Looking Back

This is no Evergreen!

I think Belva Plain has hit a new low. I'd expect this plot from a summer sizzler pocket book, but not from a writer of her quality. The "romance" was not so much romance as it was tinctilating. The women were caricatures, not women. The men, ditto. And the writing style? OK if directed toward 12 year olds, but again, not for devoted adult followers of this fine writer. Hopefully she was just having a bad year. For good Belva Plain try Evergreen, or Random Winds

.....or a real, heartfelt romance by Deborah Smith, called A Place to Call Home.

A Big Disappointment

It is hard to believe that Belva Plain is truly the author of this book. There is little development of the characters and their relationships. The motives for Amanda's and Norma's bad choices are very shallow. I kept reading the book hoping it would deepen but was disappointed to the end.

Masterful

This story is one of the best I have read in a very long time. I started it and finished it all in one day. It was not possible for me to put it down. The characters were so wonderful and complex, yet they still appealed to you. I finished the book with so many emotions running in my head. I just cannot tell you how great the book was to me.

Good but depressing

This is a great book with a great story line but it is a bit depressing. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.

A GREAT READ

I WAS HOOKED ON THIS BOOK FROM THE BEGINNING. I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. THE CHARACTERS WERE SO INTERESTING AND COMPLEX. IT WAS A GREAT STORY WITH A LOT OF SURPRISES. A REALLY WELL WRITTEN BOOK.

Great relationship drama

Norma and Cecile come from wealth with their families knowing one another for years. On the other hand, Amanda has lived her entire life being dirt poor. Only an academic scholarship allows her to attend the same university as Norma and Cecile. The three becomes college roommates and ultimately friends for life in spite of Amanda¿s background.

After graduation, the trio moves on with their lives, but remain friends. Over time, Norma believes Amanda is perfect for her older brother and dreams of the two of them falling in love with one another. However, not everyone in Norma¿s circle accepts white trash, albeit educated, like Amanda. Betrayal between friends and treachery between families and loved ones will soon test the strengths and weaknesses of the friendships.

Plain speaking, very few authors have the ability to develop complete characters for a wide ensemble cast while maintaining a strong story line. Belva Plain consistently furnishes her fans with deep characters involved in complex relationships inside real plots. Her latest relationship drama, LOOKING BACK, does all that and more as the inner thoughts and ambitions of the three friends are exposed with their deep-rooted values betrayed. Ms. Plain provides her readers with another intricate look at the human condition.

Harriet Klausner

Stunning!

For these three friends, love, family ties, betrayal and loyalty all become part of daily life. The readers will find themselves engrossed in clever plots and amazing innocents. The twists and turns in Belva Plain's newest novel are surprising. The loveless marriage and the complete betrayal of everything and everyone will expose the three friends to their innermost feelings about themselves. The dynamics of ambition and betrayal are stunning.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.