After Anne

I tell you---I am not a very religious person. If someone would have told me that I had to read a book labeled "spiritual", I'd have laughed in his face. But this book is AMAZING.I was drawn to the book by it's cover - something I normally tell my 4th graders NOT to do. When I started reading about Olivia and Anne, I couldn't put it down. I felt as if I was "meant" to read this book. This book has opened my eyes to the many ways God expects me - you - to be a better person within personal and casual friendships and the events with which we have no control over.I feel Roxanne Henke is a very talented writer. Her books are inspirational in every sense of the word!

My sweet wife read After Anne and told me about it. The story describes the friendship of Olivia and Anne, both in their thirties, who meet during a high school football game. Olivia instantly dislikes Anne, but Anne is attracted to Olivia, whom she calls Libby despite Olivia's attempts to dissuade her. Because Anne's husband travels and they are new to the town, Anne prays for a friend. She hopes she has found that friend in Libby.Opportunity for building acquaintance comes when Olivia's daughter Emily wants to learn the piano and Anne is the only piano teacher in Brewster, North Dakota. Olivia gives Anne as much distance as she can, but Anne's friendliness and generosity eventually win her over, and they become friends as close as sisters. My wife says the book is set up in a weird way, jumping first person viewpoints between the two main characters; but that doesn't disrupt the story. Henke writes well, keeping my wife's interest more than she thought she would. Sarah was with me in having a low opinion of Christian fiction.After Anne depicts that kind of friendship every woman craves. Henke reveals her character's deep emotions without caricature. "The emotion doesn't seem fake," my wife said. It rings true and penetrates emotional calluses a reader may have raised through suspicion of the genre (that being contemporary Christian). But "it's a woman's book. A man would not appreciate or enjoy it." Well, we'll see about that when I get around to reading it myself.

I don't know how I got this copy of After Anne ~~ but however I got it, I am so glad I read it! This is one of my all-time favorite read ~~ much to my surprise! I didn't realize this is an inspirational book ~~ normally, I don't read those because of poor writing but this book has exceeded all expectations. It is a story of two women who became friends in an unlikely way. It is a discovery of truths on one woman's part and the facing of uncertain future on the other woman's part. It is an exploration of friendship and love that only two women can experience ~~ they became closer friends than sisters. This story is rich in details ~~ Olivia is a mom and a banker's wife. She endures trouble with her teenage son and pretween daughter when she meets Anne. Anne is a soon-to-be mom in her late 20s who discovers a lump on her breast. Together, they share their lives. Their friendship is the one that every woman secretly dreams of having ~~ and while it strengthens Anne's walk with God, it introduces God and his word to Olivia. However, that is done in a beautifully-written way, not a preachy way. Anne lived her faith. Olivia learns about it just from watching Anne. I just love this book ~~ I relate to Olivia so well though my babies aren't grown yet. I relate to Anne and her fears and uncertainities of the future ~~ and it's just a beautiful, heart-warming story. It is definitely one of the best-written stories on friendship that I have ever read. It makes me think of my best friend and our friendship over the years. It also makes me look at my children differently ~~ they too will grow up like Olivia's children did. I also appreciate the little things in life more ~~ you just never know what to expect ~~ and how fast time is.This is a definite book to buy for your best friend or wife or daughter. It's not emotionally mushy though in some places you will need a kleenex. It is just beautifully-written ~~ and so true. It makes you stop and think. It is one of the must-reads for the coming year if not tomorrow.11-11-03

This Christian based novel is the story of Olivia Marsden and her best friend Anne Abbott. When they first meet, Olivia takes an instant disliking to Anne, but eventually overcomes her first impression to forge a strong and loving friendship with her. Anne has a strong faith and forces Olivia to take a hard look at herself and her relationships with her family and other friends. While Anne is pregnant with her first child, she finds a lump in her breast and this discovery will deepen the bonds between the women as they struggle together for hope and healing. An excellent subplot (though it's a little too easily resolved) involves Olivia's son and drug use. The story is told in the alternating voices of Olivia and Anne, so though the book looks long, the chapters are short...however, it was by no means an "easy" read as it is such an emotional story.You will not expect the ending to this book and I won't give anything away except to say, cherish those you love now before you no longer have the chance.

When I started to read After Anne, I didn't expect to care so much about the characters or get so caught up in the story. But from the first lines, I was hooked. This is a powerful tale about two women who form a bond that is tried by fire. In the end, friendship comes out the victor and is worth the price paid. Roxanne Henke's first novel is written with honesty, humor and bravery. It is purely fiction, but the premise of the book is based on the author's real-life experience of losing her dearest friend to breast cancer. I can only imagine what it took to revisit those tender times in order to give the reader the details and insights that blanket the story in reality. It's no wonder I felt as if I had read a biography rather than a novel - it seemed so real.This wonderful book is the first in the Coming Home to Brewster series and it is SO good, I cannot wait for the next one! If you want a really gripping read, I recommend After Anne. You'll look far to find a better one. Happy reading, everybody.