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tarahmanning's review against another edition
5.0
Some stories take me a few pages or chapters to really immerse myself in, to start believing in the story. This book had me hooked on the first line. I am in love with this format & how well done the authors did it. This book is strictly you flipping through old letters during the war between two women who have never met. Pen pals – the real deal. Glory was given the address of Rita – both on different coast lines – because they both had husbands fighting in the war.
You’re bouncing between two women’s lives as they endure the same waiting game, waiting for the latest V-Mail from their husbands to reassure them they’re still alive, waiting for the dreaded telegram to tell them they’re not. They trade recipes back & forth with ideas on how to “spice up” the limited ration amounts they are allowed to purchase. They trade advice, they lean on each other during hard moments and whisper secrets they wouldn’t share with anyone else.
I was thrilled to learn that not only was the book written in the point of view through letters, but that is literally how this book was written. Suzanne Hayes & Loretta Nyhan, the amazing authors behind this book, have never met. The same as Rita & Glory. They found each other online & emailed back & forth with the idea of writing a book together. Then one day, Suzanne wrote an email to Loretta in Glory’s voice, the first letter in this book. When Loretta wrote back as Rita, they started forming this book.
I couldn’t put it down, I read it from start to finish in three days. Yes…I let the kids watch one more episode of TV than I normally would to do so. Win win right? I had the book cracked open as I put meals together, reading it as I stirred breakfast together or plated up lunch. I gobbled up the story line during naps and stayed up past my bedtime because I just had to know what happened next. I am so excited to pass this book on to a friend to share the magic I just witnessed. I think both of these ladies have a bright future in writing.
You’re bouncing between two women’s lives as they endure the same waiting game, waiting for the latest V-Mail from their husbands to reassure them they’re still alive, waiting for the dreaded telegram to tell them they’re not. They trade recipes back & forth with ideas on how to “spice up” the limited ration amounts they are allowed to purchase. They trade advice, they lean on each other during hard moments and whisper secrets they wouldn’t share with anyone else.
I was thrilled to learn that not only was the book written in the point of view through letters, but that is literally how this book was written. Suzanne Hayes & Loretta Nyhan, the amazing authors behind this book, have never met. The same as Rita & Glory. They found each other online & emailed back & forth with the idea of writing a book together. Then one day, Suzanne wrote an email to Loretta in Glory’s voice, the first letter in this book. When Loretta wrote back as Rita, they started forming this book.
I couldn’t put it down, I read it from start to finish in three days. Yes…I let the kids watch one more episode of TV than I normally would to do so. Win win right? I had the book cracked open as I put meals together, reading it as I stirred breakfast together or plated up lunch. I gobbled up the story line during naps and stayed up past my bedtime because I just had to know what happened next. I am so excited to pass this book on to a friend to share the magic I just witnessed. I think both of these ladies have a bright future in writing.
alireadsandknits's review against another edition
4.0
For $1.99 I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book!
jasmyn9's review against another edition
5.0
With so many of the country's men gone to war during WWII, the "war-wives" were encouraged to write letters to each other. Letters offering support and advice. Letters to show that they weren't alone. Rita and Glory were matched by the fates drawing a name from a hat, and there were perfect for each other. Both are struggling to adapt to their new life without their men around. Reaching out to each other half way across the country, they manage to forge a bond that saved both of them many times.
This is not a book to read quickly. It is meant to be curled up with in a nice comfy chair, bed, couch, blanket and take a few small sips every now and then. I found myself putting the book aside inbetween letters to let it all sink it. To try and imagine the anticipation they must have felt as they waited for the mail to arrive. It is something we modern folk don't experience much with email, facebook, and twitter connecting people instantly. This was a fantastic look back into ourselves and what it was like to wait - but wait in a good way.
I don't think I can really express how much I enjoyed this. It has been one of the highlights of my reading this year, and definitely makes the must read again list. I'm sure it will just as powerful each and every time I pick it up.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-ill-be-seeing-you-by-suzanne.html#sthash.Pl9shzKJ.dpuf
This is not a book to read quickly. It is meant to be curled up with in a nice comfy chair, bed, couch, blanket and take a few small sips every now and then. I found myself putting the book aside inbetween letters to let it all sink it. To try and imagine the anticipation they must have felt as they waited for the mail to arrive. It is something we modern folk don't experience much with email, facebook, and twitter connecting people instantly. This was a fantastic look back into ourselves and what it was like to wait - but wait in a good way.
