Customer Reviews

Serendipity: A Novel

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When I first started reading "Serendipity," I was playing the roman a clef game, trying to figure out who all the characters were supposed to be. Which Broadway legend was Lu Lawson based on? And her philanthropist daughter Rose Manning ... what New York socialite inspired that character? Within a few chapters, I stopped trying to figure out the puzzle because by that point, I'd become completely charmed by the characters themselves. As a novelist, Louise Shaffer really does charm you. She charms you not just with characters but with her settings as well. "Serendipity" takes you all over New York City from the rough neighborhoods, where residents are advised to carry around money for muggers, to the Broadway stage, where we learn about superstitions like the gypsy robe. [Although primarily known as a soap opera actress, Shaffer has also acted on Broadway, which accounts for the book's insider feel.] Not only do you find yourself being guided all around New York City, but through time as well, living alongside four generations of fascinating women. Perhaps Shaffer charms us best with her writing style: Her pacing is swift enough to make the book a quick read but not so swift as to keep us from appreciating all those great little details she tosses in along the way.

Coming from "Broadway Royalty" Carrie struggles to find herself and her place in the world after the death of her mother. Her angst stems from the fact that while she lived with her mother most of her life, she never really "knew" her, what motivated her. After her death, Carrie decides it's time to figure out what led her mother to be the woman she was and what caused her mother Rose and Grandmother Lu to stop speaking to one another. Moving between the present tense and the early years of Lu's life (and her relationship with her own mother), Carrie begins to understand the women in her family and what made them into who they became. This was an amazing story of mothers and daughters and how each generations relationships can affect the next. A story of a woman finally finding her place in the world, and finding the happiness she so richly deserves. This is a book that you don't want to miss ~ but make sure you keep the tissues close by. You're going to need them. A++++++

In an age when entertainment streams steadily from television, movies, and videos, it is nice to be reminded of the utter joy that comes from reading a well written book. Serendipity proved a delightful reminder.

I really loved Ms Schaffer's "The Three Miss Margarets," so I was looking forward to reading Serendipity by the same author.

The story revolves around Rose and Carrie Manning (mother and daughter). Rose is the widow of famous playwright - Bobby Manning and daughter of the famous Broadway star - Lu Lawson. Rose and her mother have been estranged since the death of Bobby Manning. Carrie grows up never really knowing her grandmother. The last time they saw each other was when Carrie was about 3 y/o.

Rose dies and Carrie discovers some secrets about her mother when cleaning out her home. The story revolves around Carrie's discoveries to try to find out about her mothers' life, family history and what caused the estranged relationship between her mother and grandmother. The depth in the story come about after Carrie starts finding out things about her family history. Carrie herself is not very interesting and seems to easily resolve her life-long faults as soon as she uncovers the secrets. The story just seemed to be too cut and dried, even predictable except about how Bobby's death occurred.

This wasn't a bad book, but it doesn't have the substance I expected. I DID enjoy the historical information about what it was like to be in show business at that time. That part was quite fascinating and that is why I am giving 4 stars, not because of the story or plot.

Louise Shaffer's book captivated me from page 1. It is an exceptionally well-written saga of the mysteries of three generations of mothers and daughters. The story starts following the death of a famous New York humanitarian. Her aimless daughter is left to seek the answers to the many unanswered questions about their secretive family. As the tale brilliantly moves back and forth in the lives of these fascinating multi-generational women, the family's complex history is slowly revealed. I absolutely love this book, with its very charming characters! I could easily relate to their desire to find the right direction to guide their lives and their resulting place in the world. A wonderful, wonderful story for all!!

Though changing from the southern landscape of her previous books, to the north of America, Luise has managed to keep the intriguing and enjoyable style of writing in this new book. It is a must read and I highly recommend the book to everybody.

