Joan Allen Books

This isn't exactly a page turner, for that you should check out Hawthorne's short stories. However, the writing here is very good and the story is interesting. What struck me most of all about this book, however, is how funny it is. Not funny in a joke-cracking way, knee-slapping kind of way, but Hawthorne has a very dark sense of humor, and in this book he deals with dark themes like death, curses, witchcraft, and old age in a surprisingly humorous and deadpan manner. He writes the best death scenes! I don't want to give away any details, but you need to look past the image of Hawthorne as a stuffy dead white guy in order to appreciate this book.

Purchased in anticipation of a trip to Salem, MA to visit the actual House of the Seven Gables, I have to admit that I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I was going to. Written in 1851, The House of the Seven Gables is at once both a period romance and history of the Pyncheon family, focusing on a several week period of the lives of the current owner, Hepzibah Pyncheon, her brother Clifford, cousin Phoebe and their lodger, Holgrave. Themes of guilt and retribution run throughout the novel, as the histories of both the house and the Pyncheon and Maule families are all brought to light.

Hawthorne relies heavily on not only his own family's history to help him build some of the plots in his novel, but also on the general history of the area, with aspects of the novel dating back to the Salem Witch Hysteria of 1692. The house has stood for centuries as a spectator to these happenings, and seems to be haunted by the ghosts of the suffering that has occurred within its halls.

While suffering from many of what I see as familiar plot devices for its time (family secrets, hidden identities, convenient deaths and sudden marriages that let everyone live "happily ever after"), Hawthorne was still able to craft and wonderful and imaginative novel. While some of the descriptions may seem extraordinarily long by todays standards, I felt as though this added to the books charm. Some may find it hard to read, but if you let yourself be picked up by the story and not try to think your way through the book, you'll soon find yourself completely engrossed in poor Hepzibah's trials and tribulations.

I've had a copy of the House of Seven Gables sitting on my bookshelf for a number of years. The poor little book is slightly out of place between a plethora of fantasy and science fiction novels. Every once in a while I try to venture into a different realm of subject. That's the reason I finally picked up this book to read. I would have read it sooner but I was forced to read "The Scarlet Letter" in high school and never had the heart to read another Nathaniel Hawthorne novel.

Not expecting much, I have to say I was very impressed with this book. The details got to be a bit much at times. I have to admit there were parts of the book that I scanned quit quickly because I just didn't need to know that much description about a certain thing.

That being said, Hawthorne was very good at clearly painting a picture in my head. I could smell the mustiness of the house, feel the joy when Phoebe entered a room, and feel Clifford's sadness and confusion. What took me by surprise was the sharp wit throughout the book and intellectualness of this wit. Quit often I found myself laughing out loud at some of the dry humor in this book. Also of course there was the mystery of the book which kept you hanging on until the end.

I don't know that I will read any additional Hawthorne novels but I would recommend this as a good example of his work. It is much more interesting and engaging than the Scarlet Letter.

Dusty classics of this type when assigned to poor high-school kids typically elicit a wave of one- and two-star reviews consisting mostly of complaints that the work was "boring", usually for the reasons of too much description or most commonly, "no plot". They have trouble simply getting through it, but their school deems the work edifying, or at least did the last time anybody bothered to review the reading lists, so it's off to SparkNotes and the sham continues.

I claim boredom for this work but not in that sense, having read it voluntarily after all. Two novels I have ploughed through in the last year, namely The Idiot and Tale of Two Cities were more "boring" in the sense of being hard to get through, though both were greater novels by far I thought. I had no trouble on the other hand getting through Seven Gables. The boredom for me rather arose from finding nothing particularly compelling about Hawthorne's observations. Only a ponderous "behold my pronouncements" style. Rendered the more dull read so soon after that marvel of deft wit and light touch, Gulliver's Travels. Hawthorne is the anti-Swift--no travels for him! His lumbering, self-important prose reflecting his stolid, adventure-free life.

An indiscriminate deployment of minute analysis unto every topic that wandered into his view--the chickens, the getting of Phoebe out of her bedroom and down the stairs (3 pages), as examples. And to what end? A dubious premise--that the sins of the ancestors are visited upon the descendants. By what mechanism--karma? The kind of God who keeps a ledger of credits and debits? Some mysterion he couldn't be bothered to elucidate, just woooo--ghosts! Then a banal and predictable outcome, in which all live happily. Half-baked trends such as "mesmerism" offered but not defended.

How the novel might have been improved by Hawthorne getting out the damn house and down the street. Wade into the hubbub down at the Salem wharfs five minutes away--plenty of real adventure and drama to be found there, no need to resort to spooks. Dickens walked miles and miles in London. Melville went whaling. But this recessive little piggie stayed home, and the book suffers for it. Humorless gasbag, I say.

