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A Escolha
Mãe, esposa, mulher. Elizabeth casou cedo, ela e o marido criaram as duas filhas, elas saíram já de casa, seguiram a sua vida. Abdicar de si é já algo que faz sem pensar. O silêncio da casa, as crianças que cresceram, a distância do marido fazem-na repensar toda a sua vida. A morte do pai força-a a regressar à casa de praia da infância, no Oregon. Ali, entre memórias e vestígios dos seus sonhos, toma uma decisão. Nem o marido, nem as filhas, nem ninguém a compreenderá. Mas Elizabeth quer ainda ser a mulher que sente viva dentro de si. Um magnífico romance de laços e emoções de Kristin Hannah.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Kristin Hannah
124 books251k followersKristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People's Choice award for best fiction in the same year. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week. In 2018,
The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.
The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.
Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.
Her new novel, The Women, about a young woman coming of age during the turbulent 1960's in America, who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in Vietnam will be published February 6th, 2024.
A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.
The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.
The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.
Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.
Her new novel, The Women, about a young woman coming of age during the turbulent 1960's in America, who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in Vietnam will be published February 6th, 2024.
A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,078 reviews
June 3, 2011
This book made me cry.
No,really,it did. And not in a good way.
I was having my period. A friend (that I will have to disown) told me to read this book. It was about second chances and a married couple.
Well...
It was about an ex NFL star that was hungry for attention and his wife,a nice woman that always put him first.
When the hero,or as I call him in my mind-the biggest jerk out there-got a new job he decided to move his wife and kids,disrupting their lives so he could be famous again.
They agreed to go but a personal tragedy stopped them and so begins the heroes and heroins separation.
The women that does follow the hero is his assistant,Sally,a woman half his age.
Sally want him.
Sally has him.
They have sex.
He feels sick for having sex with her but still has it,for months.
Back home his wife does not cheat,she goes back to her painting,a thing she gave up in order to care about Jack and their kids.
Jack decides he loves his wife.
Sally is upset.
She asks why he is avoiding her.
He tells her it's over.
She tells him she loves him and that she was the one that went with him,not his wife.
He shrugs it off and goes to his wife.
Sally is ok with this because she will still have a fab job because he brought her with him.
So what do we know this far? Jack is a jerk that wanted his old fame and lots of sex (to quote-just a thing that makes your dick hard). Great! He tells us how the sex is good. Oh yes,it is goood! And really he ad Birdie did not have sex in a long time!
Sally on the other hand is a messed up young woman.
Really,she is. Not enough to call her evil,but she wanted to brake up a marriage and followed a dude around the country to do so! I mean she propositioned him to have a one night stand even while he was not separated! This is why I was really sick. In no way would I cheat with this person. She really really wanted him. Just like that! You stalk a guy half your age that has kids and a wife! Sheeesh. And you just met him! All that work to have him! What wrong with you Sally?
Jack is of course the most selfish person out there because he just goes on and on how Birdie left him. Well,gosh darn it man,her dad died!!! How about some support instead of being ,i don't know...a jerk??
Any way after all this,he goes to his wife,and she tells him,no! Never mind honey! I was coming to you and we will be happy!
Jack:You were?
Birdie:Yes!
Jack:I love you!
Birdie:I love you too!
The end.
Barf,barf,barf!!!!
We have no idea if he told her about Sally. And me? If I was her and he told me? I would have left him. Jack himself states that a separation is not and ending and while he talks with his wife about his and hers hopes for a future he is banging a assistant!
Talk about a jerk alert.
This book was refereed to me as a non cheating book. Well, fu.k you,people. That is cheating!
Also,he was now going to continue his job and he told Sally that he did not mind her being there when they parted. Well,um will his wife mind? For him to keep working with a fling that he fu.ked while they were 'separated'?
Ugh.
So,not only did this book end with a lot of loos ends(will he tell his wife,how will he work with sally,and what will and will something happen in order for the married couple to have sex again) the thing that upset me was that this could have been a book about how a woman finds a new begging. For me,it would have been nice for Birdie to find a good man and live happily while publishing her art. Meanwhile her husband could rot in meaningless sex and the distance he feels with his kids knowing he lost the best woman out there.
So...this is not a happy ending book.It is shit.
No,really,it did. And not in a good way.
I was having my period. A friend (that I will have to disown) told me to read this book. It was about second chances and a married couple.
Well...
It was about an ex NFL star that was hungry for attention and his wife,a nice woman that always put him first.
When the hero,or as I call him in my mind-the biggest jerk out there-got a new job he decided to move his wife and kids,disrupting their lives so he could be famous again.
They agreed to go but a personal tragedy stopped them and so begins the heroes and heroins separation.
The women that does follow the hero is his assistant,Sally,a woman half his age.
Sally want him.
Sally has him.
They have sex.
He feels sick for having sex with her but still has it,for months.
Back home his wife does not cheat,she goes back to her painting,a thing she gave up in order to care about Jack and their kids.
Jack decides he loves his wife.
Sally is upset.
She asks why he is avoiding her.
He tells her it's over.
She tells him she loves him and that she was the one that went with him,not his wife.
He shrugs it off and goes to his wife.
Sally is ok with this because she will still have a fab job because he brought her with him.
So what do we know this far? Jack is a jerk that wanted his old fame and lots of sex (to quote-just a thing that makes your dick hard). Great! He tells us how the sex is good. Oh yes,it is goood! And really he ad Birdie did not have sex in a long time!
Sally on the other hand is a messed up young woman.
Really,she is. Not enough to call her evil,but she wanted to brake up a marriage and followed a dude around the country to do so! I mean she propositioned him to have a one night stand even while he was not separated! This is why I was really sick. In no way would I cheat with this person. She really really wanted him. Just like that! You stalk a guy half your age that has kids and a wife! Sheeesh. And you just met him! All that work to have him! What wrong with you Sally?
Jack is of course the most selfish person out there because he just goes on and on how Birdie left him. Well,gosh darn it man,her dad died!!! How about some support instead of being ,i don't know...a jerk??
