Tender Mercies (Center Point Platinum Fiction (Large Print)) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Rosellen Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2002 | Series: Center Point Platinum Fiction (Large Print)

Laura and Dan Courser are less than perfect, but deeply passionate couple with young children and lots of plans.  Until Dan, displaying the boyish bravado that made Laura fall in love with him, takes the tiller of a boat he can't handle and causes the accident that shatters their lives.  

Suddenly there are no more ordinary days or nights.  And, in a story filled with astonishing revelations, we witness two people wrestling with a marriage in which all the rules are changed, confronting the guilt and anger, devotion and desire that don't merely survive. . . but can help heal the wounded heart.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Few writers today show more clearly the knife that cuts existence into two parts when tragedy strikes."--Chicago Tribune.

"A magnificent achievement. . .written with amazing authority, compelling beauty, and immediacy."--Tillie Olsen

"Rosellen Brown's characters move me to tears."--Annie Dillard. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

"A magnificent achievement. . .written with amazing authority, compelling beauty, and immediacy."--Tillie Olsen

Laura and Dan Courser are less than perfect, but deeply passionate couple with young children and lots of plans. Until Dan, displaying the boyish bravado that made Laura fall in love with him, takes the tiller of a boat he can't handle and causes the accident that shatters their lives.

"Few writers today show more clearly the knife that cuts existence into two parts when tragedy strikes."--Chicago Tribune.

Suddenly there are no more ordinary days or nights. And, in a story filled with astonishing revelations, we witness two people wrestling with a marriage in which all the rules are changed, confronting the guilt and anger, devotion and desire that don't merely survive. . . but can help heal the wounded heart.

"Rosellen Brown's characters move me to tears."--Annie Dillard. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Center Point Large Print (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585471925
• ISBN-13: 978-1585471928
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,962,319 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed fan of Rosellen Brown, June 25, 2000

By 

"charlie4" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tender Mercies (Paperback)

I bought this book and eagerly awaited its arrival having loved Civil Wars and Before and After. This book has an anticipatory depressing premise: a spouse accidentally injures his spouse catastropically. The accident has already occured when the book opens and the family is leaving New York City for the tranquility of their small town, one year after the accident and one year after extensive rehab. This book never has an uplifting moment. Sure, the guilt Dan experiences and the anger of his wife over the accident is expected. But where is the reconciliation? The two kids seem like they are on the periphery throughout the book and despite her injuries, the mother never reaches out to her children. I read this book through hoping it would get better. The Wellseley wife lives this injury solely intellectually. The distance between the husband and wife is palpable yet never breached. I was very disappointed in this book, regretfully so, because I usually adore Ms. Brown's books. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this one.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tender Mercies, June 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tender Mercies (Paperback)

This is a lovely, well written, and intimate story of a family in a very difficult situation. It is a thoughful reminder of what is important in living any life.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How Much Guilt is Needed to Destroy a Good Marriage?, May 16, 2009

By 

Bonnie Brody "Book Lover and Knitter" (Port St. Lucie, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Tender Mercies (Paperback)

This is a tragic novel dealing with the aftermath of an accident that leaves a woman
paralyzed. How much does it take to destroy a good marriage?

The husband inadvertently turns his wife into a quadraplegic by making messing
around with a boat that he really can't operate. His guilt and her bitterness are the
baggage that is ever present in their marriage.

This book is depressing and tragic but very well-written.