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Sweet Forgiveness
#1 international bestselling author Lori Nelson Spielman follows The Life List with Sweet Forgiveness , in which a woman’s receipt of two “forgiveness stones” sends her searching for atonement
The Forgiveness Stones craze is sweeping the nation—instantly recognizable pouches of stones that come with a chain letter and two simple requests: to forgive, and then to seek forgiveness. But New Orleans' favorite talk show host, Hannah Farr, isn't biting. Intensely private and dating the city’s mayor, Hannah has kept her very own pouch of Forgiveness Stones hidden for two years—and her dark past concealed for nearly two decades. But when Fiona Knowles, creator of the Forgiveness Stones, appears on Hannah’s show, Hannah unwittingly reveals on air details of a decades-old falling out with her mother.
Spurned by her fans, doubted by her friends, and accused by her boyfriend of marring his political career, Hannah reluctantly embarks on a public journey of forgiveness. As events from her past become clearer, the truth she’s clung to since her teenage years has never felt murkier. Hannah must find the courage to right old wrongs, or risk losing her mother, and any glimmer of an authentic life, forever.
The Forgiveness Stones craze is sweeping the nation—instantly recognizable pouches of stones that come with a chain letter and two simple requests: to forgive, and then to seek forgiveness. But New Orleans' favorite talk show host, Hannah Farr, isn't biting. Intensely private and dating the city’s mayor, Hannah has kept her very own pouch of Forgiveness Stones hidden for two years—and her dark past concealed for nearly two decades. But when Fiona Knowles, creator of the Forgiveness Stones, appears on Hannah’s show, Hannah unwittingly reveals on air details of a decades-old falling out with her mother.
Spurned by her fans, doubted by her friends, and accused by her boyfriend of marring his political career, Hannah reluctantly embarks on a public journey of forgiveness. As events from her past become clearer, the truth she’s clung to since her teenage years has never felt murkier. Hannah must find the courage to right old wrongs, or risk losing her mother, and any glimmer of an authentic life, forever.
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2015
About the author
Lori Nelson Spielman
9 books1,589 followersLori Nelson Spielman is a former speech pathologist, guidance counselor, and teacher of homebound students. She enjoys fitness running, traveling, and reading, though writing is her true passion. Her first novel, The Life List, has been published in over thirty countries and optioned by Fox 2000. Her second novel, Sweet Forgiveness, was also an international bestseller. Her third book, The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany, releases November 17, 2020. She lives in Michigan with her husband and their very spoiled puppy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 507 reviews
December 27, 2015
Sweet Forgiveness is a women's fiction novel written by author Lori Nelson Spielman. The overall theme of this story is the value and power of forgiveness. I've always heard the phrase, "forgive and forget"...we move on, we start fresh, the wrong never happened, right? Well, yes, that may be the spirit of forgiveness. It's hard to believe that true forgiveness has been granted is the offended keeps bringing it up. But Ms. Spielman wrote two particular quotes on the matter that altered my perspective a bit:
Overall, I liked this novel. I'll leave it up to individual readers to decide if it's the book for them but a theme that advocates for forgiveness is one that many can surely benefit from.
My favorite quote:
"For every candle we blow out we light another. What a journey of trial and error this human experience is. The shame and guilt we carry are tempered by moments of grace and humility. In the end, we can only hope that the light we cast outshines the darkness we create."
"I believe forgiveness is even sweeter when it’s granted with a vivid memory, when someone’s fully aware of the pain the other person has caused, yet they make a choice to forgive anyway. Isn’t that more generous than putting blinders on and pretending the grievance never happened?"While the subject of forgiveness isn't anything new in women's fiction, I thought Ms. Spielman's use of forgiveness stones in her storyline was quite unique. It seemed like a non-confrontational way to seek forgiveness while leaving an open door to communication and I enjoyed this element very much. In an online interview found HERE, Ms. Spielman shared the following inspiration for the forgiveness stone concept:
“An apology doesn't erase our blunders. It's more like a strike-through. We always know the mistake is there, just beneath the black line. And if we search for it, we can still see it. But over time, our eyes begin to look past the error, and we only see the new message, clearer this time, and more thoughtfully penned.”
"The idea of the "forgiveness stones" was a combination of a friendship bracelet circulating with some of my young students, and a movie called Pay it Forward. What if, instead of paying forward good deeds, we were paying forward apologies and forgiveness? What if each recipient of the “forgiveness bracelet” was expected to forgive, then pass a second bracelet and an apology on to someone else, and so forth? But a bracelet seemed too public for an act as private as forgiveness. Stones are ancient and accessible. I loved their symbolism of strength, their use in building bridges, but also in building walls, which is exactly what our apologies and grudges can do."In addition to the focal theme of forgiveness, Ms. Spielman also included other elements such as family secrets, parental estrangement, setting personal boundaries, being assertive, making amends, living with self-acceptance versus shame, and the importance of respect, value, and honesty in every relationship. However, I struggled with an element that Ms. Spielman incorporated involving
Overall, I liked this novel. I'll leave it up to individual readers to decide if it's the book for them but a theme that advocates for forgiveness is one that many can surely benefit from.
My favorite quote:
"For every candle we blow out we light another. What a journey of trial and error this human experience is. The shame and guilt we carry are tempered by moments of grace and humility. In the end, we can only hope that the light we cast outshines the darkness we create."
December 18, 2015
I loved this one even more than Spielman's first book, The Life List (but you should read both!). Spielman has such a gift for creating living, breathing characters -- even the minor players are so well formed. I love that about this author. She also has a knack for cliff-hanger chapter endings and plots that always keep you wondering, so you have to read "one more chapter" before you can put it down. Then one more chapter. And soon, you find the day is over and all you've done is read this book--and you're not the least bit sorry about that. I already can't wait for her next book.
October 29, 2015
This is one of those well written books that I enjoyed during the first 2/3rds of the story. Then, the subtly of the author's apologist stance toward sexual criminals - particularly one focused almost exclusively toward females, teaching them that they should neither trust their perceptions nor their memories - an agenda that is both misogynistic and treacly, came pouring forth. For the countless individuals who have experience sexual abuse of all forms and flavors, this is a particularly disturbing story.
The protagonist who begins the story certain of her stepfather's intentional grasping of her crotch at the age of 13 (when he is reportedly carrying her from the livingroom couch to her bedroom - since when does a healthy 13 year old ever need to be CARRIED to bed?), is left (by the end of the book) both uncertain and unclear about what genuinely happened that night, so decides that she must doubt herself and her own intentions about what occurred both that night and in the years afterwards. In addition to doubting herself and her motivations, she listens to an old, guilt-riddled friend who comes to believe that "forgiveness" is the golden path toward preparing for death and easing her concience, regardless of who might be harmed by such "confessions". The author explicitly states that even after the protagonist learns that her stepsister was also a victim of sexual abuse (presumably by the same stepfather), that it is "BEST" to just live with uncertainty and not make any effort to clarify the FACTS or even look at the presumed photographic evidence she, eventually, finds.
As a professional mental health provider, I assure you that the author is clearly and unequivocally stating that DENIAL of TRUTH is the most generous and noble path to take toward "forgiving" someone - that sweeping dirt under the rug is equivalent to "forgiveness". Pure, unequivocal BS!!!!!!!!!
This is a classic rationalization approach that thousands upon thousands of pedophiles, all over the globe, typically use to cover up their own actions and avoid all forms of culpability. It's called "blaming the victim" and her/his thought processes and sanity level. It is precisely the approach that leads to one generation of an incestuous family passing that pathology onto all future generations, by calling denial and confusion/vagueness/dissociation the same concepts as "forgiveness". Nothing could be more wrong nor more harmful to promote!
While the author attempts to portray herself as an "expert" on the topic of "forgiveness", nothing could be further from the truth. She is merely muddying the waters with fake versions of "forgiveness" without being willing to seriously or deeply look at the the pathological roles that incestuous families set up to keep their "family secrets" permanently silenced (thus exposing neighborhood children and all sorts of other naive, high-risk kids to be sexually exploited - not to mention the traumatizing effects on the survivor of the abuse). From all this author is subtly implying, we should throw away our courts and jails and never seek any form of justice, when one person seriously harms another. All we need to do is simply "forgive" anyone engaged in destructive behaviors towards others and let them continue freely wandering around in public to continue victimizing whomever they'd like, whenever they'd like - especially if it's harmful toward girls and women (the most likely victims of domestic violence and sexual crimes).
