One Heart

Usually we disagree, but "One Heart," a beautifully written book, stole all our hearts. We didn't spend much time discussing style; after brief comments about McCafferty's talent,we spent the rest of the evening discussing Ivy and Gladys, their lives past, present, and to come. They seemed so real to us that we wanted to invite them to join the group! A perfect Book Group Book.

I finished the book two nights ago and am still thinking of Ivy and Gladys! I can't remember when I've cared so much about fictional characters. I laughed, smiled to myself, read passages out loud to my husband, and cried my way through this wonderful story of two blue-collar sisters who work at a camp for rich kids in upstate New York. The novel is totally character driven tracing the past and present relationship of these two unique women. I highly recommend it and have been telling everyone who will listen to me to read this book! I can't wait to talk to someone about it!

This is much more than a wonderful book. The author's ability to delve deeply into the minds and hearts of her characters makes this reading a very moving experience. There are no contrived situations. The thoughts and phrases are completely original and I paused many times during the reading to think about Ivy and Gladys - they were so real to me. Ms. McCafferty is a tender, gentle writer who still manages to knock you out. Don't miss the story between the covers of one Heart.

Very seldom do I wish to read a book twice before finding a place for it on my shelf of favorites. One Heart is such a book. Women especially will recognize themselves in the wanderings and wonderings of Gladys and Ivy as they come to terms with their lives and loves. This novel is a jewel that I hated to see end even the second time through.

So my wife asked me, "What do you think, so far?" after I was about only thirty pages into Jane McCafferty's first novel, "One Heart." "Good writing," I said, "but I'm not sure I care too much about the co-protagonists, these two sisters who are overweight cooks in an upstate camp." So it was a little difficult trying to explain- jaded reader that I am-why, as I rounded the corner of the final chapter, the tears were determined to slip out and run down my cheek. And there is no explanation other than Jane McCafferty's extraordinary writing that is at times beautifully simple, at times, beautifully powerful, but always beautiful. To read "One Heart" is to spend time with a very speical talent. A real joy.