Helpful Score: 7
I loved this book. It was the first Lorna Landvik book that I read. Landvik makes you feel as if you know the people in this book personally. It takes the characters from the time they are young all the way through their lives. I couldn't stop reading this and didn't want it to end.
Helpful Score: 6
I was impressed and pleasantly surprised by the writing style and plot of this book. There are times I actually gasped because I couldn't believe where the story went. I can't wait to read more from this author!
Helpful Score: 6
Lorna Landvik writes about family, friendship, and love. This book is so heartwarming!...and heartbreaking at times as well. I'll never forget Patty Jane or Harriet! Lorna Landvik's characters become my best friends from the moment I begin each one of her books! They jump to life right off the pages!
I absolutely adored "Patty Jane's House of Curl". I wish I could get my hair done there!
I absolutely adored "Patty Jane's House of Curl". I wish I could get my hair done there!
Helpful Score: 5
Patty Jane's House of Curl is an easy-to-read, joyous and funny story of a family of women, the tragedies in their lives, the strengths they find within themselves, and their ultimate victories. It follows the lives of two wacky Minnesota sisters, Patty Jane and Harriet, in a female Lake Wobegon where humor and hope overcome life's trials.
Helpful Score: 4
This is a great light read. Perfect for the beach on a sunny day, or for sitting by the fireside on a winter's night. The characters are well written--you care about them. The situations are zany, and sometimes stretch belief a tad. And there is just enough reality and substance to be able to reflect on it a bit after finishing it. Worth spending some time with.
Helpful Score: 3
This book is unique; a gem in a sea of the same old stories. I didn't expect it to be so interesting. I wish there were more books that really surprise me like this one did. It reminds me of the feelings I used to get reading books when I found a lot of authors who had new styles.
Helpful Score: 2
Loved this book! I couldn't put it down. I have read several of Landvik's books and liked them all, but this may well be my favorite.
Helpful Score: 2
A good read. A very interesting story about life seen from different perspectives
Helpful Score: 2
I absolutely loved this book! My first book from Lorna Landvik, and I'm definitely a fan of hers now!
Helpful Score: 2
Fun read. A family that goes through adversity and survives. I enjoyed watching Nora process all the changes in her life. It wasn't a "gotta own it" book but enjoyed it none the less.
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this tale of family and friendship set back in the day. It was a heartwarming story of people helping each other through their trials and tribulations. A good read.
Helpful Score: 2
Very fun and easy read, with shades of Lake Woebegon. Two Minnesota sisters open a beauty salon, Patty Jane's House of Curls, with live harp music and Norwegian baked goods. The characters are lovable and irrascible. I really like Lorna Landvik's books and I'll bet you'll enjoy reading it.
Helpful Score: 2
Women's fiction--a rich, detailed story about the lives of several women (two sisters, a mother-in-law, and a daughter), over several decades. A lot of plot but quietly written.
Helpful Score: 1
By the author of _Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons_ and almost as good as that title. Patty Jane's almost-too-handsome husband, Thor, deserts her just before her daughter, Nora, is born. Thor's mother, Ione, stays by Patty Jane's side, as does Patty Jane's sister, Harriet. The story is of Patty Jane, Ione, Harriet, and Nora as they face life. Several unexpected twists, some tragic and others, blessings in disguise, make this a book that is difficult to put down.
Helpful Score: 1
Sweetly sentimental book about small town life and the loves and losses of two sisters. Very funny and very poignant.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book very much. It made me laugh and it made me cry.
Helpful Score: 1
A warm, tender, ultimately inspirations saga. There is more about female bonding than a psychologist could do with a text twice this size. It's been said that a good haircut can cure any number of ills, and before long the Minnesota sisters hve opened a neighborhood beauty parlor complete with live harp music and an endless supply of delicious Norwegian backed goods.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was very cute and a quick read! By the author of Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons!
Helpful Score: 1
Not as good as Angry Housewives, but the story is touching, and makes you feel good.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book...the emotion in it crept up slowly and then just bit me on the butt. A great book of women bonding to and doing for women, full of love and tragedy, and not very sappy. I recommend it.
