Sarah Conley

Ellen Gilchrist is one of the best. She has the ability to craft interesting and fascinating characters. The first thing I read of hers was a short story in a magazine and I have read everything since. I never miss one of her books, and I'm proud to have the complete collection on my bookcase. She has crafted a series of books with interwoven characters. It isn't a series as much as a set of related novels from the different perspectives of the different characters she has created. She is a poet-novelist; I look forward to reading whatever comes next.

On a whim I picked up this novel and 2 days later exhaled with satisfied relief. For an experienced, modern woman this story is captivating, endearing and full bodied. I began to fear that the author would wrecklessly lead reader down a minefield strewn, primrose path but pleasantly found this fear unfounded. As with any book that steals you into itself, it was regretfully over all too soon-but just in time for me to dash back into a bookstore to see what else this generous author has offered us!

Gilchrist's stories of flawed but strong Southern women highlight the passions, pleasures and sorrows that all her readers experience in their lives. That is why she is popular. Sarah Conley is certainly more accomplished than most of us but we share her views on life and indeed learn about movie- making and the joys of life in NYC and Paris. In fact, Sarah seems to be what Ellen G is or strives to be in her own life...capable, independent and sensibally sensual. Sarah's life makes me want to know more about the author who writes so well about the concerns and emotions of her characters and, for that matter, her readers.