Customer Reviews

Starting From Square Two (Red Dress Ink (Numbered Paperback))

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The theme of this page turning gem of a novel, by author Caren Lissner, is change and the consequences brought about by it. For a plot summary, simply read the description above. I found myself wiping tears from my eyes at the end of the book not from over sentimentality but due to Lissner's ability to get her point across simply and poignantly, without being overly wordy. First off all, this book is too beautifully written to be placed in the romance section. I hardly consider it a typical 'romance' novel. The concept of 'change' is frequently a topic I read about but rarely do I find it written about in such a universal way that it can connect to a wide array of women. I loved the metaphor of Todd working on a train and studing history (past connecting with present and constant movement, etc.) and the fact that while change is often difficult, painful, and hard to accept, it is a part of life, necessary and unavoidable and good in fact can come from it even when one least expects it. I love the comparisons between generations (if we were women in the 50s and 60s we all would have married our college sweethearts whether or not it would have ended happily or not)...rather like Laura in The Hours. Women have choices now, like we see in character of Erika, which only causes a entirely different type of pain. Do these choices allow us freedom, or only cause us more confusion and unanswered wonders?
I found the character of Erika extremely compelling and she was with whom I most identified with. I loved reading the lack of understanding between Gert and Erika and towards the end how Gert came to almost empathasize with Erika's situation. When an ex boyfriend cuts you out of their life (even when the breakup is on your part) and the only contact you have with him is an abprupt and cold e-mail or info from the new girlfriend's website it is like a death and hence you have to mourn the loss, as I believe Erika learned. While this is very different from Gert's loss, Gert came to understand that everyone's pain is in fact, painful to them, and I liked seeing her slowly shed her judgements. The Gert/Hallie relationship was also very well developed and kept in tune with the theme of change. Hallie was nicely created and the dynamic between the three women was very realistic. The references to 9/11 are subtle, are go along with the theme of change. The world is changing along with us and we must keep up or die trying. I found this novel comforting in many ways. Life goes on, regardless of tragedy. Like an unstoppable treadmill, we all must tread through and learn to find to see the good in things. This book is certainly a fantastic place to start.
Overall, I thought the book was truly phenomenal. I loved the mix of seriousness and humor and the message was hopeful and positive.

This book is fun to read even though it's partly about a sensitive subject. It also has alot to say about singlehood and couplehood. I read the author's other book Carrie Pilby, and this is very different from that one, but it's still smart.

In the book, Gert Healy lost her husband Marc a year and a half ago. Her friends, who have been single for a long time, think it's time to take her out in New York City to get back into the dating arena. But she met her husband, Marc, in college, so she has no clue what dating is like out of school. She thinks her friends have always whined over nothing. But she also finds it hard to imagine dating anyone new. She goes along with her friends only because she thinks it might be good to get out of the house.

I won't spoil all of the things that happen next, but the book says alot about how you should be able to get over someone at your own rate. A character who was very interesting was Gert's friend Erika, who is obsessive about an ex-boyfriend she still cares about. Even if she goes too far, she says she can't help it, and it's an interesting look at how people get closure on things. I enjoyed reading it.

Gert never thought she'd have to date again, but her world came crashing down when her husband Marc is killed in a car accident. Wracked with survivor guilt, she reluctantly bar hops with her single friends who try to teach her the ins and outs of dating. The only problem is that Gert hasn't been on a date in almost ten years. She's also struggling with the disintegration of her relationship with Marc's family - when he died, her role in their family ceased to exist.

On her first outing, she meets Todd and they hit it off, much to the dismay of her friends. Apparently their rules state you cannot date the first guy you meet. Soon her friend Hallie is asking to be set up with his friend. Gert's relationship with Todd is sweet - the polar opposite of Marc. As they get closer, she realizes that she must eventually tell him about Marc. When she finally does, he appears understanding, and then slowly seems to drift away (but perhaps it is all in her mind).

Meanwhile, Erika is stalking former boyfriend Ben and his wife. She dumped Ben in college, and after three months, decided he was her soul mate. Of course, he found another soul mate, married her, and now has a second baby on the way. Ben's wife is so happy that she has created a webpage that Erika becomes obsessed with, which eventually takes it's toll on Erika's sanity.

The story is heart wrenching, particularly Gert's moments of reflective solitude, her participation in grief counseling comprised primarily of young widows from the 9/11 tragedy (Marc died a few days prior), and the feeling that while her friends mean well, they really don't have a clue what she's going through. Notht ekind of friends a widow would want to surround herself with. Another book with a similar theme is "Good Grief" by Lolly Winston.

There's a lot to like in this appealing novel about a young window getting back into the social swing. Gert, the main character was very likable and wise. And her maniacal sidekicks are very page-turnable, in a cover-your-eyes, "she just did what?!" kind of way. But what I liked best was the hopeful vibe of the novel, which approached a tough and sad break in a sweet and positive way. Nice. Tough to pull off, too. But it's done here.