Any way after all this,he goes to his wife,and she tells him,no! Never mind honey! I was coming to you and we will be happy!
Jack:You were?
Birdie:Yes!
Jack:I love you!
Birdie:I love you too!
The end.
Barf,barf,barf!!!!
We have no idea if he told her about Sally. And me? If I was her and he told me? I would have left him. Jack himself states that a separation is not and ending and while he talks with his wife about his and hers hopes for a future he is banging a assistant!
Talk about a jerk alert.
This book was refereed to me as a non cheating book. Well, fu.k you,people. That is cheating!
Also,he was now going to continue his job and he told Sally that he did not mind her being there when they parted. Well,um will his wife mind? For him to keep working with a fling that he fu.ked while they were 'separated'?
Ugh.
So,not only did this book end with a lot of loos ends(will he tell his wife,how will he work with sally,and what will and will something happen in order for the married couple to have sex again) the thing that upset me was that this could have been a book about how a woman finds a new begging. For me,it would have been nice for Birdie to find a good man and live happily while publishing her art. Meanwhile her husband could rot in meaningless sex and the distance he feels with his kids knowing he lost the best woman out there.
So...this is not a happy ending book.It is shit.
May 1, 2010
This was really disappointing. It was poor writing. I found the story to be rather cheesy, predictable & left some elements I feel would've made it a stronger story for me.
I've really enjoyed Hannah's books. I'm wondering if this is one of her 1st books as I've really enjoyed the others I've read up to this time. Plus, I love that the settings are always in the NW.
I could get that Elizabeth felt she needed time for herself. Totally get that, and I think is was great she put herself first for once as she'd always put everyone else first-- her husband, with his ego and desire for fame, and their 2 daughters.
I thought her husband, Jack, was rather a jack*** to some extent. He seemed to be quite a womanizer in his past and really selfish.
The thing that I found most disappointing was that at the end, Elizabeth decides to move to NY w/ her husband go back to school. I just felt it left out what they worked thru to really work thru some of their past relationship issues. Plus, it never mentioned whether Jack told her was sleeping with his assistant while they were separated. I think that would've played a role in their healing process. So for me, it missed some elements that would've made the story stronger for me.
I've really enjoyed Hannah's books. I'm wondering if this is one of her 1st books as I've really enjoyed the others I've read up to this time. Plus, I love that the settings are always in the NW.
I could get that Elizabeth felt she needed time for herself. Totally get that, and I think is was great she put herself first for once as she'd always put everyone else first-- her husband, with his ego and desire for fame, and their 2 daughters.
I thought her husband, Jack, was rather a jack*** to some extent. He seemed to be quite a womanizer in his past and really selfish.
The thing that I found most disappointing was that at the end, Elizabeth decides to move to NY w/ her husband go back to school. I just felt it left out what they worked thru to really work thru some of their past relationship issues. Plus, it never mentioned whether Jack told her was sleeping with his assistant while they were separated. I think that would've played a role in their healing process. So for me, it missed some elements that would've made the story stronger for me.
December 21, 2021
3.5 stars
A lovely read about relationships, family, and chasing your dreams.
Elizabeth and Jack were married at a young age. Having been together for 24 years, they begin to grow apart and their marriage is now in jeopardy. Elizabeth once loved to paint and considered going to graduate school for it; however, her husband moved around a lot for his job and they had two kids. Hence, she decided to stay home, raising her children and supporting her husband’s career.
Jack had a hiccup in his career and is given a second chance at success. After becoming an empty nester, Elizabeth is asked to uproot her life again for her husband’s dreams, but she starts to wonder about her own dreams and identity outside of her family.
Through loss, experimentation, and the courage to face the unknown, Elizabeth begins to find herself. With the help of her community, she blossoms and becomes more confident in prioritizing herself while valuing her family.
The characters were nicely developed. They each learned lessons and offered a unique view. I liked that the story was told from both Elizabeth and Jack’s perspectives. They both came to realize the importance of love and family as your foundation. Hannah’s writing is beautifully descriptive and she added an unexpected twist at the end. However, the plot was a bit slow and dragged on in some places.
Overall, a sweet love story about always supporting one another, being a team, and getting through tough times together. I liked the message that it is not about if you fail or succeed at your dreams, but that you try and never give up.
A lovely read about relationships, family, and chasing your dreams.
Elizabeth and Jack were married at a young age. Having been together for 24 years, they begin to grow apart and their marriage is now in jeopardy. Elizabeth once loved to paint and considered going to graduate school for it; however, her husband moved around a lot for his job and they had two kids. Hence, she decided to stay home, raising her children and supporting her husband’s career.
Jack had a hiccup in his career and is given a second chance at success. After becoming an empty nester, Elizabeth is asked to uproot her life again for her husband’s dreams, but she starts to wonder about her own dreams and identity outside of her family.
Through loss, experimentation, and the courage to face the unknown, Elizabeth begins to find herself. With the help of her community, she blossoms and becomes more confident in prioritizing herself while valuing her family.
The characters were nicely developed. They each learned lessons and offered a unique view. I liked that the story was told from both Elizabeth and Jack’s perspectives. They both came to realize the importance of love and family as your foundation. Hannah’s writing is beautifully descriptive and she added an unexpected twist at the end. However, the plot was a bit slow and dragged on in some places.
Overall, a sweet love story about always supporting one another, being a team, and getting through tough times together. I liked the message that it is not about if you fail or succeed at your dreams, but that you try and never give up.
October 20, 2024
Rounding up to 5.
Wish I’d had a box of tissues near the end. Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite writers. Her characters are well developed. In this case, I found nearly wanting both Birdie and Jack to have affairs, but for different reasons. I wanted to root Birdie on and cheer for her; while I wanted another reason to vilify Jack. Whether they had one or not will be up to you to discover on your own, but that’s what I mean about the character development.
Loved Anita. I think she deserves a spinoff story of her own, and maybe Birdie’s mother too. Her daughters were the weakest part of the story for me - more accessories to Jack’s conscience than anything else.