Helpful Score: 1
Patty Jane's House of Curl is the story of two Minnesota sisters, Patty Jane and Harriet and their struggles with love, loss and adversity in the 1950's and 60's. The story begins as Patty Jane marries the best looking man in town, Thor Rolvaag. Within the year, Thor disappears leaving Patty Jane pregnant, miserable and penniless. With the help of her sister, Harriet, Patty Jane goes to beauty school and opens the House of Curl, an amazing beauty parlor with live harp music, Norwegian pastries and the love and support of good friends and clients. This is a novel that draws you into the lives of remarkable people and keeps you rooting for them to the very last page. Ms Landvik's writing is crisp and witty with a wonderful ear for dialogue and her scenes vivid and true to life. A novel about life at its best and worst, written with insight, wisdom and humor, Patty Jane's House of Curl will make you laugh and cry and appreciate the strong bonds of family and friends.
This was a very meaningful story! A great read.
nice sister story
Very entertaining. Great story. Wonderfully written.
Good book, heart warming
I loved this book. It held my interest from page 1 till the end. I've read all of Lorna's books now and hope there will be more.
Excellent book!
I loved this book! So funny, tender, sad at times, and just plain fun to read. I had a hard time putting it down. There are some surprises is this story as well. I highly recommend it and I can't wait to read more of her stuff.
I enjoyed this one!
Funny and sad at the same time. Female bonding at it's best. Warm and tender characters as they evolve through the years.
This book was a good read and as always with this author towards the end I couldn't put it down. The author always creates the most interesting and unique characters.
good quick read
Patty Jane should have know better then to marry a man a gorgeous as Thor Rolvaag, but she was too smitten to think twice. Nine months into their marriage a baby is on the way and Thor is gone. It's a good thing Patty Jane has her irrepressible sister Harriett to rely on. Before long the sisters have opened a neighborhood beauty parlor, complete with live harp music and a never ending supply of delicious Norwegian baked goods. Its a wonderful warm hearted place where you cancount on good friends, lots of laughter, tears and comfort when you need it-and the unmistaken scent of someone getting a permanent wave.....
Landvik just keeps getting better. I fell in love with these people. A must read for her fans and anyone else.
Just couldn't seem to get into it
Lorna Landvik is a great writer this book is also set in Minnesota with lots of my home state land marks that I love to remember.
Another good one by Lorna Landvik! She is a genius at writing about women FOR women. Thoroughly enjoyed this one, too!
What a thoroughly enjoyable book! Fun, hilarious, tragic. Really a super read.
This book made me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time. I was on my knees towards the end bawling! No other writer has ever been able to do that to me. This book is incredible. I felt like I was there in the moments sharing the ups and downs as I read. You will not be sorry you picked this book up!
Geeez I didn't want this book to end. This isn't a chic or a cozy read as the title may suggest. This is the story of Patty Jane's House of Curl, a place where women could not only go to get their hair & nails done but to go & talk & better yet to be heard. It's a story of friendship & it's a story of sisters, family & love & above all to each their quest for dignity. I was laughing & I was sobbing. It's a wonderful warmhearted place I wanted to be real. Looking back there was a lot of wisdom in this book. I'll read it again someday in the near future. It's one of those books when you turn the last page you look up and say, "I won't be able to top this one for awhile".
This book was boring. I read the first 50 pages and it was just flat. No real plot. It just seemed like the author was rambling. The characters do not jump off the page and I couldn't find any connection to the characters, or the plot (if there was one). I would not recommend.
This book will make you laugh out loud and cry silent tears. It was like watching the movie Steele Magnolia's but without the southern flair.
Laugh and cry through Patty Jane's
This is first time I read this author. This book is about two sisters, wonderful and supportive relationships between women friends with love stories and tragedies in between. Wonderful story and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I love Lorna Landvik. Her characters are great, and I can picture everything in my head. This story is full of surprises! Good, good book.
(From back cover)
"A funny, poignant first novel about the bonds between women." -HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Patty Jane Dobbin should have known better than to marry a man as gorgeous as Thor Rolvaag, but she was too smitten to think twice. Yet nine months into their marriage, with a baby on the way, Thor is gone.
