Laurie S. (LaurieS) reviewed Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 504 more book reviews
I picked this up hoping to experience a trip to Greece through the two authors but instead I'm finding that it is more of navel gazing piece. Sue Monk Kidd is turning fifty and having a difficult time coming to terms with the back end of her life while her daughter Ann is suffering from depression because she wasn't accepted into a program to study Greek history and doesn't know what to do with her life. The two have a conflict free but somewhat distant relationship, they don't connect closely and keep their dreams and worries to themselves.
Sue's portion of the book spends a large amount of time delving into Greek mythology and feminism which has become repetitive and dull already (only on disc 2 here) when listening to the audio. Ann's chapters are more down to earth but her problems, mainly the fact that she wasn't accepted into the graduate school of her choice, seem rather minor in the grand scheme of things. It seems a great shame that she's in Greece and not really enjoying the experience because she's too busy being all glum. Someone hand her some Prozac, the poor traumatized child. Such is the curse of the young and privileged.
These two have each other, wealth, their health and the freedom to travel for months and months. They haven't a clue as to how tough life can be for most people. It reminds me far too much of [book:Eat, Pray, Love|19501] which I despised because it was another "woe is me, my life sooo hard" type of book penned by a spoiled writer with an Eeyore complex.
I'm just grateful I picked this up from the library and didn't contribute to the author's next depressing trip to wherever . . .
Later: This book was either irritating or boring me so I threw in the towel somewhere on disk 2.
Sue's portion of the book spends a large amount of time delving into Greek mythology and feminism which has become repetitive and dull already (only on disc 2 here) when listening to the audio. Ann's chapters are more down to earth but her problems, mainly the fact that she wasn't accepted into the graduate school of her choice, seem rather minor in the grand scheme of things. It seems a great shame that she's in Greece and not really enjoying the experience because she's too busy being all glum. Someone hand her some Prozac, the poor traumatized child. Such is the curse of the young and privileged.
These two have each other, wealth, their health and the freedom to travel for months and months. They haven't a clue as to how tough life can be for most people. It reminds me far too much of [book:Eat, Pray, Love|19501] which I despised because it was another "woe is me, my life sooo hard" type of book penned by a spoiled writer with an Eeyore complex.
I'm just grateful I picked this up from the library and didn't contribute to the author's next depressing trip to wherever . . .
Later: This book was either irritating or boring me so I threw in the towel somewhere on disk 2.
Cindy M. (cindymcc) reviewed Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 44 more book reviews
Navel gazing at its finest.... I've decided that I must be rather shallow, since I never make the time for such deep philosophical musings on my own.
I'm actually listening to the audiobook, and it's not a bad way to pass the time on a long trip. It's quite interesting to hear Sue Monk Kidd talk about how she wrote The Secret Life of Bees, but I don't think that began until the 4th CD. I like listening to her daughter as well, but such introspection after a while gets a bit old. Fortunately, With 2 CDs left, I'll listen to the tales in 15 or 20 minutes spurts, and that's just about right for something like this.
I'm actually listening to the audiobook, and it's not a bad way to pass the time on a long trip. It's quite interesting to hear Sue Monk Kidd talk about how she wrote The Secret Life of Bees, but I don't think that began until the 4th CD. I like listening to her daughter as well, but such introspection after a while gets a bit old. Fortunately, With 2 CDs left, I'll listen to the tales in 15 or 20 minutes spurts, and that's just about right for something like this.
Rachelle S. (MSW2b) -
Really enjoyed the CD with both authors reading the parts they wrote. Found their journeys of discovery intriguing. Looking for more by Ann Kidd Taylor.
Margaret M. (margaretlee) -
I'm surprised at the negative reviews of this book. I really enjoyed it! However, I loved "The Secret Life of Bees," and this is the story of how Sue Monk Kidd came up with the idea for that book. Also, I lost my mother at an early age so the relationship between Sue and her daughter as they travel through Greece fascinated me...the daughter growing into womanhood and the mother reaching menopause.
If you like memoirs, relationship stories and travel journals, this is the book for you!
If you like memoirs, relationship stories and travel journals, this is the book for you!