"Half-way down a by-street of one of our New England towns, stands a rusty wooden house, with seven acutely peaked gables, facing towards various points of the compass, and a huge, clustered chimney in the midst." And this solid and antique house contains many things - memories of those who lived and died there, and the terrible secrets that haunted those long dead, and haunt the living to this very day. This is the story of Hepzibah Pyncheon, an old maid who carries the weight of the past like a millstone about here neck; Clifford Pyncheon, whose past has left him a broken and haunted old man; Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon, a veritable echo of all that is good and bad in the Pyncheons; Phoebe Pyncheon, an unspoiled country cousin who finds herself sucked into the mysteries contain in the dark and sinister house; and finally Holgrave, a daguerreotypist and an outsider, perhaps the only one who truly knows the secrets of the House of the Seven Gables.

This is a classic of American literature, written in 1851, when railway trains were still a novel and exciting invention, when spiritualism was the rage, and when mesmerism had everyone...well, mesmerized. It was also a time when books came out slowly from the presses, and people expected long, flowing books that gave them more for their money and kept them entertained through the long pre-TV days. As such, it must be admitted that the modern criticism that the book is ponderous or slow-moving, does have some justification.

But, in spite of that, if you can keep at this book, you will find yourself rewarded with an extremely interesting story, a mystery set in a strange setting that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. I enjoyed reading the deep and winding plot, watching the mysteries unravel in a seemly inevitable manner, like doom itself. I really enjoyed this book, and don't hesitate to recommend it!

This was a great book that had many wonderful truths in it. I was a bit flustered when i read the first review from "Pcsgrl" or whatever. I guess if you don't believe in God and all the "Jesus stuff" then you wouldn't get anything out of this book, however, for those who do you will find it to be one of Janette Oke's finest books- I've read every one of them, and loved this one!

"Return to Harmony" was the worst Janette Oke I have read. I will never-ever read a collaboration novel that involves Oke and another author again. Both of their writings were too jumbled and did not flow well. I was able to figure out who wrote what, and you shouldn't be able to do that - both of the authors writings should mesh together in unison. I thought Bunn's writing overpowered Oke's. Since I focused so much on the techniques, I did not enjoy the plot one bit. I finished this book feeling unfulfilled. A huge disappointment - I do not recommend.

I don't think I've ever read anything so crappy. Do people actually enjoy this junk? There was no meaning in it whatsoever unless you count some mumbo-jumbo about God and Jesus. And "Bethan" was the most sickening character I've ever read about. I mean, first of all -- BETHAN? What a stupid name. They explained the origins of the name - a mixture of Elizabeth and Anne, but it was really all overdone. Also, she cries about God every chance she gets and the only reading she ever seems to do is from the Bible. I mean, sure, the Bible could be interesting if looking at it from different prospectives but, CHRIST, girl, expand a little, no wonder you're practically flunking out of school.
Another thing that annoyed me -- why are all the main characters either 'very pretty' or 'dashingly handsome'? Is is because they are all so good and godly? Bethan and her friend also frequently visit a Civil War veteran, calling him a hero and whatever. A hero for what? Fighting to keep a certain race of people in chains? There are also no black people in this book, or mixed diversity or culture at all. Of course, it takes place in the south in the 30s, and we all know what those good God- and Jesus-loving people were doing there and then. Ever hear of the Jim Crow laws?
This book was awful. Very one-dimensional. Don't waste your time and intelligence, if you have any.

I believe the novel, Return To Harmony, was one of the best Janette Oke has ever written. It was very inspiring and suspensful. Every time I finish one of her works, I am left with a feeling of hope and happiness. Bethan is a character to be immitated!

Once again, Janette Oke has out done herself. She has been a favorite of mine since Marty and Clark Davis came to be "friends" of mine in the Love Come Softly series. It is wonderful to get to know the characters and feel part of their lives! I was afraid to venture beyond the Love Come Softly series for fear of leaving the Davis' behind. I was excited to find that Mrs. Oke has made each family in her books come to life. I can't put the books down and am sad when they end. She always leaves me wanting more! Return to Harmony is a wonderful book!

i never received my purchase. I had ordered the book for a class and needed it as soon as possible. Since the book never came in, i had to buy it again from other site. I paid DOUBLE for the book.

