Still Life With Bread Crumbs; Anna Quindlen
2014 - Random House
I've been a Quindlen fan for years, so I read whatever she writes, -- her non fiction is always outstanding. That being said, this one was not a favorite. It was a quick read but I also had a few issues with it. First it's a story which has been written again and again, and second, as an older woman about the age as the novel's main character Rebecca, the story just did not resonate with me. The chance of an older woman finding love while living a fairly isolated life in the middle of nowhere is an unlikely scenario. Despite this, Still Life with Bread Crumbs, had its funny moments, and the just the idea of starting fresh by moving from NYC to the country seemed like a refreshing change of pace.
Rebecca Winter was a well known NYC photographer and a fairly
wealthy woman. Now, newly divorced, 60-year's old, with a dwindling bank
account, she decides to cut expenses by leasing her high-end NYC
apartment and renting a rural rundown cottage for a year. She still
helps support her aged parents and her twenty-something son Ben.
An unlikely candidate for life in upstate New York,
she gradually establishes some routine, photographing wild birds and
some handmade crosses and children's trinkets found near the crosses
that she discovered while hiking in the woods one day. Her morning trips
to the local coffee shop give her a feel for the locals who hang out
there. After a critter get's into her attic, Jim Bates, a local
roofer comes to her rescue and soon they begin spending more and more
time together. When Jim suddenly disappears without a word, Rebecca
puzzled and unsure what it all means. What does this all mean and what
will happen next?
I've been a Quindlen fan for years, so I read whatever she writes, -- her non fiction is always outstanding. That being said, this one was not a favorite. It was a quick read but I also had a few issues with it. First it's a story which has been written again and again, and second, as an older woman about the age as the novel's main character Rebecca, the story just did not resonate with me. The chance of an older woman finding love while living a fairly isolated life in the middle of nowhere is an unlikely scenario. Despite this, Still Life with Bread Crumbs, had its funny moments, and the just the idea of starting fresh by moving from NYC to the country seemed like a refreshing change of pace.
3.5/5 stars
(library copy)
This sounds like it's worth reading even if it didn't meet your expectations.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the story - probably because I dream of moving to a more remote area. I'm sorry it doesn't resonate, but maybe as quick read it would be fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your review Diane. I recently enjoyed this book. My review will be posted next week.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Quindlen fan, too, especially her nonfiction. This does sounds pretty unlikely, but I'll still read it at some point.
ReplyDeleteI have read a few of her books, and although I didn't like any of them, I found that they made great discussion books.
ReplyDeleteI read through a stage where I was reading Anna Quindlen all the time, but for whatever reason she hasn't been calling to me lately.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Berg has written quite a few books with this premise and they do start to feel tired. I am a new Quindlen fan so I may have to try this one anyway :)
ReplyDeleteI've read mixed reviews on this one but I liked the concept so maybe I'll enjoy it. I have a copy from LibraryThing so I'll be reading it soon.
ReplyDeleteI think I enjoyed this one better than you, but not nearly as much as Every Last One (which really resonated with me...). I should have my review up in the coming week or so.
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