Customer Reviews

Unfinished Business

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Have you ever wondered about those "Mormons"? What they are really like? Have you been told strange things about them by your pastor, and seen their young men going door to door in their white shirts with little nametags with their Books of Mormon? Well, they do put their pants on one leg at a time, just like other folks, and they do have normal lives -- in a way. But within their society and culture there are some traditions and mores that have evolved that create odd circumstances when a member of the close-knit communities found in places like Utah becomes a widow. Susan Law Corpany, the Author of Unfinished Business, became a widow at a young age, and much of what she experienced is recounted in this novel. Lonliness, frustration, misunderstanding. One of the nifty things about this book is that it is a totally LDS (shorthand for "Latter-day Saint") book, in that, unlike some contemporary LDS novels, it makes no attempt to "explain" the things we Mormons do in our day to day lives. There are funny names we give the places we go and the activities we do -- even some of the clothes we wear, and Susan just uses the terms with the expectation that the reader will know them. So if you don't, stop one of those nice young men with the white shirt and name tag, and ask for a little help -- they don't bite.

On the other hand, are you LDS, Single, especially a young widow or widower? Then this book should be required reading for you. Are you a Single Adults representative? High Councilman or Stake presidency member responsible for Senior Single Adults? Same applies to you. The book is a novel, true, but it is a true novel. It says what you won't hear in High Council meetings, or Single Adult firesides, it tells what the life of the young widow in the LDS church is really like. Why do I know? BT-DT -- been there, done that. Every word of this novel strikes so true to life and trumpets loudly of the pain and frustration and lonliness felt by those trapped in that strange limbo of the Adult Single LDS world. Well meaning people thoughtlessly saying the wrong things, and then neglecting to include the singles in the activities that were normal when the widow was still married. Assuming the widow is divorced because she is young, assuming that every Single Adult activity is intended for match making, when the participants -- many of them -- really just want some adult companionship. Read it, read it, read it --by the way it is thoroughly entertaining too -- a real page turner -- and a bargain to boot!

This book is written so true to life that when you get to the end, you will be scrambling for the next in the series. This book truly helped me understand my mother-in law who lost her husband and raised 7 children on her own. Truly the best book I have read in a long time. I cried cover to cover, never wanting to put it down. I highly recommend this one...

I think this was not only an interestng book but a book that actually gave you insite to a widows journey to getting back to the real world....
enjoyed it very much....

As a widow myself, I was hesitant to read this book but as I read, it helped me to heal. Susan Corpany captures the essence of what a young widow feels after the passing of her husband. The story holds you captive to the end and then you want to read more. A great read!!!!!

Wonderful portrayal of the heartache of loss, and the greater heartache (and annoyance) of the well-meaning but clueless. The characters and situations are very realistic, giving them a power and ability to touch your heart--and make you laugh!

This book helped me begin to understand things I've only just become aware of in spite of being a "mormon" for almost 50 years.

I'd heard about "single adults" and "young single adults". I have even known lots of them; but serving in different positions in the church did not give me the perspective on their lives that this book has.

I realised that (although much of it is based on Susan Corpany's own life) there are lots of people with similar problems to which I had been totally blind!

Even such a simple thing as inviting friends over for dinner normally assumes that they will come as couples; the thought of asking an "odd" number, or of mixing in acquaintances with differing backgrounds was a bombshell. Yet it's one that doesn't destroy anything - it opens paths for new ideas to emerge. Member's of this church sometimes talk about serving "the one": That may become the "one with kids" or the "one who's a different generation - who still has a lot of friendship to offer. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

It's amazing how Susan can capture the emotions that so many of us go through. This book was entertaining, thought provoking, and healing all in one. An amazing read from cover to cover and well worth the time!

A touching account of the struggles and hardships endured by a widowed mother, as she deals with clumsy attempts at sympathy from her church, financial difficulties, and endless trials caused by her mischevious young son, as well as the conflict presented by having her old college boyfriend show back up after his own messy divorce, with three young daughters of his own. Definately well worth reading!

Unfinished Business is the story of a young widowed mother in her 20s who is faced with living life as a single mother. Since the author writes from her own experience, it is a "warts and all" look at life in the LDS singles scene from someone who doesn't want to be there. I loved Susan's honest perspective. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series and to reading Lucky Change, another honest look at LDS life. Well done!

Perhaps one of the defining masterworks of the era, indeed, transcends the classics in many aspects. Only a fool would neglect to get a copy for themself.