Louise Shaffer started out as a soap opera actress, and a graduate of Yale's School of Drama. At some point as she aged, she realized she didn't want to stop the process and moved into behind the scenes work of writing the soaps. Gradually, she moved into Southern chick lit. I'd ordered one copy of her novel The Ladies of Garrison Gardens, but was sent the large sized font since all the regulars were out of stock. I donated the book and now, after reading Serendipity, I wish I hadn't.

Carrie has just buried her mother, the great philanthropist Rose Manning after a two year struggle with cancer. Now everything she's had is gone. She left her fiancée because her mother didn't approve of him for her. She's left several of her start up businesses because they don't measure up. Her best friend Zoe recommends getting in touch with her estranged grandmother, legendary musical stage actress Lu Lawson, and find out what caused the rift, and what made her mother so deeply unsettled that she gave away everything of her life when her husband died when Carrie was three.

Devoted to her mother, Carrie refuses to see her grandmother, and starts with the man who committed the grievous error of sending white roses to Rose's funeral in lieu of the requested donations to her church, Lu's brother Paulie. So Carrie heads to Paulie, and he explains to her that while he understands her need, she needs to start by understanding her great grandmother, an Italian woman raised by nuns and shipped overseas to an arranged marriage. Paulie tells her as much as he can about Mifalda and about Lu, but tells her to know more she'll need to meet Lu's best friend and head of her orchestras, George. Carrie learns much about her family on this journey, and more about her mother.

Ultimately, she learns about herself.

This was a charming read that I could not put down for anything other than work. And even then, I didn't want to. My only wish is that I would have watched soaps when Shaffer was a writer for them, as undoubtedly it would have been much more entertaining than any of Passions' storylines. I look forward to reading her novel Family Acts as soon as I can get my grubby hands on it.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I received it in a timely manner and in great condition.

Once again, Louise Shaffer whips up a frothy blend of ingredients that make for the perfect read. You'd really be hard pressed to walk away unsatisfied, seeing as the author gives us multi-generational family dramas set against the fascinating backdrop of Broadway and, as an added bonus, girl talk over chocolate treats! There's also a character for everyone, meaning that each reader will probably walk away identifying with someone different than their best friend. (Hello, book club discussions!) When my best friend and I read it, I absolutely fell in love with Carrie (our modern-day heroine), while they were all about Lu, the Broadway diva. One sequence in particular -- involving the clan's founding matriarch, Mifalda, and an ice skater literally moved me to tears and stayed with me long after I'd read the final pages. If you're a fan of Ms. Shaffer's, this is a must-read. If you're not, do yourself a favor and order her other books too, because once you finish reading Serendipity, you're gonna want to dive into those. You can thank me later.

In New York, Rose Manning is a legendary philanthropist. How highly regarded is made quite clear to her daughter Carrie when Rose dies. A who's who of causes arrives at her funeral to praise Rose. Carrie cannot help but notice not one of the accolades mentions Rose the friend or for that matter her late husband (and Carrie's dad) brilliant Broadway composer Bobby Manning whose death changed the family dynamics; all the eulogies target Rose's philanthropic activity. Even in death, her mom has left Carrie bitter, unwanted, and feeling like a failure unable to reach the humanitarian bar set by her cold to her, but warm to strangers mom..

While cleaning out Rose's apartment, Carrie finds some strange secrets about her mom that she never shared with her. She would like to follow up with her maternal grandma but is somewhat estranged with the renowned stage actress Lu Lawson; the split occurred when she was a little girl and her daddy died. Instead she goes to New Haven to see Lu's older brother octogenarian great-Uncle Paulie. He tells her the truth about Rose, Lu and Lu's mom Mifalda; and how illegitimacy that seems to run through the generations. She follows that with a close friend of her parents and finally her maternal grandma.

This is an interesting family drama that looks at four generations of women with each having issues leaving estrangements between them. The story line is carried nicely by Carrie though at times she seems too naive for someone with her pedigree. Still fans will enjoy her sleuthing as she begins to go past the caricature of the happy altruist widow image to piece together the full puzzle of who her mom really was and what shaped her.

Harriet Klausner