Reviews

The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall

katieproctorbooks's review against another edition

5.0

I really, really loved this book. Each character was so unique in their personalities and doubts and reactions to life. I saw little bits of myself in all of them. Beautiful book.

kimmeyer's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved this book, in the most sincere, hug it to your chest, type of way. This is what Anne Bogel would call a quiet novel, and I wouldn't expect a story in which God is the fifth main character to captivate me, but it did. The writing is restrained but there are some really poignant paragraphs and the whole book is just beautiful. (I received an ARC of this title.)

swayzerainey's review against another edition

4.0

I give this book 4.5 stars. I was drawn into the story, but wanted the ending to be longer and more detailed!

knitwgrace's review against another edition

5.0

So beautiful. This one will stay with me a long time. The exploration of relationships and faith.

michellereads2024's review against another edition

4.0

This story was amazingly well written and had a story line that I will not soon forget. The story follows four very unique individuals as they navigate life and their relationships/perspectives on God. This book provides insight into our relationships with our inner selves, our marriages and friendships. I highly recommend this book!

jenleah's review against another edition

4.0

4.5/5

Like other reviews have said, it ends a little too quickly. The last 1/4 of the book wasn't as strong as the first 3/4. This book was totally my jam. Character-driven story, spans many years, mostly likable characters.

spillie's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A book that at first blush appears to be about faith but it is about so much more than that. It is about friendship, changing times, life’s challenges, acceptance, and relationships of every description. Set in a time period (1960’s) with significant societal change, the characters respond in their own unique ways to living each day in the circumstance they find themselves.  Whether you have faith or not, you will find a character that speaks to you and will cause some introspection. Strongly recommended. 

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Content Warnings

The autism subplot may be disturbing to some readers

notesonbookmarks's review against another edition

5.0

The way people described this as beautiful and character driven, I was almost sure it wouldn't be for me. That I would find it a slog, and be bored. But instead, I find myself bereft at it being over. I'd describe this as glimpses of love and life and friendship and God. The writing is amazing and I took photos of multiple passages. The people are real and flawed and phenomenal. So, instead of an unpopular opinion, like I thought I would have, I'm joining my voice with the chorus. James and Nan and Lily and Charles will stay with me, for a long time.

ptorrens's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this story about two couples navigating through life, learning how to cope with the course that is laid before them, both expected and unexpected grievances and joys. It follows two ministers, Charles and James, who wind up sharing the pastoral duties of Third Presbyterian Church in NYC during the tumultuous times of the 1960s. It follows these men from their college years and meeting their spouses, through to meeting each other and having their lives intertwine through life’s journey. The way that the author handles topics of faith, grief, loss, doubt, and weaves them into the church, the ministry and their lives, just left me in awe. I loved how realistic each character was, their faults and misgivings, as well as growth throughout the novel. I loved the honest relationships through the story, how Lily and Nan never forced things, yet still managed to be there for each other. Their honesty was refreshing. And I enjoyed the portrayal of God and the church that was at the center of the narrative. It explored themes of faith, from all the characters, from all different angles. They all believed (or didn’t) differently. They all struggled with their faith and viewed God differently. I thought this topic was written beautifully, so as to not intimidate, but reach people from all perspectives. I feel like this book will stay with me for quite some time.

bookapotamus's review against another edition

2.0

This is a hard one for me to review without offending anyone or having a fear of being judged for what I do or do not believe in.

This book is an interesting exploration of church and faith and God and in my opinion it was WAY to heavy on the religion for my taste. I do understand that a lot of things in life, many struggles and stressors, do have people questioning their faith, and in that aspect, reading about it is interssting to me. But I find some things hard to believe - in particular when one goes from a non-believer to a believer in one split second instant.

It was a very slooooow start for me and by 75% I felt we were still exploring everyone's background before the real trials of the book occurred. I would have liked that percentage flipped and explored more of the plot at the end of the book. If I DNF'd books, this would have been one.

Very slow and uneventful for the most part and many people loved this one- but it just wasn't for me.