Blessings: A Novel

The style of writing and the language is excellent. While easy to read, I found myself checking the dictionary more often than I have with other books, which delights me. The characters seem like real people and I won’t forget this story. The dialogue flows naturally and well defines the characters. The story is that of an abandoned baby and the people who find and love her. I had a feeling that it would end badly and was almost tempted to look at the end, but I didn’t. I read it in two days; could hardly put it down. It’s been on my Kindle for a long time, probably two years. I’ve recently decided to either read or delete lots of my older books, so I started this with a ho hum attitude, but got engrossed very early on. I highly recommend this book.

At first I expected a different kind of book, but it turned out to be a quiet and unexpected novel about a family with a past and the psychological turns after a newborn is left at the doorstep of the Blessings Estate.There are three main parallel stories about mothers and daughters, much different, unpredictable in their outcomes.There were very few things I missed, it takes patience to dive into the Blessings family‘s history, and I would have loved to know a bit more about Skip‘s life. Without a spoiler I cannot say much more, the ending left me a tiny bit dissatisfied, but than that is life.What are (happy) endings anyway?A good book.

This book was quite complex with so many characters. It’s ending was sad in so many ways. Goodness shone through, however, as well as the resilience of the human spirit.

I love Anna Quindlen (got to meet her once!) but found this particular story hard to embrace, for some reasons. The characters were well drawn, and the house memorable, but the clip of the events didn’t lock in to gear for me. Fragmented, maybe. Would have liked more about Sonny and less about Skip’s friends…I stayed with it, and wanted to know the ending, but not with the anticipation I typically have for her other books. Sigh.

After a few starts and stops, I finally gave my full attention to Anna Quindlen's Blessings and was determined to finish. Although the beginning failed to hook me, once I reached the meat of the story, there was no turning back. A story of an elderly woman, a convicted felon, and an aspiring young doctor whose lives all come together as a result of the unexpected appearance of a child.The setting of the novel, Blessings, a rural family retreat, is not only idyllic in location, but also a domicile of familial dysfunction, both past and present. Through careful unveiling, Quindlen highlights the tragedy associated with truths withheld over generations.What was refreshing was the life, revitalization, and perspective of the female protagonist, Lydia. While philosophizing about life itself, she explains the tragedy of young death, the shock of middle-age death, and the inevitability of elderly death, how herstory, in essence, revolves around the loss of others. In addition, kudos to Quindlen for allowing the younger male and female in the novel to have meaningful interaction without the presence of romance.For the purposes of book club, a picnic lunch near a creek much like Lydia shared with Benny and Sunny as adolescents complete with bacon sandwiches, peanut butter cookies, and a big Ball jar of lemonade may be the perfect conversation starter.

This novel captivated me from beginning to end. The characters were well developed and engaging . The twists and turns of the story were unpredictable and yet satisfying. Quindlen created a powerful story about people that discover themselves in unexpected ways. I loved it.

A newborn baby is abandoned at an estate called Blessings and is discovered by the young caretaker. The story that follows is a heart warming tale with wonderfully rich characters. There are many tender and sweet moments that made my eyes fill. Descriptions of an old, closed-off woman gradually opening up to the marvels of a small infant. A young man discovering he is an important part of someone's life. And the simple discoveries a baby makes every day. Quindlen has an interesting writing style. She doesn't describe her characters in full at the beginning, but reveals them layer by layer as the story evolves, like making a new friend in real life. The two main characters, Charles "Skip" Cuddy and Mrs. Lydia Blessing are absolute jewels and well worth getting to know. If you need a lift, this is the perfect book to read. And if you know a friend who needs to feel good about something, give them this book to read. It is a story for sharing.

At first I expected a religious story from the title. I really enjoyed this story of a small town, wealthy old family with many secrets. The "locals" had their own problems too.

verbose and a big disappoinment

My third Anna Quindlen book and it didn't disappoint. Her characters are so multi faceted, I'm sure most of them exist, somewhere. Perhaps a little slow at the beginning but allow it to build around you as it surely will. Now, I wonder which of her books I will read, and no doubt enjoy, next.

I liked way the different characters were brought together by circumstances and how they reacted to each other and the circumstances. Well written.

Having only recently discovered Anna Quindlen with 'Black and Blue' I was keen to find out if a second book would be as good. I was not disappointed. Quindlen writes with imagination in prose which paints a affectionate picture of small town America. 'Blessings' is a delightful story.

Another super read from this terrific writer. I didn’t want it to end