Customer Reviews

The Best Place to Be: A Novel in Stories

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book the way I eat chocolate truffles: savoring and devouring at once, with the best sense of indulgence. I love Grace's humor, her perfectly tuned guilt, her yearnings and--despite her various efforts--her kindness. And I love the redemptive power of her irony. Bring this book to the beach or on your work commute; read it before bed. It will both take you out of your life's grip and at the same time make you recognize that grip more...forgivingly. DELIGHTEDLY recommended.

I loved this book. It made me remember why I read in the first place - to laugh, to nod my head in acknowledgement, to recognize some deep essential link we all have. Dormen's Grace is an amazing invention. She'll stick with you long after you finished the last page of this jewel of a book.

I very rarely re-read a book. I read this book in May, loved it and just finished it again. Getting so much more out of it this time. It feels like a weekend with your best friend. It was so relateable, her relationship with her husband was so wonderfully nice, and true. I at times felt like I was reading about my life in regards to her marriage. But it was also just nice to read, that, in spite of some bad things, the character still finds so much enjoyment in life. It is all about finding joy, after all in the everyday living. I laughed out loud several times. Buy the book you won't be dissapointed.

These stories are hilarious. And heartbreaking. If you have ever been a daughter, adored or hated your sibling, gotten older, loved New York City, stayed in the mystery that is marriage, or braved being alone, you should read this book.

I don't know if I love these stories most for their humor or for their despair. Neither budges for the other, and the two cohabit with a perfect (no pun intended) grace.

"Now I was fifty, not a mother, not a daughter, and the kitchen was in the living room and I didn't know how I was supposed to behave." -- this is an example of the funny/poignant/so not-syrup style of protagonist Grace, hero while trying to be anything but. There are satisfying revelations/epiphanies, but just as engaging are the turns of phrases and small gems sprinkled throughout. Ms. Dormen has found a character finding herself and as audience we hitch a ride, game to see if she can make good. The author's skill comes in unraveling the character in such a way that leaves you unable to put the book down so as not to miss a beat.

Imagine you have a wise generous friend who wants to tell you her story. Her story has a happy ending, but not because everything magically falls in to place. It's happy because the conflicts, pain, and good fortune of life are truthfully and artfully described. Lesley Dormen has crafted a beautiful and intimate book and the time I spent reading it was joyful.

Although this is less a novel than a collection of linked stories, the stories are extremely well-written, especially the title story. The main character is an observant, intelligent, philosophical, interestingly-damaged person. It is either autobiographical, or so well-conceived that it feels totally authentic.

These beautifully written stories capture the details of one woman's unfolding relationships - with her family, friends, lovers, and, most importantly, herself - that struck deep chords in my heart. Each word was selected with care and love and, consequently, the book glows with the knowledge that is gained by being an active participant in life. Grace is great and I hope to meet her again!!

This book was apparently VERY appealing to the critics, but they were probably all New Yorkers. I am not. I found this book to be just so-so. It is promoted as a comedy, and I did not find it humorous. I found it to be the dull and unhappy musings of a very self-centered narrator. There are many references to specific places in New York City, which I could only vaguely relate to. I just didn't come to care much about any of the characters in this book. This book had the same impact on me as a period of gray, rainy weather. I was sort of glad to be done with it...