The Distance Between Us (Kensington) [Hardcover]

Bart Yates (Author)

Book Description

Series: Kensington | Publication Date: September 1, 2008

At 71, Hester Parker lives alone in an elegant Victorian house. Her biting wit can't hide the bitterness that comes with loss - the loss of her career as a concert pianist, and of her renowned violinist husband, Arthur, who left her for another woman. The arrival of a lodger, Alex, helps her reconnect with the world outside - as well as exposing old memories and grief that she's long tried to bury. His presence, for one short month, leaves a surprising legacy of acceptance, comfort and hope for the future.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the absorbing latest from Yates (Leave Myself Behind), an Illinois piano teacher whose virtuoso career ended prematurely attempts to reconnect with her family after years of anguish and loss. Quirky, intimidating septuagenarian Hester Parker tells her story in retrospect. Early in her marriage, she derives pleasure from the music of her violinist husband, Arthur Donovan, and her two sons, Jeremy and Paul, both accomplished musicians. But despite an outstanding intellect, daughter Caitlin fails to inherit the family genius and suffers the plight of the outsider. A tragedy proves to have more consequences than meet the eye, and Hester's marriage dissolves, leaving her alone in her imposing Victorian home. Cut to the present, when quiet college student Alex rents her upstairs apartment, the two develop an attachment that helps both come to terms with their plights, yet threatens what Hester holds most dear. Yates's family melodrama brims with quiet intensity. (Sept.) ""
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; First Edition edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758226969
• ISBN-13: 978-0758226969
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,339,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be fair, October 10, 2008

By 

Drew D. Ferguson (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Distance Between Us (Kensington) (Hardcover)

OK, I get all the haters who are pissed that Bart didn't "deliver" another over-the-top gay book. You're right. No arguments. What we get instead is an author stretching his wings. Sure, the content is different... sure it's not stereotypical or predictable... but, for crissakes, this is Yates we're talking about. He's never given his readers an easy book, mostly 'cuz he knows you're all smarter than that. Yeah, TDBWU is a different direction, a different story, but ultimately, it's all Yates. And Lord, the man can still rock a story.
This is a guy stretching his wings, don't clip them. Read this book. The writing is top notch, the characters--despite their awful and too human tendencies--are real. Yates doesn't sugarcoat, but we're a a better reading public for it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Portrait of a loving family's descent into dysfunction and hatred., August 28, 2008

By 

Bob Lind "camelwest" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: The Distance Between Us (Kensington) (Hardcover)

Alex, a shy, gay college student, answered an ad for an apartment to rent in a stately old house near school in the small river town of Bolton, Illinois. Alex thinks his potential landlady, frail-looking but feisty 70-something Hester Donovan, a former concert pianist now separated from her violinist husband, estranged from her two living adult children, and living alone in that big three story house, is a bit of a hoot, with her sarcastic, dry sense of humor and habit of saying exactly what is on her mind. He decides to take the apartment, and the two of them gradually become familiar with each others' past life, although both have secrets they don't wish the other to know, quite yet. He learns that one of her sons committed suicide, and that her other children, Caitlan (who happens to be his writing professor at the college) and Paul (a musician, like his parents), somehow blame her for the death. Meanwhile, her husband Arthur, who left her for a younger woman with whom they had both worked at the music school adjacent to the college, is threatening to take the house away from her. Her son, Paul, seems to have a particular problem with Alex living there, as evidenced by the scene he made when he came to the house in an alcoholic rage, demanding that Hester evict him.

In his previous works, "Leave Myself Behind" and "The Brothers Bishop," Yates has established himself as a master of telling a story carried by unique but realistic, strong characters, and that is even more evident in this totally engrossing novel about how stunted communication and petty jealousies can turn a loving family into a highly dysfunctional one. With most of the story told in flashbacks (a strategy I usually don't favor, but it works remarkably well in Yates' skilled hands here), we become privy to the loving relationship the family once had with each other, and exactly how this evolved to the point where none of the four survivors wanted anything to do with each other. It's an amazing, emotional journey for Hester and her family, as well as for Alex, and much recommended. Five bold stars out of five!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extra Points For A Clear, Dark Print - Thank You!, February 13, 2009

By 

Marilyn Raisen (New York State, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The Distance Between Us (Kensington) (Hardcover)

Any classical music lover should find pure enjoyment in this book. I found Yates to be exquisitely talented at creating a sense of character, place, time -- this book reaches so many senses. 'The Distance Between Us' offers every emotion ranging from funny/witty [Hester's acerbic tongue is a 'stand alone performance!'], poignant, moments of outright sobbing, wisdom, insight -- you name it, it's here! I found several parts especially touching. When Hester fully realizes & expresses the depth of her feelings towards Arthur, I was was so moved that I kept reading these passages over & over. Fragile Jeremy steals the heart. Then, of course, there is this glorious music pulsating from almost every page. [What a quartet/quintet these characters are!!] I could picture, as well as hear Hester at her piano, Arthur playing the violin, Paul on the cello, etc. Then, there is, what I refer to as, the 'joy in life' moment -- I trust that any 'baby-boomer plus' will totally relate to this. I must admit that the Boccherini/Manilow connection, this had me reeling, 'hooked' me! Yes, indeed, gratitude, humility, forgiveness & more -- are a must! Pity Caitlin, at least, for the time being... Moms & Dads out there should heed some advice on the potential damage we may [hopefully, not] inflict. Beware of your expectations! Highly recommended reading.