Customer Reviews

Twelve Times Blessed

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(32)

 

 

I have to agree with most of the previous reviews. This one is a disappointing, incredibly long read that I plodded through without much enthusiasm. The heroine, True, is a very immature woman who is impossible to like. She continues to do incredibly self-destructive things, is a lousy mother to her so-called beloved son, and doesn't listen to a word anyone says. She's condescending to everyone - including the medical professionals who saved her son's life. Her so-called beloved, Hank, is equally a jerk. But I didn't need 500 pages to find out that they deserve each other. Even the minor characters were neither interesting nor likeable. I have found Mitchard in the past, for example in her first book, to show a great insight into the issues and "voice" of adolescence - but I'm not sure she hits the mark with Guy - a pretty obnoxious kid. The adults in this story seem hell bent on [messing] him up as much as possible - his self-obsessed mother ignores his medical symptoms, slaps him across the face when he's in the hospital, talks about washing his mouth out with soap for swearing, and obviously emotionally drags him through hell and back during her ambivalent new marriage. It's hard to like a heroine who supposedly is motherhood personified when she's such a jerk. Finally, I don't understand this author's obsession with sexual issues and body fluids. Much more information than I need to know - for example - who wants to hear about a 10 year old boy's balls flapping as he runs down the stairs? Come on!

I began this book with hopeful anticipation but it wasn't too long before I considered abandoning Mitchard's 500+ page book. Finally, it was all just too much nonsense as just about every sub-plot in noveldom was dragged into the story. I suppose True, the main character, and Hank, the "younger" man exist somewhere, but I don't want to know them. Or even care about them. It's rare that I don't finish a book but midway through (why did I read that far?) I skipped to the last chapter and realized I'd wasted far too much time. A huge disappointment.

I was a huge fan of Mitchard's other books, but this one was just awful. Like other reviewers, I kept reading thinking that it would get better. IT DOESN'T! I don't understand how this book got published. The damage to Mitchard's standing will be long-lasting. (...) It was just awful!

I possibly would have rated this book a little higher had it not been written by Mitchard. The story line lacks the originality and insight into character of her other work, especially The Deep End of the Ocean and The Most Wanted, and to that extent, it didn't live up to expectations. It's pretty much a standard love the second time round story, except that the protagonist is a good bit older than the new love, resulting in too predictable rocky steps on the relationship pathway. Its strengths if it has any, are more in the secondary character cameos than in the main cast, especially in some members of the lover's Southern family and how they are perceived by the Cape Cod Northerners. Not nearly as engaging of the reader as Mitchard's earlier books, not quite formula driven but at times perilously close. A pleasant but forgettable read is probably a reasonable assessment. Definitely below Mitchard's usual standard

I really have to wonder whether Mitchard had an editor on this one. Almost every line of French has a mistake in it (She can't even spell simple phrases like "Comment vas-tu?" correctly), almost every ballet step is misspelled ("chine" turns for "chaine" turns), and, perhaps worst of all for a novel supposedly set in Massachusetts, she uses the phrase "in Cape Cod," which a Cape Codder would never use; it's "on Cape Cod"!
Aside from the mistakes, the book is slow going and descends midway to the level of soap opera. Don't waste your time on this book.

Jackie Mitchard won a host of fans and hearts with her appealing novel, "The Deep End Of The Ocean" (also brought to life on the big screen). It was the story of a family; the dynamics that held them together, the pain that pulled them apart. To date, Ms. Mitchard has pretty much stuck to this familiar turf which she limns so well. Such is surely the case with her latest.

TV and stage actress Robin Miles imbues her reading of Twelve Times Blessed" with charm and understanding as listeners meet and come to care about 43-year-old True Dickinson. Many would think that True has or has had all that life offers. She is widowed now; it has been eight years since her husband died. It was a blessed union, but now she's raising their young son alone. Her business is a resounding success, and she has a large group of supportive, good friends. Yet, in her heart, True knows something is missing.

Chance steps in when True and her assistant are driving home on a winter's night and slip off the road into a snowy ditch. Their rescuer is Hank Bannister, a handsome young chef (actually, ten years younger than True). Nonetheless, the chemistry between them is undeniable, and immediate.

After knowing each other only briefly the two marry. This is a surprise to True's son, but he soon adapts to having Hank as a permanent part of their home. Yet, Hank has spent a few years unencumbered. A half grown son is one thing, but when True becomes pregnant it seems that domesticity may lose some of its luster.

As always, Ms. Mitchard is an expert at examining the tensile strengths of family love. Her many fans will relish another exploration of the ties that blind and bind.

- Gail Cooke

This book is one step above pulp fiction. I finished it but only to find out what happened, not because the characters were emotionally compelling. They are a bore and really immature tedious adults. There are endless conversations in which nothing very important or interesting is said. The plot is similar to a Harlequin romance: rich woman meets sexy man, they marry, they have some arguments, the "villain" prevents them sorting out their differences and misunderstandings, they find out about the villain's part in keeping them apart, they make up and live happily ever after....

Phew, I finally finished it,last night at 12 midnight 2 October 2005.
I was determined to finish it - for it to be over. No book defeats me forever.I was secretly wishing for it to evolve - to really become something worthy of my time.

I started reading it in July 2004 and eventually became too embarrassed to take it to my monthly hairdressing appointments where I would get "still reading that book -huh?" I must qualify by mentioning that I normally have more than one book on the go at any given time.

Did the author really write all of this or did some assistant take over or alien hijack it? It just got worse and worse.

Huge potental and a great topic but it turned into a day time dreary (Days of our L... is more belivable.

There was no positive character development for anyone! They were all so ephemeral and fake. The kids hospital room could not have fitted all the toys and gifts in it. No one wants to see a kid doing all that and being so spoilt- come on! It was all so made up and contrived.

I was taught in my writting classes that the reader should not be able to see the line between reality and fantasy; that is where one begins and the other ends. Sorry to be so harsh but I feel ripped off. I have not grown as a reader during this reading chore,just probably learned how not to write and to remember to really examine character placement and development.

Dear Authors, if you are writting just to pop out another book- Please don't. And edit please- this book was over by at least 100 - 150 pages!!

A book should take as long as it takes- not just a deadline to fill. Near enough is no where near the mark.
Sorry lovely, but that's the first and last book of yours that I intend to read.

I am so glad I am not the only one that wanted to call Child Protective Services on True! I really tried to read this book but found it more and more difficult as Trues' character is revealed! She is so uncaring about her sons' safety and easily lets others make decisions for her. Hank is so vapid, I wonder what she ever saw in him. Of course, he is good-looking but come on, you must get out of bed sometime! I wonder what turmoil Mitchard was enduring when she wrote this book. IT is just terrible!! My advice is don't bother.

A major disappointment from a favorite author. I am not going to repeat what other reviewers have said already. I was very surprised and disturbed at the ethnic slur in the post 9/11 discussion. Slow moving, irritating characters. It was hard to believe that True was a highly successful businesswoman judging by the way she handled her personal life. Borrow it if you must read it----not worth buying.