The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney
Fiction
1999 HarperTorch
Finished in August 1999
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
Meet The Saving Graces, Four Of The Best Friends A Woman Can Ever Have.
For ten years, Emma, Rudy, Lee, and Isabel have shared a deep affection that has helped them deal with the ebb and flow of expectations and disappointments common to us all. Calling themselves the Saving Graces, the quartet is united by understanding, honesty, and acceptance -- a connection that has grown stronger as the years go by...
Though these sisters of the heart and soul have seen it all, talked through it all, Emma, Rudy, Lee, and Isabel will not be prepared for a crisis of astounding proportions that will put their love and courage to the ultimate test.
My Original Thoughts (1999):
Wonderful! I love it. I tried to read it earlier this summer but couldn't get interested. I gave it another try and I'm so glad I did. I loved all four women. Each had strengths and weaknesses, but they were so good to each other. I love books about women's friendships. I could see myself in each of them. I'd like to read more by Gaffney.
Second Reading (2001):
Just as wonderful as the first time I read it! Wonderful story about four friends. Reminiscent of Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg.
My Current Thoughts (2020):
I still have a copy of this book, so maybe I'll give it another read. I wonder if I'll find it too fluffy at this point in my life. I sure was reading a lot of books about women's friendships back in the late 90s.
My Current Thoughts (2020):
I still have a copy of this book, so maybe I'll give it another read. I wonder if I'll find it too fluffy at this point in my life. I sure was reading a lot of books about women's friendships back in the late 90s.
Updated Thoughts (2022):
I tried to read this again (didn't realize it would be for the 3rd time), but I was bored after just a few pages and called it quits. It must have spoken to my younger self in 1999 & 2001.
"This ode to the friendships between women could easily become the northern version of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." ~ Booklist
"This ode to the friendships between women could easily become the northern version of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." ~ Booklist
I remember loving this book, too, but my copy is long gone...
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, I'm seriously thinking about reading this in-between chapters of Sapiens, which is very good, but quite dense. It's raining today, so maybe I'll just spend the day reading. I'm pretty sure I could zip through this book in an afternoon!
DeleteI sort of remember reading this one - not the specifics, but the cover rings a bell. Yes, women's friendship books were popular then and they are now as well.
ReplyDeleteKay, I'm feeling drawn to these "comfort" books right now, especially since I'm reading a fairly dense (yet readable) nonfiction book for book club. I'm glad that I kept my copy of this so I can read it again.
DeleteDidn't Patricia Gaffney used to write romances? Maybe I'm confused. I do like to read a lot of books about women's friendships and especially right now I feel like all I can read are fluffy books. Will have to remember this one!
ReplyDeleteIliana, yes, I think wrote historical romances. I've only read a couple of her contemporary novels, though.
DeleteI like books that feature strong friendships between women, and a book that you still remember fondly is always a plus. :) Some books are gone from my mind within a day, others hang in for years.
ReplyDeleteJenclair, I'm feeling drawn to these "comfort" novels right now, so I may give this one a re-read in the coming weeks.
DeleteThis is another of those books that swept through all of us readers back in the day that somehow I missed. It sounds like a really good one.
ReplyDeleteDeb, it was very enjoyable both times I read it, but my third attempt wasn't in the cards.
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