Customer Reviews

The Shortest Distance Between Two Women

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

 

 

I just finished this book, and was quite disappointed in it. I've enjoyed all of Kris Radish's other books to varying degrees, with Sunday List of Dreams as my favorite. This book was the worst she's written. It was full of all the things I dislike about Kris Radish's books - an overabundance of long and colorful metaphors, one dimensional characters, men who do nothing but serve as punching bags and background material, and a woman who seemingly changes from wallflower to warrior overnight. Worst of all, the ending was utterly lame - the situation set up in the first page comes to a whimper of a resolution, leaving me totally unsatisfied and saying "That's it?!". There was little of the wit that was clearly evident in her previous books. The strong female friendships that form the core of all her books are shallow and forced here. The only characters that seem to be classic Radish are Susie Dell, Marty Gilford, and Emma's niece, Stephie, but none of these are the 4 sisters that supposedly form the main relationships of the book. The other characters have issues that seem more to be a response to the frequent criticism of Radish's characters for being unrealistic than actual character traits. Her treatment of alcoholism and infidelity in the storyline seems flat and forced.

Previous to this release, I would have named her last book as her weakest. This is not a good trend. I would get this book, and the next Radish book at your local library rather than spending money for them.

just read the last 3 chapters. ubelievable. i mean simply unbelievable. i don't mind a little embellishment, but please. this is a young adult story at best, and should be bannished for creating a bit too much hope for future young women.

and as far as the men in the book are concerned, they are cardboard characters. as men should read books with female characters of depth, women should read books that provide at least "some" insight into the male psyche.

avoid this and stories like it. read the last 3 chapters. nothing but kumbaya. it cheapens the emotional depth of women for that matter. i read the last chapter to my girlfriend, we laughed or maybe gagged at the level of syrup the reader is expected to swallow.

PASS on this!!!!!!!!!!

Love, love, love. The Beatles sum up this book quite well. Love, love, love. All you need is love. Though so much love can be a bit over-emotional at times. And possibly unrealistic. I don't think I've ever called either of my sisters "Sister" or "Love" or "Sweetie". They'd laugh at me. This book was over-flowing with sap and mush. I will admit that it did bring me to tears a couple of times, and I did love the story itself, the concept of women coming together through craziness and some adversity, but wow. Wading through the swamp of sappy mush as a bit tiring at times.

The other thing about the author's style that bothered me was the jumping back and forth from present to past. She'd start out a chapter in the present tense, and then revert back to a scene that happened that morning or the night before or last week or even 10 years ago. It became confusing. Am I reading about today? About yesterday? When exactly did this happen?

Ok so I realize this sounds like I didn't like the book. Not true. It kept me entertained with every turn of the page and I was invested in the life of Emma and cheered along with everyone at Stephie's pageant and would have loved to have shared a glass of wine with the women in the gazebo. It was a great journey through female emotions and finding happiness. Actually, choosing happiness. This is a book that I do recommend, but just understand that it sometimes gets nauseatingly sentimental.

This is the first Kris Radish book I have read and I loved it. One reviewer said it was a young adult book but the main character is 44 and all of her sisters are older. This book spoke to me and my life and I loved how she put things in perspective. I also loved how much I laughed. Could not put it down! This is a funny woman in a serious way with serious life events and changes. I have just begun a second book of hers and compared to this one it seems a little slow but is picking up. It is one that has a lot higher rating than this one so I am sure it will be grand. Maybe the trick is to read them backwards from the print date? I plan to read them all!!!

It comes as no surprise that the Gilford name is synonymous with the little town of Higgins, South Carolina. It's the place where the Gilford clan has been gathering for many years to celebrate its annual reunion which is the envy of all its residents. Where else can one find food, fun, and a frenzy of relatives each one dying to outdo the next while relaxing under the umbrella of family love?

Emma Lauryn Gilford is no stranger to the mayhem associated with her crazy family. Since the death of her beloved father, her mother has been living day-by-day as if awaiting the next chapter of life. So when the brunt of the planning for the annual reunion gets shifted to her, Emma feels totally overwhelmed, and is wondering if she can ever live up to her mother's high expectations.

When a voice from the past invades her world, Emma starts to question her life choices. She knows she gave up on romance with Sam who happens to be her sister's former boyfriend as well as Emma's past secret lover. And now, Sam is back. Why has he chosen to contact her after all these years? Is this the push she needs to finally start living again?

As the reunion day quickly approaches, Emma's family starts pulling her in all different directions. Marty, her flamboyant mother is acting strange with a new paramour named Robert constantly by her side. Her sister Joy's marriage is quickly falling apart, her much loved niece Stephie seeks refuge in her arms, and her favorite sister Erika is contemplating a life change. Will Emma be able to help solve their problems, or is it time for her to step aside and start chasing her own dreams?

THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO WOMEN is a spell-binding novel of feel-good drama that underscores the importance of familial bonds while learning to live life to the fullest. It's hard not to get caught up in Radish's world as she spreads some fun-loving adventures of a hilarious family as they earn a well-deserved place in the reader's heart.

In Higgins, South Carolina, the biggest annual event is the Gilford family reunion. The yearly happening is headed by the widowed matriarch Marty as a Five Star general and three of her four adult daughters as Field Generals. However, the youngest daughter forty-three years old Emma is the NCO making sure the gala comes off all right; in fact making sure the lives of her older siblings, their spouses and children, and mom come off all right.

One blast from the past changes everything when Samuel leaves a voice message asking Emma if she would see him. He wants to start over. Emma on the one hand does, but fears he will leave especially after the Higgins chaos; on the other hand she wants him to go to hell. Her family collapses without her helping hand since she now needs a mental helping hand from them but none step forward. Samuel's return forces her to relook her relationships as the spinster who is the dependable one never gets the hunk because she is too busy.

This is an engaging regional family drama that is fun to follow but clearly over the top of Sassafras Mountain with the Gilford "kick the can" rules; that includes an overwhelming ensemble cast making it at times difficult to recall who's who. Still this is entertaining tale that reminds the audience to be responsible but take time out to enjoy life with your love ones.

Harriet Klausner

I couldn't decide between 3 or 4 stars. I like Kim Radish as an author but would agree with some of the other reviewers that this is not her best work to my taste. The story keeps the pace well and is a nice story but, the overall theme lacked and many of the characters, especially the masculine ones, were flat and empty....fine read but nothing to scream about.

I usually love Kris Radish books. This was absolutely painful to read. My sons kept asking why I didn't give up when I was determined to finish the book. I finally completed my reading and I have to say I should have listened to my boys.

Yet another wonderful book. Easy to read, takes you to relateable places and gives you a realistic story. Loved it : )

Very vivid, realistic, characters. I feel that I know them. As a member of a large family myself, I could totally relate to these women.

I'm sending it on to my sisters!