Was It Beautiful?: A Novel | Alison Mcghee

Was It Beautiful?: A Novel | Alison Mcghee | Slow and sad, a profound story of loss.

books:

Was It Beautiful?:...

	Was It Beautiful?: A Novel Alison Mcghee Three Rivers Press, 2004 - 256 pages average customer review:based on 11 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

?Alison McGhee?s is a novel of simple explanations, simple movement, and Faulkner?s favorite, most ferocious question: Can we ever really know one another???Los Angeles Times

?McGhee has written a lovely and successful third novel. She brilliantly captures the close but guarded ties between residents of a grieving small town, and delivers dialogue with the uncommon and impressive mix of precision, poignancy, and believability.? ?Minneapolis Star Tribune

?McGhee is a beautiful writer, especially in her sense of place and her precision in describing characters.? ?Twin Cities Pioneer Press

?McGhee, author of the critically acclaimed novel Shadow Baby, portrays in spare and beautiful prose a setting and community that recall the cold, hard landscapes of Richard Russo?s fiction.? ?Book Page

Was It Beautiful? is a powerful and tender portrayal of loss and renewal at midlife. With singular grace and humor, Alison McGhee pays loving attention to the details of life in the Adirondacks and to the small kindnesses and idiosyncrasies that make each member of a community precious and unique.

for more information click here

absolutely perfect

WAS IT BEAUTIFUL? is the story of William T. Jones' unbearable grief at the loss of his son, and how the people in his small town watch over him to help keep him from slipping into a gaping hole of madness. Though the story that unravels here is profoundly sad, the way the people in William T's life come to his aid is just as profoundly uplifting. This story gives new meaning to the saying 'You reap what you sow.'

The book jacket says this "...is a tender portrayal of loss and renewal at midlife." That's exactly what this book is about, and McGhee delivers here on every level. McGhee's deft writing, spare prose, and a willingness to let her characters wander where they must make this book not only deeply moving, but truly inspiring.

I absolutely loved this book.

for more information click here

Slow and sad, a profound story of loss.

A depressing story of loss and unbearable sadness. William T. a trucker in the Adirondacks loses his only son William J. to the train in front of his own eyes and cannot get through the days without wondering and questioning himself. His wife leaves him (she cannot take the pain of losing her only child) and he loses his job, his cat is killed and his dreams are torn apart.
A very sad tale of the unbelievable grief that can strike a parent who loses a child; nature is unquestionably mysterious and William T. who thinks of suicide as an only option is barely making it.
This is a story for those who know that life is definitely not all roses and happiness; this is for those who have lived and survived grief.
I can only recommend it to people who can take a very sad story without cracking up or putting the book down; this is a story you won't forget it strikes you with all the sadness, the frustration, and the impossible sorrow of those who live from their memories..... Those who can take grief should read this book.

for more information click here

BEAUTIFUL AND UPLIFTING

WAS IT BEAUTIFUL?

Yes,this was a beautiful book. Anyone who has ever lost anyone they love should read this book. When you loose someone you love, you feel so alone in the world. You feel as if you are the only person who is suffering and sad and alone. Yet, you are not, you are not.

This book is another winner by Alison McGhee. I love her writing, her style, her wisdom and her slick little way of bringing former characters from previous books into the story line. She is quite the gifted author.

We meet William T. Jones who has lost his son, William J. Did William J. commit suicide or was his death an accident? William T. deals with this anguish every day of his life. His friends worry about him constantly. The book tells the story of how William T. tries to deal with his son's death and it is quite moving. When someone you love is taken from you, your mental state is so fragile. This book explores that through William T. The book tells such a good story of William T. going through his daily life and living without William J.

Read this book. It is not depressing, it is not sad. The characters are wonderful and kind. They are all touched by the death and the aftermath of the death of William J. They all try to be there for William T. William T. is quite the guy, has a great sense of humor, tries to just make it through each day, and manages to do so with grace, humor, and just because he has to make it.

One phrase hit home for me -- "He's everywhere I go," ..... "I can't get away from him. I can't go anywhere where William J. isn't, but he isn't anywhere." Wow, that sentence sums up everything you feel when you are missing someone dear to your heart. Wow.

Read this book. Then read the rest of Ms. McGhee's books. You are in for a treat and will be glad you discovered her writing.

Thank you!
Pam

for more information click here

Was It Beautiful? Book Review

The story was slow and not very interesting in the beginning two-thirds of the book. I kept waiting for something more to happen. It ended with an attempt to make you contemplate life's greatest mysteries. Overall, this was a good read.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3

products you might be interested in