Clearly, this author knows nothing about human psychology and is ignorant about so many important relationship concepts, it could break records. As far as I'm concerned, this book is even worse than standard "pop psychology" drivel, as it does everything possible to shove all of the educational and therapeutic efforts gained toward halting family violence/sexual abuse and set it all back 50+ years. This author is not a professional, licensed mental health clinician, thus her perspectives on these topics are both unenlightened and dis-empowering for whomever decides to read this literary equivalent to the sick and twisted notions found within "the Fifty Shades of Gray" and its ilk.
The protagonist who begins the story certain of her stepfather's intentional grasping of her crotch at the age of 13 (when he is reportedly carrying her from the livingroom couch to her bedroom - since when does a healthy 13 year old ever need to be CARRIED to bed?), is left (by the end of the book) both uncertain and unclear about what genuinely happened that night, so decides that she must doubt herself and her own intentions about what occurred both that night and in the years afterwards. In addition to doubting herself and her motivations, she listens to an old, guilt-riddled friend who comes to believe that "forgiveness" is the golden path toward preparing for death and easing her concience, regardless of who might be harmed by such "confessions". The author explicitly states that even after the protagonist learns that her stepsister was also a victim of sexual abuse (presumably by the same stepfather), that it is "BEST" to just live with uncertainty and not make any effort to clarify the FACTS or even look at the presumed photographic evidence she, eventually, finds.
As a professional mental health provider, I assure you that the author is clearly and unequivocally stating that DENIAL of TRUTH is the most generous and noble path to take toward "forgiving" someone - that sweeping dirt under the rug is equivalent to "forgiveness". Pure, unequivocal BS!!!!!!!!!
This is a classic rationalization approach that thousands upon thousands of pedophiles, all over the globe, typically use to cover up their own actions and avoid all forms of culpability. It's called "blaming the victim" and her/his thought processes and sanity level. It is precisely the approach that leads to one generation of an incestuous family passing that pathology onto all future generations, by calling denial and confusion/vagueness/dissociation the same concepts as "forgiveness". Nothing could be more wrong nor more harmful to promote!
While the author attempts to portray herself as an "expert" on the topic of "forgiveness", nothing could be further from the truth. She is merely muddying the waters with fake versions of "forgiveness" without being willing to seriously or deeply look at the the pathological roles that incestuous families set up to keep their "family secrets" permanently silenced (thus exposing neighborhood children and all sorts of other naive, high-risk kids to be sexually exploited - not to mention the traumatizing effects on the survivor of the abuse). From all this author is subtly implying, we should throw away our courts and jails and never seek any form of justice, when one person seriously harms another. All we need to do is simply "forgive" anyone engaged in destructive behaviors towards others and let them continue freely wandering around in public to continue victimizing whomever they'd like, whenever they'd like - especially if it's harmful toward girls and women (the most likely victims of domestic violence and sexual crimes).
Clearly, this author knows nothing about human psychology and is ignorant about so many important relationship concepts, it could break records. As far as I'm concerned, this book is even worse than standard "pop psychology" drivel, as it does everything possible to shove all of the educational and therapeutic efforts gained toward halting family violence/sexual abuse and set it all back 50+ years. This author is not a professional, licensed mental health clinician, thus her perspectives on these topics are both unenlightened and dis-empowering for whomever decides to read this literary equivalent to the sick and twisted notions found within "the Fifty Shades of Gray" and its ilk.
July 8, 2016
De vez em quando lá leio um livro num dia. Mas quando digo num dia é mesmo num dia, durante 24 horas. Mas já há muito tempo que um livro não me prendia ao ponto de o acabar em 6 horas! Adorei completamente este livro e vou já ler o outro da autora. E depois desesperar por ela não ter mais nenhum!!!
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Por vezes as melhores leituras e as maiores surpresas vêm através de leituras que nem estavam planeadas para acontecer tão cedo.
Foi o caso deste livro, cuja autora nunca tinha ouvido falar até a Topseller ter anunciado o lançamento de "Um ano para ser feliz". Mesmo assim decidi pegar neste livro primeiro que a par do que mencionei anteriormente, são os únicos livros da autora até ao momento.
(...)
Eu sou uma pessoa que não ligo a nada dessas coisas de pedras da espiritualidade ou leitura de cartas, mãos ou seja o que for. Mas não quer dizer que não acredite mas nunca dei muita atenção a essas coisas. Há pessoas que vivem em função desses adereços e é com base em pedras do perdão que Hannah vai tentar resolver a sua vida. A ideia é simples: enviar duas pedinhas para alguém que magoamos no passado, se nos devolverem uma das pedras, significa que fomos perdoados.
É a partir daqui que Hannah mergulha no seu passado que considerava já um assunto esquecido e é obrigada a enfrentar desafios a nível profissional e pessoal.
Eu simplesmente adorei o conceito deste livro! Neste momento estou numa fase "forgive but never forget" portanto gostei muito da premissa de toda esta estória e a Hannah foi uma óptima protagonista que realmente acordou e percebeu que não era feliz e precisava de perdoar-se pelos erros do passado para encontrar alguma felicidade interior. Gostei muito de como as pedras não foram só para a Hannah mas como para outras personagens secundárias que fez com que houvesse estórias paralelas ao enredo principal. Também gostei de como, enquanto as coisas pareciam mudar para a Hannah ao mesmo tempo, havia quem lhe tentasse estragar a vida ao mesmo tempo, como por exemplo a Claudia que é aquele tipo de pessoa sem escrúpulos. Isto só mostra que não vamos estar sempre bem e que mesmo tentando encontrar o perdão em alguém nem sempre vai estar tudo bem.
http://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogsp...
----
Por vezes as melhores leituras e as maiores surpresas vêm através de leituras que nem estavam planeadas para acontecer tão cedo.
Foi o caso deste livro, cuja autora nunca tinha ouvido falar até a Topseller ter anunciado o lançamento de "Um ano para ser feliz". Mesmo assim decidi pegar neste livro primeiro que a par do que mencionei anteriormente, são os únicos livros da autora até ao momento.
(...)
Eu sou uma pessoa que não ligo a nada dessas coisas de pedras da espiritualidade ou leitura de cartas, mãos ou seja o que for. Mas não quer dizer que não acredite mas nunca dei muita atenção a essas coisas. Há pessoas que vivem em função desses adereços e é com base em pedras do perdão que Hannah vai tentar resolver a sua vida. A ideia é simples: enviar duas pedinhas para alguém que magoamos no passado, se nos devolverem uma das pedras, significa que fomos perdoados.
É a partir daqui que Hannah mergulha no seu passado que considerava já um assunto esquecido e é obrigada a enfrentar desafios a nível profissional e pessoal.
Eu simplesmente adorei o conceito deste livro! Neste momento estou numa fase "forgive but never forget" portanto gostei muito da premissa de toda esta estória e a Hannah foi uma óptima protagonista que realmente acordou e percebeu que não era feliz e precisava de perdoar-se pelos erros do passado para encontrar alguma felicidade interior. Gostei muito de como as pedras não foram só para a Hannah mas como para outras personagens secundárias que fez com que houvesse estórias paralelas ao enredo principal. Também gostei de como, enquanto as coisas pareciam mudar para a Hannah ao mesmo tempo, havia quem lhe tentasse estragar a vida ao mesmo tempo, como por exemplo a Claudia que é aquele tipo de pessoa sem escrúpulos. Isto só mostra que não vamos estar sempre bem e que mesmo tentando encontrar o perdão em alguém nem sempre vai estar tudo bem.
http://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogsp...
June 16, 2017
WOW! Another wonderful book by this great author. She is on my list of new favorite authors!! I loved this book just as I did her first book "The Life List". Just like her last book I did not want this one to end either. This book is all about forgiveness. Throughout the book, I wondered aloud if there is anyone I need to tell I'm sorry to. It still has me thinking the answer to that question and because of that, I think this is a FABULOUS read!!! I highly recommend it being your next book to read!! Looking forward to her 3rd book!!!