Not sure if I would’ve ended the book the same way, but I’m fully satisfied nonetheless, though I still wish Jack would’ve suffered a little bit more.
Wish I’d had a box of tissues near the end. Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite writers. Her characters are well developed. In this case, I found nearly wanting both Birdie and Jack to have affairs, but for different reasons. I wanted to root Birdie on and cheer for her; while I wanted another reason to vilify Jack. Whether they had one or not will be up to you to discover on your own, but that’s what I mean about the character development.
Loved Anita. I think she deserves a spinoff story of her own, and maybe Birdie’s mother too. Her daughters were the weakest part of the story for me - more accessories to Jack’s conscience than anything else.
Not sure if I would’ve ended the book the same way, but I’m fully satisfied nonetheless, though I still wish Jack would’ve suffered a little bit more.
December 14, 2013
lame. Don't bother. Not even sure why i finished it. Oh wait, I do know why - I gave myself a goal to read X amount of books before the end of the year and so I finished just because I want to truthfully finish my said amount of books or more. Now if only I could be as truthful with my diet ;)
June 9, 2022
"It hadn't been until she'd lost her youth and finished raising her children that she'd bothered to wonder, what came next.?"
To me, Kristin Hannah can do no wrong. This book is one of her dated novels, but still a great read. It tells the story of a woman named Elizabeth, who is 45-years-old, been married to her college sweetheart for twenty years, and raised two girls. She's gotten lost along the way of being "Jack's wife" and "Jaime and Stephanie's mom".
This book has so many great life lessons within it's pages. Elizabeth is struggling to find herself again while learning how to cope with grief.
My favorite passage:
"She lay there a long time, staring up at her ceiling, watching a spider 🕷 spin a web in the rafters. He was always there, that same little black spider, returning to his spot no matter how many times she dusted his web away. There was a life lesson in that."
To me, Kristin Hannah can do no wrong. This book is one of her dated novels, but still a great read. It tells the story of a woman named Elizabeth, who is 45-years-old, been married to her college sweetheart for twenty years, and raised two girls. She's gotten lost along the way of being "Jack's wife" and "Jaime and Stephanie's mom".
This book has so many great life lessons within it's pages. Elizabeth is struggling to find herself again while learning how to cope with grief.
My favorite passage:
"She lay there a long time, staring up at her ceiling, watching a spider 🕷 spin a web in the rafters. He was always there, that same little black spider, returning to his spot no matter how many times she dusted his web away. There was a life lesson in that."
Shelved as 'avoid'
May 24, 2022Self note
Worst book ever.
He cheats for months.
The h -the wife -never finds out.
The PA he cheated with continues to work for him.
That’s their HEA.🙄
The h still doesn’t know….
Worst book ever.
He cheats for months.
The h -the wife -never finds out.
The PA he cheated with continues to work for him.
That’s their HEA.🙄
The h still doesn’t know….
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2024
This audiobook was wonderfully narrated! The story was touching, sweet, and poignant. A great listen/read for anyone who has struggled in a long term relationship. Really enjoyable!
May 21, 2016
This book was so beyond messed up. It was horrible. I've read the cheating books and feel the angst and usually enjoy them bu this one goes above and beyond for an asshole hero. Seriously, avoid it. First let me tell you what happened..
The hero and heroine have a decent marriage and children, when the hero get a chance to expand his dying career, he takes it. He tries to move his kids and the heroine but the heroine won't have it, so he takes his whore of a PA or secretary or whatever bad names you wanna call her. The author makes her sound like she has some serious mental problems, which I have no doubt she does. Disturbing woman! Anyways, so before he was even separated the PA whore tries to get the hero to have sex with her. Eventually he does have sex and an affair with her, while his amazing wife is at home, not cheating, taking care of the children, playing mother and father when he should stop his whoring and get off his ass, to take care of his responsibilities. Eventually he breaks it off with Miss. Hoebag and comes back to his wife and she takes him back.. o.O ... wtf? Yeah, that's it, the end. WOW. This is the point where I wanna hit my keyboard a bunch of times and hit enter, that's how ticked I am. Grrr!!
The hero and heroine have a decent marriage and children, when the hero get a chance to expand his dying career, he takes it. He tries to move his kids and the heroine but the heroine won't have it, so he takes his whore of a PA or secretary or whatever bad names you wanna call her. The author makes her sound like she has some serious mental problems, which I have no doubt she does. Disturbing woman! Anyways, so before he was even separated the PA whore tries to get the hero to have sex with her. Eventually he does have sex and an affair with her, while his amazing wife is at home, not cheating, taking care of the children, playing mother and father when he should stop his whoring and get off his ass, to take care of his responsibilities. Eventually he breaks it off with Miss. Hoebag and comes back to his wife and she takes him back.. o.O ... wtf? Yeah, that's it, the end. WOW. This is the point where I wanna hit my keyboard a bunch of times and hit enter, that's how ticked I am. Grrr!!
November 14, 2023
Kristin Hannah yra mano mylima rašytoja ❤️ ir jos knygas skaitau su didžiausiu malonumu, ši knyga irgi ne išimtis. Aišku čia nebuvo kažko tokio stipraus,kaip kitose jos knygose. Bet knyga nuoširdi, jautri, sklidina emocijų. Apie šeimą, vaikus, mylimuosius, stiprybę bandant keistis ir ieškotis savęs, apie drąsą atleisti ir priimti žmones tokius kokie jie yra. Jauki knyga 😉
" Metų metus jie kasdien kartodavo vienas kitam gražius žodžius, bet nedažnai gilindavosi į jų prasmę."
" Gyvenimas - kaip banga. Kartais tenka nerti į sunkumus, kad išnirtum kitoje pusėje."
" Metų metus jie kasdien kartodavo vienas kitam gražius žodžius, bet nedažnai gilindavosi į jų prasmę."
" Gyvenimas - kaip banga. Kartais tenka nerti į sunkumus, kad išnirtum kitoje pusėje."
