Black and Blue
Registered by GorgeousGlo on 8/21/2005
2 journalers for this copy...
What a page turner. I stayed up late reading like I haven't done in a while. Anna Quindlen knows how to tell a story.
Fran, the main character, is a battered woman. This is a term she hates, we learn later on. The story begins with her escape. She's had it, the last beating was too much, and she is escaping her husband with the help of a group that places women undercover. She is taking her son, and ends up in Central Florida. Fran's feelings are perfectly articulated. She writes about her ambivalence for her husband, who happens to be a NYC cop. She also writes about the dingy apartment, her sense of loss, the daily details that made (and make) her life miserable. Piece by piece she starts rebuilding her life in Florida. She makes friends, gets a job as a nurse's aide (she was a registered nurse before), and takes it one day at a time. In the process, even though there is no complete healing, she learns a few things about herself and her son.
The cast of characters is terrific. There's Cindy, Fran's first friend in Florida. Although she is a Floridian, she is the archetype of a Californian bimbette. But there's tremendous depth to Cindy, and I love the way this is revealed to the reader, little by little. Mrs. Leavitt is a key character, providing perspective and resignation achieved not just by her old age, but also by her terrible past. I did not fall for Mike, the same way Fran didn't. Above all, I enjoyed Fran, with her beautiful imperfections.
I couldn't wait to get to the ending of the book. There is a thriller-like feel to the story, because you know the cop husband is looking for them, and it's not going to be pretty once he finds Fran. The end surprised me and left me a little sad, but hopeful. Time goes by, and children grow up.
Fran, the main character, is a battered woman. This is a term she hates, we learn later on. The story begins with her escape. She's had it, the last beating was too much, and she is escaping her husband with the help of a group that places women undercover. She is taking her son, and ends up in Central Florida. Fran's feelings are perfectly articulated. She writes about her ambivalence for her husband, who happens to be a NYC cop. She also writes about the dingy apartment, her sense of loss, the daily details that made (and make) her life miserable. Piece by piece she starts rebuilding her life in Florida. She makes friends, gets a job as a nurse's aide (she was a registered nurse before), and takes it one day at a time. In the process, even though there is no complete healing, she learns a few things about herself and her son.
The cast of characters is terrific. There's Cindy, Fran's first friend in Florida. Although she is a Floridian, she is the archetype of a Californian bimbette. But there's tremendous depth to Cindy, and I love the way this is revealed to the reader, little by little. Mrs. Leavitt is a key character, providing perspective and resignation achieved not just by her old age, but also by her terrible past. I did not fall for Mike, the same way Fran didn't. Above all, I enjoyed Fran, with her beautiful imperfections.
I couldn't wait to get to the ending of the book. There is a thriller-like feel to the story, because you know the cop husband is looking for them, and it's not going to be pretty once he finds Fran. The end surprised me and left me a little sad, but hopeful. Time goes by, and children grow up.
BookRay begins now.
Please remember to make an entry when you receive the book, and of course a second one when you finish reading it.
This is not a very long book, so if you could be done within 4 weeks, that would be great. Please let me know if you think it would take you longer, so that i can let the others know (we're all impatient types, especially ME!).
Jennifer671 - SC (STALLED... Not sure what's going on)
Queensknob - VA
LyekkaMarengo - PA
PurpleRoseBud - UK
Hetku77 - FIN
I am still awaiting replies from some other people, so this order may vary. Based on who we have right now, this book is going to travel an approximate 5344.9 miles (8599.9 km). WOW!
When you're done reading, please PM the next person for their mailing address.
And that's it. Have fun and thank you for participating in this ray!
Please remember to make an entry when you receive the book, and of course a second one when you finish reading it.
This is not a very long book, so if you could be done within 4 weeks, that would be great. Please let me know if you think it would take you longer, so that i can let the others know (we're all impatient types, especially ME!).
Jennifer671 - SC (STALLED... Not sure what's going on)
Queensknob - VA
LyekkaMarengo - PA
PurpleRoseBud - UK
Hetku77 - FIN
I am still awaiting replies from some other people, so this order may vary. Based on who we have right now, this book is going to travel an approximate 5344.9 miles (8599.9 km). WOW!
When you're done reading, please PM the next person for their mailing address.
And that's it. Have fun and thank you for participating in this ray!
On its way to Jennifer today (8 October)
I am sorry I am just getting to journal this hon, I sent you a pm about it tonite. Will get this on the road first of the week. :)
After many unanswered PMs, i figure that jennifer671 is either dead, finger-less, or just rude. Let's hope it is #3.
She has been listed as an undesirable trading partner at the handy-dandy list that Earthdance maintains.
She has been listed as an undesirable trading partner at the handy-dandy list that Earthdance maintains.
The wonderful Dittybopper has volunteered her own copy of Black and Blue to continue this ray. To follow the book's progress, go here
