Customer Reviews

Suddenly

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was the first book by this author that I had ever read and reread. It made me go out and look up more of her other books to read. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!! It made me realize how special my best friends are and how important it is to talk to them about all of your feelings. I just got married and read this book before I picked my bridesmaids. I think it really meant a lot to those young woman to hear why I had picked them and how very special they were to me. This book was what made me realize it. It is a book for anyone who has ever wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. It is about "REAL" people facing real situations and the feelings that we all feel. I could not put this book down and would highly recommend this book to anyone. READ IT!!!! YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!!

In a small town with few problems and low crime, the death of a friend and fellow pediatrician stuns a practice, a town, and throws all rules out of the window. Add to this the secrets that it seems all people keep, and once things start coming to light, you aren't sure if you want to cry with them, or wish you were a character in the story to help hold everyone together.

While I enjoyed the book so much that I read it straight through, I felt that B. Delinsky portrayed the women in this book as being controlling to the point of not being able to see their own lives and the inevitable lonely paths that they were choosing in their shortsightedness, until, of course, the men around them were able to "bring them to their senses." This may be the typical theme in many romance novels, but usually it isn't so obvious in Ms. Delinsky's books, so in this way I was disappointed.

Otherwise though, it had mystery, wrongdoing, some knights in shining armor, even princesses and queens in shining armor, and some tasteful steamy romance scenes. All in all, it was a great book, it just had that one downside to it...

How do you cope with the loss of your best friend - not an expected passing related to age or illness but a sudden, shocking death due to suicide? Do you weep, grieve, and chastize yourself for not being aware of your friend's anguish?

Pediatrician Paige Pfieffer did all of the above when her best friend and business partner Mara O'Neill was found dead. "All she could think was that the tragedy might have been prevented if she had been more attentive, more understanding or more perceptive a friend."

To compound matters Mara's parents ask Paige to make funeral plans, a painful task. Further, when she learns that Mara's body had been found filled with Valium she wonders as she and the other partners, Angie and Peter, knew that Mara was "....vehemently opposed to drug taking. Of the four of us, she issued the fewest prescriptions."

All believed Mara to be her usual energetic self, enthusiastically working, happy, eagerly looking forward to the arrival of her adopted daughter from India.

As author Delinsky reveals in Suddenly, sometimes when a tragedy such as this seemingly senseless, inexplicable one occurs others reevaluate their lives, their beliefs, their actions, their goals. Such is the case with all of the partners but is primarily explored through Paige who cares for Mara's young daughter and finds herself attracted to Noah Perrine, the acting head of a local school where Paige coaches girls' athletics.

Many will be touched by this story and once again realize the value of friendship, compassion and love.

- Gail Cooke

This is the first book of Delinsky's that I have read, and it won't be the last. First, I loved the fact that, besides the main story, there were two additional storylines that intertwined with the main story. The characters were well rounded. Second, when friend and co-worker Mara dies, those closest to her are forced to take a long look at their lives and what they want from them. This was one of the best books I've read in a while. I am looking forward to reading more of Delinsky's books.

After surviving a suicide in my own family, I could really relate to the characters in this novel. B. Delinsky really hit on the feelings and emotions involved for survivors of suicide. I missed the characters when I was finished with the book!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It made me think of how precious friendships are and to never take them for granted. The characters are all so down to earth. The relationship of the main character and the little baby girl is so special. And when she bids final farewell to her friend I had tears in my eyes. I really enjoy a book that can evoke that much emotion.

I was rushing through the airport in Chicago and needed a good book to read. I picked this book up and was hooked on Barbara Delinsky from that day on. It is a wonderful story with many subplots and so much to say about friendships which mean so much to all of us. Sometimes our friends are dealing with problems that we do not even know they have. This story also had of course the wonderful ending. I love all of Barbara's work but you will never regret spending time reading this one, it is a real keeper. Enjoy!!

The four seperate sub- plots all held together by the sudden death of Mara kept me interested from start to finish. Each character thoughts on Mara's death and how it would change their lives was interesting to follow. Different from the usual plots- very enjoyable.

This is Barbara Delinsky at her best. Suddenly has all the qualities that have made me a fan of this author. It searches our values, faith and hope in the future. This book is totally entertaining and informative and I high recommend it to all you love a good romance mixed with enlightening characters.

In Tucker, Vermont, pediatrician Mara O'Neill died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Her best friend and practice partner thirty-nine years old Dr. Paige Pfeiffer is stunned by the news. However, even more shocking to the pediatrician is when the autopsy reveals Valium in Mara's blood, the police rule most likely suicide. Paige refuses to believe that is true as her friend was euphoric over the adoption of a child from India.

Pediatric practice partner Angie Bigelow feels Mara's death is the end of her once happy marriage to Peter Grace, who was having an affair with the deceased. Paige is in denial that her friend since college is dead. However, she honors Mara by caring for the Asian infant that the late doctor was adopting at the same time struggling with her desires for Noah Perrine, acting head of the private school where she coaches the Mount Court Academy's Girls Cross Country team.

This is a reprint of an early 1990s character study. Ironically, Barbara Delinsky provides readers a deep look at Paige and to a lesser degree Angie; but through them Mara. The story line makes a case that it takes a well rounded person to do a good job raising a child. Although the independent women SUDDENLY seem too dependent on men, fans will appreciate the deep look at each of the females as Mara's death cuts through them like a surgical knife in this entertaining fiction.

Harriet Klausner