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There are currently 30 member reviews
for Her Name Is Rose
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Rory A. (Henderson, NV)
A decent first effort
Despite the seemingly endless descriptions of flowers that bog down the story in many instances, this is a decent first effort that shows some promise to come in the future. Christine Breen is working her way through character creation and maintaining interest, and Iris at least has quite a journey to show for it, her cancer possibility notwithstanding.
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Joan N. (Evanston, IL)
"Philomena" In Reverse
"Her Name Is Rose" reminded me of the recent movie "Philomena." But rather than the mother seeking her adoptive child, this story is about the adoptive mother trying to find her daughter's natural mother. If you like music — both classical and jazz — and flowers and gardens, you'll enjoy "Her Name Is Rose." If you're a mother —adoptive or natural —you'll love "Her Name Is Rose. And if you've ever white-knuckled your way through a diagnostic mammogram, you'll see yourself in "Her Name Is Rose." Set mainly in the west of Ireland with stopovers in London and Boston, this novel envelops you like a warm Irish mohair shawl.Although it verges on the sentimental and is rife with coincidences, "Her Name Is Rose" will warm the cockles of your heart.
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Linda B. (Maryland)
Her Name Is Rose by Christine Breen
I really enjoyed this book as it reminded me of those by one of my favorite authors, the late Maeve Binchy. Ms. Breen's descriptions were excellent, especially those of the gardens and various landscapes in the story. I also liked that there was a musical element to it as I am a music teacher by trade. I don't often come across books that have a musician/student in them so this was particularly enjoyable. I think that this book would appeal to people who enjoy Irish literature/character studies, and gardening. It would also make a good book club discussion.
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Priscilla M. (Houston, TX)
Really enjoyable
I found this book to be eminently readable. The theme of love lost and found is told in the story of Iris Bowen, a widow and mother of an adopted daughter, Rose. Iris had made a promise to her dying husband that she would try to locate Rose's birth mother so that Rose would still have a family should anything happen to Iris. Iris seems to bury that promise with her husband until a suspicious mammogram causes her to face it once again. The story moves from Ireland to Boston as Iris attempts to carry out her promise. The characters are all likable and interesting, although I do think the female characters fared better than their male counterparts. I also think the ending did not have to be quite as tidy as the author seemed compelled to make it. A good read and a good story, just the the same. The author does an excellent job of portraying Iris's conflicting emotions.
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Susan B. (Rutledge, MO)
enjoyable heartwarming debut
I enjoyed this debut novel quite a bit, finding it engaging and interesting. Readers with experience of and/or interest in adoption and/or cancer should note that these themes are central to the book. The characters were generally likable and believable, though several made truly stupid decisions in order to move the story ahead. (Hey, I'm gonna catch a last-minute international flight to try to find someone in person, with only a decades old address to go on!) But it was generally well-written, with many heartwarming moments; I will certainly check out future work from this author.
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Wendy F. (Kalamazoo, MI)
Rose
A sweet walk through the lives of the Bowen family. Iris Bowen loses her husband and his dying wish was that she find their adopted daughter Rose's birth mother. He wants to make sure that if something happens to both of them, Rose still has family to count on. Christine Breen's writing truly did remind me of Maeve Binchy's writing including the fact that it is set in Ireland. I enjoyed getting to know the Bowen's and sharing the struggle of trying to find her family. I had just seen the movie Philomena and so much of this also reminded me of that movie. Just a lovely story!
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Julie P. (Fort Myers, FL)
Her Name is Rose
A debut novel about a young Irish widow who, without telling her adopted daughter and her best friend, travels to Boston to (hopefully) discover the whereabouts of her daughter's birth mother, something she promised her husband on his deathbed that she would do. The story focuses mostly on Iris, the young widow, as she finds herself in Boston, unsure how to proceed and also facing a health crisis of her own, while the story of her daughter, Rose, also unfolds. I enjoyed imagining Iris's life in Ireland, comparing it to the lives of the people she meets in Boston. I also enjoyed the emphasis the author places on the importance of music in her characters' lives, how it can be the cause of both inspiration and frustration. A beguiling, not-too-heavy story for fans of Maeve Binchy, Anne Tyler or Dorothea Benton Frank.
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