With all due respect, well, yes, this book is of GENERAL use-there is a certain convenience in having all these languages in one book. And it maybe a way to begin this type of study. But, alas, there are so many aspects about diction not even addressed. Mistakes abound, and whereas those can be corrected, what about the information that is simply not included? The singer using this book will indeed gain a smattering of diction in all languages, but for adequate preparation for a classical singing career, singers should further their education with more specific textbooks on the languages in question. For instance Evelina Colorni's Italian book, Nico Castel's Spanish offerings, Glenn Paton's Gateway to German Diction, Thomas Grubb's Singing in French or Eileen Davis' new book Sing French. Shortcuts are exactly that, SHORTCUTS! If you are a serious singer, shortcuts just don't work. Get with it-study the details in order to be really competitive in your art. Would you shortcut your vocal technique? Of course not! Nor should you shortcut any part of your training. If you are a diction teacher of students targeting a performance career, please consider the future of your students and the foundation you are providing them.

Diction for Singers is a great book, it has helped my singing tremendously! It gives detailed information about a variety of languages and their pronunciation! I recommend this book for any singer!

Diction for Singers is a great book, it has helped my singing tremendously! It gives detailed information about a variety of languages and their pronunciation! I recommend this book for any singer!

This book is a must-have if you are to sing successfully. It is pretty easy to understand, and it introduces IPA without confusing everyone. There are a few mistakes in it but almost every book has mistakes in it. Excellent and easy to understand. Get it if you are a singer!

Concise collection of texts treating all aspects of Renewable Energy in a grown up manner. Valuable as a starter's information source but also for experts. Covers all the aspects of renewable energy sources and many ways to transform one form of energy to another.

Concise collection of texts treating all aspects of Renewable Energy in a grown up manner. Valuable as a starter's information source but also for experts. Covers all the aspects of renewable energy sources and many ways to transform one form of energy to another. Spans from biomass, biogas, solar collectors, solar cells to fuel cell cogeneration.

Concise collection of texts treating all aspects of Renewable Energy in a grown up manner. Valuable as a starter's information source but also for experts.

I liked this installment in the Kay Scarpetta series. The forensics are detailed and graphic, and by now I feel I know her characters well, both their good aspects and their faults. The only issue I have with the series is that they skip major changes in the character's lives. For example, in the last book, Benton was still at the FBI, and when this one opens, he is retired. We don't get to know what led up to that decision and how he feels about it. Lucy was last with the FBI and in the process of having her career ruined. In this book, all of a sudden that is over and she is with the ATF.

Regardless of those deficits, I still enjoy the series. Carrie Grethen is back and the book starts with a poem she writes to Kay. I won't give away spoilers, but this one has an ending that shocks, and is a heartbreaker.

If you plan to read more of the Kay Scarpetta series, don't skip this one. It is needed in my opinion to fully understand at least the next two books. (that is as far as I've gotten in the series)

The large number of reviews previously posted for Point of Origin sum up the majority of my disappointments with the book. Scarpetta is a basket case throughout the book, is totally obsessed with her niece and whines constantly about her job (why does she do it). In addition, multiple threads surface unexpectedly or are dropped without any attempt at resolution. A point that I struggled with constantly was Cornwell's apparent total lack of comprehension of how a horse farm works. With over 20 high priced horses, the farm only had one old caretaker who quit an unstated amount of time prior to the fire. The owner (an extremely busy man) has supposedly been taking care of these horses himself, but decides to take off for a few days without making any arrangements for their care. Anyone with any basic knowledge of horses would also be aware that this is as likely as leaving an infant in a crib while the parents leave for a getaway weekend. The credibility of the investigation rang totally hollow for me with this lack of research.

Although I wouldn't go as far as to say that this is the best I've read in the Scarpetta series, it is just as good as the others.

I wouldn't recommend it to those who have not read the other books though - because it refers to cases in which torsos are found (from the book before this one) & a character introduced much earlier, Carrie Grethen, plays a much bigger part in this.

There is a lot of character development in this one - especially at the begining of the book. As usual, a lot of it is about Lucy. Benton also plays a huge part.

I wont go over the plot much - because really, a lot happens. But in the end they do find thier killer, along with Carrie, who escapes from the assylum earlier on. The modus operandi is especially terrible in this case, making it all the more intriging. It isn't really spelled out in the end exactly what happened when the victims were killed - because everybody's too busy chasing the killer. But what they find in his house is what makes it all clear - although by now it's a little late. He & Carrie knew they would find it.

What's really sad in this one is the death of Benton. You feel like you knew him, & the funeral is so deppressing! But if you read the next book you'll get a surprise..

I'm not sure what really made me not like the most. Either the ending or Lucy.

The ending reminded me of a soap opera. Someone dies, however he will be resurrected... I just can't get past the ridiculous soap operatic ending. If only Lucy could have been killed too (although, then she would have to be resurrected too).

