The House [Paperback]

Anjuelle Floyd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2010

The House by Anjuelle Floyd While divorcing her adulterous husband, 55-year-old Anna Manning learns he is dying of cancer. What to do? A 312 page work of Women's Fiction --All hold regret, and are seeking forgiveness. Our salvation rests in the hands of others, most particularly the ones whom we love most, and who have treated us wrongly.-- ______________________________________________________________________________ Anna entered the office lined with cherry wood walls and built-in bookshelves, that of her attorney, Henderson Felterfield, and marched straight to his secretary. Is Edward here yet? She tapped her fingers on Claire's desk. Claire was on the phone. ...

Editorial Reviews

Review

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, January 1, 2011 By Martha A. Cheves (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME) This review is from: The House (Paperback) The House - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat `For the past year, Edward and his attorney had fought Anna's request for a divorce. Edward had canceled three times in the last month of the proceedings. As a result, her realtor had lost potential buyers for the house she and Edward had shared.

Time is money and money is time. That's what Edward, as a realtor, always said.

Now, as Anna's soon-to-be ex-husband, he was squandering away her time and money. Anna had entered the divorce process certain that Edward would welcome the end of their marriage.

Now, fifteen months later she had grown weary of fighting to sell the house. `

`Inside the conference room, Anna took her seat next to Henderson. Edward and his attorney, Bryce Withers, sat across from them. Edward gave Anna a faint smile then turned to Bryce who slid the open folder to Henderson.

'As you can see, everything's signed,' Bryce said.

'Everything's in order,' Henderson said as he closed the folder.

And what about the house?

'I've signed over the house to Anna,' Edward said. It's hers.

Anna remained dazed by the turn of events. 'Something's not right,' she said.'

All Anna wanted to do was divorce Edward and sell the house they had built to raised their 4 children in and move to France. After 30 years of being married to a man that provided wonderfully for the family but couldn't stay true to his marriage, she had had enough. But after spending 15 months of trying to get Edward to sign the divorce papers as well as allow her to sell the house, splitting the proceeds, his sudden turn of heart brought up a red flag for Anna.

This just wasn't like Edward and she was determined to find out what made him change his mind. What she found to be the reason for him agreeing to her demands, would forever change not only her life but the lives of their children as well.

We are all aware of the problems that arise from a broken marriage, but as I read The House, it made me aware of the real damage to the children that can be brought on by infidelity in a marriage. There can be and probably are many effects that the kids from broken homes can carry into their own marriages.

In The House, Anjuelle Floyd takes a husband who has been unfaithful to his wife from the beginning. She gives them 4 kids and then a disaster that will either bring the family closer together or completely tear them apart. I can only pray that if I'm ever put into the position of Anna that I have the faith and courage to do just as she did in dealing with not just a broken marriage but also in dealing with broken adult offspring. This was a very well written and enlightening book. 2010 NOJ Publications 312 pages ISBN# 978-0-9787967-2-3 Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat Stir, Laugh, Repeat --Amazon.com

5.0 out of 5 stars The House - A Detailed Character Study, January 18, 2011 By 'Dellani Oakes', 'Dellani Oakes' (USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: The House (Paperback) Anna Manning wants a divorce. She's asking for freedom from Edward's philandering and emotional abuse he's given her for over thirty years. After more than a year of fighting, he finally gives her all she wants--a divorce and freedom to sell their house. But Edward's changed, diminished, he's dying and has nowhere to go. In an unexpected move that shocks her to the core, Anna decides to hold off the divorce and bring Edward home--to die. Edward's illness and Anna's decision cause each of the characters to reflect on their own lives, meeting their own personal demons and conquering them. Anjuelle Floyd has a unique voice. At times, she confronts adversity, at others, embraces it. Her character studies astutely, but lovingly, reveal the inner workings of the human heart. Exposing them, she invites us to accept them for what they are. By the conclusion of The House each of the characters has made the difficult transition from anger and denial, to acceptance. The House is a beautiful, lyrical story of grief, acceptance and love. I highly recommend it and her other book,Keeper of Secrets...Translations of an Incident for those who enjoy exploring the human heart. --Amazon.com

