Book Reviews of The Year of Pleasures

Wonderful, WONDERFUL book! Book of grief and rebirth, friendship, and renewal. I loved it! Absolutely one of my favorite Berg books. Deals with starting over after the loss of a spouse.

I have just found my newest favorite author! I can't even begin to say enough good things about this book! It is a wonderful story about a woman who loses her husband to cancer, and how she learns to live without him. The author has a way of making you think about your life and the everyday things that we take for granted or fail to notice. I even considered not posting this book so that I could keep it with my own treasures, but it seems such a shame to not share it. I hope that those of you who read it enjoy it as much as I did!

One of the author's more simplistic novels, nevertheless very well-written and enjoyable. Very good insight into a newly-widowed woman's new beginnings.

A beautiful little book about a woman honoring her husband's memory by trying new things after he dies. For another well-written, but true, story of a woman coping with widowhood, try Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking.

This is a warm,sensitive read regarding a widow's journey to living alone after she relocates to a new town. It delves into her establishing new relationships and renewing old ones.A very easy read. I would love another installment of Betta's life a year later.

At the risk of making the book sound trite, I still have to say it's a heartwarming story. A 55 year old newly widowed woman follows the plan she and her late husband had decided on -to leave Boston and to settle down in a small midwest town. What she does there and who she meets adds up to a very good read indeed!

Betty Nolan moves to a small town after the death of her husband. It was something they had been planning on doing anyway. She find pleasure and contentment in unexpected ways. Among the ways are from the 10-year old who lives next door, three wild women friends who all use to be roommates, a twenty year old try to find his place in the world and a handsome man ready for love.

To be honest, I am only about 5-6 chapters into this book, but it keeps taking my breath away, how closely it mirrors my thoughts and experiences as a widow. Beyond being able to relate to the subject matter, her prose is just lovely. I feel just like I am physically where the main character is, as well as emotionally. A beautiful book!

I enjoyed the story much more at the beginning than at the end. But it was a good story. I felt sorry for the main character, Betta, but not for the obvious reason - that she was a grieving widow. She describes losing someone you love as losing a part of yourself...but, to me, it seemed that she had lost herself long before her husband passed away.

Another wonderful novel from Elizabeth Berg. Bette's beloved husband has died unexpectedly and too young, and she embarks on the painful adventure of redefining her life without him. She moves from Boston to a small town outside of Chicago, and in meeting and connecting with new friends and old, she rediscovers herself. The people who populate this novel are true, and funny, and perverse, and ideosyncratic and a pleasure to spend time with. Berg's writing is full of lovely details and invites you into a world rich in emotions and connections. Just a pleasure to read.

I did not want this book to end because I was ready to keep on experiencing the joy if life with all of the characters. It's about a woman whose husband dies and the mending that she experiences along with her grief. A book about joy and friendship.

Wonderful book about a woman who rebuilds her life after her husband's death. It's one of those stories that enfolds you like a warm hug, and you just don't want it to end.

This is my second book by Elizabeth Berg. I loved this more than the first. A well written story of love, lost and starting over. A short read I would recommend for anyone to start with Elizabeth Berg.

Started out to be a great story - but not enough information about how the characters resolved some of their problems.

Story about a woman whose husband dies and the decisions they made before he passes away about what she should do afterwards. It was decided that she should not use the next year to grieve but to do all the things they had always wanted to do. Good read, nice story.

This is another excellent novel by Elizabeth Berg. I belive that it especially hit home because I have often wondered what would happen if I were suddenly a widow (my husband is also John, so there were some weepy moments). If you enjoy Berg, you won't be disappointed.

The novel itself is practically a work of art. I couldn't believe the power and beauty in Elizabeth Berg's writing.

I wrote a big review here:
http://www.susiepie.com/archives/2007/01/the_year_of_ple.php

My mother and I both read this book, and we both loved it! You get sucked right into the main character's life and can't wait to find out what happens in her life. The book is well-written and engaging. This book will be the first of many Berg books I will read!

Elizabeth Berg's novel is an unforgettable piece that will leave the reader laughing and choking back tears. At times, I found it hard to read the book, especially when Betta is describing the life she had before her husband John died. The memories are so intrinsically written, the reader will feel as if they are reliving it too. Throughout the book, I would be overcome with feelings of wanting to grab Betta and just tell her that she will make it through and life will get better. I would recommend this book to anyone who has had a tragedy in their life (who hasn't?) or who has ever lost a loved one. The book can get depressing but it still has a good plot. I read it in about 3 1/2 hours, so it isn't too long.

good book

Nicely written, simple story of a 55 yr old widow who packs up and moves to another town. Memories of her late husband float through the story as she begins to start a new life. The ending disappointed me, however. None of the loose ends of the story were tied. It almost begs for a sequel.
A quick beach read.

great book. her books always touch me

Nice story. Easy read.

This was another good read by Berg. Her books really make you stop and think about life.

Wonderful, wonderful story! I loved it, could not put it down.
Very enjoyable.

not one of her best, but still wonderful

If you like Elizabeth Berg you will love this book!

Another enjoyable book by Berg.
It is a quick read; I read it in one night.

A beautifully written book about a woman mourning her true love.

Great read. How Bette copes with the loss and begins a new life while respecting the life she left behind with her husband is an engaging story.

Bette Noval moves to a small town after the death of her husband to try to being anew. Pursuing a dream of a different kind of lie, she is determined to find pleasure in her simple daily routines. Among those who help her in both expected and unexpected ways are the ten-year olf boy next door, three wild woman friends from her college days, a 20-year-old who is struggling to find his place in the world, and a handsome man ready for love. A compassionate tale of a woman starting her life over...Quietly, and gracefully, Berg shows a woman emerging...with a new sense of purpose. New York Times Bestseller

I had not read Berg's books for several years but after reading this one, I plan to read all of them. A wonderfully written novel of a woman rebuilding and reconnecting her life after the death of her husband. Such rich writing. Five stars

To me this book read like a short story in a magazine. It was OK, but not one of the authors best. Easy read, but kinda slow to me. BUT, my mom loved it!

one of berg's best.

Excellent book; I loved it!

I never get enough of Elizabeth Berg. Such a good writer.

A woman moves to a small town after the death of her husband. She learns to appreciate ordinary pleasures & renewed & new friendships. An uplifting, easy read.

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