November 8, 2023
Kristin Hannah visi žinom kaip jautrių, šeimyninių dramų autorę. Atradau ją tik šiais metais perskaičiusi „Iš meilės“. Nuostabi, nuostabi knyga ir tai sakau aš, ta, kuri iš esmės nėra šio žanro mėgėja. „Tolimi krantai“ nebuvo ta knyga, kurią perskaičius būčiau nusprendusi imti daugiau autorės knygų. Ganėtinai nuspėjama, saldoka, o pagrindinė veikėja vietomis kaip reikiant erzino.
Knygoje pasakojama dviejų, jau vaikus iš namų iš namų išleidusių, žmonių santykius. Elizabetė visą savo gyvenimą paaukojo šeimai. Užmiršusi ko nori grynai pati, ji pildė vaikų norus, vyro lūkesčius, darė viską, kad Džono karjera klostytųsi sėkmingai. Tačiau po tiek metų Elizabetė susivokia, kad nebesijaučia laiminga. Pati negali įvardinti kas ne taip, tačiau ji pavargo nuo tokio gyvenimo. Nelaimei šeimoje nutikusi, ji nusorendžia atitrūkti nuo Džono, jo reikalų ir susivokti, gal vis dėlto būtų geriau gyventi atskirai?
Tokia savęs paieškų, naujo atradimo, susipažinimo su savimi ir savo užmirštomis savjonėmis istorija. Buvo įdomių vietų, šmaikščių dialogų, bet apskritai - vidutinis reikalas. Visas Hannah knygas lyginu su pirma perskaityta ir ši niekaip „Iš meilės“ nepranoko.
Knygoje pasakojama dviejų, jau vaikus iš namų iš namų išleidusių, žmonių santykius. Elizabetė visą savo gyvenimą paaukojo šeimai. Užmiršusi ko nori grynai pati, ji pildė vaikų norus, vyro lūkesčius, darė viską, kad Džono karjera klostytųsi sėkmingai. Tačiau po tiek metų Elizabetė susivokia, kad nebesijaučia laiminga. Pati negali įvardinti kas ne taip, tačiau ji pavargo nuo tokio gyvenimo. Nelaimei šeimoje nutikusi, ji nusorendžia atitrūkti nuo Džono, jo reikalų ir susivokti, gal vis dėlto būtų geriau gyventi atskirai?
Tokia savęs paieškų, naujo atradimo, susipažinimo su savimi ir savo užmirštomis savjonėmis istorija. Buvo įdomių vietų, šmaikščių dialogų, bet apskritai - vidutinis reikalas. Visas Hannah knygas lyginu su pirma perskaityta ir ši niekaip „Iš meilės“ nepranoko.
August 28, 2013
The more Kristin Hannah books I read, the bigger fan of hers I become. Her books deal with subject matter I think women relate to but always prove better written than the typical chic-lit out there. Her novels keep me engaged the whole way through and I end up caring for her characters. Distant Shores was another great Hannah novel.
November 11, 2013
Kristin Hannah is my current go-to author when I'm looking for a light read. I'd just finished a number of heavier books and non-fiction pieces so needed something light.
Well, it was light. And there were characters I found interesting. But there was so much wrong with this book. The red flag went up when Hannah talked about how air travel was down after 9-11, but then went on in the next sentence to set up a scene where the character Birdie met her daughters' airplane at the gate. No, after 9-11, the first thing to end was getting through security without a boarding pass. Birdie was not meeting her adult daughters at the gate of an airport. (How do editors let these things slip by?)
In the notes at the end of the book, Hannah admitted that she wasn't a sports fan and knew little about football. But she makes the male protagonist a former star QB and makes him a sports journalist with perfect pretty boy looks. She hit every stereotype in the book about professional athletes. And Sally, the assistant producer who didn't want to make it seem like she was sleeping her way to the top? Yeah, it was apparent from the beginning that's exactly what she was doing.
More importantly, Hannah glossed over her character development in this book. I like her stories because they are character driven; the plots are all pretty weak. But I like character driven stories. But by the end of this book, I didn't know or like the characters any more than I did in the beginning. Each relationship became too neat and tidy.
In the end, this book just bugged me and I was relieved to have finished it. And note to self, no more reading Kristin Hannah immediately after reading authors like D.H. Lawrence. You will be disappointed.
Well, it was light. And there were characters I found interesting. But there was so much wrong with this book. The red flag went up when Hannah talked about how air travel was down after 9-11, but then went on in the next sentence to set up a scene where the character Birdie met her daughters' airplane at the gate. No, after 9-11, the first thing to end was getting through security without a boarding pass. Birdie was not meeting her adult daughters at the gate of an airport. (How do editors let these things slip by?)
In the notes at the end of the book, Hannah admitted that she wasn't a sports fan and knew little about football. But she makes the male protagonist a former star QB and makes him a sports journalist with perfect pretty boy looks. She hit every stereotype in the book about professional athletes. And Sally, the assistant producer who didn't want to make it seem like she was sleeping her way to the top? Yeah, it was apparent from the beginning that's exactly what she was doing.
More importantly, Hannah glossed over her character development in this book. I like her stories because they are character driven; the plots are all pretty weak. But I like character driven stories. But by the end of this book, I didn't know or like the characters any more than I did in the beginning. Each relationship became too neat and tidy.
In the end, this book just bugged me and I was relieved to have finished it. And note to self, no more reading Kristin Hannah immediately after reading authors like D.H. Lawrence. You will be disappointed.
March 3, 2021
A Pair of Rocky Roads
“Distant Shores” by Kristin Hannah is a outstanding novel that I greatly enjoyed.
The plot about a couple, Elizabeth and Jack who have lost a pieces of themselve. Elizabeth by dedicating her life to her family's needs and not hers and Jack leaving the high of a being a football star to be a reporter. Both have personal rocky roads to make changes for the middle and end of their lives.
Hannah has a unique ability to address every characters’ fears, losses, insecurities and challenges. This was a very fast “one sitting” book for me. It had me cheering for Elizabeth throughout.
