Helpful Score: 6
Wow, the rave reviews for this book have me stumped. I thought that it was awful. Barely 200 pages long, I thought that it was 200 pages too long. Dull, simplistic, boring and written like a young adult novel. I was never drawn into the story and the characters never came alive for me. Eileen Goudge is one of my favorite authors, but this one was a rare disappointment for me.
Helpful Score: 2
What a wonderful story. What true love really is. Shari
Helpful Score: 2
I picked this book up because it had such a nice cover, but its story was just as beautiful. I came close to crying at one point which says a lot. It is a love story that is told through the diary entries of their mother before she got married. As the diary entries are read by her grown up daughters, a theme of how do you know who is the right person to marry and how well do you know your parents develops.
Terribly sweet and with great characters that I grew to love.
Terribly sweet and with great characters that I grew to love.
Helpful Score: 2
What a beautiful love story.For all you romantics out there you wont be disappointed.The ending took me my surprise.Its also a lovely story about a mother and her daughters.Its also about two sisters learning about their mother and her love life.cant say enough about the book.
Helpful Score: 2
This is the first book I have read by this author and I loved it...so I will definitely be adding her to my list of favorite authors.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was a wonderful read. It was intriguing and heart-wrenching at times and the ending was not what I expected. I look forward to checking out Eileen Goudge's other books.
Helpful Score: 1
When Elizabeth Marshall's two grown daughters - Emily and Sarah - discover their mother's old diary stored in her attic, they are stunned to learn that their mother's true love wasn't their father. By reading Elizabeth's private thoughts and feelings about her life, a whole host of questions are kindled in their minds: is all as it seems? This is the mystery that Emily and Sarah must unravel as they stay up late reading the words penned by Elizabeth so many years ago.
Unfortunately, Elizabeth can't give her daughters the answers they so desperately seek. After suffering a massive stroke, she now lies mute and near death in a nursing home. Only the pages of her diary can provide clues as to what really happened.
In a richly detailed journey into the past, young Elizabeth Harvey loses her heart to one man while remaining devoted to another. Finally, she must choose between the devoted and steadfast Bob - who represents loyalty and stability...and the electrifying and unpredictable A. J. - who holds Elizabeth's heart, and who spent time in juvenile detention as a teenager. When a suspicious fire in the neighborhood is linked to A. J., Elizabeth faces another dilemma: she's the only one who can clear A. J.'s name, but to step forward would ruin her reputation. Surprisingly, it is Bob who eventually comes to her rescue, forcing Elizabeth to make perhaps the most painful decision of her life...
The Diary by Eileen Goudge is an intricate love story. However, it is also the story of the unshakable bond of love between a mother and her daughters. This is actually the third book by Eileen Goudge that I've read, and I must say that in my opinion, she really is an excellent writer. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I like stories about families; and specifically stories about relationships between mothers and daughters. I appreciated that Ms. Goudge's characters were so vulnerable - they each really resonated with me, and I found myself sympathizing with all of them. I give this book an A+! and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Unfortunately, Elizabeth can't give her daughters the answers they so desperately seek. After suffering a massive stroke, she now lies mute and near death in a nursing home. Only the pages of her diary can provide clues as to what really happened.
In a richly detailed journey into the past, young Elizabeth Harvey loses her heart to one man while remaining devoted to another. Finally, she must choose between the devoted and steadfast Bob - who represents loyalty and stability...and the electrifying and unpredictable A. J. - who holds Elizabeth's heart, and who spent time in juvenile detention as a teenager. When a suspicious fire in the neighborhood is linked to A. J., Elizabeth faces another dilemma: she's the only one who can clear A. J.'s name, but to step forward would ruin her reputation. Surprisingly, it is Bob who eventually comes to her rescue, forcing Elizabeth to make perhaps the most painful decision of her life...
