Say When

by Elizabeth Berg | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: Global Overview for this book
Registered by EDDI of Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on 1/11/2004
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8 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by EDDI from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Sunday, January 11, 2004
Just started this yesterday and I've almost finished it! (Oh the joys of being on holiday!) About a marriage breakup, told from the point of view of the husband. Will set it up as my first bookring.

Journal Entry 2 by EDDI from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Thursday, January 22, 2004
This is the final order and the book will be on its way to scism in a couple of days.

scism - S.Aus
twinmaker - Perth
MommyMace - USA
Mamikaem - USA
Lorelei03 - USA
tempe247 - USA
INGYM - Israel

Journal Entry 3 by Scism from Adelaide, South Australia Australia on Wednesday, February 4, 2004
I received this book in the mail earlier this week. I plan to start reading it in about a week or so. I've never read any Elizabeth Berg before, but she is compared with Anne Tyler on the cover, and being a big Anne Tyler fan, I'm expecting to enjoy this one!

Journal Entry 4 by Scism from Adelaide, South Australia Australia on Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Overall, although I thought Say When was a good quality book, I didn't really enjoy it. However, I did devour it within a week or so, which shows that I was eager to move through it quickly, and certainly wasn't dreading returning to it each time. I found it a bit of a downer, since the whole thing was about a marriage dissolving. And although the husband's character seemed well developed, I found the wife a bit shallow and lacking in authenticity.

Despite the fact that a quote on the cover compares Elizabeth Berg with Anne Tyler, I didn't find the similarity striking. I've enjoyed the authenticity and honesty of Anne Tyler's more than I enjoyed Elizabeth Berg's style in this book.

On a more positive note, I enjoyed some of the dialogue between the husband and wife in this book. Good examples of how easy it can be to communicate badly in marriage! I also felt a connection with their young daughter, and some of the struggles that she goes through as a result of her parents' marriage changing. I think I would have enjoyed more of an exploration of her perspective.

I found this book a wee bit depressing, but a good read nevertheless. I will send it off to the next person in the BookRing within the next few days.

Journal Entry 5 by Scism from Adelaide, South Australia Australia on Sunday, February 15, 2004
Posted to twinmaker today. Sorry about the delay - hope it arrives safe and sound.

Journal Entry 6 by twinmaker from Winthrop, Western Australia Australia on Friday, February 20, 2004
Rec'd today - thanks scism, have a couple in front of it but will get to it very soon.

Journal Entry 7 by twinmaker from Winthrop, Western Australia Australia on Saturday, February 28, 2004
One of the reviewers said this book was "Heartwrenching...hilarious......" - I found it neither. Actually I agree with Scism that it is a little on the depressing side. It certainly isn't funny and I didn't enjoy it at all. I stuck with it though, trying to see if it would get better! I will forward this on the MommyMace shortly. Thanks for the opportunity scism.

Journal Entry 8 by twinmaker from Winthrop, Western Australia Australia on Tuesday, March 9, 2004
Posted today to mommymace - enjoy

Journal Entry 9 by MommyMace from Hopkinton, Massachusetts USA on Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Received today from twinmaker all the way from Australia. Thank you so much. I have a book in front of it, but I am anxious to get started on it! Thanks again!

Journal Entry 10 by MommyMace from Hopkinton, Massachusetts USA on Thursday, March 25, 2004
I just finished this book in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down! What a moving, sweet, book. Very touching. I would rate this higher than a 10 if I could! And I will be sure to recommend it to my friends.
This is my first Elizabeth Berg novel. Thank you EDDI for introducing me to this wonderful author!


Journal Entry 11 by MommyMace from Hopkinton, Massachusetts USA on Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Oooops! Just noticed I forgot to update the status of this book. I sent the book to the next person in the bookring last week...she should be getting it soon.

Journal Entry 12 by Mamikaem from Maryland Heights, Missouri USA on Thursday, April 1, 2004
Got this in the mail yesterday. Thanks!

UPDATE: 5/15/04 - I started reading this last week.

5/21/04 - I'm halfway through. Like scism, I'm finding this depressing, but I can't put it down! I find myself not liking the wife at all. What a fool she is! But I'd better shut up now since I'm not finished!!

Journal Entry 13 by Mamikaem from Maryland Heights, Missouri USA on Sunday, May 23, 2004
This book was really good. (I forgave the wife at the end!) Thanks to EDDI for making this an international book ring! Mailed to Lorelei03 on 5/26/04.

Journal Entry 14 by Lorelei03 from Queens, New York USA on Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Just rcvd this over the weekend during my move to a new home - with a new one hour each way commute! I think I'll be done with this one quickly! : )

Journal Entry 15 by sunrisewalker from Ancramdale, New York USA on Friday, June 11, 2004
This arrived yesterday. I have one book ahead of it. Looking forward to reading this. I love Elizabeth Berg's writing!

Journal Entry 16 by sunrisewalker from Ancramdale, New York USA on Friday, July 9, 2004
As always I love Elizabeth Berg's writing style. She has such a knack for capturing the everyday details of people and life. I like the way she showed Griffin going through the process of all the emotions of shock, disbelief, denial, blaming, anger, etc, etc.Such a messy process, and painful to watch, but also coming around to realizing his part in his marriage falling apart. Good reading. I emailed INGYM, a few days ago with no reply yet. Will try again. Tempe

Journal Entry 17 by sunrisewalker at Millerton Post Office in Millerton, New York USA on Thursday, August 19, 2004
Released on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 at Millerton Post Office in Millerton, New York USA.

Sent to INGYM in Israel.

Journal Entry 18 by EDDI from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Saturday, September 25, 2004
INGYM has told me that she has received this book although she has not journaled it.

Journal Entry 19 by INGYM on Friday, October 1, 2004
Received the book from Australia, after being added to the book ring by Eddi. The good thing was that the book was easy to read, and I got through it pretty quickly. But, have to admit that it wasn't entirely my style... I am now passing it on to my grandmother.

Journal Entry 20 by EDDI from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, December 1, 2004
INGYM is my niece and her grandmother is my mother. She has read and released the book. A successful bookray!

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