I looked deep inside myself in this book because during my military career I moved many times. However, I tried very hard to meet my wife's professional needs as well.
A very enjoyable read that I recommend to all.
“Distant Shores” by Kristin Hannah is a outstanding novel that I greatly enjoyed.
The plot about a couple, Elizabeth and Jack who have lost a pieces of themselve. Elizabeth by dedicating her life to her family's needs and not hers and Jack leaving the high of a being a football star to be a reporter. Both have personal rocky roads to make changes for the middle and end of their lives.
Hannah has a unique ability to address every characters’ fears, losses, insecurities and challenges. This was a very fast “one sitting” book for me. It had me cheering for Elizabeth throughout.
I looked deep inside myself in this book because during my military career I moved many times. However, I tried very hard to meet my wife's professional needs as well.
A very enjoyable read that I recommend to all.
Shelved as 'not-continuing'
February 4, 2022Most boring book I've ever read. Of course I didn't finish.
February 26, 2024
Veikėjai neįtikino, istorija papasakota paviršutiniškai, atrodo, kad gaaaaal norėta užgriebti daug, bet tada pritrūko gylio - ne pirma šios autorės skaityta knyga, bet ši man asmeniškai mažiausiai patiko, nusivyliau 😔
December 13, 2012
Once again, Kristin Hannah has failed to disappoint me with her writing. The haunting portrayal of a woman in her 40's, whom realizes how most of her life she has been living for others' (her husband, her 2 grown children that are now off at university). The "empty next syndrome" forces Elizabeth (the central character of the book) to reexamine her life, her goals, her relationships with friends, her daughters and her marriage.
With her children out the house, and her husband consumed with work, Elizabeth must create new dreams for herself, set goals, and rediscover a talent to paint that she had forgotten so long ago. The book is beautifully written, with prose that had me visualizing the Distant Shores with clarity, as though I were standing beside the author on the beach.
Definitely add this to your "to read" shelves. Kristin Hannah allows the reader to escape into the pages... but she also forces the reader to explore your own desires, dreams and forgotten talents & goals. Loved this book!
With her children out the house, and her husband consumed with work, Elizabeth must create new dreams for herself, set goals, and rediscover a talent to paint that she had forgotten so long ago. The book is beautifully written, with prose that had me visualizing the Distant Shores with clarity, as though I were standing beside the author on the beach.
Definitely add this to your "to read" shelves. Kristin Hannah allows the reader to escape into the pages... but she also forces the reader to explore your own desires, dreams and forgotten talents & goals. Loved this book!
September 15, 2024
Kristin Hannah yra viena iš mano mėgiamų rašytojų. Tačiau paskutiniu metu knygos tokios vidutinės man pasirodo.
Elizabetė ir Džekas susituokė labai jauni, atlaikė jaunystės išmėginimus, užaugino dukras. Iš šalies poros gyvenimas atrodo tobulas, tik pora nejučia ėmė tolti vienas nuo kito. Džekas eilinį kartą priėmė viliojantį darbo pasiūlymą, o Elizabetė pasilieka nuošaliame namelyje prie vandenyno, bandydama iš naujo atrasti save.
Aš suprantu, kad yra moterų, kurios dėl vyro, dėl vaikų, dėl šeimos gerovės, pamina savo svajones, savo siekius ir kurį laiką atsideda tik žmonos ir mamos pareigoms. Ir kai vaikai suauga, o vyrai toliau gyvena kaip niekur nieko, tos moterys lieka nesuprastos ir joms labai sunku po tiek laiko įsivažiuoti į kitą, ne tik šeimos gyvenimą.
Bet šioje knygoje būtent ši linija manęs iki galo neįtikino. Taip jie dėl vyro keitė gyvenamas vietas, taip ji daug savęs atidavė vaikams, bet kodėl ji negalėjo šalia viso to užsiimti ir mėgiama veikla.
Knyga lengvai skaitoma, įtraukianti, kasdieniška. Nutylėjimai, nesusikalbėjimas, senos nuoskaudos, pamirštos svajonės, drąsa keistis. Manau šioje istorijoje daugelis galėtų atrasti nors dalelę savo gyvenimo.
Elizabetė ir Džekas susituokė labai jauni, atlaikė jaunystės išmėginimus, užaugino dukras. Iš šalies poros gyvenimas atrodo tobulas, tik pora nejučia ėmė tolti vienas nuo kito. Džekas eilinį kartą priėmė viliojantį darbo pasiūlymą, o Elizabetė pasilieka nuošaliame namelyje prie vandenyno, bandydama iš naujo atrasti save.
Aš suprantu, kad yra moterų, kurios dėl vyro, dėl vaikų, dėl šeimos gerovės, pamina savo svajones, savo siekius ir kurį laiką atsideda tik žmonos ir mamos pareigoms. Ir kai vaikai suauga, o vyrai toliau gyvena kaip niekur nieko, tos moterys lieka nesuprastos ir joms labai sunku po tiek laiko įsivažiuoti į kitą, ne tik šeimos gyvenimą.
Bet šioje knygoje būtent ši linija manęs iki galo neįtikino. Taip jie dėl vyro keitė gyvenamas vietas, taip ji daug savęs atidavė vaikams, bet kodėl ji negalėjo šalia viso to užsiimti ir mėgiama veikla.
Knyga lengvai skaitoma, įtraukianti, kasdieniška. Nutylėjimai, nesusikalbėjimas, senos nuoskaudos, pamirštos svajonės, drąsa keistis. Manau šioje istorijoje daugelis galėtų atrasti nors dalelę savo gyvenimo.
September 27, 2011
Well, first off I should say that I am typically a Kristin Hannah fan. Everyone of her books I've read to date, I actually liked / loved, so I was disappointed to say that I barely liked this one. As a matter of fact, I toyed with the idea of a one star, but in the end decided on two. I won't read this again, not that I ever do, but I also won't be loaning it to any of the ladies that I know who like to read. I think it was really that I just didn't like the characters or that they weren't as dveloped as I would have liked. Typically her books are twice as thick and maybe that was the problem, there wasn't enough time to fall in love with any of them. There were lots of things that I thought could have been expounded upon, but in the end I was just glad when it was over.