July 16, 2015
What would you do if you were given the Forgiveness Stones: a pouch of stones with a chain letter asking you to forgive and seek forgiveness? The forgiveness stones are a good concept and if it were real, would cause you to think. After all, “ If forgiveness were easy…we’d all be sleeping like babies.” (chapter 19).
In The Sweetness of Forgetting, Hannah is forced to confront that question and thus begins her journey to seek forgiveness and confront her past. This quick, emotional read is filled with themes/issues of secrets, family, friendship, relationships, deceit, and letting go. I found myself cringing quit a few times so I think it would make a good read for a book club. 4★s If you are a fan of this author, as I am, you will not be disappointed.
In The Sweetness of Forgetting, Hannah is forced to confront that question and thus begins her journey to seek forgiveness and confront her past. This quick, emotional read is filled with themes/issues of secrets, family, friendship, relationships, deceit, and letting go. I found myself cringing quit a few times so I think it would make a good read for a book club. 4★s If you are a fan of this author, as I am, you will not be disappointed.
June 8, 2015
Ms. Spielman's book is about relationships, family dynamics, trust, forgiveness and so much more.
We meet Hannah Farr, a local New Orleans celebrity and star of a talk show, as she is trying to sort out her relationship with the Mayor. He has been her boyfriend for quite a long time, always promising that he will marry her, but never really projecting a date for the wedding. He is a selfish man who it appears is using Hannah and her celebrity status to help him in his upcoming run for the Senate.
Hannah's ratings have been dropping slightly and her boss is worried and hopeful that she will come up with a new idea for the show. As Hannah is looking through her desk drawer she comes upon a bag of "forgiveness stones" that her middle school tormentor Fiona Knowles has sent her. The idea for the stones is to give two to someone you want to forgive you along with a letter with the hopes that the person will send one back, thus showing that you are forgiven.
Hannah is convinced she can do the story without having to reveal any of her own secrets. But as the producer and other TV executives get involved, along with Claudia, a young woman after her job, the projected show becomes more and more complicated.
We learn that Hannah and her mom have been estranged since she was 13, because Hannah felt that her mother made some wrong decisions. Without giving away the plot, as she thinks over all of the reasons why she left she begins to doubt what really happened during the summer when she was a young teenager. She decides to visit her mother who lives in upper Michigan while she also interviews for a job in Chicago. Along the drive she stops at a vineyard and meets R.J. the owner and they strike an easy, wonderful conversation and share some happy times together.
In the end Hannah realizes who the people are who really care about her and how devious and hateful some of her co-workers have been. There is indeed a happy ending to the story.
I enjoyed the style of writing and the characters are well drawn. One problem I had with Hannah is that since she has made it in the TV world which can be a tough environment with lots of politics of it's own, when it comes to this show and her present relationships she is portrayed as being quite naive and vulnerable. It was a little unbelievable. However I was able to get past that and enjoy the book.The ending is somewhat predictable but still enjoyable.
I think with it's many issues and great characters this could be a good book club book.
I received this e book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
We meet Hannah Farr, a local New Orleans celebrity and star of a talk show, as she is trying to sort out her relationship with the Mayor. He has been her boyfriend for quite a long time, always promising that he will marry her, but never really projecting a date for the wedding. He is a selfish man who it appears is using Hannah and her celebrity status to help him in his upcoming run for the Senate.
Hannah's ratings have been dropping slightly and her boss is worried and hopeful that she will come up with a new idea for the show. As Hannah is looking through her desk drawer she comes upon a bag of "forgiveness stones" that her middle school tormentor Fiona Knowles has sent her. The idea for the stones is to give two to someone you want to forgive you along with a letter with the hopes that the person will send one back, thus showing that you are forgiven.
Hannah is convinced she can do the story without having to reveal any of her own secrets. But as the producer and other TV executives get involved, along with Claudia, a young woman after her job, the projected show becomes more and more complicated.
We learn that Hannah and her mom have been estranged since she was 13, because Hannah felt that her mother made some wrong decisions. Without giving away the plot, as she thinks over all of the reasons why she left she begins to doubt what really happened during the summer when she was a young teenager. She decides to visit her mother who lives in upper Michigan while she also interviews for a job in Chicago. Along the drive she stops at a vineyard and meets R.J. the owner and they strike an easy, wonderful conversation and share some happy times together.
In the end Hannah realizes who the people are who really care about her and how devious and hateful some of her co-workers have been. There is indeed a happy ending to the story.
I enjoyed the style of writing and the characters are well drawn. One problem I had with Hannah is that since she has made it in the TV world which can be a tough environment with lots of politics of it's own, when it comes to this show and her present relationships she is portrayed as being quite naive and vulnerable. It was a little unbelievable. However I was able to get past that and enjoy the book.The ending is somewhat predictable but still enjoyable.
I think with it's many issues and great characters this could be a good book club book.
I received this e book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2017
3 1/2 Estrellas.
Hace tiempo leí la novela anterior de la autora, "Mi lista de deseos", y me gustó mucho, os la recomiendo, y tengo que reconocer que con "Dulce perdón" me ha costado un poco más conectar, al menos durante los primeros capítulos, pero al terminarla puedo decir que es una historia arriesgada y original que vale la pena leer.
La idea central de "Dulce perdón" es el perdón; lo difícil que puede resultar pedirlo y también lo complicado o duro que puede ser otorgarlo y después seguir adelante con tu vida. En la novela, la autora se inventa "las piedras del perdón", algo así como los brazaletes de la amistad; unas piedras que tienes que mandar-entregar a alguien, junto con una carta, cuando le pides perdón. Este concepto es, en mi opinión, uno de los puntos fuertes de la historia.
La protagonista de la novela, Hannah -cae muy mal al principio, algo que sin duda la autora hace adrede y consigue con mucha efectividad-, recibe unas "piedras del perdón" de su antigua némesis del colegio y tras una serie de casualidades, no las detallo aquí porque en parte aparecen en el resumen y no quiero pasarme y contar más de la cuenta, descubre que ella tiene que pedir perdón a mucha gente de su vida si quiere seguir adelante y conseguir la felicidad.
Es una novela de sentimientos, de personas que cometen errores con los que probablemente podemos identificarnos y que gira en torno al perdón, la culpa y los remordimientos, pero con fuertes dosis de optimismo. Es de esas historias de las que hablas con los demás mientras la lees pues plantean situaciones que "necesitas comentar", así que me imagino que sería una propuesta genial para un club de lectura.
Por último, el final es tal vez previsible y precipitado o quizá soy yo (pensé lo mismo en la novela anterior de la autora) que me gusta que estos últimos capítulos sean más pausados y largos.
Hace tiempo leí la novela anterior de la autora, "Mi lista de deseos", y me gustó mucho, os la recomiendo, y tengo que reconocer que con "Dulce perdón" me ha costado un poco más conectar, al menos durante los primeros capítulos, pero al terminarla puedo decir que es una historia arriesgada y original que vale la pena leer.
La idea central de "Dulce perdón" es el perdón; lo difícil que puede resultar pedirlo y también lo complicado o duro que puede ser otorgarlo y después seguir adelante con tu vida. En la novela, la autora se inventa "las piedras del perdón", algo así como los brazaletes de la amistad; unas piedras que tienes que mandar-entregar a alguien, junto con una carta, cuando le pides perdón. Este concepto es, en mi opinión, uno de los puntos fuertes de la historia.
La protagonista de la novela, Hannah -cae muy mal al principio, algo que sin duda la autora hace adrede y consigue con mucha efectividad-, recibe unas "piedras del perdón" de su antigua némesis del colegio y tras una serie de casualidades, no las detallo aquí porque en parte aparecen en el resumen y no quiero pasarme y contar más de la cuenta, descubre que ella tiene que pedir perdón a mucha gente de su vida si quiere seguir adelante y conseguir la felicidad.
Es una novela de sentimientos, de personas que cometen errores con los que probablemente podemos identificarnos y que gira en torno al perdón, la culpa y los remordimientos, pero con fuertes dosis de optimismo. Es de esas historias de las que hablas con los demás mientras la lees pues plantean situaciones que "necesitas comentar", así que me imagino que sería una propuesta genial para un club de lectura.
