Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Walking with Elephants, a lighthearted slice-of-life story, brings to the table the serious work/family issues facing women today. It explores the modern dichotomy of a workplace that is filled with homemakers who still must cook, clean, carpool on nights and weekends, shop for prom dresses, and "create" the holidays-such as Suze. But it also is filled with women who have the same drive as men, have no family responsibilities, and will do what ever it takes to get ahead.
So step into the shoes of Suze Hall and commiserate over workplace politics, titillate your sexual fantasies, ride the wave of a working mother, and fall-down laughing.
TurningThePagesBlog
Posted August 21, 2012
This book was a wonderful read, and I really connected with Suze the main character which I wasn't expecting. Since I'm only 22 I didn't think that I would get so attached to Suze since she's a middle aged woman and I'm the age of her children but she was such an awesome, likable character that I read this book in one sitting.
Just like the summary promises this is a light, easy going novel. I loved the plot of the novel because even though it could be a little fantastical sometimes I think the situations that Karen S. Bell wrote about in the book could easily be happening to a real woman. I actually think that that is what I enjoyed the most about the novel. It was so approachable and it was pretty much a "what you see is what you get" type of novel.
Walking With Elephant was a great bedtime read for me and it was one that I couldn't put down. I found myself laughing out loud so often while I was reading I'm surprised my neighbours didn't complain for all the cackling I did when I read it. I especially enjoyed the situations in which Suze's kids were in certain scenes because the conversations remind me of how my mother talks to me.
Overall this was an immensley enjoyable read and one that helped get me out of my mini reading funk. The realistic portrayal of a middle aged woman's life was written wonderfully done. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves chick lit. This is a quick read that it would work well as a weekend read up at the cottage or one that you could read in the backyard.
<b>*I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. I was not compensated in any way for my review and all thoughts and opinions are mine.
</b>
Reviewed by Stephanie D. for Readers Favorite
"Walking with Elephants" by Karen S Bell is chick lit for older women. Let’s call it hen lit. That immediately makes it more complex since Suze is not only having to cope with career and personal insecurities, but also with her family. Her life is a perpetual juggling act, not helped a great deal by husband Bob who comes across as cold and selfish in this novel. Suze still loves him but you do have to wonder why at times. Bob seems more than happy to head off on a six month sabbatical in Australia leaving his wife and kids behind at what is a difficult time for Suze. There has been restructuring at work and she is now editing art books, and she knows nothing about art. This might well be her downfall. However, this new post brings her into contact with her ex David, an artist, and this is almost certainly going to cause problems.
Bell is a very readable author. She has a light yet confident hand, and creates some fascinating characters. Possibly a couple of them are a little predictable - the unmarried best friend and the gay male confidante at work - and it is also slightly confusing and puzzling to have Suze’s son and ex both being Davids when there are so many other names to choose from out there! But you don’t mind too much since this book is generally such an entertaining read. Yet it makes some valid points about how tricky life can be for working women and how tough growing older is sometimes. Thought provoking escapism from a talented writer.
Anonymous
Posted June 3, 2012
Every woman I know has had not this exact experience but the same kind of experience and felt that freezing moment of panic when your world not only gets turned upside down but squashed. Funny story , well written with some laugh out loud moments. Has a dash of Erma Bombeck and a pinch of Gloria Steinem. A very nice way to spend an afternoon in the sun.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 14, 2012
Overall a very good book. It kept my attention well, which is a difficult task these days. I loved the female empowerment message, and I liked that it wasn't a slap in the face. It was a strong message without being overdone. I really like a book and character that I can identify with. Having three small boys at home while trying to go to school, get everything done at home, and support my husband by helping him run his business all at the same time, I completely identify with Suze. I would say good job on this one.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 17, 2012
"Walking With Elephants" by Karen S. Bell was a very good read for me.
Believe me when I say the name of this Book and Cover will throw you
because I was truly in for a different ride until I read this novel and was Truly Surprised!
I was able to relate to many of the thoughts of Ms. Bell. Many times
women such as Suze Hall who is a middle aged woman are presented with life....husband, children,housework, job(corporate world) and then there are friends... even an ex lover(former flame). Truly Suze was stressed to the Max!
