8/15/09

Book #145 The Best of Times: A Novel by Penny Vincenzi




5 out of 5


Product Description
In a matter of seconds, absolutely everything can change …In this masterfully crafted page-turner, peopled with intense characters and centered on one devastating moment that involves them all, plot-twist queen Penny Vincenzi vividly captures how the actions of one person can dramatically affect many in the blink of an eye.On an ordinary Friday afternoon, on a major motorway outside of London, a trailer truck suddenly and violently swerves across fives lanes of traffic—careening cars into one another like dominoes and leaving a trail of chaos and confusion. Within the space of a minute, an astounding miles-long pileup has amassed, and, as the survivors await help, their stories unfold.Vincenzi expertly maneuvers the plot between the panic-stricken husband trapped in his car with his young mistress, his adultery sure to be discovered; the bridegroom trying frantically to get to the church on time (he won’t); the widow on her way to reunite with the love of her life after sixty years, now forced to ponder whether she’ll ever see him again; the junior doctor waiting to receive the crash victims in the ER … And at the epicenter of this field of destruction lies the truck driver, suffering from memory loss, while the mysterious hitchhiker, the only person who knows what really happened, has fled the scene.Spellbound by these intimate and evocative tales, we watch as fate takes its powerful course and the far-reaching effects of the crash ripple through the lives of hundreds of people. Written with incredible verve, candor, and wit, Penny Vincenzi reveals human behavior in all its fascinating detail as she challenges her characters to face crisis boldly—and she surprises us with the results at every turn.
About the Author
Penny Vincenzi is the author of several major bestsellers, including Sheer Abandon. Before becoming a novelist, she worked as a journalist for Vogue, Tattler, and Cosmopolitan. She lives in London.
Product Details
Hardcover: 608 pages
Publisher: Doubleday (July 14, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385528248
ISBN-13: 978-0385528245
Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
Normally I hate overly descriptive books, but I had to give this one a *5* for making me like it. Yes, the story is like the movie Crash since it involves different characters and the impact an accident can intertwine and create relationships where none would have flourished otherwise. I just really wish it would have gotten to the happy ending a little quicker. I did read every page and enjoyed it.
I liked all of the characters except Laura...I had one major issue with her: any mother would protect her children at any cost, even if that is forgiving your husband for the unforgivable. Maybe that is why I liked the book as well, because of the one character you love to hate.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a note!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.