Customer Reviews

Madeleine's Ghost

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have no idea what book the negative reviewers were reading - but my well-worn copy, and much gifted copies to friends was and remains a wonderful, powerful read. The book is much deeper than you think - yes it is a love story, a ghost story, a history, a mystery and God forbid, even a happy ending for the troubled souls in the book, and the audience. As a person who is haunted by places at times, the book evokes that sense of lost time wonderfully - and Ned Conti is proof that persistence is key, although good fortune, even in small amounts never hurts. This is a wonderful book. Read it and enjoy the trip. I have given away 10 copies, and everyone loved it. Who you going to believe?

I knew from Paragraph 1 that Madeleine's Ghost would be a winner. The haunting in his apartment, his relationship with his neighbors, friends and the priest, and the uncertain life of living in New York (with the low rent, projects and bodies) all work together to make this an excellent novel. Ned Conti seems to be hovering on the line between skepticism and faith. He and his friends, Chase, Jillian, Molesworth, are ever so alive in the story. Parts of the book made me laugh out loud and other parts made me think. It's also nice to read a novel where the main character hasn't shed his religious faith, either. The story kept going at an even pace and was well put-together. Very entertaining.

A very classy debut novel from Robert Girardi. My friend loaned me a copy for my vacation and I was completely engrossed from start to finish. Travelling back and forth in time to the very different cities of New York and New Orleans, the story revolves around Ned Conti, a thirtysomething who lacks direction in his life and the paranormal events that occur in his apartment during one hot summer in New York. Wonderfully atmospheric descriptions of Conti's gritty existence in New York and the seedy side of 19th Century New Orleans. Amazing - I haven't read such a good ghost story since Susan Hill's "The Woman In Black".

This book combines the best of a ghost and a love story. It also manages to convey the gritty, seamy side of New York City where crime and muggings have become second nature and contrast it with the down-home, blues-driven, relaxed style of New Orleans life - past and present. You read of drugs, despair, saints and sinners and what happens to people who make wrong choices for what they perceive to be right reasons. You can travel back and forth in time and when the story ends, you end up knowing that there is another story still to be written about many of these characters. These people were humans with human weaknesses and failings. You could sympathize as well as recognize their fantasies and beliefs and you are satisfied at the book's end that everything came together in a complete circle of time.

I was caught from the opening scene, with the stones falling from the ceiling. The book held me fast with its intricate twining of cities, people, places and times, not to mention the juxtapostion of the supernatural on the often otherworldly weirdness of the modern world. The mingled plots developed and kinked and then worked themselves out beautifully. The protagonist, painfully naive at times, managed to have his eyes opened and maintain his innocent dignity through to the end. Very engaging story.

Although there were parts that were cliche or plot twists that were painfully obvious ahead of time, this book was actually a page turner! Beautifully written and historically accurate, it's part love story and part ghost story...suspensefully delicious.

I loved the whole idea of this book, the ghost in his apartment and his boss, the part time priest/part time golfer. I got a great feel of landscape, especially the New Orleans humidity and languidness.

But something seemed to be missing, to me, something didn't seem quite right in the book. I don't know if it was too long or trying to accomplish too much, tying all the loose ends together. Perhaps it was that I couldn't understand what the girlfriend saw in him, there just didn't seem to be any connection for me.

However, it was very well written and I will still look to read more of this authors books, as he is obviously quite talented.

this book is not only well written, it really grips you into the story. i love it! the characters are real enough (with a few minor exceptions) and i love where it's set (new york city is swanky and new orleans sounds like fun). this would make a good read.

For the avid fan of ghost stories and the supernatural, this one is tops. For the fan of stories about the mystery and allure of New Orleans, this one "tops" the tops. Combine the two and you have a fascinating ghost story in one of the most mysterious and beautiful areas of the country. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the history of New Orleans and the supernatural.

Rarely do novels this savory come from the pens of young authors, and oftentimes even seasoned writers never achieve such fluid sensuality in their work. Girardi, however, is not like most writers. His characterization is superb (even in the dead characters). His words are succulent and paint for the reader the classic happy ending that we all crave. I recommend this book to anyone who can read.