Por último, el final es tal vez previsible y precipitado o quizá soy yo (pensé lo mismo en la novela anterior de la autora) que me gusta que estos últimos capítulos sean más pausados y largos.
October 15, 2017
Auf den ersten Seiten war ich ein wenig skeptisch, ob mir das Buch gefallen wird. Der Schreibstil wirkte ein wenig hölzern und auch mit der Protagonistin bin ich nicht so richtig warm geworden.
Aber je weiter die Geschichte vorangeschritten ist umso besser hat sie mir gefallen. Im Großen und Ganzen fand ich die Geschichte sehr unterhaltsam, aber auch sehr emotional. Einige Geschichten der Charaktere sind definitiv ans Herz gegangen. Es gab auch einige Wendungen, die mich wirklich überrascht haben, eine davon war mir dann aber zu übertrieben und nicht so stimmig zum Rest der Geschichte.
Hannah wirkte oft sehr unnahbar und eher wie die knallharte Karrierefrau, erst zum Ende wurde sie mir dann sympathischer. Das Buch hat eine bunte Mischung an Charakteren, die wirklich sehr gut gefallen hat.
Das Buch hat mich auch sehr zum Nachdenken angeregt was das Thema Vergebung angeht. Muss man Fehler und Lügen auch noch viele Jahre später eingestehen und so vielleicht eine langjährige Freundschaft zerstören oder ist es in solchen Fällen vielleicht besser zu schweigen?! Dies ist vermutlich vom jeweiligen Fall und den beteiligten Personen abhängig. In diesem Buch ist es mit diesem Thema zu einigen interessanten Situationen gekommen.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist flüssig und angenehm zu lesen.
Aber je weiter die Geschichte vorangeschritten ist umso besser hat sie mir gefallen. Im Großen und Ganzen fand ich die Geschichte sehr unterhaltsam, aber auch sehr emotional. Einige Geschichten der Charaktere sind definitiv ans Herz gegangen. Es gab auch einige Wendungen, die mich wirklich überrascht haben, eine davon war mir dann aber zu übertrieben und nicht so stimmig zum Rest der Geschichte.
Hannah wirkte oft sehr unnahbar und eher wie die knallharte Karrierefrau, erst zum Ende wurde sie mir dann sympathischer. Das Buch hat eine bunte Mischung an Charakteren, die wirklich sehr gut gefallen hat.
Das Buch hat mich auch sehr zum Nachdenken angeregt was das Thema Vergebung angeht. Muss man Fehler und Lügen auch noch viele Jahre später eingestehen und so vielleicht eine langjährige Freundschaft zerstören oder ist es in solchen Fällen vielleicht besser zu schweigen?! Dies ist vermutlich vom jeweiligen Fall und den beteiligten Personen abhängig. In diesem Buch ist es mit diesem Thema zu einigen interessanten Situationen gekommen.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist flüssig und angenehm zu lesen.
August 10, 2015
Wow I'm surprised this is so highly rated. The book is about Hannah, a woman who was wronged in her childhood by the now-famous Fiona. Fiona has taken the world by storm with her "forgiveness stones," and has asked Hannah to forgive her. In forgiving Fiona, Hannah needs to ask forgiveness from someone to complete the forgiveness cycle. Long story short, Hannah is morally corrupt, stupid and pretty hateable. She accused her mother's boyfriend of molesting her when she was a teenager. Then he didn't. Then he did. Oh wait, maybe he didn't. Or did. And in the process of resolving her lies and stupidity, she ruins a bunch of other people's lives and can't understand why people hate her. This book is pretty much the worst.
June 12, 2015
Lori Nelson Spielman is one of my favorite authors because she writes with heart, power, humor, and wit. I gobbled up "Sweet Forgiveness" in a few days, both laughing and crying, and applauding Spielman for tackling such difficult subjects. With impeccable skill and beautiful prose, she deftly pens a story of forgiveness, acceptance, and love, creating such fully developed characters that I could feel them next to me. I didn't want the story to end, but when it did, I was thoroughly satisfied and longing for Spielman's next novel. A definite must-read!
June 2, 2015
4.5 stars.
Sweet Forgiveness by Lori Nelson Spielman is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel about forgiveness. In this powerful novel about granting and seeking forgiveness, talk show host Hannah Farr is thrust into the uncomfortable position of revisiting a very painful time in her life. Her journey leads to an unexpected reconciliation but it also causes her to doubt her perception of long events. Confronting the past is often a double-edged sword and Hannah learns this lesson first hand when everything she has worked for is jeopardized by her decision to seek and give absolution.
Hannah's impulsive decision to use the forgiveness stones as a pitch for a new job is the catalyst for the upcoming turmoil in her life. She really does not intend to move from New Orleans to Chicago, but she hopes to use the job offer as leverage to get her boyfriend of two years to finally propose to her. Hannah is stunned when the ploy backfires and he encourages her to seriously consider the position. Although she decides that accepting the job would be a wise career move, she still has no intention of actually following through on her forgiveness stone idea, but when a conniving co-worker forces her hand, Hannah has no choice but to move forward with her plan.
For someone who has been in the cutthroat world of broadcast journalism for a number of years, Hannah is a little naive and way too trusting. Although her close friend, Jade, warns her to watch her back, Hannah ignores her advice and blunders her way into a situation that quickly spirals out of control.
All the while this professional drama is playing out, Hannah's personal life is also imploding. Her gullibility extends into her relationship with her mayor boyfriend and she is completely blindsided by his reaction to her decision. Hannah is further shocked by his lack of support and his total disregard for her needs.
Sweet Forgiveness is a very poignant novel that does not shy away from difficult topics. While Lori Nelson Spielman handles these issues with sensitivity, the resolution of this part of the storyline is rather ambiguous and a little dissatisfying. However this does not impact the overall enjoyment of the story and the conclusion of Hannah's journey is quite heartwarming. It is a compelling read that is quite unique and one that I highly recommend.
Sweet Forgiveness by Lori Nelson Spielman is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel about forgiveness. In this powerful novel about granting and seeking forgiveness, talk show host Hannah Farr is thrust into the uncomfortable position of revisiting a very painful time in her life. Her journey leads to an unexpected reconciliation but it also causes her to doubt her perception of long events. Confronting the past is often a double-edged sword and Hannah learns this lesson first hand when everything she has worked for is jeopardized by her decision to seek and give absolution.
Hannah's impulsive decision to use the forgiveness stones as a pitch for a new job is the catalyst for the upcoming turmoil in her life. She really does not intend to move from New Orleans to Chicago, but she hopes to use the job offer as leverage to get her boyfriend of two years to finally propose to her. Hannah is stunned when the ploy backfires and he encourages her to seriously consider the position. Although she decides that accepting the job would be a wise career move, she still has no intention of actually following through on her forgiveness stone idea, but when a conniving co-worker forces her hand, Hannah has no choice but to move forward with her plan.
For someone who has been in the cutthroat world of broadcast journalism for a number of years, Hannah is a little naive and way too trusting. Although her close friend, Jade, warns her to watch her back, Hannah ignores her advice and blunders her way into a situation that quickly spirals out of control.
All the while this professional drama is playing out, Hannah's personal life is also imploding. Her gullibility extends into her relationship with her mayor boyfriend and she is completely blindsided by his reaction to her decision. Hannah is further shocked by his lack of support and his total disregard for her needs.
Sweet Forgiveness is a very poignant novel that does not shy away from difficult topics. While Lori Nelson Spielman handles these issues with sensitivity, the resolution of this part of the storyline is rather ambiguous and a little dissatisfying. However this does not impact the overall enjoyment of the story and the conclusion of Hannah's journey is quite heartwarming. It is a compelling read that is quite unique and one that I highly recommend.
June 15, 2015
Honestly one of the best books I've ever read about forgiveness. A book that will make you think about who you need to forgive & what you need to let go. Amazingly beautiful story.
