The Anna Papers

I own all of Ellen Gilchrist's books and I am in the process of re-reading all of them in order. It's enriching my life in so many ways. I had to write a review to respond the two negative reviews that were posted before this one. The person who wrote the "Anna loves to do it" review is either about 12 years old or very ignorant. If that is all they took from The Anna Papers, they can't be a very perceptive reader. This book, like all of Ellen's work, is about art, poetry, science, love, loss, and family. It is NOT about furniture and clothing as the reviewer who wrote, "This is great fiction?", stated. The answer to your question, by the way, is a resounding yes. If you love "chick lit", The Da Vinci Codes, James Patterson, Nicholas Sparks, etc, then you will not appreciate the wonderful Ellen Gilchrist. However, if you are looking for some compelling literary fiction which will make you laugh, cry, love life, and THINK, then pick up any of Ellen Gilchrist's treasures....the best part is, she's 70 years old and still writing and teaching. Keep up the great work!

at least don't be childish and ridiculous. I enjoy Ellen Gilchrist's work, including this one. This is one of my favorites. Gilchrist's work features the lives of women and mostly take place in the South. She has the ability to make you think you know the unique characters that she creates. Anna Hand is one of the best and most unique.

Don't miss a single Anna book! I just hate that she was "killed off"!Isn't it about time for Gilchrist to do a Companion? A Gilchristian Companion for the Hand Family, Miss Crystal, Nora Jane, and (last but not least) Rhoda?

Ellen Gilchrist is a talented & really sensitive author. I've been reading her books for years, & my favorite characters are Anna, Rhoda & Olivia. The "Anna Papers" is a book about Anna Hand, a character that comes up again & again in Gilchrist's novels. Anna is an author, a sensitive woman living between extremes- happiness & depression, love & loneliness...I think the whole series is very good -especially "I cannot get you close enough" & "Net of Jewels". But this book is also not a disappointment.

This has always been, and remains, one of my favourite books. Gilchrist knows how to make you believe in her characters, and Anna is one of the most well-written and most interesting characters she has written about, ever. This book made me laugh, cry, and appreciate life in a way only Gilchrist (through Anna) could have done. It's a wondrous book, and one I hope to read over and over again. Anna is unforgettable, and it is a tribute to Ellen Gilchrist that she is.