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 2.0 out of 5 stars Not a glowing review, January 22, 2011 By S. Weathersby (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME) This review is from: The House (Paperback) Like some others who wrote reviews here, I too received a book from the author, with a request to review it. I agreed to review The Housebecause the plot appealed to me. I was in an unhappy marriage for most of 29 years, until my husband died of cancer. I understood the plight of Anna Manning. The book cover is very attractive and drew me in. But I have to be honest, I could write a glowing review, but it would be hypocritical. I found the book tedious to read. My first thought was that the author needed to separate the writer from the psychotherapist. Too much of the first half of the book reads like family therapy. Anna does too much analyzing of what did that mean, and which pigeon-hole do I put this child because he is like this other person. Too many scenes are cluttered with who is sitting where and what they are eating. And when the grandchildren arrive they are always named by three names and placed in their respective spots in the room. The plot moves like the daytime soap operas that I last watched in the 1970's. If you missed a few weeks and came back, you could pick up the story because Anna has to tell Theo what she told Linda, and then she analyzes the reaction of each of them and starts charting their lives from that point on. It's difficult to read a book when I don't like the characters. Anna is judgemental of everybody, until in the end she judges herself as well. Why does she go around slapping people, and only Inman has the sense to deflect her hand. Inman is the only character I like, and he doesn't have a story to tell until the last third of the book. How could Anna sleep with the man and know so little about what he does for a living? When Anna goes to Paris it is as if she dropped into a black hole. I was eager to hear how a woman who had spent her whole life taking care of family would adjust to living alone in a foreign country. I wondered if her dream of working in a museum would ever materialize, but there was nothing of that. I had to force myself to complete the book, because I promised to review it. When I wrote the author with my honest opinion, she insisted that I post my review to show all sides. It has taken me three months to post this review. --Amazon.com

About the Author

Anjuelle Floyd is the author of Keeper of Secrets...Translations of an Incident, a collection of interconnected short stories, and a novel, The House, published October 15, 2010.

Anjuelle is a wife of twenty-eight years, mother of three, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in mother-daughter relations and dream work. A graduate of Duke University, she received her MA in Counseling Psychology from The California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, she has attended the Dominican Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Berkeley, California. Anjuelle received a MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College, Port Townsend, Washington. She has also received certificates of participation from The Hurston-Wright Writers Week and The Voices of Our Nations Writing Workshops. She teaches online fiction classes at Perelandra College. A student of Process Painting for the last decade, Anjuelle has participated in The Art of Living Black Exhibitions 2004-2010 held at the Richmond Art Center, Richmond, California. Anjuelle facilitates writing groups and provides individual consultation of fiction projects. She also gives talks on The Need for Family, The Writing Process as a Path Toward Self-discovery and Healing. Anjuelle hosts the weekly blog talk radio show, Book Talk, Creativity and Family Matters Contact Anjuelle @ anjuellefloyd.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: NOJ Publications; Yvonne Perry edition (October 15, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978796721
• ISBN-13: 978-0978796723
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,455,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anjuelle Floyd is the author of "Keeper of Secrets...Translations of an Incident", a collection of interconnected short stories, and a novel, "The House", due for publication in Fall 2009.
www.anjuellefloyd.com/books/keeper-of-secrets/
www.anjuellefloyd.com/books/the-house/

Anjuelle is a wife of twenty-eight years, mother of three, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in mother-daughter relations and dream work.
A graduate of Duke University, she received her MA in Counseling Psychology from The California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, she has attended the Dominican Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Berkeley, California.
Anjuelle received a MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College, Port Townsend, Washington. She has also received certificates of participation from The Hurston-Wright Writers' Week and The Voices of Our Nations Writing Workshops. She teaches online fiction classes at Perelandra College.

A student of Process Painting for the last decade, Anjuelle has participated in The Art of Living Black Exhibitions 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 held at the Richmond Art Center, Richmond, California.

Anjuelle facilitates writing groups and provides individual consultation of fiction projects. She also gives talks on The Need for Family, The Writing Process as a Path Toward Self-discovery and Healing.

Anjuelle hosts the weekly blog talk radio show, Book Talk, Creativity and Family Matters
www.blogtalkradio.com/anjuellefloyd

Read Anjuelle's blogs and more about her @ www.anjuellefloyd.com
and www.anjuellefloyd.wordpress.com

Follow Anjuelle on Twitter @:
http://twitter.com/anjuellefloyd
&
http://twitter.com/AnnaManning

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Emotions Ring True in The House, January 10, 2011

By 

Mrs. Francine T. Silverman "Book author/publi... (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The House (Paperback)

As a licensed psychotherapist with an MFA in creative writing, Anjuelle Floyd is a master at delving into her characters' psyche, thereby entwining the reader in their thoughts and feelings. As Anna, the ever-faithful wife, wavers between wanting a divorce and caring for her dying husband, we are transfixed by her internal dialogue.

The "House" represents both the hearth and the heartache of a family torn by the husband/father's long absences and cheating.

