This is one of the best books about family I've read in a long time. The McWilliams siblings are wonderfully compelling characters, especially Sam, the oldest. Believing after losing his parents that only he can protect the family and keep it together, he becomes a playwright, pushing his brother and sisters to perform black comedy sketches about a family whose parents never show up for dinner. But the pressure he puts on them -- and the pressure of celebrity, once they start to become famous -- causes rifts between them, and forces Sam to reassess his own concept of family.

Despite its humor, this is at heart a serious allegory about the latchkey children of absent boomer parents, and about the power of the imagination to allow us to reshape our world. The writing is subtle but fast-paced, and the ending is powerfully moving. A great and memorable book.

I first stumbled across this novel in a review section of one magazine or the other. The review intrigued me enough to buy the book, and I was far from disappointed! I couldn't put Plum & Jaggers down. The characters fascinated me--especially Sam, whose mind we truly see into. I was a little put off at first by the predictable unpredictability (meaning the orphaned children, the oldest one of whom takes obsessive control), but the author answered back with twists and turns; my favorite was Sam's realization of the trite explosion at the close of the troupe's television show. Overall, a great read that stuck in my mind.

The power of Plum and Jaggers is how long after reading it I was still thinking about the characters and their story. Sam, as the eldest of four who were orphaned when their parents were blown up on a train, has the burden of protecting his siblings - even when and where they didn't need protection. His resiliency has its price in that he is troubled, overbearing, yet incredibly strong.This is a story of family values with an edge. As in an earlier book, A Country of Strangers, Susan Shreve is able to constantly link comedy and tragedy in a subtle yet provocative manner. She goes deeply into the psychology of her characters with a light flair. A great "book club" book.

Even faithful readers of Susan Elizabeth Phillips cannot imagine this book is a revised edition of her earlier effort in historical romances. An abrupt historical release from the primed contemporary romance queen firstly makes it a departure difficult for them to accept, let alone being embarrassed by the association with a literary classic GONE With the Wind.

Indeed Susan Elizabeth Phillips' latest has its fair share of glory. Using the Civil War and the struggle of the South and North as backdrop, she tells of a Southern lass, Kit Weston plotting murder on her Yankee guardian Baron Cain to reclaim her precious Risen Glory estate that is everything to her including Sophronia, her loyal maid. She is mistaken for a stable boy and is hired to serve Cain, which later when her identity is exposed, he threatens to sell away her estate if she refuses to enter an Academy for ladies. Years passed, Kit's vendetta with Cain is unsettled. As she matures into a woman, Cain is unexpectedly drawn to her and yields her into marriage. However, their pride will leave them at loggerheads. There is no fundamental love in their marriage institution - only desire. Cain, who is scared that he will end up like his father being taken advantage of by his mother sees Kit clinging onto him because of responsibilities - and not love. Though painful, their separation is imminent and inevitable for their stubborn hearts.

JUST IMAGINE attempts to stage a grand historical romance with slavery, clashes and racism. Yet the romance element is never quite fulfiling - Kit's wilfulness has made it difficult for any communication. Their departure in the middle of the book left them undeveloped and dry. Furthermore their love being contrived seemed pretentious and severed of emotions. Philips creates Kit to be strong and independent, yet simultaneously childish for her myopic view to be Cain's mistress in order to get back her estate. By the time she matures towards the epilogue, it seemed their love too late for redemption. The get-together far too hasty and unbelievable. In fact her secondary characters like Magnus and Sophronia shines luminously. Theirs is a love triumphed against discrimination - and how Sophronia convinces herself that Magnus is able to protect her with his love.

It is remarkable that historical accuracies are there but it unfortunately languishes into a dry read with undeveloped main characters and the passion is never quite on par with the throes of war. It leaves us only to imagine how ever could this book lack the sweeping passion that GONE WITH THE WIND has enchanted us with when the two are said to be in comparison.

first things first: if this is your very first book you've read by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and you didn't like it - PLEASE don't give up on her books. She's an amazing author, full of wit and humor, has a super imagination and creates extremely exciting storylines. JUST IMAGINE was a satisfying read, SEP's only historical, and her very first novel. So you can imagine, that's probably why it doesn't fit up to her contemporary standards, or even up to your standards! Give it a try, if you like... i did, and i enjoyed the light read.

