Looking Back [Mass Market Paperback]

Belva Plain (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2002

New York Times bestselling author Belva Plain goes to the heart of what it means to be a woman, a wife, and a friend, in her powerful new novel—a story of love and betrayal that measures the limits of loyalty, friendship, and forgiveness.

They met at school and have been inseparable ever since: Cecile, confident, elegant daughter of privilege; Norma, extraordinarily gifted and sadly troubled; and beautiful, ambitious Amanda, determined to rise above her humble southern beginnings. Two are married. One despairs of ever finding love. Three women. Leading their busy adult lives. Yet first and always: friends.

Then something unexpected happens that forever alters their long, complicated friendship. A pivotal event, a shattering act of betrayal shifts the balance of power between husbands and wives, parents and children, sisters and brothers. And in the months that follow, each of them will look at their families, their lives--and one another--differently.

And none of them will ever be the same.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In her novel Looking Back, New York Times bestselling author Belva Plain poses the question, Can friendships forged during the idyllic years of college stand the test of time--and betrayal? Recent college graduates and former roommates, classy Cecile, brainy Norma, and ambitious Amanda find their lives intimately entwined when Amanda marries Norma's older brother, Larry, to escape the unrelenting poverty of her family and the total lack of opportunities in the small southern town where she grew up. But their lives will never be the same once Amanda begins a passionate affair with her father-in-law, the cold and commanding L.B. No one escapes unscathed after Amanda confesses all, including the identity of her son's father, at a party, and Norma attempts to boost her heartbroken brother's career at the expense of Cecile's architect husband. This is Belva Plain at her twisted best, providing a bird's-eye view of the sometimes murky lives of ordinary people. If you're looking for a happy ending tied up in a pretty bow, rather than the drama that average lives occasionally take on, Looking Back and Belva Plain in general may not be for you. Loyal fans, however, will thrill to wallow once again in a world only Plain could create. --Alison Trinkle --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

What begins as an engaging story about three college roommates brainy Norma, lovely Amanda, preppy Cecile and their differing futures takes a bewildering turn in Plain's latest domestic saga. When the three women graduate, Amanda, desperate to escape her lower-class background, marries Larry Balsan, Norma's brother, who is in the family real estate business. As Mrs. Balsan, she can shop to her heart's content, but she soon realizes she is not as happy as Cecile, who marries her college sweetheart, or even Norma, who is biding her time until she meets Mr. Right. So far so good, but the plot is thrown off kilter when Amanda and her aloof, widower father-in-law inexplicably tumble into an affair. The awkwardness of such a union bleeds into the prose, and Plain is unable to make the twist work there is no satisfying tension or electricity between Amanda and L.B., as he is known, so their passionate affair rings false. Plain (Fortune's Hand, etc.) compounds the problems with her plot by turning the steadfast Norma into a conniving schemer who, out of misguided loyalty to her brother, undermines Cecile's husband. The flowing story line, neatly resolved problems and intriguing exploration of family relationships that readers have come to expect from Plain are absent here.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Dell (April 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440235774
• ISBN-13: 978-0440235774
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #778,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not her best, and depressing ending, May 23, 2001

By 

"swinneyj" (Glendora, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Looking Back : A Novel (Hardcover)

I have read all of Belva Plain's books; I enjoy the story lines, the way they move along, and her stand for morals and clean dialogue. But this title just does not "cut the mustard."

The first half or so of the book is interesting, with a fairly good plot, but the characters are shallow, and not well-developed. Several are intent on destroying their lives, as well as those around them.

The ending is totally depressing with no redeeming value that I can think of; they all (main characters) end up screwing their lives in a miserable manner. This is an unusual twist for Belva Plain. Most of her stories have a good, if not happy ending. I was depressed at the end, and reluctant to pass my copy on to another of her fans.

All in all, it was a disappointment and I do not recommend purchasing it. If you are a die-hard fan, wait until the paperback version comes out or borrow it from your local library.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a good book at all!, July 1, 2001

By 

Amy T. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Looking Back : A Novel (Hardcover)

I am one of those people who tend to pick up a book, and if it's good, read it in one or two days. This book took several attempts before I could ever get into it enough to even finish. The first 200 pages are painfully boring and monotonous. The plot is lifeless and predictable and the characters are shallow and under-developed. I have read other books by Belva Plain, and I have to say that this is her worst effort in my opinion. For fans of the author, I wouldn't recommend paying full price because you will be disappointed. For readers who are not familiar with Plain, don't read this book first, or you will never give her other, better books a chance.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Who wrote this?, May 17, 2001

By 

EmGee "Rolling Stones Rule" (East Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Looking Back : A Novel (Hardcover)

This book really does not seem to be Plains best effort. The characters lacked depth, not to mention morals. The plot was disjointed and flat. I am sorry I bought the book. If you have not read any of Plains other titles, please do so. This title is just a fluke! She is a wonderful storyteller and you can get so wrapped up in her characters world, you won't want to come back!