Customer Reviews

Lily of the Valley

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Suzanne Shea keeps getting better with each book. I loved this novel and once again found myself resenting anything or anyone who took me away from it. This book does not focus so much on the Polish-American experience but rather broader issues, like the definition of "family" and the creative process. Great writing, real characters, a telling eye for detail -- all in all, a fabulous read.

Suzanne Stempek Shea is creating a modern definition of Polish American life in her novels. Populated with genuinely interesting and fully-realized characters, Shea's works evoke admiration and understanding, compassion and respect, despair and bittersweet hope. Her most recent novel, Lily of the Valley, is her best yet as the author not only introduces us to a plucky, determined protagonist in Lily Wilk but shares with us her thoughts on some of the most important themes in literature: identity, family and love.

Situated in western Massachusetts (where Shea continues to live), Lily of the Valley unpretentiously examines the life of frustrated artist and newly-divored Lily Wilk. We view Wilk through the prism of her profession and calling, painting, and we see her marriage disintegrate. Shea's considerable abilities reward the reader; one becomes engaged and thoroughly committed to Lily, and we enjoy and suffer with her. Faulkner once stated that all literature most deal with the "verities of the heart;" Lily of the Valley admirably fulfills this admonition.

The writing is engaging; the dialogue delights. However, Ms. Shea's finest writing is definitional. Though not breaking any new philosophic grounds on the themes of love and family, her proposals are breathtakingly well written. The last 15 pages of the novel alone are worth reading as an essay on the notion of family.

Universal in impact and exalting the human spirit, Lily of the Valley deserves a wide readership.

A small-town story about memories, friendship, and the meaning of family. Suzanne Strempek Shea writes with a reporter's eye for the telling detail, and this is a book whose charm is all in the details.

Having read the first two of Suzanne Strempek Shea's books, I looked forward to this one eagerly. I was amply rewarded. This work, LILY OF THE VALLEY, is her best yet. It's a rich, warmly told story of an artist, 39-year-old Lily Wilk, living in a small New England town in the present. All of the tale is spun with an honesty and beauty that make reading it a delight. I even tried to slow down at the end to make it last! If I could add another star, I would.

I thought it sounded great when I picked it up ~~ but just couldn't get into it. It doesn't help when you have a hectic social life, but when I had the time to read, it just doesn't grab my attention till about three-fourths of the way into the book ... then, I really started enjoying it.

Lily Wilk is an artist ~~ but she just couldn't seem to reach for the dream where she can create something specatular ~~ until a rich businesswoman commissioned her to create a portrait of her family. During the painting of the family, Lily walks through memory lane and shares her stories about her own family with the readers. Shea ties up both families' histories with a neat little bow and gives Lily a new perspective on what she really wanted out of life.

It is a great book for a long, lazy day swinging on the hammock ~~ just don't give up early on. I promise that it does get better after awhile. And when you put it down, it'll remain in your heart ~~ and perhaps give you a new appreciation for your family.

Since childhood, Lily Wilk's dreamed of being an artist. But at nearly age 40, her career centers upon designing T-shirts for tourists and painting murals in the windows of local businesses. To make matters worse, Lily's husband has just returned to his ex-wife, wrenching her beloved stepson, Little Ted, from her life forever.

Out of nowhere, Lily receives a phone call one day from the most successful businesswoman in town. Mary Ziemba wants to commission Lily for a special project -- using photographs of her family members during the best years of their lives to paint a portrait. Sensing her big chance, Lily quickly agrees.

But it isn't nearly as easy to complete the project as Lily had imagined. She develops a creative block, fearing that whatever she does won't be good enough for the wealthy older woman.

Then Lily learns a few startling truths, both about Mary's relatives, and the reason behind the portrait itself. It's then that Lily understands a person's family can be of their choosing, and that they can carry the people they love within their hearts long after they're gone.

Although I've read and loved all of Shea's books, I thought this one was especially interesting, simply because of the surprise ending. I really and truly would never have guessed what's revealed about Mary and the painting, and that's a rare treat as a reader.

Good job, Suzanne Strempek Shea!

What is a family? Simply a biological collection of mother/father/kids? Or, more than that, a scattering of unique and unrelated people who make up one's extended group of loved ones?

That question is charmingly explored in Lily of the Valley, the story of one 39-year-old Polish-American artist living in Western Massachusetts who has been dealt a series of life blows. Her husband and step-son have returned to the first wife when the story opens. Lily is bereft, hurting, questioning everything about herself and her profession. For, artist though she is, Lily mainly paints signs in shop windows, or, in one major job, a mural of heaven on the wall of the town's funeral parlor.

What keeps Lily going is her collection of people. Her best friend Louise and husband, who own the restaurant above which Lily lives (and who tell her just to stomp on the floor if they need her). Their teenaged daughter Heather. A quirky, truly "different" career counselor. The owner of the funeral parlor, who constantly says, "I know, I know," when he doesn't. Lily's fabulous Uncle Unc, and his longtime (VERY longtime) but very proper lady friend Phyllis. All of these people enrich and fill Lily's world, but she has lost sight of that fact after her husband decamps.

Enter the mysterious Mary Ziemba, the town philanthropist and wealthy owner of a chain of successful supermarkets. Mary summons Lily up to her mansion on the hill to commission her for a painting. A REAL painting. Working from snapshots and Mary's moving and interesting stories, Lily slowly puts together just the painting Mary wanted: Herself in the center surrounded by her loved ones. And the truth behind the painting sets Lily free to become herself again.

Simply charming, unique, and special. A book not to miss!

I very much liked SELLING THE LITE OF HEAVEN and I loved HOOPI SHOOPI DONNA. LILY OF THE VALLEY, it seems to me, was cranked out much too fast and after plowing through half of it, I've set it aside in favor of reading other novels. This is very distressing to me because I really enjoyed -- and raved about -- HOOPI SHOOPI DONNA, and have sent it to a number of my friends. And, no, I'm not Polish.<G>

I find Suzanne Strempek Shea to be a wonderful author. She manages through her stories to explore the lives of ordinary people and provide insight into their minds and their dreams. This imaginative story takes us into the life of a young Polish-American woman named Lily Wilk who is a loving daughter, great friend, good stepmother and a very unique artist.

Lily knew since she was ten years old that she was going to be an artist. A grab bag gift of a drawing kit was given to her and it contained three instructions, which she followed. Then she was told, "Congratulations, now you are an artist." Lily never questioned the idea and of course she became an artist. Her calling card is printed with a Lily of the Valley flower and she always has some type of work to do. Not only does Lily do the traditional canvas painting, she paints signs, fire hydrants, does fancy lettering, and is proud that she's providing needed services to her community. She has even given art lessons when asked. The odd-job type of work supports Lily, but she desires and wants to do some type of a personal masterpiece.

Even the richest woman in town is aware of Lily's talents and commissions her to do a painting of her family, Lily replies "I can make for you whatever you want." Her no nonsense approach to life is very refreshing. and the quaint speech patterns that she and some of the other characters use are reminiscent of my own Polish-American experience, and give an authentic flavor to the story. As with the other works by this author, SELLING THE LITE OF HEAVEN and HOOPI SHOOPI DONNA, the ending is unexpected.

This is a well-written and original story.

I enjoyed this funny and touching look at how a female artist makes compromises in both her personal life and her work--but still finds happiness. This is an appealing story and a great gift to give to your siblings and friends (especially those who used to love to paint and draw, but now never find the time).