September 11, 2021
Prasidėjęs kaip tiesiog paprastas ir lengvas romanas, bet kalba apie tokius svarbius dalykus. Pagrindinės temos - išdrįsti atsiprašyti ir sugebėti atleisti. Skirtingi žmonės, įvairios situacijos, kai norime geriau, nuslepiame arba pameluojame, o paskui baisu prisipažinti, nes mūsų poelgis netikėtai ir stipriai pakeičia kito žmogaus gyvenimą. Šioje knygoje daug visko - ilgametė draugių draugystė kuriai tenka išbandymas, skaudi šeimos drama, konkurencija darbe, santykiai kuriuose bendras įspūdis visuomenei svarbiau nei jausmai ir t.t.. Atleidimo akmenėliai - tai simbolinis veiksmas, prašyti atleidimo padovanojant akmenuką, ir tai padarius, kaip akmuo nukristų nuo širdies. Tik ne viskas taip paprasta, vietomis labai buvau susigraudinusi. Kaip prieskonis knygoje, maloni pažintis, perauganti į tikrus ir šiltus jausmus ❤️
🖋️ Atleisti - tai išlaisvinti kalinį ir suvokti, kad tas kalinys tai tu.
🖋️ Teisė pasirinkti - štai kokia didžiausia mūsų galia.
🖋️ Kol nesusitaikysi su praeitimi, niekados nerasi ateities.
🖋️ Kol neuždegsi šviesos ten, kur slypi tamsa, klaidžiosi amžinai.
🖋️ ...jeigu myli, niekados neatsitrauki.
🖋️ ...yra labai sunku ištarti atsiprašau.. kol neištari. O paskui supranti, kad buvo vieni juokai.
🖋️ Mes, žmonės, turim nuostabią savybę, galim pakeisti mąstyseną. Tai mums suteikia milžinišką galią.
🖋️ Traiškyk visas kliūtis.
🖋️ Melas palieka karmoje tamsias dėmes.
🖋️ ...gyvenimas juk kompromisas, ar ne?
🖋️ Ne melas. Anaiptol. Slėpimas. Štai kas mus sužlugdo.
🖋️ Niekas negimė ryžtingas. Žmogus ryžtingas tampa.
🖋️ Visados, kai tik nepaisau instinktų, patenku į bėdą.
🖋️ Mes įnirtingai bandome slėpti savo silpnybes. Neišdrįstame jų atskleisti. Bet būtent tos silpnosios vietos leidžia mums augti, tobulėti.
🖋️ Tuštuma blogiau nei skausmas.
🖋️ Būk savimi ir nesuklysi.
🖋️ Atleisti - tai išlaisvinti kalinį ir suvokti, kad tas kalinys tai tu.
🖋️ Teisė pasirinkti - štai kokia didžiausia mūsų galia.
🖋️ Kol nesusitaikysi su praeitimi, niekados nerasi ateities.
🖋️ Kol neuždegsi šviesos ten, kur slypi tamsa, klaidžiosi amžinai.
🖋️ ...jeigu myli, niekados neatsitrauki.
🖋️ ...yra labai sunku ištarti atsiprašau.. kol neištari. O paskui supranti, kad buvo vieni juokai.
🖋️ Mes, žmonės, turim nuostabią savybę, galim pakeisti mąstyseną. Tai mums suteikia milžinišką galią.
🖋️ Traiškyk visas kliūtis.
🖋️ Melas palieka karmoje tamsias dėmes.
🖋️ ...gyvenimas juk kompromisas, ar ne?
🖋️ Ne melas. Anaiptol. Slėpimas. Štai kas mus sužlugdo.
🖋️ Niekas negimė ryžtingas. Žmogus ryžtingas tampa.
🖋️ Visados, kai tik nepaisau instinktų, patenku į bėdą.
🖋️ Mes įnirtingai bandome slėpti savo silpnybes. Neišdrįstame jų atskleisti. Bet būtent tos silpnosios vietos leidžia mums augti, tobulėti.
🖋️ Tuštuma blogiau nei skausmas.
🖋️ Būk savimi ir nesuklysi.
November 13, 2022
I hate stupid heroines, and Hannah Farr is stupid. She's blind to the way her father treated her mother in the past, she's blind to the way her boyfreind treats her and she's blind to the way her coworker manipulates her.
The basic storyline about a detached daughter that tries to make peace with her mother and with her past, had a great potential. Unfortunately, this potential wasn't realized, mainly because of the subplots. At the middle of the book we were left with more than enough spirtual insights about the importance of forgivness, but with not much of a good tale.
A very disappointing book.
The basic storyline about a detached daughter that tries to make peace with her mother and with her past, had a great potential. Unfortunately, this potential wasn't realized, mainly because of the subplots. At the middle of the book we were left with more than enough spirtual insights about the importance of forgivness, but with not much of a good tale.
A very disappointing book.
June 14, 2015
This was one of my most highly anticipated books after reading & loving The Life List. But Sweet Forgiveness fell a bit shy of my expectations. Too many things felt unbelievable. That Hannah, a wishy-washy, self-doubter would have her own TV show is one of them. And the coincidence of who RJ is...really? And Abby's sudden change in behavior in her last encounter with Hannah...not realistic. Nor was I a fan of how the author dealt with the child molestation issue at the end. I did enjoy reading about Hannah's relationships with her mother & RJ.
December 19, 2015
A beautiful story that made me think - is there anyone I need to ask for forgiveness from, and who do I need to forgive. It was enlightening to think of "the truth," and how it can be so different in others' perceptions. Great storyline, well-developed, perfectly flawed but likeable characters; I highly recommend this book.
April 9, 2016
Me encanto!!! Ame la idea de las piedras del perdón además, El estilo de la autora es maravilloso, aunque el final me desconcertó un poco, seguro entra en mis favoritos del año
August 20, 2017
Heerlijk boek, maar ook wel heftig!
September 7, 2018
Alle facetten van een onzekere vrouw komen wel aan bod. Ben ik bij de juiste man, wil hij ooit met mij trouwen, krijg ik wel kinderen enz enz enz.. Je zou denken dat dit een heel saai boek zou moeten zijn, maar dit blijk het dan helemaal niet te zijn.
Wel zijn sommige acties die in het boek voorkomen een klein beetje voorspelbaar, maar dat maakt het boek niet minder mooi en leuk, want ook zij en gebeurtenissen waar je zeker van te voren niet wist dat, dat zou gebeuren.
Lori heeft een fijne schrijfstijl en heb dan ook genoten van dit boek.
Wel zijn sommige acties die in het boek voorkomen een klein beetje voorspelbaar, maar dat maakt het boek niet minder mooi en leuk, want ook zij en gebeurtenissen waar je zeker van te voren niet wist dat, dat zou gebeuren.
Lori heeft een fijne schrijfstijl en heb dan ook genoten van dit boek.
May 8, 2015
J'ai adoré, simplement adoré. Une histoire pleine de poésie qui fait réfléchir sur le pardon. Un personnage principal auquel on s'identifie et qui nous pousse a réfléchir sur nos propres erreurs ou à celle de notre entourage.
Le fond et la forme : au top !
Un nouveau coup de coeur pour Lori Nelson Spielman plein d'amour. Le roman feel good par excellence !
Le fond et la forme : au top !
Un nouveau coup de coeur pour Lori Nelson Spielman plein d'amour. Le roman feel good par excellence !
February 21, 2021
Pitkästä aikaa vähän kevyempää luettavaa ja kyllä se taas upposi. Tosin joitain pieniä vikojakin oli. Päähenkilö oli kovin naivin oloinen. Muutoin kyllä ihan siedettävä. Alussa meni jonkin aikaa että kirjailija pääsi vauhtiin mutta sen jälkeen teksti oli jouhevaa ja mukaansa tempaavaa. Hieman erilainen tarina, vaikka loppu olikin jälleen odotuksen mukainen. Nautin kirjasta koko sen lukemisen ajan. Pitää tutustua muihinkin tämän kirjailijan kirjoihin kunhan ennätän.
Sijoitan kirjan Helmet- haasteeseen kohtaan numero 15. Kirjassa on jotain samaa kuin omassa elämässäsi. Päähenkilöä oli kiusattu koulussa, samoin kuin itse olen ollut koulukiusattu.
