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Dory Delano, Charlotte Harris, and Turner Graham have been drifting through life since their days as roommates at Smith College, ten years ago. Dory is resisting taking the reins of her family’s legacy and fortune even as she relishes the fabulous lifestyle it affords her in the fashionable seaside resort of Martha’s Vineyard. She invites her old friends to join her for a summer on the Vineyard in hopes of rediscovering the innocence of old days and healing new wounds. But hidden in their midst and unknown to all but a few, a reclusive—some say dangerous—fisherman wanders alone, fueling wild speculation about his purpose and his past. None of these women can imagine the events their encounter with the fisherman will set in motion, the shadow he will cast over their destinies, or the transformation that awaits the world they know.
My Review:
The Vineyard by Michael Hurley caught my eye as I tend to enjoy books that focus on the friendship between women. But early on it seemed like the book was less about their shared past and more about the individual lives of the three women that reunited at the estate of one of the friend's on Martha's Vineyard. I think it had the makings of a good story but I struggle to connect with the readers or really empathize with them. Plus, early on there was a negative storyline about the Catholic church and as a practicing Catholic, it's unlikely for me to connect with a book with that kind of storyline. I also struggled with the fact that these women are all in their early 30s, yet they are able to take off and spend several months on Martha's Vineyard? It seemed like that would be more likely or expected if they were closer to retirement age. I guess I am just too practical to relate to a storyline that involves women my age who don't have or don't have the desire to work...
The book has an average rating above 4 which is quite high so clearly others had a different reaction to this book. So, if the description is intriguing to you, don't let my inability to connect with the book deter you from reading it.
For more information about the book, you can watch a trailer about it here!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review, and the opinions are my own.
I can see why you didn't like it. I wouldn't either.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few books I have read that has 30something women who just go and cavort about and I always wonder about their families/lives/bills, etc. It's a foreign concept to me for sure. Maybe in the context of where they live, who they are married to, etc. (in the book) it's ok? I don't know. Probably not something I would relate to very well either.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest review for the tour.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'd have a hard time with that whole 'jetting off from real life thing' too ... not realistic for women our age.
ReplyDeleteI'm still not done with it hahaha. It clearly did not grab me either. I mean it's okay but it's not near the top of my 2014 list!
ReplyDeleteUsually when I read book reviews by a blogger I want to read the book as well, but I really don't have any interest in this book. I find it hard to relate to books that try to be relatable but clearly are not (ie: a 30 year old taking unlimited time off work).
ReplyDeleteDitto to what Jolene said - it would be hard to relate to them jetting off from real life when that's SO not realistic for the vast majority of women in that age group!
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