The Observatory: A Novel [Hardcover]

Emily Grayson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 2000

Love is in the stars

Though the Mallory women are identical twins, nobody has ever had trouble telling them apart. Harper is a famous and wild painter who lives in the wealthy enclave of Stone Point, while Liz lives a modest, quiet existence as a copy editor in their hometown of Longwood Falls. Both are content to lead drastically different lives--until a family tragedy forces them to break their lifelong silence and confront their embattled past. Liz must also face the disturbing prospect of love, which takes the form of an amateur astronomer named Elliot who, in his private observatory, gives her a glimpse of the mysteries of the universe and of the heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Its back to Longwood Falls for the author of The Gazebo (1999), though Grayson focuses on a new cast of characters in her upstate New York town. And first, local librarian Liz Mallory must travel to the ritzy Long Island community of Stone Point, home of her twin sister, Harper. Liz has never been close to her twin, a wealthy, world-famous artist, but when Harpers eight-year-old daughter is killed in a sledding accident, she comes for the funeral and stays to minister to seven-year-old Nick, whos being ignored by his grief-stricken mother. Then Liz meets gentle, wounded David Fields (renter of an estate with the eponymous observatory), and it seems love will overcome her lifelong feeling of being overshadowed by glamorous Harper. Inevitably, complications ensuethanks to Lizs terminal lack of self-esteembut readers may not care much, given the narratives low energy level and utter predictability. Agreeable, but nothing more. -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review

"Bring some extra hankies along forBridges of Madison County--style tearjerker." -- -- Glamour

"Precious and meaningful .... The reader will be mesmerized." -- -- Tampa Tribune

"Touching.... It hints at the quiet passions that burn in otherwise quiescent lives." -- -- People on The Gazebo

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1st edition (April 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688174396
• ISBN-13: 978-0688174392
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,539,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant little work of fiction, April 4, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Observatory: A Novel (Hardcover)

Although they are identical twins, Liz and Harper are not close to one another. Even as kids in Longwood Falls, New York, they kept their distance. Liz was quiet and comfortable with books while Harper ran all over town with a wild crowd. Harper left town the first moment she could, seeking a new life in the Big Apple where she has become a famous artist. Liz remained in their hometown where she has become the head librarian.

Liz's world collapses when she learns her niece died in a tragic accident. Compelled to go to the funeral, Liz finds Harper to be emotionally depleted and in need of space from her friends and her son. Liz stays at her sibling's home to care for her nephew, which leads her into meeting his teacher David Fields. From the moment they meet, they both know they have found their soul mate. However, David hides a secret from his beloved Liz that once revealed will send her away from the only man she ever loved.

Emily Grayson, author of the best selling THE GAZEBO, has written another moving relationship drama that her myriad of fans will appreciate. THE OBSERVATORY stars two women who must suffer severe heartache before they can reach out to one another. The romance between Liz and Dave is moving and gratifying, but it is the estrangement between the siblings and their slow march towards reconciliation that turns this into a powerful novel.

Harriet Klausner

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too Few Stars!, May 4, 2000

By 

Nancy R. Katz "NancyK18" (NJ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Observatory: A Novel (Hardcover)

In recent years, several authors have tried to cash in on what I call The Bridges of Madison County syndrome. These are small romantic books which provoke sighs and cries. And to my mind no recent book better fits this description than The Observatory. Focusing on twin sisters who coulnd't be less alike, one a small town librarian, the other a sophisticated divorcee and mother of two. When her worldly sister suffers a devestating tragedy, the librairan comes to her twin's aid but not without reprecussions to their relationship. And then the librarian meets her nephew's teacher and the rest of the book becomes a classic romance tale. Man and woman meet, man and woman begin a relationship, the man betrays the woman and then returns with apologies and pledges eternal love. And to me the ending was about as predictable as one could imagine.

Last year I read Grayson's first book, The Gazebo, which as much as it was sappy and equally predictable, was a much better read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars charming and sweet, October 16, 2000

By 

M. H. Bayliss "book queen" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Observatory: A Novel (Hardcover)

I'm surprised how quickly those below critized this book. For the record, I HATED Bridges and found it almost unreadable. This book may not rank up there with Flaubert, but it was a heck of a lot better and more earnest than Bridges of Madison County. I have not read Gazebo, but Grayson does a nice job sketching the twin sisters who have never been great friends, one living in the shadow of the other. Nick, Harper's son, in very believeable and well drawn. The relationship between the sister's is believeable as well and nicely outlined.

Though it may be predictable, this book has an unpretentious charm about it that made it thoroughly enjoyable to read. In fact, it's a sweet love story that avoids torrid sex scenes and errs in favor of a relationship. David, the teacher/astronomer is a compelling hero --- I love the description of his observatory! It's a quick read, but one that cheered me up and carried me along.