Sijoitan kirjan Helmet- haasteeseen kohtaan numero 15. Kirjassa on jotain samaa kuin omassa elämässäsi. Päähenkilöä oli kiusattu koulussa, samoin kuin itse olen ollut koulukiusattu.
March 17, 2017
(הסקירה עלתה לאתר 'הלוחשות לספרים' בתאריך 17.3.2017)
“היכולת לבחור היא הכוח הגדול ביותר שלנו.”
סקירה מאת נתנאל דמין
עלילה בקצרה:
האנה פר, עיתונאית צעירה בשנות השלושים לחייה, חשבה שיש לה כל מה שאישה יכולה לרצות. היא בעלת תוכנית טלוויזיה בכיכובה ומנהלת זוגיות רבת שנים עם ראש העיר.
אך מתחת לפני השטח האנה מסתירה סודות אפלים, סודות שיכולים לבנות ולהרוס בתים. במשך השנים הצליחה להסתיר אותם היטב עד שהגיע אליה מכתב התנצלות בצירוף שני אבנים ששינה את הכל.
“אם תקבלי את התנצלותי, אשמח אם תשלחי לי בחזרה את אחת האבנים. כך תסירי מעלייך את נטל הכעס ותקלי עלי את נטל האשמה.“
האם יש פגיעות שאין עליהן מחילה? האם יש סודות שצריכים להישאר חבויים?
על הספר:
ספר יחיד, כתוב בגוף ראשון והתרגום מצויין.
בנימה אישית:
הספר הזה מעולה! כתוב בצורה קולחת וסוחפת ולאורך כל הקריאה ראיתי אותו לנגד עיניי כסרט נע (אגב דמיינתי את אליזבת גלינס מהסרט ‘אבודה במיני’ כדמות הראשית.)
הספר עוסק בנושאים מאוד עמוקים, על סליחה ומחילה. לאורך הספר נאמרות דעות שונות לגבי מה זאת סליחה והאם ישנן פגיעות ש’סליחה’ לא תוכל לפתור.
הספר מעורר בקורא המון שאלות ותהיות על הנושאים החשובים האלו.
הדמות הראשית בספר היא הדמות הכי עגולה שקראתי מימי, הסופרת הרסה ובנתה אותה מחדש. האנה מצחיקה, צינית, מרגשת ואוהבת. וכמובן, שיש רומן מתוק במיוחד.
לסיכום: חמישה כוכבים.
מומלץ!
ציטוט אהוב:
“בדמיון שלי החיים הם מין מנהרה גדולה וחשוכה, מלאה נרות.” היא ממשיכה “כשאנחנו נולדים, חצי מהנרות דולקים. כל מעשה טוב שאנחנו עושים מדליק עוד נר ועושה עוד אור.”
“נחמד,” אני אומרת.
“אבל במשך הזמן חלק מהנרות כבים בגלל מעשים אנוכיים או אכזריים. את מבינה? אז אנחנו מדליקים נרות ומכבים נרות, ובסופו של דבר אפשר רק לקוות שבסך הכול יצרנו בעולם יותר אור מאשר חושך.”
“היכולת לבחור היא הכוח הגדול ביותר שלנו.”
סקירה מאת נתנאל דמין
עלילה בקצרה:
האנה פר, עיתונאית צעירה בשנות השלושים לחייה, חשבה שיש לה כל מה שאישה יכולה לרצות. היא בעלת תוכנית טלוויזיה בכיכובה ומנהלת זוגיות רבת שנים עם ראש העיר.
אך מתחת לפני השטח האנה מסתירה סודות אפלים, סודות שיכולים לבנות ולהרוס בתים. במשך השנים הצליחה להסתיר אותם היטב עד שהגיע אליה מכתב התנצלות בצירוף שני אבנים ששינה את הכל.
“אם תקבלי את התנצלותי, אשמח אם תשלחי לי בחזרה את אחת האבנים. כך תסירי מעלייך את נטל הכעס ותקלי עלי את נטל האשמה.“
האם יש פגיעות שאין עליהן מחילה? האם יש סודות שצריכים להישאר חבויים?
על הספר:
ספר יחיד, כתוב בגוף ראשון והתרגום מצויין.
בנימה אישית:
הספר הזה מעולה! כתוב בצורה קולחת וסוחפת ולאורך כל הקריאה ראיתי אותו לנגד עיניי כסרט נע (אגב דמיינתי את אליזבת גלינס מהסרט ‘אבודה במיני’ כדמות הראשית.)
הספר עוסק בנושאים מאוד עמוקים, על סליחה ומחילה. לאורך הספר נאמרות דעות שונות לגבי מה זאת סליחה והאם ישנן פגיעות ש’סליחה’ לא תוכל לפתור.
הספר מעורר בקורא המון שאלות ותהיות על הנושאים החשובים האלו.
הדמות הראשית בספר היא הדמות הכי עגולה שקראתי מימי, הסופרת הרסה ובנתה אותה מחדש. האנה מצחיקה, צינית, מרגשת ואוהבת. וכמובן, שיש רומן מתוק במיוחד.
לסיכום: חמישה כוכבים.
מומלץ!
ציטוט אהוב:
“בדמיון שלי החיים הם מין מנהרה גדולה וחשוכה, מלאה נרות.” היא ממשיכה “כשאנחנו נולדים, חצי מהנרות דולקים. כל מעשה טוב שאנחנו עושים מדליק עוד נר ועושה עוד אור.”
“נחמד,” אני אומרת.
“אבל במשך הזמן חלק מהנרות כבים בגלל מעשים אנוכיים או אכזריים. את מבינה? אז אנחנו מדליקים נרות ומכבים נרות, ובסופו של דבר אפשר רק לקוות שבסך הכול יצרנו בעולם יותר אור מאשר חושך.”
April 24, 2015
Up until the end, Sweet Forgiveness is a genuinely good book. The story follows Hannah Farr, a 30-something woman who hosts her own popular day-time talk show in Louisiana. When we meet her, Hannah’s show is struggling to maintain ratings, and Hannah is fighting to keep her job out of the clutches of her eager and conniving younger co-host. In an effort to boost ratings, Hannah agrees to have an old acquaintance, the now-famous Fiona Knowles, on the show to talk about Forgiveness Stones, a phenomenon Fiona began that asks people to send two small stones to someone they have wronged in the past: one stone means “I’m sorry, please forgive me” and the other stone means, “Now you have to forgive someone, too.” In time, Hannah agrees to send out some forgiveness stones of her own, an act which dredges up serious drama from her past. She manages to handle the ensuing fallout with remarkable incompetence, and the story unfolds from there.
Though it was difficult for me to believe that a woman as successful as Hannah could be so bad at life, honestly, I didn’t really even care that much at first. Sweet Forgiveness is unapologetic fluff, and I didn’t mind that it wasn’t very deep, involved, or realistic. I was happy to keep the story light and the stakes low.
Which is why the last 50 pages made no sense to me. (I’m going to try to be as vague as possible, but I will be revealing details of the book, so I think I’ll issue a general SPOILER ALERT at this point.) Toward the beginning of the novel, Hannah reveals that, at the age of thirteen, she was inappropriately touched by someone close to her–or at least she thinks she was. When we first meet Hannah, she is 100% sure she knows EXACTLY what happened, but over time she begins to doubt herself and wonder if she misinterpreted events and motives, etc., etc.
In the book, this is treated as a minor conflict that Hannah goes back and forth on for a while. I know it sounds serious–because we’re talking about, you know, sexually assaulting children–but, somehow Spielman doesn’t really make a big deal of it. It’s a side issue that gets addressed between main plot points. Spielman kind of leads the reader to believe that Hannah may have misinterpreted events because she was young, angry, and perhaps melodramatic, choosing to lash out with accusations because she was upset about her parents’ divorce. Truthfully, I didn’t even think much of any of it until the end…when it is made very clear what really happened.
And, at that point, Spielman completely lost me. Not only does she randomly introduce new and suddenly very important characters to the story, but she also introduces incredibly strange connections between these characters. It all came out of left field and, in my opinion, did not flow with the first 300 pages of the novel.