I'm sooooo very weary of Lucy (a.k.a Supergirl) the obnoxious genius has gone from computer wiz kid to a FBI agent, helicopter pilot, undercover drug agent, fire expert & the list keeps growing in future novels. Then having to constantly read about Lucy's lifestyle choice & complications. I don't care if Lucy is a lesbian.

I'm also disappoint that the escaped colt that received such big buildup was forgotten. I mean, a bunch of horses die in this fire, but one survives, why?????? Who knows it's never explained.

Cornwell's books drastically go downhill after "Point of Origin" & if you must continue to read the series, go to the Library.

Wow! I read this in 4 days! This starts with a casual feeling of vacation and ends in tradegy for Dr Kay. The web she is weaved into while unraveling this story is amazing and she is Cornwell portrays her as a strong woman, ready to seek revenge.
Cornwell's description of the scene's made me feel as if I was watching them work the case.

It's only been 8 hours and I am starting the next novel!

My son lives in Italy and wanted this. Thanks for the speedy delivery of it so I could send it to him.

Based on a recommendation from my aunt and uncle, I stepped away from my usually literary diet of Danielle Steel and Richard Paul Evans to feast upon the "Dead Eyes" of Stuart Woods. And what a feast it was! A thrilling meal of page-turning action, mixed with romance, ironic twists, and some light-hearted humorous moments. I enjoyed every bite of this feast and look forward to savoring more of Woods' books.

I read this book three years ago. It was the first and last book I read by this author. I read many thriller books and quite honestly, I'm pretty easy to please. In fact, this is about the only Thriller book that I didn't enjoy at all in the last 5 years. This is my first review and I'm writing it because I don't want people see the 5 star reviews and waste their time with this book. It's truly awful. It started off okay and then the characters and the plot take a horrible nosedive. I've never felt so cheated out of my time.

I listen to most of Stuart Woods' books on tape and really enjoy them. This one was a particularly good one and carried you along from the first page to the last. Obviously, the suspected villain may not be the true culprit, but then when are they? It was a great story of stalking a celebrity and it was chilling. I thought the book was great, but then I've become a Woods' fan because none of his books are ever boring.

Put your feet up and enjoy this one like you would an old TV detective thriller because it has it all; murder, mystery, and suspense. It has a female in distress and a Hollywood detective and a friend to try and save her; what more could you as for. Oh yeah; it has a surprize ending with no commercials. Stuart Woods as always is a good read.

Factually, Guillemin is fairly correct. Unfortunately, he does not begin with the same religious presuppositions as Joan, which leads him to discount too much of Joan's life. For example, he is forced to by-pass discussion of her secret foreknowledge because it is uncomfortable for him. If you have the choice, read Marina Warner's "Joan of Arc: the Image of Female Heroism" before this one - it's far better.

Helen's mother is like the "almost moon", she's almost sane. Living with that situation as a child and later as an adult, makes for an interesting, albeit crazy, relationship between mother and daughter. Sometimes a crazy relationship leads to crazy circumstances, and that is what happens in Almost Moon. That makes sense, but even that is not enough of an excuse to explain the very unrealistic events that unfold. As if in slow motion, we are presented with a very strange plot which just gets stranger and stranger. Nevertheless, it is an interesting read, if merely for the what-if factor. The whole book is "almost moon".

I was expecting something better from Sebold, having loved "The Lovely Bones", but this one really turned me off. I couldn't get beyond 50 pages or so (my rule is if I don't like a book after 50 pages, I dump it; life's too short to read something I hate) and I was repelled by both the story and protagonist. I know Sebold has been through some horrific things in the past and maybe, as another reviewer suggested, this is a way of working through some of that, but it didn't work for me. I'm not scared of a dark book, but just couldn't stick with this one. Hopefully her next one will be better.

I admit that this was a dark perverse novel, but it kept me going as I really wanted to find out how Helen would get out of it. The parents were just quirky enough to make them real in a very odd way. I was disappointed with the weak ending.

I tolerated the sickening story up until the mother killer says (and I paraphrase) I stared into the hole that has given birth to me and I felt lust. I just wanted that tormented sicko to stop scrubbing all the orifices and call the police already. You don't have to be a prude to be totally disgusted. Her 88 year old dead mother is naked and covered in excrement and we have to get the blow by disgusting blow of description, including odors! Also, if that wasn't enough, the protagonist could have solved her problem--which was much more extensive than the fact she belonged in prison--by simply calling the police and saying that her mother fell down the stairs and she found her dead. But, no. She had to resort to the contrived dumb solution of hiding the body... Doesn't anyone in fiction ever JUST call the police? I hope this book will be the last one Alice Sebold ever writes. I loved her first book--it was sublime. I understand that she would be published even if she writes garbage, but she didn't have to take it so literally. Pity the trees, Ms. Sebold.