It's a good thing Patty Jane has her irrepressible sister, Harriet, to rely on. For it's been said that a fine haircut can cure any number of ills, and before long the Minnesota sisters have opened a neighborhood beauty parlor complete with live harp music and an endless supply of delicious Norwegian baked goods.
It's a wonderful, warmhearted place where you can count on good friends, lots aof laughter, tears, and comfort when you need it - and the unmistakeable scent of somebody getting a permanent wave...
"PATTY JANE'S HOUSE OF CURL has the emotional warmth of Lake Woebegone and the tender-tough female characters who populated 'Fried Green Tomatoes'...A unique story." -SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS
"A funny, poignant first novel about the bonds between women." -HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Patty Jane Dobbin should have known better than to marry a man as gorgeous as Thor Rolvaag, but she was too smitten to think twice. Yet nine months into their marriage, with a baby on the way, Thor is gone.
It's a good thing Patty Jane has her irrepressible sister, Harriet, to rely on. For it's been said that a fine haircut can cure any number of ills, and before long the Minnesota sisters have opened a neighborhood beauty parlor complete with live harp music and an endless supply of delicious Norwegian baked goods.
It's a wonderful, warmhearted place where you can count on good friends, lots aof laughter, tears, and comfort when you need it - and the unmistakeable scent of somebody getting a permanent wave...
"PATTY JANE'S HOUSE OF CURL has the emotional warmth of Lake Woebegone and the tender-tough female characters who populated 'Fried Green Tomatoes'...A unique story." -SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS
Great story line. Strong women getting through life on their own
Great offbeat, quirky book full of unique characters with and storyline that has a remarkable twist. Very engaging.
from the back cover: "PATTY JANE'S HOUSE OF CURL has the emotional warmth of Lake Wobegon and the tender/tough female characters who populated Fried Green Tomatoes...a unique story."
A FUN FAST READ THAT WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH
This is such a great story. If you haven't read Landvik you should.
Fabulous!
I fell in love with the characters in this book. A fun read!
One of the best Landvik books I have read. But aren't they all wonderful!?
A very good little book, it was a fast read and had a few little turns I did not expect, and at least one that I did! I liked Angry Housewives Eating BonBons better but this one was good also.
This was my first Lorna Landvik book and I loved it. I really got involved in the characters. It was an easy read and I finished it in two days.
Quirky--funny
The book that made a Landvik devotee. The cover says, "Warm tender, inspirational," and it is all of that and more. Patty Jane and her sister Harriet will live with me forever. Brilliant!
I enjoyed this. Such a sense of family! Am glad I read this. I do wish, though, that some of Ione's recipes had been included (everything sounded SO good!), I was starving by the time I finished this book! LOL!
Very funny and touching story. A must read!!!
good book. Quick read, nice plot twists, a bit predictable.
fun character development, good story line - loved it!
LOVED THIS BOOK!!
good read
totally hysterical and sad at the same time---very much a sister/mother/daughter novel LOVED IT
Easy reading...fun and thoughtful.
I really enjoyed this book. It was sweet.
A book that reminds us that a friend and sisters' bond can get you through the tough times.
Patty Jane's House of Curl is an easy-to-read, joyous and funny story of a family of women, the tragedies in their lives, the strengths they find within themselves, and their ultimate victories. It follows the lives of two wacky Minnesota sisters, Patty Jane and Harriet, in a female Lake Wobegon where humor and hope overcome life's trials.
Really excellent book, "Fun and funny, spiked with tragedy and sad times." The story is about the bonds between women. I highly recomend this one it is a unique story that will stay with you long after it is done.
Absolutely wonderful book. Times of laughter, times of awe and most of all real life in the real world. This is a great read!!!!!!
This was a wonderful book!
I loved it!
A funny poignant first novel about the bonds between women. Patty Jane Dobbin, Thor Rolvaag, and more. "the emotional warmth of Lake Wobegon and the tender/tough female characters of Fried Green Tomatoes"...a feel good read!
