Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A solid debut, May 1, 2010
This review is from: The Mailbox: A Novel (Paperback)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
The Mailbox was reminiscent of a Nicholas Sparks story- it had all the same sort of elements. There's heartbreak, redemption, second chances, young love, and renewed love. For Ms. Whalen's first book, this was a pleasant read. There is a mailbox at Sunset Beach, North Carolina. It is called the Kindred Spirit. There are notebooks and pens for visitors to share their stories with the Kindred Spirit who reads what they write. It becomes a place of special meaning to Lindsey and Campbell. It is somewhere Campbell brings Lindsey during their first summer together. She begins a yearly devotion to writing to the Kindred Spirit and sharing her feelings, dreams, desires, and heartbreaks. The story spans 1985 - 2004 through flashbacks and some of Lindsey's letters. From this background we learn that Lindsey is currently in the aftermath of a painful divorce. She is packing to take her two kids to Sunset Beach, a trip that used to made as a family. This is their first sojourn, minus Grant, her now ex. Being at Sunset Beach always brings back memories of her first love at fifteen, with Campbell, a local. He is still there, divorced himself with one daughter. You know that it is only a matter of time before they run into each other. In this sense, the story is predictable. You can see what is going to happen. But their reunion journey is still a sweet and touching thing to witness. I enjoyed the flashback portions that help weave in what happened in the interim years. The only thing that I didn't quite understand is why the story stopped at 2004. I was expecting there to be an epilogue at the end that was "Present Day" but there wasn't. It would've made more sense since this is published in 2010 for the years to go to at least 2009... This is a small thing I know but it was a bit odd. Overall it is a worthwhile read. For those that enjoy the sentimental and sweet romance stories of Nicholas Sparks, you will enjoy The Mailbox. It is Christian fiction but it is not preachy in the least and the religion aspect is only mentioned never a main focus. It is a clean romance. The story made me curious about the Kindred Spirit mailbox (there are directions to finding it at the end of the book). It reminded me in some ways of the Lake House movie- how something so small can have the ability to unite and bring together two lives... The Mailbox is a light reading that is a breeze to get through in 1 day. Enjoy spending that day at the beach with Campbell and Lindsey! (The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because while it was an enjoyable read, it wasn't so much so that I would ever feel drawn to re-read it.)
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great potential, turns out to be bland, June 28, 2010
This review is from: The Mailbox: A Novel (Paperback)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
This is a book that has all the components of a wonderful, summer read. A beach, a beach house, a family in turmoil returning to find their balance, a mailbox in the sand that contains paper and pen to write heart-felt letters to the Kindred Spirit. Based upon an actual mailbox in North Carolina, the idea of following one woman as she experiences young love and then matures into a woman with a husband and children is really interesting. Considering how much potential there is here, the novel just doesn't measure up. While there is nothing offensive here or overtly bad, the narrative lacks spark. The author had all kinds of opportunity to capture the sense of place but doesn't. Descriptions of the location are minimal and flat. For example: when the main character repeatedly goes to a peer that has huge emotional ties for her, the description of the locale is that waves crashed against the peer and gulls screamed overhead. That's it. No description beyond that and no following of her to the peer - she just walked there (that's pretty boring time after time). I can't get a mental picture of the beach house she is living in and can't describe what the characters even look like. They may have been described but I don't remember, which isn't a good sign. We are constantly told how the characters feel versus being shown - another violation of one of the primary rules of writing fiction. I'm sorry to say, but the novel comes across as generic and largely uninteresting. Good subject, strong possibilities, but the novel is totally bland.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fyl's Thoughts on The Mailbox, March 5, 2011
I read religious fiction only when I have to or when there's nothing else to read (or do). So naturally, I review them with extreme prejudice. But, honesty must prevail: The Mailbox is a pretty good read, especially for being Whalen's first book. The story spans 2o years of a woman's life, beginning at the age of 15 and punctuated by an annual ritual with a mysterious mailbox. In my opinion, three things make the book: 1. The past and the present are skillfully woven together. The interview notes at the end of the book give credit for this to the editor's foresight in how to make this happen. Instead of tying the story sequence chronologically, the sequence of events are revealed naturally through the voice and recollection of the character. 2. There is no obvious predictability. While the formula of a religious novel seems to always demands a happy ending, this one has a couple of twists that make up for the predictable last chapter where-yes-they live happily ever after. 3. Makes the reader want to visit The Mailbox in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. I found appealing that the story is based on a real thing in a real place. Its realistic setting and generous autobiographical sprinkling throughout the book shaved off some of my prejudice against religious fiction. I can see how it can be a viable medium of spiritual growth. A few more of these, and I may be challenged to attempt at writing one myself. To tell you more would be to tell you the whole story. So go ahead and get yourself a copy, read it, and tell me if you too think that Roderick was an angel stirring up some the drama. (I received this book free from David C. Cook. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