Who better to write a book about a dark theme and infuse humor into it...ALICE SEBOLD! I loved THE LOVELY BONES and then her memoir LUCKY...so when my mother said she read a book and it was really weird and thought I might like it (I guess she was telling me I am weird) and I found out Sebold authored it I was ready to read and climbed right into the story with all its contrived madness and zaniness and I loved every word of it. BRAVO! Can't wait to see what Alice comes up with next...bring it!

I agree with a previous reviewer- it does list many obvious problems within the nursing profession, however, doesn't give many suggestions as to how one should deal with such problems.

The facility I work for has a nasty reputation of "nudging out" those who don't fall into the company line, and have an open mind. Management is cliquish and those who aren't liked have their jobs made nigh-impossible so they decide to quit rather than reform a broken system- much like the situations described in the book. Gasparis and company take pride in pointing out the dysfunction of the nursing profession, but don't offer much in the way of fixing it, or how one keeps morale up when roadblocks and landmines muddle the field.

This book was a cult classic in its day, because it capitalized on the "ward Rage" phenomenon experienced by many RNs during the restructuring and downsizing of the 1990s. I think the subtitle ought to be "the best of b&^%h sessons" because when you read it aloud, each chapter is a diatribe about some aspect of work life that makes people unhappy. It is no surprise that the authors had a lot of time making the lecture circuit - I think they make some coldly calculating assessments as to which line of complaining would draw the largest applause or reaction, much as a stand-up comedian will think back on when the audience laughed and use it to refine the jokes they make. These are guaranteed to get a reaction out of a certain type of person working in health care.

I have lent my copy to various friends in nursing, and it appeals to a certain "type" - usually older, very traditional, and conservative. It is unfortunate to say that these nurses feel as though the new demands of health care have passed them by, but in my own observation, it is true that many nurses have felt disenfranchised in this way. This group is receptive to the points being made here. There is a gleeful pleasure in saying the bad things out loud.

Where the book falls short is in its lack of a meaningful solution. It reinforces the victim syndrome to which it gives voice, and the authros are cynical and disrespectful to those who are working to improve health care. Yes, you can allow yourslef a checkle, but when you are done reading, what next? shoudl you shrivel up into a slough of despair?

My advice is to *not* buy the book, ( its outof print anyway)but to spend your money joining your state's chapter of the American Nurses Association and work to make it better alongside of other nurses who reject the victim approach.

Joe Niemczura, RN
Maine

This is a very good book. I love Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio. She is very sharp, witty and in nurses face about the things that they do to belittle themselves and look less than professional to others and among themselves. This is a reality check for nurses. God knows that we need one. Every Nursing 101 student needs this book. I wish that Laura would revise and reprint this book.

Wow! This is hands down the worst book I have wasted time on in years. I picked it up at the library, figuring I'd give Danielle Steele a try and couldn't be more unimpressed. This book was repetitive, slow, and appears to be headed toward a climax of adulterous affairs (nope, I haven't finished it...yet...or maybe ever). About the only positive I can give it is that I really like the character Steve.

One of Danielle Steel's more romantic stories that I just could not put down until I was finished... Steve, an Emergency Room physician and Merrie, a successful business woman, were married and lived a comfortable and convenient life together in New York city. As soon as Merrie starting traveling with Callan Dow and his high tech company based out of California, friction started in their marriage. Because of her incredible talent, Merrie was soon offered a full-time position by Cal as the company's CFO. After consulting Steve she accepted the position and the two started a long distance marriage. Through the ups and downs of their new circumstances, Merrie and Steve soon realize that their marriage was not as strong as they had previously thought. After much angst, a decision is made and several lives are affected. There was a greater force guiding them toward happiness.

It seems that Ms. Steete has really lost her touch. I was frustrated at the very slow pace with little or no character development until the last few pages when we learn that apparently it is okay with Ms. Steele to cheat on your spouse.

This is the worst book I've ever read by Danielle Steel. I kept looking at the author's name to be sure it was hers. So boring, so repetitive, I got so frustrated with reading the same information over & over just arranged differently. She has some wonderful books out but pass on this one.

I agree with the other reviewers in saying that this was not one of her best books. It just seemed so predictable & boring. The writing could use some work too, saying the same thing over & over gets frustrating to read- I'd rather have a shorter book! The only thing I did enjoy was the characters- some you love & some you love to hate. But if you're looking for something good by Ms. Steel- I'd recommend The Wedding, Star or Heartbeat instead.