304 pages
Published April 2011 by Penguin Group
Source: the publisher
When Emily Wilson's husband left her for another woman, her friend, Annabelle, convinces the best-selling author that she needs to get away from New York. Just as Emily is contemplating where to go, she receives an invitation from her great-aunt Bee to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island, just off the coast from Seattle.
Nearly as soon as she arrives, Emily discovers three things: Greg, an old boyfriend from the days when Emily used to visit the island every summer; Jack, a neighbor who it's clear that Bee doesn't want Emily to have anything to do with; and a red velvet book tucked away in the bedside table of the room Emily is staying in, a room she has never been in before.
The book, dated 1943, is the story of ill-fated love between Elliot and Esther. The more Emily reads, the more involved in the book she becomes and the more convinced she becomes that the story might not be a work of fiction. Between trying to solve the mystery of the book, the mystery of her own family that Bee seems to be keeping from her, and her developing relationship with Jack, March turns out to be much more complicated that Emily could have imagined.
The beautiful cover of this book convinced me to give it a try and the rave reviews its been getting had me looking forward to The Violets of March. Claire Cook (Must Love Dogs) called this one "captivating" and Beth Hoffman (Saving CeeCee Honeycutt) called it "enchanting." When I finished the book, I found myself wondering "What did I miss?"
I liked a lot about the book: the premise of returning to a place you loved when you were younger to heal, uncovering family mysteries and learning more about yourself in doing so. I quite liked some of the characters: Bee and her live-long friend, Evelyn. But I also had a hard time with the idea that someone who is just getting over the breakup of her marriage would be instantly willing to date not one, but two men. And why in the world would Evelyn insist that Emily needed to read the book instead of telling her what she knew about Emily's family. It almost seemed cruel. The book within the book also didn't have enough of a different voice for me to believe it was written by a different person.
All of this makes it sound as if I really didn't care for the book which isn't the case. It was an enjoyable summer read. Just not the beautiful story I was hoping for. Sometimes I think it might to read books that you've never heard a thing about before!
I had thought this one might be interesting, but you raise some good points. It's so funny, because usually the more hyped something is, the less I like it. My husband calls me a hipster because of this, but I tend to like to stay a little off the beaten path. I am sorry that you didn't enjoy this one as much as you were hoping to. It could have gone either way, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI had myself on hold at the library but the book came in while I was on vacation and I missed it. Grr. Anyway, thanks for the balanced review. I have heard so many good things about this book and want to read it, but I'd probably find it odd, too, that the character would date two men so soon after her marriage ends.
ReplyDeleteYeah, when you know something about the book in advance you get certain expectations. I'm just too chicken to go in blindly with a book! Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say that I've been a subscriber for a while and love your reviews. I usually find book reviews spotty in the sense that what I like, they don't, or vice versa so they aren't usually helpful. I always look forward to your reviews because it seems if you like I book, so will I! Now I finally have a reliable source for future readings, thanks.
I'm glad that you enjoyed it though...that's the main thing. For me, I loved it!!! Through and through. I want to visit that area immediately!! :D
ReplyDeleteI found this book so FLAT. I really, really wanted to love it, but it felt like it was written for someone who could not keep up and was not expected to. Like bad YA. Sweet, but lacking in substance. Oh, well!
ReplyDeleteYou are right there are so many glowing reviews including yours and that cover is absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comments you made, but I think I liked it a bit more than you did. However, I think the setting is what won me over. There were some story bits here and there that irked me, like everyone have an "E" name. Confused me at times but the setting...loved the setting. I guess some people can overlook stuff if something else sticks out for them in a good way. As is the case with me, I guess.
ReplyDeleteYou are wearing your rose colored glasses my friend! HA :) Your idealic youth might make these stories a little more challenging for you to buy but.... remember both of my parents married just weeks after divorcing. It really does happens (BTW, both second marriages were over within a year).
ReplyDeleteI am just one chapter in and am enjoying it, so far. I decided to buy the audio so I can listen while hiking this week.
Mari
(accidentally deleted the comment so I had to add it in myself)
Thanks Indigospider! Constance Reader, I'm so glad to find out I wasn't alone on this one.
ReplyDeleteI expected to love this but I really did not. The romance stuff was to forced and I hated what Esther did in the end, very selfish. My review is up now and I am not nice!
ReplyDeleteThat's what scares me a lot of the time with rave reviews on a book but then again not everyone will feel the same about a book. I'll still read this one soon. I love the cover so much!
ReplyDeleteI have read such raving reviews for this book and have put in on my TBR list (although who knows when I will get around to it!) I do agree, however, that sometimes I think it is best to read a book with no expectations based on others' reactions.
ReplyDeleteOn another note....I would love to have you stow away in my luggage and join me on my Parisian trip :) I am afraid that I might not be as adventurous on my own.
I agree. With all the blog tours and multiple requests for reviews, you do see a lot of the same books in the blog world. Sometimes it's good but i like to read my books without a lot of bias before hand. I have had this one on my pile for a few months. haven't gotten to it yet.
ReplyDeleteI've read about a 3rd of this, and set it aside. It's very heavy handed to me, all the similarities between the generations and foreshadowing.
ReplyDeleteI read and enjoyed the book immensely but I could totally see what you mean. Some books I enjoy more I think because of the things that are going on in real life at the moment. Like if I'm in a bad mood or something, I take it out on my books, or they don't satisfy me or soemthing. Not saying you did this, but food for thought.
ReplyDeleteI also agree there is something to be said about just picking a book up off the shelf not knowing a thing about it. It's all new and exciting, and you haven't seen a darn thing about it. Old library books need love too :) Great review!