This is the synopsis from publisher's weekly, quite possibly if I would have read that last line I would have realized this book wasn't going to be for me.
Hannah returns with another second-chance-at-love story, this one as bleak as the soggy Pacific Northwest setting. Perimenopausal former artist Elizabeth Shore is feeling lost and miserable these days, as daughters Jamie and Stephanie matriculate at Georgetown and husband Jack focuses on jump-starting his stalled sports broadcasting career. So Elizabeth, tellingly nicknamed "Birdie," compulsively redecorates her empty nest and pesters Jack with lugubrious questions about what's wrong with their lives. Then Jack scores a journalistic coup, and in his implausibly meteoric return to broadcasting glory, winds up in an efficiency apartment in New York City, halfheartedly fending off the advances of both a nubile assistant and a Hollywood bombshell. Meanwhile, back in rainy Oregon, Birdie grieves for her beloved late father, joins a support group for "passionless" women, starts to paint again and talks to herself in the self-help homilies Hannah favors ("No more cheerleader years for me. I need to get in the game"). She even has a rapprochement with newly widowed stepmother Anita, who, in a particularly explosive burst of character development, somehow transforms from a tacky Southern "Bette Midler on speed" to a white-haired sylph favoring "long, flowing" white dresses. (When Birdie finds her bliss, she discovers she's miraculously lost weight.) Hannah's tried-and-true formula includes the predictable happy ending, complete with life lessons tearfully learned, but only hardcore fans will make it to the last page of this dreary soap.
This is the synopsis from publisher's weekly, quite possibly if I would have read that last line I would have realized this book wasn't going to be for me.
Hannah returns with another second-chance-at-love story, this one as bleak as the soggy Pacific Northwest setting. Perimenopausal former artist Elizabeth Shore is feeling lost and miserable these days, as daughters Jamie and Stephanie matriculate at Georgetown and husband Jack focuses on jump-starting his stalled sports broadcasting career. So Elizabeth, tellingly nicknamed "Birdie," compulsively redecorates her empty nest and pesters Jack with lugubrious questions about what's wrong with their lives. Then Jack scores a journalistic coup, and in his implausibly meteoric return to broadcasting glory, winds up in an efficiency apartment in New York City, halfheartedly fending off the advances of both a nubile assistant and a Hollywood bombshell. Meanwhile, back in rainy Oregon, Birdie grieves for her beloved late father, joins a support group for "passionless" women, starts to paint again and talks to herself in the self-help homilies Hannah favors ("No more cheerleader years for me. I need to get in the game"). She even has a rapprochement with newly widowed stepmother Anita, who, in a particularly explosive burst of character development, somehow transforms from a tacky Southern "Bette Midler on speed" to a white-haired sylph favoring "long, flowing" white dresses. (When Birdie finds her bliss, she discovers she's miraculously lost weight.) Hannah's tried-and-true formula includes the predictable happy ending, complete with life lessons tearfully learned, but only hardcore fans will make it to the last page of this dreary soap.
November 27, 2018
Gerçek mutluluk, hayal kırıklıklarından ders almayı öğrenmekte gizlidir.
4,5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kristin Hannah'dan okumayalı çok uzun zaman oldu. En son romanlarında herkesin söylediği gibi benzer konular işlediğine kendim de şahit olunca okumaya bir ara vermek istedim. En son kütüphaneye gittiğimde rafta hiç okumadığım bir kitabını görünce özlemim ağır basarak hemen ödünç aldım. Açıkçası kitaptan hiçbir beklentim yoktu. Bu sıralar eskisi kadar dram-romantizm tarzı romanlar okuyamadığım için kitaba karşı bir heyecanım vardı ama Kristin Hannah'dan fazlasıyla kitap okuduğum için hala beni çok fazla şaşırtabilir mi emin değildim. Bu cümlemden sonra hemen şöyle bir giriş yapmalıyım ki; kitap benim tahmin ettiğimden kat kat güzellikte hatta harikalıktaydı. Gerçekten okurken bayıldım ve çok fazla duygusal hislere büründüm. Karakterler arasındaki ilişkiler beni çok etkiledi. Evden Çok Uzakta kitabındakine benzer bir konu işleyen yazarımızın kaleminden bu sefer Jack ve Elizabeth'in evliliğinin gittikçe uzaklaştığını anlamalarıyla ikilinin verdiği kararları okuyoruz. İkisi de artık bu durumun farkına varıp nihayetinde evliliklerine kısa bir ara vermeye karar veriyorlar. Kitap aslında gayet kendi çizgisinde ilerlerken Elizabeth'in babasının sakladığı bir sırla gizemli bir havaya bürünüyor. Annesi öldüğünden beri babasıyla evlenen Anita'yla araları hep bozuk olan Elizabeth'in Anita'yla ilişkisini tekrar düşünmesini okuyoruz. Benim en çok duygulandığım kısımlarsa Jack'in geçmişte de yaptığı bir hatayı tekrarlaması sonucunda daha öncesinde Elizabeth'in verdiği tepkiyi hatırlaması ve üvey annesi Anita'yla Elizabeth'in birbirilerine açılarak yaklaşlamasıydı. Birçok yerde gözlerim dolarak okudum. Kristin Hannah'dan okuduğum unutmayacağım bir roman oldu. Sizlere de kesinlikle önerir, keyifli okumalar dilerim..
