Looking Back

I was surprised to read so many negative reviews of this book. I thought is was a masterpiece. I thought that Ms. Plain must be a "psychologist." The characters in her book, are very well "drawn" and she had a very good grasp of "human nature." Although it did not have a "perfect" ending, is that not how it goes for all of us? It is the story of three women who continue their friendship after college-The "Three Musketeers." Their lives in the years ahead take many twist and turns, some even tragic. Life for all of us has good and bad- That is just plain reality.

This book was excellent. It touched on some very sad issues. But some of these things may very well hurt close friends and family. Some of my friends did not like this story because of the relationship that happened between the father-in-law and the daughter-in-law. This seem likes a love story with a very dramatic and sad ending.I like Belva Plain and I will read some of her other books.

I was skeptical when I started this that I would like it at all, I figured it wouldn't be as engaging, however I wound up being drawn into the story and ended up loving it a lot! I found myself getting really emotional - being angry especially angry with a few of the characters. I even had to put the book downto tell my mother about one of the scenes! I thought it was a very engaging and interesting story and I'm glad I loved it! I'm once again I've fallen in love with Belva Plain!

I personally thought that the book was great once I got past the first couple of chapters. I was able to see the events in my mind as Belva Plain described the scenes behind the story! It was a very sad betrayal between real friends, and was written very well. As I read, I couldn't wait to see what the reactions would be once the betrayal was discovered. I could feel each and every emotion of the characters as it was described in the story. This story is actuallu true to what happens in real life situations in marriages.

I simply adored this book. The characters were so real. I could see how all of the characters' actions fell in to place. What a shocker-- Larry's Dad!! (I must admit-- I picked up on this scenario from the get-go) I read this book in two days and passed it along to a friend immediatley. She loved it also. I guess my only question would be-- how in the world did Amanda spring back so fast in the end and do so well-- what with little money, and landing on her feet so firmly? Larry was certainly a strange character. Although I did find myself laughing at some of his comments. Poor Amanda-- she wanted to live like Cecile -- but at least she garnered some of her good taste and know-how for setting a fine table. (This was the least of her problems.) Norma-- not the person we thought she was in the beginning. To be honest, I had to go back and re-read some of the first chapters to put all of this in prospective. I enjoyed this book very much.