Book Review: Here on Earth

Author: Alice Hoffman

Read: 7/19-7/25/12

Snapshot (taken from the book cover): 

When March Murray travels East with her teenage daughter to attend the funeral of the beloved housekeeper who looked after her when she was growing up, March's past comes rushing up to meet her. The present is quickly dominated by the lurking presence of her former lover, Hollis, who has patiently awaited her long overdue return. The tale is populated by those for whom love brings more sorrow than happiness: a woman afraid to commit to a relationship, a husband in love with someone other than his wife, two young people who fall for each other only to find they are close relatives, and the self-destructing love of Hollis and March. While love has the power to transform those who fall under its spell--devotion to an old racehorse turns March's daughter, a sullen teenager, into a strong young woman--the love March herself suffers robs her of nearly all sense and goodness. Hoffman deftly weaves her characters' stories against a vivid New England landscape where the past always has a grip on the present. And the listener is left at the end both satisfied and longing to hear more.

Mandy Thinks:

This was another great read. I stumbled upon this book when I saw another book by Alice Hoffman, The Dovekeepers, which is my next read.  I thought I would try a couple books by this author and see how it went.  The book was definitely slow, but in a way that made you want to read a little more each day to see where the story would go.  The characters all had some similarities which was interesting.  They all were tied together by some kind of love they were experiencing and their interpretation of what love is and means.  

The book revolves around March and at the beginning of the book you get the sense that she is a strong willed character and her daughter has similar qualities, but in a teenage version.  As the book progresses, March becomes consumed with her re-ignited passion for her ex Hollis and slowly her own identity slips away and she starts losing herself and the control she has over her life.  As this is happening, her daughter Gwen starts becoming a more independent and passionate person and starts growing into her own skin.  Its almost as if the roles are reversed and Gwen starts to see more clearly as March starts living in a haze. 

The end of the book is a little anti-climatic but wraps up the story so you feel good about all of the characters - a happy ending of sorts.  It was a well written book and I'm interested to see what kind of story The Dovekeepers ends up being.  

Top 5 things I learned from this book: 

1. Ex boyfriends or lovers are exes for a reason. The past needs to stay in the past!
2. Never underestimate a husband who is caring, devoted and takes care of you. 
3. If you notice that your car stops working as does the phone and your current affair never wants you to leave the house, the relationship is probably heading in a bad direction.
4. Do you have any children? They should be your top priority and try not to ignore them so you can have an affair. Bad parenting!
5. People keep secrets and tell lies. It creates a distance and should be avoided at all costs. Go out and tell your loved ones that they shouldn't be wearing that ugly sweater - it will do you both a favor!