This story was truly a real one in that it really showed just what happens in real life to many of... us women. Many women today are faced with a lots of basic life...work and family issues. How we handle them are sometime very interesting ....as in Suze's case.
I found myself laughing so hard at a lot as I read this novel... for I found it completely honest in more ways than one. How Suze handles everything makes this truly a interesting read. The author really did a wonderful job at showing emotions, making us laugh out loud, to frustrations, to angry and even some sympathy.
Truly being Suze for a day will be a real ride... whether its in the workplace,sex fantasies, or the hard working mom.... you will enjoy this read.
"Walking With Elephants" was truly a good read and I am sure if you are
a working mom now or in the past... you are able relate to Suze and will definitely enjoy this fun read.
KLucas
Posted March 15, 2012
Walking with Elephants is a good first novel written by Karen S. Bell. Suze Hall is a working mother whose husband takes a six month sabbatical to Australia right after she reunites with her old college flame at a chance meeting. The characters are well developed and Suze’s friends Marcia and Elliott are very entertaining. Other than the misleading title, my only issue was the authors repeated use of stream of consciousness thinking that distracted from the good storyline.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Suze Hall is finding out that she is at a crossroads in her life. This is not your average mid-life crisis either. Suze is married to Bob, who announces to her one day that he is taking a 6 month sabbatical from his job to head to Australia and conduct a research project.
Suze is confused until Bob tells her that he plans on going alone, and it's only 6 months. Her oldest son, Skip announces on the eve of Bob's departure that he plans on moving out to a dorm closer to his college class. Even though it's still local, another one is planning on leaving the nest.
Not to mention that just when she thinks nothing else can happen to rock her world, she finds out the publishing company where she works is being bought out, her boss forced into an early retirement and now her worst nemesis at work, Wanda, is being promoted to her new boss. When she doesn't think it can get much worse, she is assigned to promote art books in which she knows nothing about.
Fearing her latest boss is out to finally get her fired from the company for lack of competence in her job, Suze only confidants in the world are her crazy college friend Marcia who remains single and whose lifestyle Suze lives vicariously through on occasions and Elliot, her gay co-worker who lives for art and promises to help her keep her job and learn more about it.
The artist Elliots wants to introduce her to is the up and coming hottest artist on the scene David Braemer, her old college ex who is doing more than rekindling old college memories.
I received the novel Walking With Elephants by Karen S. Bell compliments of TLC Book Tours for my honest review and could easily relate to a lot of the circumstances that are brought up in the book by the character of Suze in the way she feels she looks now in her mid forties waking up first thing and looking in the mirror, to comments made about her weight by her husband and kids in an off handed manor, to wondering if this six months without her husband will be a good thing for her after all. Without giving it away this book offers you a virtual vacation in the way Suze decides to handle this crossroads, physic connection to the cosmos or not.
This book is available in paperback format. I highly recommend this book at a 4.5 star rating out of 5. This is definitely something most women in their forties can relate to with a smile and much laughter.
BookReviewsByMolly
Posted January 27, 2011
If you read this book, you may be like me and think that there is NO way this is a DEBUT novel by this fantastic author. She is extremely talented and really grips different emotions in this book, from hilarious laugh-out-loud thoughts, to anger, to sympathy. But, her understanding of what a reader wants brings it all together to blend together perfectly in one extreme, entertaining read.
While I was not crazy about the title, Walking With Elephants (it wouldn't have really caught my eye had I seen it in a store.), I loved the story. Suze Hall is trying to make things come together, being a homemaker, wife, career woman, and mother, while still trying to keep her cool. And, just when things are changing at work, and she still has her "routine" at home, bam! Her hubby, Bob, slams news on her that is interesting: he's taking his 6 month sabbatical soon. TO AUSTRALIA! As if Suze didn't need one more thing to think about. Then enter her ex boyfriend. What on earth will she do now? Being a single parent of two rambunctious boys myself, I really enjoyed reading Suze's story and feeling lightened by it!
Karen S. Bell really did a fantastic job with this book. She made it hilarious from page one, and kept me laughing throughout. It is VERY entertaining and one that I would DEFINITELY read again. I encourage everyone, while there is some mild language (nothing over bearing), to read this laugh-out-loud 4 star book. It will be worth the time to read it! Well done, Karen!
*Reviewed for TLC Book Tours*
Overview