More seriously, however, I was shocked by how Spielman chose to resolve the sexual molestation conflict. I won’t get into details, but suffice it to say that the book ends on a “Well, sometimes it’s better not to know the truth” vibe. Hannah’s exact words are, “We lie and cover up for two reasons: to protect ourselves or to protect others. [This person is] harmless now. I no longer need protection from him. But those who love him do. I need to protect their truth…No one needs to know the truth…I will learn to live with ambiguity.” In other words, she has a chance to know, definitively, the truth about what happened to her and to other girls like her, but, instead, she decides to protect the person who did the inappropriate acts, and she essentially destroys the evidence against him because she doesn’t want anyone to remember him negatively. And Spielman seems to call this strength.
I have dealt with sexual abuse in my own family, so I have very strong feelings about this ending. I absolutely hate that Spielman had her main character protect an abuser. So what if Hannah doesn’t have to worry about being molested anymore? What about all the other girls who were potentially wronged by this person? I absolutely do not understand the mindset of people (fictional or not) who think that if they just keep all the horrible deeds a secret then they can protect all parties involved and everyone can “move on.” In reality, no one moves on–especially not the victims–until the truth can be acknowledged and spoken about freely. I understand that there is a time and place for revealing secrets and having other important conversations–and maybe that is Spielman’s point–but sexual abuse is never a situation where you want to (or should want to) “learn to live with ambiguity.” The damage caused by such a violation is simply too great.
Ultimately, what started out as a fun, light read, ended up as a surprisingly disappointing story. What a misstep it was for Spielman to conclude Sweet Forgiveness with Hannah finally having the resolve to make a fresh start…by burying her head in the sand.
Though it was difficult for me to believe that a woman as successful as Hannah could be so bad at life, honestly, I didn’t really even care that much at first. Sweet Forgiveness is unapologetic fluff, and I didn’t mind that it wasn’t very deep, involved, or realistic. I was happy to keep the story light and the stakes low.
Which is why the last 50 pages made no sense to me. (I’m going to try to be as vague as possible, but I will be revealing details of the book, so I think I’ll issue a general SPOILER ALERT at this point.) Toward the beginning of the novel, Hannah reveals that, at the age of thirteen, she was inappropriately touched by someone close to her–or at least she thinks she was. When we first meet Hannah, she is 100% sure she knows EXACTLY what happened, but over time she begins to doubt herself and wonder if she misinterpreted events and motives, etc., etc.
In the book, this is treated as a minor conflict that Hannah goes back and forth on for a while. I know it sounds serious–because we’re talking about, you know, sexually assaulting children–but, somehow Spielman doesn’t really make a big deal of it. It’s a side issue that gets addressed between main plot points. Spielman kind of leads the reader to believe that Hannah may have misinterpreted events because she was young, angry, and perhaps melodramatic, choosing to lash out with accusations because she was upset about her parents’ divorce. Truthfully, I didn’t even think much of any of it until the end…when it is made very clear what really happened.
And, at that point, Spielman completely lost me. Not only does she randomly introduce new and suddenly very important characters to the story, but she also introduces incredibly strange connections between these characters. It all came out of left field and, in my opinion, did not flow with the first 300 pages of the novel.
More seriously, however, I was shocked by how Spielman chose to resolve the sexual molestation conflict. I won’t get into details, but suffice it to say that the book ends on a “Well, sometimes it’s better not to know the truth” vibe. Hannah’s exact words are, “We lie and cover up for two reasons: to protect ourselves or to protect others. [This person is] harmless now. I no longer need protection from him. But those who love him do. I need to protect their truth…No one needs to know the truth…I will learn to live with ambiguity.” In other words, she has a chance to know, definitively, the truth about what happened to her and to other girls like her, but, instead, she decides to protect the person who did the inappropriate acts, and she essentially destroys the evidence against him because she doesn’t want anyone to remember him negatively. And Spielman seems to call this strength.
I have dealt with sexual abuse in my own family, so I have very strong feelings about this ending. I absolutely hate that Spielman had her main character protect an abuser. So what if Hannah doesn’t have to worry about being molested anymore? What about all the other girls who were potentially wronged by this person? I absolutely do not understand the mindset of people (fictional or not) who think that if they just keep all the horrible deeds a secret then they can protect all parties involved and everyone can “move on.” In reality, no one moves on–especially not the victims–until the truth can be acknowledged and spoken about freely. I understand that there is a time and place for revealing secrets and having other important conversations–and maybe that is Spielman’s point–but sexual abuse is never a situation where you want to (or should want to) “learn to live with ambiguity.” The damage caused by such a violation is simply too great.
Ultimately, what started out as a fun, light read, ended up as a surprisingly disappointing story. What a misstep it was for Spielman to conclude Sweet Forgiveness with Hannah finally having the resolve to make a fresh start…by burying her head in the sand.
June 4, 2015
Recently on WKAR’s Current State, I reviewed this new novel by bestselling author Lori Nelson Spielman.
You can listen to my new review here: http://wkar.org/post/book-reviewlori-...
If you would rather read my review, you can do so below.
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Reviewers love to talk about the sophomore slump. Whether it’s a musician, a film director or an author, critics can’t get enough of speculating if an artist will be able to hit it out of the park twice in a row. And it isn’t just critics paying attention. The follow-up to a successful debut can often make or break a career. That second work is where artists prove to their audience whether they are a one-hit wonder or someone worth following for years to come.
Lansing-based author Lori Nelson Spielman is back with her second novel Sweet Forgiveness. Her first, The Life List, was a bestseller around the world. It was fun and playful, and felt like a great romantic-comedy captured on the page. But in Sweet Forgiveness, Spielman challenges her readers with something a little more daring.
In the novel, a new fad is sweeping the nation. Forgiveness Stones are two small rocks that are sent along with a letter asking for forgiveness. The letter writer is supposed to admit a wrong, then beg for forgiveness from the person receiving the stones.. The sender learns later if they are forgiven if one of the rocks is returned. It is then hoped that the receiver will send the remaining rock on to someone else, continuing the journey. It’s like a chain letter, but with greater social impact.
The main character in Spielman’s new novel is Hannah Farr. She is a TV talk show host residing in New Orleans; in many ways she is living an exciting and fast-paced life with a mayor for a boyfriend and other stations calling with job offers. Yet, there is something missing for Hannah. She is still not happy, but she isn’t sure why.
At first, Hannah is skeptical of the Forgiveness Stones, dismissing them as silly and kind of hokey. It doesn’t help that she knows the fad’s creator, Fiona Knowles. In fact, Fiona sent Hannah one of the very first sets of stones, seeking forgiveness for bullying her during their childhood. What Fiona doesn’t know is that her bullying impacted not just Hannah but also her family. Forgiveness is not always easy to give, and even Hannah has some demons she doesn’t want to deal with.
Spielman has a real skill in creating full and rich characters. So many writers rush through their character’s growth, focusing on just the action. But Spielman really takes the time with Hannah. She invites the reader into her head, giving us a chance to listen to her internal debates and revelations. This book is one of the best examples of a really great first-person narrative I have seen in years. By the end, each reader will feel like they know Hannah, and might even miss her with the turning of the last page.
Lori Nelson Spielman has nothing to fear from the sophomore slump, and neither do readers of Sweet Forgiveness. This fantastic second novel made me excited to see what Spielman will do next. Now, I’ve just got to figure out which authors I have reviewed on Current State I need to send Forgiveness Stones to.
You can listen to my new review here: http://wkar.org/post/book-reviewlori-...
If you would rather read my review, you can do so below.
-
Reviewers love to talk about the sophomore slump. Whether it’s a musician, a film director or an author, critics can’t get enough of speculating if an artist will be able to hit it out of the park twice in a row. And it isn’t just critics paying attention. The follow-up to a successful debut can often make or break a career. That second work is where artists prove to their audience whether they are a one-hit wonder or someone worth following for years to come.
Lansing-based author Lori Nelson Spielman is back with her second novel Sweet Forgiveness. Her first, The Life List, was a bestseller around the world. It was fun and playful, and felt like a great romantic-comedy captured on the page. But in Sweet Forgiveness, Spielman challenges her readers with something a little more daring.
