Barefoot
by Elin Hilderbrand
Published by Little, Brown and Company
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Reviewed by Jamie Driggers
Josh knew when the three women stepped off the airplane in Nantucket, that this was the story of his summer.
Each of the three women is dealing with her own emotional issues. Vicki, the mother of two small boys, is facing a life-threatening illness. Her sister, Brenda, has just ruined her career by having a romantic relationship with one of her older college students. And Vicki’s friend Melanie just found out she is pregnant after seven failed in-vitro attempts—and after she found out her husband is having an affair.
These four people come to depend upon one another is ways that no one could expect. It is a summer of growth, healing, family and love.
This book is both fabulous and excruciating. There are passages of pure genius that I marked and will refer to for years to come. Hilderbrand’s grasp of the women’s psyche, especially the mother—well, I’m speechless. She says things we feel, but can’t come up with the words to describe. And her development of character is amazing. I’ve spent days walking around in this fog of reality where every moment is colored by this book. It should be, and is, a five star read.
However, on the other hand—I have spent days walking around in this fog of reality where every moment is colored. My sleep has been disturbed. I’ve had nightmares (and this isn’t a thriller). This book has such devastating moments I finally just got to the point where I wanted it to end so I could escape the emotion. This may make it a perfect read for many. It may just be. But considering my experience, I’ll be really careful to whom I recommend it.
If you are a sensitive reader, particularly if you are a 30-ish mother of small children, read with caution.
Armchair Interviews agrees.