4,5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kristin Hannah'dan okumayalı çok uzun zaman oldu. En son romanlarında herkesin söylediği gibi benzer konular işlediğine kendim de şahit olunca okumaya bir ara vermek istedim. En son kütüphaneye gittiğimde rafta hiç okumadığım bir kitabını görünce özlemim ağır basarak hemen ödünç aldım. Açıkçası kitaptan hiçbir beklentim yoktu. Bu sıralar eskisi kadar dram-romantizm tarzı romanlar okuyamadığım için kitaba karşı bir heyecanım vardı ama Kristin Hannah'dan fazlasıyla kitap okuduğum için hala beni çok fazla şaşırtabilir mi emin değildim. Bu cümlemden sonra hemen şöyle bir giriş yapmalıyım ki; kitap benim tahmin ettiğimden kat kat güzellikte hatta harikalıktaydı. Gerçekten okurken bayıldım ve çok fazla duygusal hislere büründüm. Karakterler arasındaki ilişkiler beni çok etkiledi. Evden Çok Uzakta kitabındakine benzer bir konu işleyen yazarımızın kaleminden bu sefer Jack ve Elizabeth'in evliliğinin gittikçe uzaklaştığını anlamalarıyla ikilinin verdiği kararları okuyoruz. İkisi de artık bu durumun farkına varıp nihayetinde evliliklerine kısa bir ara vermeye karar veriyorlar. Kitap aslında gayet kendi çizgisinde ilerlerken Elizabeth'in babasının sakladığı bir sırla gizemli bir havaya bürünüyor. Annesi öldüğünden beri babasıyla evlenen Anita'yla araları hep bozuk olan Elizabeth'in Anita'yla ilişkisini tekrar düşünmesini okuyoruz. Benim en çok duygulandığım kısımlarsa Jack'in geçmişte de yaptığı bir hatayı tekrarlaması sonucunda daha öncesinde Elizabeth'in verdiği tepkiyi hatırlaması ve üvey annesi Anita'yla Elizabeth'in birbirilerine açılarak yaklaşlamasıydı. Birçok yerde gözlerim dolarak okudum. Kristin Hannah'dan okuduğum unutmayacağım bir roman oldu. Sizlere de kesinlikle önerir, keyifli okumalar dilerim..
December 18, 2019
Still searching for something that resembles the Winter Garden. This was not it.
Regăsire este o carte pe care o citești să treacă timpul sau vrei să bifezi toate cărțile acestei autoare, de la care ai citit alte cărți care ți-au plăcut mult. Kirstin Hannah scrie două categorii de cărți: unele bune și unele să fie acolo, în palmares. Aceasta este o carte să fie acolo. Am avut o idee, dar nu am reușit să scot mare lucru din ea, dar editorul meu spune că o putem publica. Ar putea funcționa ca avertisment: ai grijă ce alegi la tinerețe, căci va veni o vreme când vei regreta, cine știe?
Regăsire este o carte pe care o citești să treacă timpul sau vrei să bifezi toate cărțile acestei autoare, de la care ai citit alte cărți care ți-au plăcut mult. Kirstin Hannah scrie două categorii de cărți: unele bune și unele să fie acolo, în palmares. Aceasta este o carte să fie acolo. Am avut o idee, dar nu am reușit să scot mare lucru din ea, dar editorul meu spune că o putem publica. Ar putea funcționa ca avertisment: ai grijă ce alegi la tinerețe, căci va veni o vreme când vei regreta, cine știe?
March 19, 2022
This book is VERY dated.
September 11, 2016
Love this author, she doesn't disappoint. She writes about real life topics but not in a chick lit way. Her books keep me engaged the whole way through and look forward to reading more from her.
August 15, 2022
3.5⭐
pierwsza znaczna część była nudnawa, potem było już okej
Jack jest dla mnie skreślony XD piłkarzyk heh
pierwsza znaczna część była nudnawa, potem było już okej
Jack jest dla mnie skreślony XD piłkarzyk heh
September 24, 2011
DISAPPOINTING!this is what i felt about the book.
Jack is the most selfish man who always thought about how he had lost so much and blamed Elizabeth for it,he was never a good husband not a good father ,over the pages you will see how he keeps thinking how many he was tempted to have sex but cause he was married he left them go,he is such a great guy made of steel(his own words) how he mixed what all stars do drink -have sex with loads of woman instead he was stuck with a wife and 2 daughters,his interest in his children is NIL,does'nt remembers wife's birthday's and what are his daughters doing in school,its always Elizabeth that fills him in taht too he does'nt listen he is lost in his own "Poor me victim "world,he embarks on having affair, he is only thinking how he has lost so many things,keeps going in guilt for having sex but keeps having sex with Sally
Elizabeth a good woman,daughter,wife and mother but she was too good for Jack,when she loses her father she goes on discovering herself and goes back to painting,the scenes between Anita-Elizabeth are good,i did not wanted her back with that selfish jerk Jack
Jack is a simple case of "Grass is always greener on other side"when he has Elizabeth and his daughter he wanted to have this freedom and have sex with different woman,he even confesses how he has counted how many he wanted to have sex but let them go only cause he was married and when he has this freedom and great sex with hot woman he wants his wife back cause he is missing the warmth of love so he breaks it off with Sally and goes to Elizabeth and she takes him back no questions asked HEA
We readers are left with so many unsolved cliff hangers,wanted Elizabeth to go and explore her dreams and paintings but she went back to that selfish jerk leaving me more disappointed
a very disappointing book for me
Jack is the most selfish man who always thought about how he had lost so much and blamed Elizabeth for it,he was never a good husband not a good father ,over the pages you will see how he keeps thinking how many he was tempted to have sex but cause he was married he left them go,he is such a great guy made of steel(his own words) how he mixed what all stars do drink -have sex with loads of woman instead he was stuck with a wife and 2 daughters,his interest in his children is NIL,does'nt remembers wife's birthday's and what are his daughters doing in school,its always Elizabeth that fills him in taht too he does'nt listen he is lost in his own "Poor me victim "world,he embarks on having affair, he is only thinking how he has lost so many things,keeps going in guilt for having sex but keeps having sex with Sally
Elizabeth a good woman,daughter,wife and mother but she was too good for Jack,when she loses her father she goes on discovering herself and goes back to painting,the scenes between Anita-Elizabeth are good,i did not wanted her back with that selfish jerk Jack
Jack is a simple case of "Grass is always greener on other side"when he has Elizabeth and his daughter he wanted to have this freedom and have sex with different woman,he even confesses how he has counted how many he wanted to have sex but let them go only cause he was married and when he has this freedom and great sex with hot woman he wants his wife back cause he is missing the warmth of love so he breaks it off with Sally and goes to Elizabeth and she takes him back no questions asked HEA
We readers are left with so many unsolved cliff hangers,wanted Elizabeth to go and explore her dreams and paintings but she went back to that selfish jerk leaving me more disappointed
a very disappointing book for me
July 29, 2016
I liked this book and I didn't like this book. On the one hand, it was a typical "middle-aged woman becomes empty nester, realizes she doesn't have a life of her own because she forgot her dreams years ago, husband only seems to care about his career, so she needs time to find herself" kind of book. But then again, by the second half of the book the characters were better developed, the writing seemed much improved (or was that my imagination?), and the story line felt less shallow and more intimate. I don't know if any of that makes sense, but the first part of the book just didn't work for me. I almost quit reading it, but you know that feeling of having to finish a book you've started. And I usually like Kristin Hannah. There were things in the first half or so that just didn't "click" -- as a for instance, this housewife who takes months to decide what color paint to choose for her bedroom walls suddenly decides she wants French doors in her living room, so she knocks out the wall, frames it in, installs the doors herself. OK.... By the second half of the book, the writing was more detailed, to the point you could just imagine the view of the ocean in your mind's eye and you felt the despair her husband was going through when he realized he blew it big time. If the entire book had been written in the style of the second half of the book, I would have given it 4 stars, but it was uneven in quality, so 3 stars it is.
