The Middle Ages

If you liked Crossing Brooklyn Ferry and Lily Beach you will also like Jennie Fields' latest. It is so well written, as are all of her books, with excellent character development. You can almost become as one with the protagonist, Jane Larsen, feeling her experiences as your own. She is a fortiesh woman, with twin teen age daughters, facing life as an architect in her brave new world, alone. Torn between an old love and a new, she experiences the swings of emotions many of us have often felt. The use of emails between Jane and her old love, Jack, is cleverly incorporated into the plot, leaving you wondering where this all will lead. The story moves smoothly along, and although the ending is not decisive, you know that ultimately things will work out as you had hoped all along. This is a wonderful read and I always look forward to a new Jennie Fields book.

This is the third book I've read by this author and I'm happy to say that she has written another heartfelt read. She gets right to the bottom of what goes on in the minds of the overpopulated baby boomer generation so I'm guessing she's part of that census.Fields takes us on another trip to Brooklyn, New York -- a Brooklyn so beautiful with renovated brownstones and beautiful gardens. So what if it's not always that way; either is life.If you're looking for something charming that will give you a lift, then try The Middle Ages.

This wonderful novel speaks to the life of baby boomer women like me. More than any other book I've read this year. Or any year. This book understands what it's like to be in your forties, female, and longing for more. The characters are real, the voice is witty and charming. (I want this woman as my friend.) And the story is uplifting and a real page-turner. I would recommend this book to women of any age. It's an absolute joy to read. I hope word of mouth lets more people know about this very special author!

I accidentally discovered Jennie Fields a few years ago when I came upon her book, Crossing Brooklyn Ferry. While I'm a sucker for any book that has a New York reference in its title, I bought it but never expected it to be as good as it was. When I sought out her other book, Lily Beach, I found out that Fields was the real thing as this book was just as good, if not better than Crossing. That was five years ago. I have patiently waited for this author to pen her next tome and was delighted when I finally saw that her latest, THE MIDDLE AGES, was scheduled to be published in July. I'm not sure if I like the title because it reminds me of a history book but the cover illustrates what every Baby Boomer has come to realize and that is that "Life is not a bowl of cherries."Fields is already well-known for putting the reader right smack dab in her hometown of Park Slope, Brooklyn, where beautifully renovated brownstones line the streets. Many of my high school friends lived in Park Slope and their parents are still kicking themselves for not hanging on to these now pricey brownstones. Her hallmark character is always a female and always one who is happy with her momentary single existence -- until she meets a possible Mr. Right and realizes that her single and sometimes lonely life is for the birds. In this case we meet Jane Larsen, who has worked at the same architectural firm for the past eighteen years. She is a single mother of teenage twin girls so job security is important to her. In her most private moments, however, she wishes she could just ditch the job and do something she really loves -- like designing homes. A twist of fate will make this possibility a reality if she wants to take a chance.I'm noticing lately that many authors are relying on the wonders of the computer and emails to tell their story. Fields utilizes this device when she has Jane tracking down an old college friend and lover, Jack Cashin. I don't really like this style of writing and feel it's sometimes a cop-out but Fields makes it work.THE MIDDLE AGES is full of thoughts and commentaries we all experience when we near the upcoming 50's. I can't help but feel that much of this book might be semi-autobiographical as the author is so right on target with the main character's feelings. If I had to compare Fields to another author of today, it would probably be Elizabeth Berg. The main difference is that you have to wait so long for another Fields' book to be published while Berg seems to knock them out with great speed.In closing I'd say that the beginning of the book was great but fizzled out a little for me towards the end. I think I was annoyed with Jane's email correspondent Jack and all the "baggage" he was carrying. I'm not sure if that was necessary to the story but you can be the judge of that. I'm just hoping I don't have to wait another five years for another book by this very talented author.

It is rare that an author "hooks" me with three novels in a row, but that is just what Fields has done with "The Middle Ages", "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry", and "Lily Beach".Jane Larsen is "Everywoman": middle-aged and, in her opinion, dumpy. She is raising twin teenaged daughters alone, but with the help of her very cooperative ex-husband. Jane has worked as an architect for a New York City firm for 18 years, where she designs mostly everything except what she wants to design: homes.Suddenly her work life changes in a way she might have chosen had she had the energy and gumption to do so. Off on her own, Jane is hired to design a house, but her client seems to have romance in mind as well. She has little interest - her life just has not included thoughts of having a man in it.Then Jane decides to contact her first love, Jack Cashin, the man who inspired her to become an architect, and whom she has not seen for 30 years. An e-mail correspondence ensues and Jane's life changes even more.The book has no "pat" ending but leaves the reader hopeful....and wondering. Fields conveys a good, positive message about taking charge of one's life and making the most of opportunities that arise.A delight to read.