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ruthhill74
Posted June 8, 2012
I have to admit that as I read through the first part of this book, I wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into. The book was hard to follow. I struggled to keep the characters straight. The perspective kept switching between Rose and Ellen, and most of the time, I couldn't remember who was the mother and who was the daughter. About a third of the way into the book, I finally got all the characters figured out so that was no longer a problem. And I settled in to enjoy a very different kind of story.
The entire premise behind the book is truly intriguing. A mother, Rose, is dying of brain cancer, and she has a very strained relationship with her only daughter, not to mention many of the other members of her family. Her Catholic faith is very important to her, so getting things right with her daughter and God are paramount before she can be released to die. She has to keep fighting until all is as settled as it can be. Then and only then can she die in peace.
Her only daughter, Ellen, begins to uncover a secret past she never knew about her mother. And it is upsetting, to say the least. What she believed she always knew about her mother is not true. And her other family members just tell her to not bring up any of these unsettling topics as her mother lays dying. But somehow, Ellen just cannot do that. She has to get some answers to try to figure out who in the world she is. Even if it means experiencing pain like she has never known before.
The characters in the book come across as genuine characters with all sorts of baggage and issues. But it is evident that Rose and Ellen have big hearts. They are willing to give up everything to take care of their families. And both do give up a lot. I would venture to say Rose resents it, and the epilogue certainly makes me feel better about Ellen and her choices!
While this book is written in a very easy-to-read style, I cannot get away from a couple of issues that bother me. I do not like the profanity that comes out as rather inopportune times, but that is not to be avoided in this day and age. Thankfully it is not as bad as some books I have read. I also cannot agree with the sexual morals in the book, but I also understand that sometimes things happen in that area. I am glad that there are no vivid sexual scenes.
One of my favorite parts of the book is the popular style in which it is written. It seems that the style of vogue is to use flashbacks to fill in missing details. While one detail in Rose's life is never filled in (but I think the reader has enough information to guess what happened), I find this style quite fascinating. It made the first part of the book hard to follow (as I already alluded to), but I can certainly commend the writer for doing and expert job at writing this style. It is not easy, but she certainly seems to know what she is doing. I also enjoyed the emphasis on the Catholic faith in spite of everything. It is nice to see people at least believing in God and caring what He think especially in a secular book such as this.
I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated in any way, and all opinions are mine.
JenRenJM
Posted June 8, 2012
The House on Prospect – Bernadette Walsh
With a strong sense of family, no matter what happens it comes down to love.
I really enjoyed the story and the message. It made me want to call my mom and just tell her hello and that I love her, and I appreciate everything she has done for me in my life.
I laughed, I cried, I was even mad at times....this for me is the sign of a great author...making me feel all these emotions – shows me I was invested in the story and the outcome.
Beautifully written family love story
BonnieFL
Posted May 28, 2012
I received this book as a R2R. As soon as I started it I could not put it down. It is the story of three generations of women with an Irish background. About a small house on Prospect Street the lives of these women and their familiy secrets are told. We start with the middle of the story and go back and forth in time learning about it all. The story of the ex-nun, the single mother, the missing father, the death of another father, the abuse, the love, the affairs, the neighbors and the coming together of it all. Completely moving emotinally charged story. I give it a five star rating.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.THESELF-TAUGHTCOOK
Posted April 27, 2012
THE HOUSE ON PROSPECT
Genre – Women’s Fiction
Format – eBook: January 11, 2012
Ellen Murphy has spent her entire life surrounded by secrets. Her childhood was full of secrets and things not discussed. As an adult, she has continued the practice into her marriage. Now, her mother has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and Ellen has gone home to care for her, albeit grudgingly. As she spends time with her mother and family, she begins to unravel the family history, and in the process, learns what she wants and needs in her adult life.
Ms. Walsh has written an excellent novel on the intricacies of family life. Her exploration of the mother/daughter relationship speaks to mothers and daughters everywhere. She shows the often painful relationship between family members, especially when secrets are buried. Not only is it just a really good read, but anyone who has ever needed closure in a relationship or found themselves approaching middle age and realizing they need to change will see themselves in this novel.
DISCLOSURE
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*
achickwhoreads
Posted April 26, 2012
I totally read this book on the wrong day. I started it on the anniversary of my grandma's death. Needless to say, I cried through the book. It is an emotionally charged read and I was over emotional reading it.
It is however a worthy read. The story is Harlequin in length, but that doesn't mean that the plot doesn't pack a punch, because it does. You get the story of two lives, mother and daughter. One ending and one on the verge of beginning again.
I have to say, I loved Rose, the mom that wanted to be a nun. Ellen, not so much. There was something about her character that irked me. I think it was her lack of forgiveness throughout most of the story, as well as her sticking with her husband when he was a cad (or any other nasty word you'd like to choose). But the thing is, this behavior made her real, and even though I didn't like her very much, she is the reason I loved Rose.
Rose had a horrible life, yet it was a good one, filled with love from most of the people around her, and though having Ellen might not have been the best choice, she loved and would have done anything for her daughter. I think that's what made the way Ellen treated her so hard to take.
I love how things slowly come together. It is a shame it had to be through her mother dying. It was nice that she really ended up with a true family at the end, the kind she wanted, however dysfunctional it may be.
If you like stories that feel like they are happening in the "real world," then you must read The House On Prospect.
DaniC
Posted April 26, 2012
When I started reading The House on Prospect and I didn’t get up until I was done. I felt like I was a part of the lives of these wonderful characters and I did not want to leave.
This is an easy but emotional read. I could see these characters as well as I can see my own family. I was touched by the emotions I felt so much that several times I had tears falling to my cheeks. Bernadette Walsh has created a place that feels so real, it is amazing.
If you are looking for a moving story about family, life, love and death; this is it. I highly recommend The House on Prospect.
RIA_Reviews
Posted April 25, 2012
The House on Prospect was such a wonderful book. Having been in a paranormal / YA trend (aren't I always), this book was a big change for me. I was in no way disappointed. Bernadette Walsh created a believable story with beautiful characters.
Rose is amazing. She is brave, kind, and so forgiving of others. She must be one of the strongest women I've read about. I don't know how others will perceive her but that is what I got from her story. Her struggles in life have been difficult and she has always stayed a caring and loving woman. As she is dealing with her disease and her past I just loved her more.
Ellen is a tough woman. She has turned a blind eye to things in her life instead of dealing with them. She shut out her family. She is prickly and upset a lot. Really, it's all because she is lost. As she begins to find her way, she changes. I was happy about that. She is not a bad character, just very hurt by secrets in her past. She is still strong, and by the end of the book she has really grown as a woman.
The other characters were well written and developed. Molly was all no-nonsense and I loved her. Maura made me laugh at her parts. Billy was a sweet man. Sometimes he was frustrating but he helped Ellen through the tough times so well. Kitty frustrated me some. The more I considered it, the more I thought, maybe she did what she did for Rose. Sometimes I just found her to be selfish.
The House on Prospect was happy, sad, and angry, all rolled into one book. Walsh created a beautiful story, where a mother and daughter finally learn to let go of the past and forgive. I couldn't put it down, and I loved every moment.
Overview
When her mother Rose, an ex-nun, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Ellen reluctantly returns home to care for her and uncovers a clue to the one secret that has haunted Ellen all her life: the identity of her father. But that is just one of the many ...