down a rural highway. Career women, houseives, mothers, divorcees, and one ex-prom queen, they are close friends who have been meeting every Thursday night for year, sharing food, wine and their deepest secrets. But on this particular Thursday, Susan, Alice, Chris, Sandy, Gail, Mary Joanne, and Janice decide to disappeaer from their own lives.
Their spontaneous pilgrimage attracts national attention and inspires other women from all across the country. As the miles fall away and the women forge ahead on their backroads odyssey--leaving small miracles in their wake--each of their histories unfolds, tales of shattered dreams and unexpected renewal, of thwarted love affairs and precious second chances."
"Just after midnight in a small town in Wisconsin, eight women begin walking together down a rural highway. Career women, houseives, mothers, divorcees, and one ex-prom queen, they are close friends who have been meeting every Thursday night for year, sharing food, wine and their deepest secrets. But on this particular Thursday, Susan, Alice, Chris, Sandy, Gail, Mary Joanne, and Janice decide to disappeaer from their own lives.
Their spontaneous pilgrimage attracts national attention and inspires other women from all across the country. As the miles fall away and the women forge ahead on their backroads odyssey--leaving small miracles in their wake--each of their histories unfolds, tales of shattered dreams and unexpected renewal, of thwarted love affairs and precious second chances."
Mary M. (oldlady) - Arlington, TX reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 27 more book reviews
I really had hopes for this book until about three quarters of the way through when it became clear that all the women were from one mold and cut from the same cloth. They all feel the same, have the same vocabulary and agree on absolutely everything. No disagreements, no original thoughts. In the end, it turned out to be tedious.
A story of friendship between women and the lengths that each will go for their friends.
Fabulous book !!!!!!!!!!!!
I like Kris Radish's books; that said, although this was not my favorite, it was still good. 8 women just get up and begin walking - looking for??? Themselves. Again a story of friendship between women. Of knowing who you can truly rely upon when needed. Of finding yourself - and possibly a friend or lover - during the search.
Couldn't really get into this one...didn't finish.
It is a book that opens your eyes to what you could have if you would take a risk.
I enjoyed this book a lot. A great read for women.
Great story, premise....women are strong in numbers. This book is empowering for those who want to make a positive change in their life.
Was a good book about womens relationships. I think maybe I am ready for a sexy novel now.
A touching and uplifting story about women supporting one another and the effect their actions have on everyone around them. A very positive story.
Interesting read about female bonding.
a wonderful mid-life thelma and louise escape from your rut life adventure... except the gals in the book don't kill themselves in the end...
It was heart-warming to read about this great group of friends, and it made me appreciate my own circle of friends even more.
Interesting story of eight different women on a journey of self discovery in Rural Wisconsin, that effects other women around the country.
How many of you would like to just take off walking and not stop till you figure your life out? well that is what a group of women did in this book.
Very good book!
Warning: one storyline deals with abortion-if I'd have known I would not have wasted a credit on this book.
I really enjoyed this book and could relate to the characters.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a lot of fun!
Contemporary women's fiction, telling the tale of eight friends who decide on the spur of the moment to take a walk-- that lasts for weeks.
What an empowering book! I thouroughly enjoyed the story of the unity of different women and the power to change your life an dt he lives of those around you!
This is a wonderful, wonderful book. It is about 7 friends that decide to start walking. It is about their lives and how their walking affects others. Loved this book.
some cursing
This book feels like and old warm quilt on a cold winter night! Sweet and moving!
Colleen H. (Dove) - Detroit, MI reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 264 more book reviews
This is a wonderful book! A book about the empowerment of women--to do what they need to do, be who they need to be and accept and love themselves as they are or can be. A must read (in my mind)
very well written
Eight women form a study group that doesn't study. They meet to share friendship and support. One night the group impulsively begins walking the backroads of Wisconsin, keeping anonymous the entire time.
The writing style can be annoying. There are some attempts at colorful language that just doesn't make any sense and the story itself is unrealistic at times.
The personal bios the author created for each character was the most interesting and enjoyable part of the book.
The writing style can be annoying. There are some attempts at colorful language that just doesn't make any sense and the story itself is unrealistic at times.
The personal bios the author created for each character was the most interesting and enjoyable part of the book.
One of the best books about women and relationships I have ever read. Made me want to go out and walk too!
Seven women take a walk together,walk out of their lives, away from their problems, to talk to each other about their lives. They listen, they support each other, they empower each other as they learn from each other. Their pilgrimage down rural roads draws national attention and inspires other people to assess their lives, goals and relationships.
A unique story. It offered different perspectives from several characters in the book. A woman story.
An excellent read - most women can relate to some of life trials that the women in this novel have lived through. Poignant and believable.
A wonderful read...really lets you live the fantasy of walking away from life's sorrows and troubles.
LOVED this. It's a nice story of friendship.
NOT REALLY THE KIND OF BOOK I USUALLY READ BUT OKAY FOR A CHANGE. WOMEN TAKE OFF WALKING, SETTING THEIR LIFE HURTS TO REST.
Wonderful book surrounding a group of women who get fed up with their lives and just leave on a walk... recants stories of their lives/trials and how they overcome them through walking. Definately a "power of the woman" read!
An incredible story about female friendship, self discovery and forgiveness. The characters are wonderful and compelling. Could not put it down.
This book focused on the power of women's friendship provoked the best discussion our book group has ever had.
I think every woman can find a part of herself that relates to these women. Very good book and easy to become a part of these women's journeys.