I don't think I can really express how much I enjoyed this. It has been one of the highlights of my reading this year, and definitely makes the must read again list. I'm sure it will just as powerful each and every time I pick it up.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-ill-be-seeing-you-by-suzanne.html#sthash.Pl9shzKJ.dpuf
hannah_50's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really good book! I liked it a lot and would definitely recommend it to others. I liked how it was written all in letters between two friends. It wasn't a sappy love story.
juliepjones's review against another edition
5.0
This is quite possibly the best book I've ever experienced. I may sleep with it under my pillow- not quite ready for the characters to be gone.
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
It's obvious why this is being compared to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (which I loved) because it's an epistolary novel set during WWII. The difference is that this one is set in the US, and the pretext that starts the book is a woman whose husband is fighting has reached out to another in her situation (something set up by a women's group? the USO? that part's unclear). There's little here that deals with culture, unless one considers wartime recipes culture.
The mere fact that these two women have husbands at war is enough to get the conversation going, but it's definitely one of those relationships that would not have existed otherwise, as Rita and Glory not only live far apart but inhabit very different lives (only towards the last half do we learn Glory's maiden name, one that resonates in American history at an 'elite' name). Despite that, the two become very, very close, sharing their deepest thoughts and secrets, hopes and fears. While much of what they talk about is mundane - for example, Rita asking Glory's son Robbie to draw something for her window - there are moments of real emotion that will grab the reader. And then there are the recipes, some of which I want to try now!
What dropped this from a 5 star was that at times there was a whiff of "what else can we put in that highlights their differences, the era and 'modern' issues" about the letters, and the voices didn't sound all that different (unlike the voices in Guernsey).
ARC provided by publisher.
The mere fact that these two women have husbands at war is enough to get the conversation going, but it's definitely one of those relationships that would not have existed otherwise, as Rita and Glory not only live far apart but inhabit very different lives (only towards the last half do we learn Glory's maiden name, one that resonates in American history at an 'elite' name). Despite that, the two become very, very close, sharing their deepest thoughts and secrets, hopes and fears. While much of what they talk about is mundane - for example, Rita asking Glory's son Robbie to draw something for her window - there are moments of real emotion that will grab the reader. And then there are the recipes, some of which I want to try now!
What dropped this from a 5 star was that at times there was a whiff of "what else can we put in that highlights their differences, the era and 'modern' issues" about the letters, and the voices didn't sound all that different (unlike the voices in Guernsey).
ARC provided by publisher.
maddie_09's review
5.0
I have received a copy of that book in Goodreads first-reads giveaway.
"I'll be seeing you" is a beautifully written story about friendship, love, life and loss. Told in letters it introduces us to Rita and Glory, two women who become pen-pals when the men they love go away to fight in war. Though very different they soon become friends. The letters they exchange become a lifeline, a very needed support in turbulent time of war and uncertainty.
It is a very emotional, heartfelt book. I cried, I laughed and I cried some more. It is a unique and captivating story.
If you like a well-written story that is an affirmation of a beautiful female friendship, that book is for you. I highly recommend it.
"I'll be seeing you" is a beautifully written story about friendship, love, life and loss. Told in letters it introduces us to Rita and Glory, two women who become pen-pals when the men they love go away to fight in war. Though very different they soon become friends. The letters they exchange become a lifeline, a very needed support in turbulent time of war and uncertainty.
It is a very emotional, heartfelt book. I cried, I laughed and I cried some more. It is a unique and captivating story.
If you like a well-written story that is an affirmation of a beautiful female friendship, that book is for you. I highly recommend it.
dummynicole's review against another edition
4.0
It took me awhile to read, but that was only because my reading list is so extensive right now.
I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.
What I liked so much about this book was how Glory and Rita have distinctly different personalities. Often times when I read books will multiple voices, they end up muffling together. Not with I'll Be Seeing You.
I've never read a novel compiled of all letters before, and I really liked how it panned out. These characters felt so real. It was like I knew them and could see them in my life. This really was a heartwarming read.
I received this book as a First Reads winner.
I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.
What I liked so much about this book was how Glory and Rita have distinctly different personalities. Often times when I read books will multiple voices, they end up muffling together. Not with I'll Be Seeing You.
I've never read a novel compiled of all letters before, and I really liked how it panned out. These characters felt so real. It was like I knew them and could see them in my life. This really was a heartwarming read.
I received this book as a First Reads winner.