15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gibbons outdoes herself, May 26, 2004
I had high expectations for Kaye Gibbons's first book in six years, as she is one of my all-time favorite writers. Divining Women does not disappoint.
The story: Mary is a young woman who grew up around wealthy, free-thinking relatives during the first part of the 20th century. One grandfather is a nudist, another plays host to the spirits who come through their house on the way to somewhere else in their afterlives. She has also enjoyed the benefit of a variety of strong female role models, including her mother and grandmothers. Due to WWI, Mary education is on hold. Her mother decides to send her to take care of her aunt (her mother's half-brother's wife), Maureen, who is heavily pregnant, in North Carolina. Maureen's husband and Mary's uncle, Troop, due to his upbringing and family history, is the worst sort of man: selfish, abusive, cowardly, and manipulative. He has constantly manipulates reality to suit himself and has gone through extreme trouble to crush every ounce of his wife's spirit and passion. As the women's relationship develops, the influenza outbreak worsens, the war goes on, and they slowly learn from each other and band together against the evil in their lives.
This novel is dark, but it would be unrealistic if it were otherwise, as it takes place in a dark time: during World War I, in the midst of the influenza breakout. Gibbons draws off her own experiences with love, heartbreak, and renewal, as well as tragic events of modern times, such as September 11th. Her writing is magical, beautiful, and masterful. I often found myself reading the same passage over and over to ensure that I got every drop of enjoyment out of it. Unlike other reviewers, I found the characters to be completely unique, but utterly believable. Gibbons uses humor as well as tragedy to construct an amazing, gratifying, and empowering story. Additionally, the novel gives great insight into southern life in the early 20th century.
Although Gibbons has written many wonderful books, this is one of her greatest. It is easily one of the best books of the year, if not of modern times.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The beautiful friendship of two women., September 19, 2004
Mary is a young woman, sent by her mother, to help her Uncle's new wife through the end of her pregnancy. Uncle Troop is a proud, cruel man and his family cannot understand why his lovely wife, Maureen, married him in the first place. Troop detests his eccentric family, on his father's side, and was taught to hate them by his own mother. Mary is walking into a disastrous situation, but she has been raised to stand up for herself and others. Troop has met his match when his niece arrives at his home. She steers the destiny of the family in a new direction.
This is a book reminiscent of "Fried Green Tomatoes", not in timing, but in the relationship that develops between Mary and Maureen. It is a quick read, but written in lovely prose by Kaye Gibbons. Mary is a wonderful character who makes one proud to be a woman.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not my favorite by Kaye Gibbons, August 19, 2005
As a HUGE fan of Kaye Gibbons, I looked forward to enjoying this book as much as I had her previous works. Although the language and historical content were entertaining, I found the overall story to be dissappointing. Having left an frighteningly similar bad marriage, I can admire Ms. Gibbon's efforts to show that abuse is not always physical...and emotional and verbal damage can be equally as destructive. What frustrated me about this story was that Troop's wife Maureen suddenly finds the strength and self-confidence to change her life for the better (by leaving) but the source of her new-found conviction is never revealed or clarified. Although partially the result of Mary's arrival, it cannot be completely attributed to that. A woman who is bullied, victimized and balancing on the edge of insanity because of her husband's paranoia and insecurity suddenly decides to defend herself and leave the household? That doesn't seem plausible. If so - how and when did this inner transformation take place? Ms. Gibbons does not go into this as expected; her other novels have more in-depth character revelation. If an abused woman is looking toward this novel for inspiration, she isn't likely to find it.
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