The Qualities of Wood [NOOK Book]

( 3 )

Overview

A haunting and beautifully written debut novel by an exciting new talent.When Betty Gardiner dies, leaving behind an unkempt country home, her grandson and his young wife take a break from city life to prepare the house for sale. Nowell Gardiner leaves first to begin work on his second mystery novel. By the time his wife Vivian joins him, a real mystery has begun: a local girl has been found dead in the woods behind the house. Even after the death is ruled an accident, Vivian can’t forget the girl, can’t ignore ...
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The Qualities of Wood

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More About This Book

Overview

A haunting and beautifully written debut novel by an exciting new talent.When Betty Gardiner dies, leaving behind an unkempt country home, her grandson and his young wife take a break from city life to prepare the house for sale. Nowell Gardiner leaves first to begin work on his second mystery novel. By the time his wife Vivian joins him, a real mystery has begun: a local girl has been found dead in the woods behind the house. Even after the death is ruled an accident, Vivian can’t forget the girl, can’t ignore the strange behaviour of her neighbours, or her husband. As Vivian attempts to put the house in order, all around her things begin to fall apart.‘The Qualities of Wood’ is a stunning novel from an exciting new writer. Perfect for readers of Anne Tyler and Anita Shreve.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780007469505
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication date: 1/31/2012
  • Sold by: Harper Collins UK
  • Format: eBook
  • Edition description: ePub edition
  • Pages: 370
  • Sales rank: 673,807
  • File size: 501 KB

Meet the Author

Mary Vensel White was born in Los Angeles and raised in Lancaster, California. She graduated from the University of Denver and lived for five years in Chicago, where she completed an MA in English at DePaul University. Her short fiction has appeared in The Wisconsin Review and Foothills Literary Journal. The Qualities of Wood is her first novel.
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5
( 3 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(1)

4 Star

(1)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews

  • Posted March 26, 2012

    Vivian Gardiner is a city girl at heart. When Vivian and her hus

    Vivian Gardiner is a city girl at heart. When Vivian and her husband Nowell headed out to the sticks to clean up his grandparent’s home, she knew the country would take some getting used to. But when a young girl is found dead in the woods (practically in their own backyard), Vivian's instincts immediately perk up and she begins to notice everything and everyone around her.

    The Qualities of Wood took me completely by surprise. While the cornerstone of the story is the death of a young girl, I felt like the real story was about relationships. It's about what happens when words are left unsaid and secrets remain hidden. Everything in the dark comes to the light, but what if the people who made the cause are not there to make amends?

    Mary Vensel White's writing is very fluid. She understands that depth of human emotion and the complexities that can only be found when love is present.

    I really enjoyed this novel and you will too.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 21, 2012

    Weedclaw

    Stalks a family of rabbits and kils them then grabs 5 micr 9 animals

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 20, 2012

    Disappointing ending

    The book read well and I kept plugging along to get to the ending. However, the ending was so disappointing I wish I hadn't read the book. It leads you along to believe one thing, and then when you get there it's a very lame ending.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
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