The Diary by Eileen Goudge is an intricate love story. However, it is also the story of the unshakable bond of love between a mother and her daughters. This is actually the third book by Eileen Goudge that I've read, and I must say that in my opinion, she really is an excellent writer. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I like stories about families; and specifically stories about relationships between mothers and daughters. I appreciated that Ms. Goudge's characters were so vulnerable - they each really resonated with me, and I found myself sympathizing with all of them. I give this book an A+! and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
After I read Woman In Red a while back and fell in love with it. Unfortunately, The Diary is a huge disappointment. It is poorly written, simplistic, and dull. I'd give this book 1 star and would definitely hesitate before reading anymore by this author.
This was one of those *can't stop reading books* but now that I am finished I'm sorry it has come to an end. I wasn't thrilled with the ending because I already had it in my mind on how I wanted it to end. However, I still give it a 5 out of 5 with five being the best! Loved it! Good book to read on a warm summer day or at the beach!
Loved it! A quick read on a rainy afternoon!
I felt as if I was sitting and reading the Diary along with the
characters in the book. It's about following your heart.
I felt as if I was sitting and reading the Diary along with the
characters in the book. It's about following your heart.
When Emily and Sarah find their mother's premarital diary while cleaning out the atic after their mother's stroke, they are shocked to find she was in love with someone else before she married their father. As the diary proceedes the girls get a look at a woman they thought they new but were surprised at the secrets her diary contained. This is a great little love story. The characters are well developed and very likeable.
Loved this story, could not put this book down.
When two elderly sisters are packing up their dying mother's house, they come upon her diary. Within, they learn that their mother's true love was not their father. But not everything is as it seems.
Elizabeth Harvey has been dating Bob for four years. With the hints Bob has been dropping lately, she is pretty sure he is going to propose soon. He treats her well and he loves her. She also loves him and is sure they will have a wonderful life together.
When Elizabeth bumps into an old friend at the county fair, she is shocked with her own behavior. She is almost betrothed and handsome AJ has her blushing furiously in no time. Elizabeth knows she is walking a fine line. She does not want to betray Bob, but she has to follow her heart. AJ lights a spark inside of her that she needs to explore. However, AJ eventually leaves, explaining to Elizabeth that he will return when he has something to offer her.
Months later, Bob tells Elizabeth he has enlisted in the Army, but that he still wants to marry her. She tells him she will give it serious consideration. She knows she and Bob would have a wonderful life together. She hasn't heard from AJ in months and is beginning to question herself and her heart. But then suddenly, AJ returns, and Elizabeth must make a difficult decision of the heart and for her life.
THE DIARY is a heartwarming love story with such well crafted characters, I hated to see it end. Eileen Goudge spins a wondrous tale of family, relationships and love with just a hint of mystery. I was drawn in from page one and could not let go until the very end. I absolutely loved it!
Elizabeth Harvey has been dating Bob for four years. With the hints Bob has been dropping lately, she is pretty sure he is going to propose soon. He treats her well and he loves her. She also loves him and is sure they will have a wonderful life together.
When Elizabeth bumps into an old friend at the county fair, she is shocked with her own behavior. She is almost betrothed and handsome AJ has her blushing furiously in no time. Elizabeth knows she is walking a fine line. She does not want to betray Bob, but she has to follow her heart. AJ lights a spark inside of her that she needs to explore. However, AJ eventually leaves, explaining to Elizabeth that he will return when he has something to offer her.
Months later, Bob tells Elizabeth he has enlisted in the Army, but that he still wants to marry her. She tells him she will give it serious consideration. She knows she and Bob would have a wonderful life together. She hasn't heard from AJ in months and is beginning to question herself and her heart. But then suddenly, AJ returns, and Elizabeth must make a difficult decision of the heart and for her life.
THE DIARY is a heartwarming love story with such well crafted characters, I hated to see it end. Eileen Goudge spins a wondrous tale of family, relationships and love with just a hint of mystery. I was drawn in from page one and could not let go until the very end. I absolutely loved it!
Loved this book! Beautiful love story!
This was a wonderful and heartwarming story. I quick read and one I enjoyed very much!
Discovery of a journal give details into the past, a very sweet love story. Good summer read
BEST book by Eileen Goudge so far! Read it in one night.....could not bear to put it down as I HAD to see how it all turned out! Keep tissues handy....tears will be flowing I guarantee it!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT !!!
A very good, touching story about family and love. Good representation of the values in the 1950s.
