Customer Reviews

The First Time

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have only read one other of Joy Fielding's works. This novel has convinced me I must try all of them. I read a lot of books, and this one was the best I've read all year.

There are moments of stunning and surprising pure beauty. Many times, I had to stop reading, put the book down and take a breather. Other times I had to go back and re-read a scene several times, unable to absorb it all the first time, or maybe just reluctant to let the moment pass. This book is "that" good.

The story revolves around the family of Mattie, Jake and Kim; their laughter, tears and fear. You fall in love with them, follow all of their daily actions and thoughts, never becoming bored or uninterested in a single detail. Mattie is in a seemingly unhappy and trapped marriage, her husband seeks comfort in other women, and their daughter Kim is struggling with being 15 and growing up. When Mattie finds she is stricken with ALS, a fatal disease, it changes everyone's perspective and lives. Somehow, they must figure out all their feelings for one another while time is running out.

I must say this is the best book I've read in a long time, and I don't imagine another one to take its place for awhile. This book is powerful, graceful, touching and real. I can't give it high enough marks. It is a novel that must be read. I couldn't put it down until I reached the last page, late into the evening. Read it now, and you won't be disappointed.

Having enjoyed Joy Fielding's GRAND AVENUE so much, I was anxious to read another by this author. I secretly doubted she could duplicate the magic of the aforementioned book, but she did! The story is completely different, but the same compelling style of writing reels you in and makes you never want to put the book down.

You will be completely involved in Mattie Hart's life from the opening line when she is thinking of ways to kill her philandering husband to the unthinkable request she makes of her mother. You will be struck by the inner strength this woman brings to her life as well as to that of her family and deeply touched by the graphic description of a terminal illness.

Jake Hart, her husband, is an interesting creation. He doesn't love his wife, never has. He only married her because she was pregnant and Jake always likes to do the right thing. He constantly cheats on Mattie throughout their sixteen years of marriage and has never said "I love you" to her. So what's to like about a man like this? Amazingly, Fielding is able to present a side of Jake that touches every emotional note and leaves you rooting for this multi-faceted character.

From a comical steak-throwing spree in a Chicago grocery store to a wildly romantic chase through a Paris airport, Mattie and Jake's story will leave you breathless. Add to the mix their daughter Kim who is experiencing her first sexual misadventure and Mattie's mother who could never love her daughter like she needed to be loved.

THE FIRST TIME explores the ties that bind and the power of love to overcome the deepest wounds people can inflict upon one another. Inspiring and highly emotional, this book is one that touches the heart with its realism and poignant moments.

One would assume that these two things go together, unfortunately for the characters in this novel, Mattie and Jake, the two do not go hand in hand. Mattie and Jake married young due to an unexpected pregnancy. Jake always felt that he was pressured to do the right thing. He never truly gave himself to Mattie or their teenage daughter Kim.

When Mattie discovers Jake's most recent infidelity she realizes that things have to change. Jake also wants a change in his life, he has decided to leave his wife and daughter and move in with his girlfriend. Mattie is ready to move on with her life when she receives the devastating news that she has ALS - Lou Gehrig's disease. Upon hearing this Jake decides to move back in with Mattie and Kim. It is then that he discovers that the only true way to find one another and fall in love is to communicate. Jake has had an abusive upbringing, something of which he has told Mattie very little about. Mattie herself has had to deal with a broken home and a father who walked away.

It is during their time together now that Jake realizes his true feelings for Mattie. He falls in love with her for the first time. Ironically for Mattie, it becomes the best of times and the worst of times.

Joy Fielding does a great job of delving into the relationships in this book. Everyone has their own demons to confront and the family does manage to draw together in their time of crisis. Unfortunately I was all too aware of the horrible effects of ALS, as a family member has recently passed away with this. Fielding deals with its consequences realistically.

Since reading this book I am anxious to start her newest release. She has proven herself a wonderful storyteller.

It was her most recent novel, Grand Avenue, that got me interested in reading more of Fielding's books. And this one didn't disappoint at all!! It is refreshingly honest, gripping and delved into the myriads of familial relationships even before diaster strikes!

Mattie Hart has spent almost 16 years playing wife to hot-shot defense attorney Jake Hart ~~ quietly ignoring the signs of his numerous affairs. She raised their daughter, the reason why they got married, Kim as best as she could. Not saying that Mattie is the perfect wife or mother ~~ she has made some mistakes in her lifetime as well ~~ but when she found out she was stricken with ASL or Lou Gehrig's disease, her whole world tumbled. Jake had already moved out and started living with his newest paramour ~~ only to move home to take care of Mattie. And this is their story. Theirs and Kim's.

Families aren't always strong as it appears to the public ~~ Jake Hart's glowing image got tarnished throughout the story as he struggled with issues related to his marriage and childhood. Ultimately, he decided on one course and saw it to the end ~~ much to Mattie's great surprise. Kim, usually the perfect beautiful daughter, gets in trouble constantly at school or at home ~~ unable to totally understand what is really going on in her life and with her mother. She comes to realization later on as well ~~ accepting the fact that they all are human. Mattie ~~ the star of this book manages to live her life and lies gracefully ~~ though the disease ravaged her body. Some of the dreams she had never known she had held managed to come to the surface ~~ and she learns to deal with them as well as the fact that she is dying.