Those interested in the turmoil generated by parents and children and husband and wife in the wake of a family member's terminal illness will appreciate the author's ability to stir our emotions.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The House - A Detailed Character Study, January 18, 2011

By 

Dellani Oakes "Dellani Oakes" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The House (Paperback)

Anna Manning wants a divorce. She's asking for freedom from Edward's philandering and emotional abuse he's given her for over thirty years. After more than a year of fighting, he finally gives her all she wants--a divorce and freedom to sell their house.

But Edward's changed, diminished, he's dying and has nowhere to go. In an unexpected move that shocks her to the core, Anna decides to hold off the divorce and bring Edward home--to die. Edward's illness and Anna's decision cause each of the characters to reflect on their own lives, meeting their own personal demons and conquering them.

Anjuelle Floyd has a unique voice. At times, she confronts adversity, at others, embraces it. Her character studies astutely, but lovingly, reveal the inner workings of the human heart. Exposing them, she invites us to accept them for what they are. By the conclusion of "The House", each of the characters has made the difficult transition from anger and denial, to acceptance.

"The House" is a beautiful, lyrical story of grief, acceptance and love. I highly recommend it and her other book, "Keeper of Secrets...Translations of an Incident" for those who enjoy exploring the human heart.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Emotional read.., December 28, 2010

By 

Misha - See all my reviews

This review is from: The House (Paperback)

What would you do if you learned that the person you were divorcing is dying?" This question on the back of the book was enough to capture my attention instantly.

Truly, every moment of reading this book has been worthwhile; infact The House is one of the best novels have read in a while. It is one of those captivating books that touch you and remain with you for a long time. I savored every moment of reading this beautifully written novel.

Anna Manning has finally been able to get a divorce from her husband, Edward. Not only has he agreed to a divorce but also agreed to give their house to her. Anna is instantly suspicious. Having known Edward all these years, she is unable to believe that Edward can changed his mind so easily. Is there an ulterior motive behind it?How can he so easily agree after refusing to sign the divorce papers all this time?

As the book progresses, we find the answer. "The House" where Edward and Anna built their lives and their family was one that anyone would dream of having. They had all the material comforts , they were rich and had status. But were they happy?

Most people equate wealth with happiness. This book negates this very notion. You may have all the material possessions in the world, yet you can still be unhappy and dissatisfied. You just want more and more and more but its never enough.

A house is empty and hollow unless you fill it with love. It maybe filled with expensive things, yet it will remain hollow without love.

Anna builds her life around her husband and children. She is devoted to them , loves them with all her being and takes care of "The House." What she never gets back in return is the love she so desperately craved for, from her husband.

Edward gives Anna all the material comforts and riches, but he is endlessly unfaithful, uncaring and hardly ever stays at home. As a consequence , Anna is left alone, to take care of their children. On the outer surface she would have appeared have a perfect life that anyone would envy , but inside she was torn apart.

After years of devotion and sacrificing , without getting anything back in return, Anna has one chance of happiness. She meets Inman, a man who loves her and her only wish is to get divorced soon. She wants to live again. But as fate would have it, Edward is diagnosed with cancer and Anna can't bring herself to get through with the divorce.

Despite the fact how horrendously she is treated by Edward, she decides to sacrifice her dreams for a new life ,to be with the man who ruined her life, in his last few months. You may ask why would she do that. As the novel progresses, understanding dawns and you find the answer.

The novel starts with a quote - "All hold regret, and are seeking forgiveness. Our salvation rests in the hands of others, most particularly the ones whom we love the most, and who have treated us wrongly." This is what the book is about - forgiveness, redemption and coming to terms with things that have hurt you.

It requires endless strength to forgive someone who has wronged you. So filled with hate, we are unable to look beyond or move forward. But this very hate destroys us. Peace and happiness can only be achieved when we are free from the anger, the hatred, burning in our hearts. We can only heal from our past hurts, when we are able to forgive and let go of the anger. There is a quote I like which applies here - "The hatred you're carrying is a live coal in your heart - far more damaging to yourself than to them."

Acceptance and forgiveness is never easy, but once we are able to do that, we are able to achieve true salvation. The House captures this beautifully. There are several twists and turns which make the novel even more readable and compelling. As the story moves forward, we feel for Anna and eventually , even Edward. We live their pains, their anger and ultimately their salvation.

The House is an emotional read that will stir your heart and linger in your mind long after the last page is over.

Overall:

Haunting, heartbreaking and captivating.

Recommended?

Yes! To everyone who loves beautifully written and insightful novels.