Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It “Loved this book! Valeria is a character that you will always remember. This takes place in a small Hungary town. Love and old age. Passionate book.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “This book had a great beginning, but got really weird by the end. I couldn't figure out a point to it. It might have been a socialism vs. capitalism thing, but I don't think that's broad enough to be the point. Especially when you have to go looking for it!” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“An elderly woman in Hungary finds love in her village. ”
April J wrote this review Friday, April 20, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This book had a great beginning, but got really weird by the end. I couldn't figure out a point to it. It might have been a socialism vs. capitalism thing, but I don't think that's broad enough to be the point. Especially when you have to go looking for it!”
Susan G wrote this review Wednesday, March 2, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
1 of 1 members found this review helpful“The author Marc Fitten let's his first novel be set in Hungary. He himself lived in Europe for some years and spent the most of his time in Hungary.
kolibri wrote this review Tuesday, October 19, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Valeria lives in the Hungarian Prairie, she is sixty-eight years old and a cranky, very peculiar spinster. She finds flaws in everything: her neighbors who spent all the time in Ibolya's tavern, the villages major, who makes bad politics and has a skinny legged wife, even the vegetables being sold on the market are limp.
But it comes the day when the village's potter draws Valeria's attention to himself. She is struck by his nice hands and his solid gaze. Suddenly she wears her hair open, dresses in flowery skirts and stops nagging about everything. She is not too shy to confess her affections for the potter, who is amazed and follows her call. But the villages becomes restless as Valeria reveals this improper character trade.
Although the author comes up with descriptions of very peculiar people living in a very peculiar village, I never could quite picture Valeria. I had no problems with fifty-something Ibolya though, running the village's tavern dressed in tight blouse and short skirt to have the men order more beer. She loves the potter too but seems to have no chance against Valeria and her charm. Even old men remember the days when Valeria was no cranky spinster and how they would have followed her if she had given them a sign. But she didn't want to as when she was young her sweetheart decided for another woman.
I think it is all about loneliness in a woman's older ages. Valeria suddenly decided against it as she realized she still could attract men like the potter. So she tried to win his heart for her. But the common people couldn't stand an old woman that obviously wanting a man not only for love but also for sex. The village people felt compassion for the potter who was always such a nice man. Like he was lost (to Valeria).”
“Quirky little story. It's probably not for my more conservative readers (little racy & has some language). I found the "folktale-like" feel to it to be rather charming. ”
Kim H wrote this review Monday, August 16, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Marie read this, and says: "A late-in-life romance meets quirky village comedy. If you're after a light summer read with plenty of humor and memorable characters, you might like this one."”
Camden Public Library S wrote this review Monday, August 2, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Loved this book! Valeria is a character that you will always remember. This takes place in a small Hungary town. Love and old age. Passionate book.”
Susan S wrote this review Sunday, May 30, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Part fairy tale, part political, part love story, it kept me wanting to know what in the hell was gonna happen next. The characters are very well drawn and the story moves fast. Can't wait for Marc Fitten's next work.”
Mary C wrote this review Saturday, August 29, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Cute and quick.”
Faith C wrote this review Wednesday, August 19, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ I got a slow start on this book, but finally got it finished, and thought it was a very good read.
Sandee63 wrote this review Friday, August 7, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Loved the storyline and characters, and it kept my interest. Lovely cover art also.”