This book will pull you in and will not let you put it down. The life of Patty Jane Dobbin, her short marriage, birth of a daughter and all the troubles and joys that enter into a woman\'s life. This is a must read book.
Funny and touching. Like a Norwegian-American Fannie Flagg novel.
This book was ok semi predictable. Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons was a far better book.
Lorna Landvik was once a stand up comic and this book proves it. At the same time you're laughing your butt off, you are recognizing characteristics of people you maybe once knew.
Anything by Lorna Landvik is absolutely great, and this is no exception!!
Patty Jane and her sister's lives don't work out like they'd hoped or expected. Patty Jane gets pregnant on the night of her wedding and her husband disappears before the baby's born. Her sister Harriet's wonderful, loving fiance is killed in a plane crash. But the two of them, with the loving hand of Patty Jane's mother-in-law support each other through thick and thin.
This story flows very well from start to finish. It sometimes requires a whole lot of suspension of disbelief, but it's a fun ride all the way.
This story flows very well from start to finish. It sometimes requires a whole lot of suspension of disbelief, but it's a fun ride all the way.
I didn't like this book as well as some of the author's other works.
An easy read .... fun.
good book, bit of a tear jerker
Good book about family and friendship. Rollercoaster of emotions with this one. Very good tho!
A great book from beginning to end, funny, heartwarming and excellently written. Especially fun for me as it was set in Minneapolis, reading the references of different locations, streets and resturants that I knew was great.
This is a unique story about the love of family & the way a woman feels when she gets her hair "fixed" at the beauty parlor.
funny and warm. a friendly meeting place in the local beauty salon.
This was a quick read. Nice story, a break from reality for a bit, and a look back at how things were. I would recommend it.
I read this book for my bookclub. It was a fun read.
Very light read. Fun. Good vacation book
This is a fun book, reminscent of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood books.
Great Book.
Maybe Patty Jane Dobbin should know better than to marry a man a gorgeous and Thor Rolvaag, but shes too smitten to think twice. Yet nine months in to their marriage, with a baby on the way, Thor is gone. Its a good thing Patty Jane has her irrepressible sister Harriet to rely on-not to mention her extremely short, extremely rich almost-brother-in-law, Avel Ames. Its been said that a good haircut can cure anynumber of ills, and before long, the Minnesota sisters have opened a neighborhood beauty parlor complete with live harp music and an endless supply of delicious Norwegian baked goods. Its a wonderful, warm-hearted place where you can count on good friends, lots of laughter, tears, and comfort when you need it-and the unmistakable scent of somebody getting a permanent wave.......
I really enjoyed this book. A heart warming tale.
This was a very good book. It was a fast read andquite humorous although the ending was a little predictable.
Good chick lit.
Another great read from Lorna Landvik!
Very good book, enjoy Lorna Landvik's quirky characters and stories.
all the emotions / all the adjectives / just a wonderful read!!
I've been interested in this book for a long time, but I never got around to reading it. I'm posting in case someone else might want to read it. I love Landvik's books.
Excel Cond. Good 50's story.
Sorry. I don't really remember. I read it a long time ago.
Maybe Patty Jane Dobbin should know better than to marry a man as gorgeous as Thor Rolvaag, but she's too smitten to think twice. Yet nine months into their marriage, with a baby on the way, Thor is gone. It's a good thing Patty Jane has her irrepressible sister Harriet to rely on - not to mention her extremely short, extremely rich almost-brother-in-law, Avel Ames.
It's been said that a good haircut can cure any number of ills, and before long the Minnesota sisters have opened a neighborhood beauty parlor complete with live harp music and an endless supply of delicious Norwegian baked goods. It's a wonderful, warm-hearted place where you can count on good friends, lots of laughter, tears, and comfort when you need it - and the unmistakable scent of somebody getting a permanent wave...
It's been said that a good haircut can cure any number of ills, and before long the Minnesota sisters have opened a neighborhood beauty parlor complete with live harp music and an endless supply of delicious Norwegian baked goods. It's a wonderful, warm-hearted place where you can count on good friends, lots of laughter, tears, and comfort when you need it - and the unmistakable scent of somebody getting a permanent wave...