This book strikes a chord in this reader's heart. Family relationships aren't always easy but if you stick them out, they turn out to be the greatest blessings. Fielding does a wonderful job of sharing her characters' thoughts and views as life they know it tumbles around them. And they manage to deal with Mattie's dying with grace and humor ~~ after a long, bitter fight.

I have to admit, this is another book you can't just put down and forget about for a few days. You'll be grabbed by the characters' voices and dreams ~~ you'll know them as intimately as you know a friend or even yourself. And be prepared to have kleenexes nearby. It's a book you won't quickly forget!

5-20-02

This is one of those books that made me feel like I knew these people and that I could actually experience the emotions stirred up by this story. This story gave me a better understanding of ALS/ Lou Gerhig's Disease. A very good book, easy to read and finish because it's so interesting right from the beginning, and the people are so "real". There's a teenage daughter that has to watch her mother go through her terminal illness, and the author made her so real to life. Excellent book......Pick this one up and read it, you'll most definitely enjoy it and learn from it. There was so much more to this story than an illness though. An almost exhusband who finally opened his heart to love. That part of this book is so touching. Another thing this book did is make me realize how a person's past can form the future if allowed. This is such a great story about much more than a terminally ill wife/mother/daughter. She's got spunk, hope, and faith.

I read this book about 5 years ago, but I loved it so much, I always recommend it to everyone. I have since read every book Joy Fielding has written, and have loved them all. Not a romance, and not a mystery, but about human emotions and relationships. Lovely book.

Unfortunately, I cannot give this book the same rave review as others have given it. Though it helped to pass the time on a trip, the story wasn't very plausible, the characters were generally not very likable or smart and, in the end, I wasn't really rooting for anyone except the fact that I was finally finished. This is in no way harsh criticism of the author; the writing was more than adequate, it was the story I wasn't too fond of. I think this just isn't my genre. My mom is way into the movies shown on the "Lifetime" network; with a cheating husband, dying wife and bratty, rebelious teenage daughter this story seems tailor-made for the "channel for women".

After trying to get into a few crime/suspense novels, I picked up 'The First Time' just for something different and was blown away as to what an excellent book this was.

Mattie Hart has spent her entire marriage turning a blind eye to her husbands unfaithfulness and is slowly falling apart. After a few strange happenings and feelings, she is diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, a crippling disease that eventually is fatal.

Her husband, feeling guilty, returns home to help her and look after his teenage daughter. Basically, this book is very thin on plot, but it isn;t the plot that makes this story interesting, it is the three main characters, that make this book unforgettable and un-put-down-able!

Even though the story rushes toward a tragic ending, it is the emotion, psychology and dialogue that will have the reader glued to the book.

I definately recommend this book if you are after something that will stay with you and is superbly written.

Well done, Ms Fielding!

Mattie Hart has been married for sixteen years, and after her husband, Jake, becomes involved in another affair, she realizes it's time to call it quits.

Shortly after Jake announces he is leaving Mattie, she is involved in a car accident, and while the accident was not very serious, Mattie's friend and doctor, Lisa, wants to run some tests to make sure that everything is ok.

As Mattie struggles to get on with her life, and keep peace with her daughter Kim, she receives the devistating test results.

Not knowing how to handle the news she receives, Maddie enters a state of denial about her sickness, and for the first time in sixteen years Jake shows an actual interest in his wife.

Moving back in with Mattie and Kim, Jake, will come to deal with his wife's illness, and his unforgiving daughter, and provide the love and understanding that has been absent from their family.

"The First Time" is a serious novel, dealing with love and marriage, tragedy, and starting over. The characters explode off the page, with a plot that is both captivating and moving, giving the reader an experience they will not soon forget.

Joy Fielding has strayed from the thriller/mystery territory, and ventured into Danielle Steel's turf, and does so successfully. She has written a very cinematic novel, about the power of love.

Readers will enjoy the story of a husband and wife coming to terms with their love for each other, as well as the unexpected tragedy's that can strike.

Nick Gonnella

I just finished reading this book and am stunned by how much it touched me. It was not only the best book Joy Fielding has ever written but one of the best books I have ever read. I like Joy Fielding books and have read all of them and this one by far is her deepest. Her others are a much lighter read and although they are enjoyable (especially See Jane Run) this one she outdid herself with and I feel it deserves recognition. It is a much better read than a Danielle Steele novel. It is worth paying hardcover price!! Each character was interesting in this story but Mattie and her daughter Kim were so heartfelt in their relationships and struggles. The way that the author explained Mattie's disease was so easy to understand as she kept it simple but explained it fully. I of course hated Jake and the way he was so selfish but by the end of the book I felt differently. I loved every part of this book, even the ending. If you like a heartfelt, meaningful story about family and tragedy, you will love this book.