What readers think of The Resurrection of Joan Ashby, plus links to write your own review.

The debut of Cherise Wolas' book at one moment was stunning and at the next moment, incomprehensible. The plot would be interesting, then Ms. Wolas would switch to a bizarre story line. The plot is actually a story within a story. The main character, Joan, projected many complexities. It is very well written, but difficult to follow what was happening. This would be a good recommendation for book clubs to dissect through discussion.

On the pro side: the issues involved in family dynamics can be trying and can bring any family to the brink of destruction. The main character, Joan, is not a simple person, but complex with varying degrees of emotions and acceptance. The family was discussed in very honest, sometimes brutal clarity. Decisions made were explained clearly and left no doubt why the results were as written. The books within a book was a unique feature.

On the con: It became a book of lists; every major statement had explanation, explanation, explanation, etc. to the point that it became obnoxious and expected. Some descriptions were not necessary and only seemed to add to word count for the book. At times, the story faltered and evaporated while reading. There was no true ending to this book. After reading 531 pages, who knows where the characters end up? We can guess; however, it is a pet peeve of mine to not close a book and feel, wow, that was a great story.

The first 400 pages were great, the final 131 were somewhat painful. I don't feel better for having read this story.

The Resurrection of Joan Ashby neither has anyone or anything rising from the dead. I have never shied away from books of 500 pages plus, however after plowing through 275 pages of verbosity and convoluted multiple storylines, I concluded that there were too many other books I wanted to read. Perhaps if the author was more economical in her writing and wove the storylines in a more cohesive manner, the book might be a better read. The main storyline is interesting, a female writer who is well on her way to fame marries but with the caveat that she wants no children. Of course, she becomes pregnant and with the birth of her first child realizes the mystery of motherhood in a positive way. Not so with her second child. And so begins the push and pull of her initial desire. I'm going to pick up a less emotionally complicated and intense book to read just to bring me back to earth. With that, watch The Resurrection of Joan Ashby be nominated or better yet, win a Pulitzer Prize!

At the start of this book I was put off by what I came to realize were excerpts from Joan Ashby's prize winning short story collection. When I got beyond that I settled into what I thought would be an enjoyable read. I was wrong. I found this book mildly disturbing and much of the storyline ridiculous. By then I was too far into the book and felt obligated to finish it. I have to add that Joan Ashby should've stuck to her convictions to never marry or have children.

While I wouldn't recommend this book it would make for an interesting discussion on several levels but primarily on the subject of motherhood.

Whatever happened to Joan Ashby? Cherise Wolas's character Joan Ashby is an author who achieved the ultimate literary success at an early age. "Enthralling, riveting, often shocking, her stories are as undeniable as her talent." touts the opening review of Joan Ashby in the fictional Literature Magazine. Wolas then inserts a few of Joan's early stories as proof, a risky technique at best.

Interrupting the main story is at first tolerable then bothersome and later, as it was employed numerous times, absolutely off putting. Also tedious were detailed descriptions of mundane scenes that have little bearing on the story such as listing all possible genres in a book store or a two page depiction of boarding an airplane in which Joan worries "She should have flown first class. Business class at least." One wonders that Joan even knows about coach. Her early notoriety coupled with her husband's lucrative skill as an eye surgeon leave her wanting for little, except a return to her life pre husband and children.

While Joan Ashby is resurrected in this novel there is no redemption. Even after she finally makes her move to get back her life, she blames "…the steep price she paid" on "…a man who breached his promise about having no children; an unexpected child who made motherhood precious; and an expected child who destroyed years of her life…what she had tried desperately to prevent had happened anyway—the stirring and mixing and coalescing of motherhood and life and writing." Ashby is selfish and needy, not an endearing character and definitely not deserving of the end that Wolas pens. This book is only recommended for those who have the time to wade, mostly aimlessly, through 500 plus pages seeking some overall rational for this story and be disappointed.

This book began as an interesting story—a very different approach than other books I've read. But by the time I was half way through, I began to feel there was something lacking and I kept backtracking to see what was happening. The storyline became many disjointed plots. I found myself wandering while trying hard to keep absorbed in this overly long book. There were too many descriptions that only made more words to sift through. I have doubts that even the aggressive marketing will make this a best seller.

This was not the book I expected based on the First Impression description. The Resurrection of Joan Ashby tries to do too much,employing too many stylistic devises. The writing is confusing, inconsistent, and wordy. Part 1: Joan of the title is a writer, author of two unique and successful short story collections, who is determined to focus on her craft - but instead (with a promise of support in her goal, which includes no kids) - marries, has children and loses her way as an author. Just as she is about to get back on track a significant bit of family treachery derails her. Part 2: We learn the story of the treachery. Part 3: We see Joan find her way back. In all three parts of the story, Joan's (and in part 2, son Daniel's) story is interlaced with samples of Joan's writing. The interweaving is incredibly awkward; the transitions between the third person story and the writing excerpts are flat and unimaginative ("and then he read." "the story continued"). And the writing samples serve mostly to lengthen the book -- it's over 500 pages -- rather than advance the story. The final section the resurrection story (which also contains some of Joan's work, with the same problems) struck me as a Eastern-spirituality-based version of books like The Shack and The Celestine Prophesy, both of which I despised. I guess you either love this one or you hate it. I finished the book only because I promised to review it.

When I read the description of this book on First Impressions in Book Browse.com, I thought it sounded interesting. Then when I received the book and skimmed through it I again thought I am going to enjoy reading this book; but then I started reading it.

The first 18 pages were not really part of the book. Instead I found out as I waded through those 18 pages (which I thought were depressing) these pages were portions of a book that Joan Ashby supposedly had written. Finally, I got to Page 1 of Chapter 1 of The Resurrection of Joan Ashby. I really feel quite confident that if I could have mustered the tenacity to continue, I might have gotten to the point of enjoying this book. I found out, however, that my 80 plus year old self decided that there were better ways for me to spend the next few days than going on with this struggle. So I did not finish the book.

I feel guilty about that. Let me tell you what my problem was. I discovered that I was having to read quite a few sentences a second time to make sure I understood them. The portion of the book that I read contained gigantic sentences. The champion in the length category (after I decided this was my problem) consisted of 280 words – in one sentence and it was quite easy to discover many runners up with 100 or more words. Heavens, surely the author could have achieved her purpose without making her reader’s struggle so much.

I read another review and discovered that this reader thought that possibly our author was the writer of a new classic. Trying to analyze why we had such divergent opinions, I concluded that the long sentences were the author’s method of making her readers actually experience how difficult and complex Joan Ashby’s own life was.

Anyway, this is my review. One day, when I am full of stamina I may attempt reading this book again. It really may be a classic. But right now, I am going to do something more exciting and liberating for me – like cleaning toilets or making my bed. Sorry.