Customer Reviews

Galveston

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have just read this book for the 4th time in 20 years. It's a book I often go back and re-read, which is very rare for me. It's intriguing, with true to life characters, mystery, history, and just a plain old good story. If you see it at a used book store or garage sale, grab it. Everyone I lend it to loves it. The story, one of my favorite genres, is about 3 women whose lives are linked and how they intertwine. There's also a history of how Galveston lost it's position as the major Texas port to the upstart town of Houston. The great storm of 1900 and the Great Fire are also players in this book. I wish I knew if this author has written anything else (can't tell for sure from Amazon's information). If she hasn't, too bad for us readers. However, I don't know how she could top this one. It's an historical fiction/romance/mystery/gothic tale all wrapped into one. Highly recommended!!

Absolutely one of my favorite books! I read it the first time nearly 30 years ago, and have recommended it (and loaned it out) to lots of friends, who have also loved it! I recommended it to a friend & co-worker, who lives in Galveston and she, in turn, shared it with her mother. They especially enjoyed the hometown aspects of this wonderful book. It is the multi-generational story of three women, linked together by a city, and actual historical events, that shaped their lives and their destinies! It is a truly a gem! I have always thought that it would make a great movie!

This is one of the most interesting and exciting books that I have ever read, and I've read a lot. The characters and the history are fascinating.

I am a history buff and also like the kind of book that keeps you guessing until the very end. For me, this book is spot-on; and is also one of the few books that I can open to almost any page and begin reading--only "Gone With the Wind" and "The Stone Angel" have that kind of effect on me.

The historical aspects in the book are designed to be a backdrop to the story itself. Although the Great Fire and the 1900 storm are not explored in detail, there is enough mentioned to give the book local color;as well as mentions of the Garten Verein. It also caused a history nut like me to seek out other works about those historic events.

Regardless of whether the character was good (Serena), bad (Claire), or simply misguided (Willa), while you were looking at the world through their eyes, you could understand their feelings and almost understand their actions. Of all the characters, I enjoyed Claire the most. I agree with one reviewer about her shallowness, but the shallowness coupled with her complete lack of introspection is what makes her fascinating.

If you like a book that leaves more than one loose end dangling until the very end, then I think you would enjoy "Galveston".

This book sat in my mother's bookshelf since I gave it to her in 1976. Now I know why she never mentioned it. My mother spent all her childhood summers in Galveston. Her mother survived the 1900 Storm in Galveston and met my grandfather in Galveston. I remember being so excited to give my Mother a romance novel about her beloved city. After Mother's death this year, I pulled this book out and decided to read it. Imagine my horror when I realized the dark, dreary characters that supposedly represent "Galveston." Not only does it depict three generations of shallow women, it places them in a Galveston that is lacking everything that is rich about this historical city. Certain landmarks are mentioned. The 1900 Storm is referenced. But the essence of the city is never thoroughly developed and that is a shame. There are three generations of hapless women struggling in this novel and I can only imagine how much better their lives would have been had fate placed them in the hands of the true Galveston, rich with survivors, grandeur, grace and history.

Alas! I came here looking for Galveston, by Suzanne Morris to give to a new friend I've made who loves to read. This is a wonderful novel with rich characters, some terrific history of Galveston Island, and a surprising plot twist!

I guess I'll have to keep looking!

This book is amateurish writing at high school level. The women characters are shallow and not interesting, the book really doesn't have a sense of place although it is named Galveston. I bought it used for a dollar. It was a quick read and a quick toss to the trash can.

Galveston by Suzanne Morris is one of those novels that I like to re-read every year or so. I did check it out from the library, but I really wanted my own copy. I am so very disappointed to find that it is out-of-print.

Characters in this late 19th-century/early 20th century novel are almost uniformly narcissitic, shallow, and unsympathetic. Also, the author didn't do her homework (e.g., calling Galveston then the 2nd biggest city in Texas, a "small town"). This is a good one to avoid unless your only desire is to not think for an extended period of time.

My friend, Susan Morris -Haire also worked for the Galveston Daily news at this time. She is a wonderful artist, recently returned to the island. Please!!! Do not confuse her with the author of this ...trash. They are NOT the same person.