In the novel, a new fad is sweeping the nation. Forgiveness Stones are two small rocks that are sent along with a letter asking for forgiveness. The letter writer is supposed to admit a wrong, then beg for forgiveness from the person receiving the stones.. The sender learns later if they are forgiven if one of the rocks is returned. It is then hoped that the receiver will send the remaining rock on to someone else, continuing the journey. It’s like a chain letter, but with greater social impact.
The main character in Spielman’s new novel is Hannah Farr. She is a TV talk show host residing in New Orleans; in many ways she is living an exciting and fast-paced life with a mayor for a boyfriend and other stations calling with job offers. Yet, there is something missing for Hannah. She is still not happy, but she isn’t sure why.
At first, Hannah is skeptical of the Forgiveness Stones, dismissing them as silly and kind of hokey. It doesn’t help that she knows the fad’s creator, Fiona Knowles. In fact, Fiona sent Hannah one of the very first sets of stones, seeking forgiveness for bullying her during their childhood. What Fiona doesn’t know is that her bullying impacted not just Hannah but also her family. Forgiveness is not always easy to give, and even Hannah has some demons she doesn’t want to deal with.
Spielman has a real skill in creating full and rich characters. So many writers rush through their character’s growth, focusing on just the action. But Spielman really takes the time with Hannah. She invites the reader into her head, giving us a chance to listen to her internal debates and revelations. This book is one of the best examples of a really great first-person narrative I have seen in years. By the end, each reader will feel like they know Hannah, and might even miss her with the turning of the last page.
Lori Nelson Spielman has nothing to fear from the sophomore slump, and neither do readers of Sweet Forgiveness. This fantastic second novel made me excited to see what Spielman will do next. Now, I’ve just got to figure out which authors I have reviewed on Current State I need to send Forgiveness Stones to.
February 27, 2016
***Von der Autorin der berührendsten Geschichte des Jahres 2014 kommt nun ein Roman über das Verzeihen, der Hoffnung macht.***
Zum Inhalt:
Mit zittrigen Fingern öffnet die TV-Moderatorin Hannah Farr einen Brief. Der Absender ist eine ehemalige Schulfreundin, die sie jahrelang gemobbt hat. Die Frau bittet sie nun um Vergebung. Dem Brief beigelegt sind zwei kleine runde Steine und eine Anleitung. Einen Stein soll sie als Zeichen dafür zurücksenden, dass sie ihrer früheren Klassenkameradin vergibt. Den anderen soll sie an jemanden schicken, den sie selbst um Verzeihung bitten möchte. Hannah weiß sofort, wer das sein könnte: ihre Mutter. Aber soll sie wirklich zurück zu den schmerzhaften Ereignissen von damals und die Auseinandersetzung mit dem Menschen suchen, der sie am besten kennt? Denn Hannah hat etwas getan, das das Leben ihrer Mutter für immer verändert hat …
Manchmal ist es etwas winzig Kleines, das uns Großes tun lässt.
Meine Meinung:
Ich habe letztes Jahr den Debütroman der Autorin "Morgen kommt ein neuer Himmel" sowohl gelesen als auch einige Monate später gehört. Es gehörte zu meinen Jahreshighlights 2015. Da lag es natürlich nahe, auch das neue Buch der Autorin lesen bzw. hören zu wollen.
Der Einstieg in das Buch ist mir leicht gefallen, allerdings fand ich das Buch anfangs nicht so ansprechend. Das hat sich dann schnell geändert, als es um die Geschichte des Vergebens und um das Verhältnis zu ihrer Mutter ging. Das konnte mich total fesseln und ich habe das Hörbuch auch in wenigen Tagen durchgehört.
Es hatte einige sehr gefühlvolle Passagen, ich muss sagen, nach der anfänglichen Skepsis hat es mir dann doch sehr gut gefallen. Für mich kommt es zwar nicht ganz an das erste Buch der Autorin heran, aber es hat mir auch schöne Hörstunden bereitet.
Die Sprecherin hat auch sehr gut zur Geschichte gepasst.
Alles in allem hat mir das Hörbuch sehr gut gefallen, es war sehr gut wegzuhören, die Charaktere haben mir sehr gut gefallen. Vor allem hat mir der Aspekt mit dem Vergeben gefallen, dass auch vieles durch ein Gespräch hätte verhindert werden können. Ich würde das Hörbuch mit 4 Sternen bewerten.
June 7, 2015
Hannah bekommt von ihrer ehemaligen Schulfeindin Fiona, von der sie jahrelang gemobbt wurde, zwei Versöhnungssteine zugesendet. Einen Stein soll sie ihr als Zeichen ihrer Vergebung zurück schicken und den anderen an jemanden senden, den sie selber um Verzeihung bitten möchte. Für Hannah ist schnell klar, dass dafür nur ein Mensch ich Frage kommt: ihre Mutter, mit der sie sich vor Jahren überworfen hat. Doch soll sie sich wirklich den Dämonen der Vergangenheit stellen und damit schmerzhafte Erinnerungen wach rütteln?
Es ist eine Geschichte über längst überfällige Geständnisse und Entschuldigungen, über Vergebung, Freundschaft, Familie und die Liebe. Der Leser begleitet Hannah auf der Suche nach sich selbst und der Wahrheit ihres Lebens.
Während Hannah sich anfangs noch sehr naiv und blauäugig verhält und für mich offensichtliche Dinge einfach nicht erkennt beziehungsweise nicht wahr haben möchte, macht sie doch im Verlauf eine wahnsinnige Entwicklung durch, so dass ich mich zunehmend mit der, zu Beginn, leicht nervigen Protagonistin identifizieren konnte. Einige Charaktere sind mir dagegen noch mehr ans Herz gewachsen, darunter beispielsweise Dorothy und Jade, beides Freundinnen von Hannah, die einen ganz besonderen Charme versprühen.
Obwohl das Buch wirklich sehr ereignisreich war und niemals langweilig wurde, waren die Wendungen für mich nicht wirklich überraschend und kamen teilweise doch recht klischeehaft daher. Dennoch hat mich die Idee und deren Umsetzung durchaus überzeugt, was vor allem auch an der tollen Botschaft lag, die das Buch aussendet. Zum Ende hin nimmt das Buch dann nochmal richtig an Fahrt auf, die Ereignisse überschlagen sich und gipfeln in einem teilweise offenen Finale, welches zumindest eine zentrale Frage offen lässt. Dies hat mich aber nicht gestört, als Leser kann man sich so seine eigene Wahrheit hinein interpretieren.
Das Buch regt auf jeden Fall zum Nachdenken an, gibt für manchen möglicherweise den Anstoß, selber "Versöhnungssteine" auf den Weg zu schicken.
Es ist eine Geschichte über längst überfällige Geständnisse und Entschuldigungen, über Vergebung, Freundschaft, Familie und die Liebe. Der Leser begleitet Hannah auf der Suche nach sich selbst und der Wahrheit ihres Lebens.
Während Hannah sich anfangs noch sehr naiv und blauäugig verhält und für mich offensichtliche Dinge einfach nicht erkennt beziehungsweise nicht wahr haben möchte, macht sie doch im Verlauf eine wahnsinnige Entwicklung durch, so dass ich mich zunehmend mit der, zu Beginn, leicht nervigen Protagonistin identifizieren konnte. Einige Charaktere sind mir dagegen noch mehr ans Herz gewachsen, darunter beispielsweise Dorothy und Jade, beides Freundinnen von Hannah, die einen ganz besonderen Charme versprühen.
Obwohl das Buch wirklich sehr ereignisreich war und niemals langweilig wurde, waren die Wendungen für mich nicht wirklich überraschend und kamen teilweise doch recht klischeehaft daher. Dennoch hat mich die Idee und deren Umsetzung durchaus überzeugt, was vor allem auch an der tollen Botschaft lag, die das Buch aussendet. Zum Ende hin nimmt das Buch dann nochmal richtig an Fahrt auf, die Ereignisse überschlagen sich und gipfeln in einem teilweise offenen Finale, welches zumindest eine zentrale Frage offen lässt. Dies hat mich aber nicht gestört, als Leser kann man sich so seine eigene Wahrheit hinein interpretieren.
Das Buch regt auf jeden Fall zum Nachdenken an, gibt für manchen möglicherweise den Anstoß, selber "Versöhnungssteine" auf den Weg zu schicken.
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