May 28, 2021
3.5/5 stars. This one was pretty mediocre. I liked the storyline for the most part, but a lot of parts fell flat for me. The ending was super rushed, and left a lot of unanswered questions. The husband, Jack gets the award for most hated fictional husband! I did not like that guy at all. 🤣
November 3, 2023
I really enjoyed this story about a couple coming to terms with their lost marriage and how they individually worked toward finding a way back to each other.
Will they succeed?
Will they succeed?
May 27, 2024
3.5 Stars- Elizabeth is 45 and at a point in her life where she doesn't know what to do with herself. Both of her kids are in college but her marriage of 24 years is falling apart. She has been a housewife and has let go of so many of her dreams. I also want to point out that this book was written in 2002 so it is a little dated. There are cultural references that some might not get. The book alternates between Elizabeth and her husband, Jack.
I myself am 45 and have been married 23 years. My kids are not quite in college but close. This book made me sad because I felt for the main character. When men push the narrative that women should only be homemakers and just worry about the kids, it is not ok. I bring this up because it has been in the news recently and it is the year 2024. A famous sports star was pushing this narrative at a graduation. As this book points out, what happens when the kids are out of the house and the marriage has lost its spark?
I myself have worked my whole life and yes it was hard but I don't feel like Elizabeth. We are the same age and I don't have the same angst. I know I can support myself and have helped many others along the way. My life doesn't just revolve around my husband and kids. This book in some ways was upsetting because women shouldn't have to give all of themselves and then feel lost and alone when the kids move out. Women should pursue their goals and ambitions and not be defined by their husband. Husbands die, cheat, and leave. We shouldn't be dependent on others for our happiness but make our own. The book did end on a happy note but I did struggle with this one simply because I was a little frustrated with the entire situation. I love Kristin Hannah and think she is an amazing writer but this one didn't resonate with me as much as I thought it would.
I myself am 45 and have been married 23 years. My kids are not quite in college but close. This book made me sad because I felt for the main character. When men push the narrative that women should only be homemakers and just worry about the kids, it is not ok. I bring this up because it has been in the news recently and it is the year 2024. A famous sports star was pushing this narrative at a graduation. As this book points out, what happens when the kids are out of the house and the marriage has lost its spark?
I myself have worked my whole life and yes it was hard but I don't feel like Elizabeth. We are the same age and I don't have the same angst. I know I can support myself and have helped many others along the way. My life doesn't just revolve around my husband and kids. This book in some ways was upsetting because women shouldn't have to give all of themselves and then feel lost and alone when the kids move out. Women should pursue their goals and ambitions and not be defined by their husband. Husbands die, cheat, and leave. We shouldn't be dependent on others for our happiness but make our own. The book did end on a happy note but I did struggle with this one simply because I was a little frustrated with the entire situation. I love Kristin Hannah and think she is an amazing writer but this one didn't resonate with me as much as I thought it would.
July 7, 2023
Kristin Hannah has been publishing novels since 1991. This book, Distant Shores, was published in 2002.
I have read 13 other books by Hannah, most written after this one. Compared to other books I have read, this one pales. I am not saying it is a bad book, just that it is far more predictable and less entertaining than her later books.
Elizabeth and Jackson Shore are empty nesters whose marriage has lost its zing. Elizabeth needs something else to overcome the empty nest syndrome and her perception of lost purpose, and concludes that her relationship to Jack is not the answer to her needs. Jack has his problems too as he threw away a golden opportunity in the broadcast booth due to drug abuse and is struggling one step at a time towards redemption.
The story line takes the reader inside the head mostly of the disenchanted Elizabeth, but also provides a chance to see what motivates a disgraced former golden boy to seek his former glory.
3 stars
I have read 13 other books by Hannah, most written after this one. Compared to other books I have read, this one pales. I am not saying it is a bad book, just that it is far more predictable and less entertaining than her later books.
Elizabeth and Jackson Shore are empty nesters whose marriage has lost its zing. Elizabeth needs something else to overcome the empty nest syndrome and her perception of lost purpose, and concludes that her relationship to Jack is not the answer to her needs. Jack has his problems too as he threw away a golden opportunity in the broadcast booth due to drug abuse and is struggling one step at a time towards redemption.
The story line takes the reader inside the head mostly of the disenchanted Elizabeth, but also provides a chance to see what motivates a disgraced former golden boy to seek his former glory.
3 stars
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