I also commend readings by Caren Lissner (so - full disclosure - I've been to one, and I met her!). Witty, dry, extemporaneous. If you're in an area where she has one, you should go.

Did I have a beef? Well, maybe one. Todd, a potential love interest, seemed a little indistinct to me. But that might be me - I like characters with plenty of edgy qualities! Overall, though - highly recommended!

This book was very touching. If you have ever loved anyone it touches you and make the book very believable and relatable. I found myself laughing and crying at the memories that Gert has through the book. I loved how along with the seriousness of her own tragedy she manages to get into funny situations with Halie and Erika. Red Dress Ink has turned up to be a great find and I can't wait for more :)

In the summer, I read about five books a week, and most are decent but forgettable. However, after a month has passed, I can still clearly remember how much I liked this book. This is a stand-out from Red Dress Ink.

First of all, Caren Lissner is an intelligent writer. Her first book, Carrie Pilby, was as well-written and amusing as this one. Caren Lissner stated in an interview (I'm paraphrasing here) that when she tried to get her first book published, she was afraid that her book would be disregarded as "chick lit". I think the presence of Caren Lissner's books in RDI's catalog and therefore in chick lit uplifts the whole genre. This is the kind of writing that should be catering to young women.

The story is interesting: Gert, a widow, is having trouble getting back into the dating pool about 2 years after he rhusband is killed. Gert is remarkably lucky in the book that the first guy she dates turns out to be just as wonderful as her husband. (Well-written, yes; realistic, perhaps not.) Her grief and healing are written and dealt with in a real but not preachy manner.

I did take issue with Gert's callousness towards her perpetually single girlfriends, but in fairness to the story, it was in character for her.

If you're looking for a fast, interesting, intelligent read, I recommend Starting from Square Two.

**Contains a spoiler**

I read this book on the heels of a break-up of my own and it was amazing how many issues were raised that mirrored exactly what was going on in my head. I really enjoyed hearing about how all the characters worked through their problems and did their best to create happy situations for themselves, despite life's lemons. I was especially happy that Gert had someone in the end... Although real life doesn't always allow for this conclusion, I feel like she went through enough that she deserved whatever happiness she could get.

My only complaint about this novel is that it did progress slowly at times. Occasionally I found myself skimming through some of the thought-monologues of Gert's because she seemed to be saying the same hting over and over. This does not affect the overall power of the book and I would recommend it despite any slow points there may have been.

This book says things that I'm glad were said - about dating, loss, etc. It's funny sometimes, but it also rings true about the dating dilemmas, especially in my experience.

The main characters, Gert Hallie and Erica, have different kinds of dating and life issues. When Gert (the young widow) finally dates and sees how awful it really is, she does eventually meet an OK guy, but then has to deal with another problem, which is figuring out whether to date someone when she really still loves her late husband. She doesn't really feel ready to date and could do nothing, but sitting home all the time would cause other problems. She sees how complicated it can be, especially the scene in NYC.

What I found in some ways more interesting is her friends. They have dating rules and Gert is scornful of the rules at first but then sees that after dealing in the dating scene, sometimes it's hard to avoid wanting to use them. Hallie and Erica are good characters even if they can be a little nutsy.

Gert has to learn that different people have different ways of dating and getting along with the opposite sex, and you can't blame people for trying to not be alone. I liked a line a lot which is something like:
"There should be a pill to prevent you from loving the people you can't get, and to help you love the ones you can." Sorry, story of my life!

I loved Carrie Pilby, and had high expectations for this book. Although it does deal with a number of weighty subplots, including Gert's grieving and her frustrating work situation, it was tiresome to hear about how dating and catching a man are the goal in a girl's life. Not only Gert, but all the main female characters seemed to have very little interest in living their own lives. Instead, they were obsessed with men, whether they had them or not. It was perhaps worth a quick read, but not the top of my list.

This was definitely no Carrie Pilby, but I did greatly appreciate this book for its unique storyline. I enjoyed reading this book and being drawn into the main character's return to the world of dating after such a tragedy. (However, the FIRST guy she says "Hi" to become the new long-term boyfriend? Seems a little bit of a long-shot to me). Regardless, I thought it was smart and sensitive, unlike anything else out there. I have to give the book a rating of only 3 stars though for a few reasons. 1. the author overuses "said" so much it becomes annoying and distracting. "Gert said. Hallie said. Then Todd said. etc. etc. etc." all the way down the page! Ahh! Her editor should have told her to switch it up now and then with other words - explained, stated, contemplated, or announced for instance. Geez! 2. This is the fourth book in a row I've read that has incorporated Sept. 11th into the plot. How come every book that has NYC as a setting lately feels the need to incorporate this in there some way?!?! Again, annoying and sadly, becoming cliche. Despite these things, I did overall enjoy reading this unique story and look forward to what the author has coming out next!