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 enlarge | Author: Andrew Sean Greer
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Category: Book
List Price: $22.00
Buy New: $9.23
You Save: $12.77 (58%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  30 reviews
Sales Rank: 9236
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 208
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 1.2 x 1
ISBN: 0374108668
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780374108663
ASIN: 0374108668
Publication Date: April 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new.
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| Customer Reviews:
 "This is a war story. It was not meant to be." July 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"It started as a love story, the story of a marriage, but the war has stuck to it everywhere like shattered glass. Not an ordinary story of men in battle but of those who did not go to war." So writes Andrew Sean Greer: in marriage, and in war, there are hard times, severe pain, and sometimes, resolution and understanding.
The story, set in 1953, centers around Pearlie COok, a dutiful wife, her husband Holland, a conflicted man, their young son Sonny who is afflicted with polio, and a stranger named Buzz who throws this world into turmoil. Within their story, much of the fear and paranoia of the era is played out -- sexism, racism, homophobia, and the continuing saga of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, executed for treason.
This is not a perfect book. As other reviewers have pointed out, some of the coincidences are improbable; also, the characters are not as introspective as this reader would have liked. What's more (no spoilers), the sacrifice Pearlie is willing to make to ensure her husband's happiness seems excessive and, to this reader, unlikely, especially considering the era. On the other hand, the questions Greer raises on war, love and motherhood, combined with the luminous writing, raise this book to a higher standard. I'd recommend it with qualifications.
 Raed this if you appreciate good writing July 6, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I am an avid reader and this is the best book I've read in a long time. The writing is just beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I found myself re reading paragraphs because the imagery was stunning. I don't know how people write like that and maintain such an original voice throughout a whole book, but he does it wonderfully. I didn't want it to end, but I could not put it down, what a great story. Please keep writing Mr. Greer!!
 Dont Buy this book July 6, 2008
7 out of 10 found this review helpful
I bought this book because of the great reviews. However, this is pure
trash--not even worth a nod. Short 195 pages of nonsense. Some man marries a woman who turns out to be black (I didnt see that one coming) but he, in his not too distant past, slept with another man and the man
never got over such a thrill so he stalked the black woman's husband and
offered to buy him from her (slavery is illegal even love slaves) etc etc etc. On the trip to marriage bliss our black husband sleeps with some white woman who is engaged to some other white man and someone dies.
So sad, you dont give a s*** about anyone.
 Wow. And yet... July 6, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
Lovingly crafted, standing apart from 'standard' literary fiction, this novel is a curiosity.
It had me, at turns, enchanted...confused...desperate for more...and dreading the end. Not because I didn't want it to end, but because I sensed that satisfaction was bound to be elusive.
It's a distinct piece of writing (without being pretentious), and yet...
...well, I refer you to Stanley H. Nemeth's review.
Story of a Marriage--a Story to Remember June 30, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
This was a surprisingly good novel. I don't want to say too much because the story is a series of revelations, but I will say I was totally drawn into the story as well as the time period. I've already passed the book on to a friend and have 3 others "ready to read." I can't wait to have someone to talk to about this story.
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