Read the book synopsis for the plot outline! Kit Weston is your everyday typical historical heroine... and she sure does remind me of Scarlet O'Hara. She's temper mental, stubborn at times, but definitely not one of those frilly-wily girls, and infact is very intelligent, witty and at the same time gorgeous. I can't agree more with the author, that Baron Cain was the perfect hero for Kit. He was the only one that was able to put a solid hand to her behavior and put up with her spoiled ways, (kinda reminds you of Rhett Bulter eh?) Set in the south, where the time period was a treat to read about, where the ladies were real feminine and the clothes and outfits were wonderful and fun to experience. Many interesting scenes, tons of arguments and sweet make-ups, and the ending was excellent! My favorite parts were when Kit was at boarding school, and SEP writes the transition of Kit from tomboy to a beautiful young lady. Very realistic, and another great part was when Baron sees Kit for the first time in 3 years, imagine his surprise! Well written by SEP.

so why 4-stars? maybe more in-depth characterization was required...more scenes between the hero and heroine that displayed true love, not lust then love, it could have been more convincing...and maybe after reading all of SEP's contemps, my standards were too high. I expected more of SEP's famous humour touch, but didn't find that many funny scenes in JUST IMAGINE. but all in all, it was a good read, and looks great in my SEP collection!
*must reads* her whole chicago football stars series - do not miss!!! ;)

Just imagine is definitely one of my top ten! I had a real hard time just putting the book down. I've read several romance novels in my life, some are just so boring I don't want to even finish them. This was not one of them. I hated finishing the book, Kit and Cain became a part of me I didn't want to let go. I have never read Susan Phillips before, but I will search out her books immediately! Way to go Susan!!!

In this book, the authors Masson and McCarthy compile thoughtful and deeply educational stories that demonstrate the presence of emotions in non-human animals. Throughout the book these two authors draw from numerous stories and experiences that range from love to jealousy, to hate and compassion to convey to the reader the capacity of animals to experience emotions and feelings. One would expect such a book that is predominantly based on secondary information to be less informative and lack the knowledge to deliver a quality piece of writing. However Masson and McCarthy are able to communicate the controversial subject of the emotional lives of species other than are own, in a crystal clear manner.
The book delivers intelligent arguments that force the reader to pry deeper into the idea that animals do in fact have emotions. If emotions such as joy, grief, fear, and hope are able to cross cultural boundaries, why shouldn't it be plausible for these very same emotions to cross an interspecies boundary as well? By viewing animals as simple species that are incapable to feel and understand their emotions; we are robbing them of their capacity to be equal with the human race. The book continues to deliver the idea of a "double standard" that humans have developed when it comes to ethical treatment; and finds the route of this problem to be deeply imbedded in the minds of our civilization. Descartes has referred to animals as senseless machines, incapable of emotions and feelings, but is countered by Masson and McCarthy.
"To describe the lives of animals without including their emotions may be just inaccurate, just as superficial and distorted and may strip them of their wholeness just as profoundly. To understand animals, it is essential to understand what they feel." (Masson 23)

By delivering a variety of stories about different animals ranging from butterfly fish to elephants, When Elephants Weep is able to show the large spectrum of feelings that animals have been known to experience in their own existence. It does however bring to light one of the most worrisome and critical aspects of animal emotions: the idea of anthropomorphism. "Science considers anthropomorphism toward animals a grave mistake, even a sin," (Masson 32) states Masson. Reflecting human emotions on to individual animals changes the way in which mankind views other species, and in essence takes away their individuality as separate beings. We may think that a dog is happy, yet we have no capacity to feel the feelings and emotions that a dog has ever experienced. "Anthropocentrism treats animals as inferior forms of people and denies what they really are." (Masson 42) Being the controversial subject that it is, anthropomorphism has its pros and cons, and is constantly the focus when it comes to behavioral analysis in animals.
Once the topic of anthropomorphism is discussed and dissected, the book continues on to its primary focus which is the actual existence of emotions in non-human animals. Littered with short, second hand stories that have been collected through the century; each emotion that is known to humans is applied to animals in a variety of ways. Love and friendship between chimpanzees; grief and mourning of elephant herds, as well as jealousy through gray parrots; these are just an example of the broad range of emotions that span through the natural world of animals. This book does something that most books about animals cannot do; it portrays them not as savage beasts but as highly delicate and meaningful creatures that are more evolved emotionally than once believed. One unique story that is told is that of the trap-door spider and their capacity to love.
"Moggridge shook the baby spiders off her back and dropped her into the alcohol. After a while, supposing her to be "dead to sense," he dropped her twenty-four babies in too. To his horror, the mother spider reached out her legs, folded the babies beneath her, and clasped them until she died." (Masson 68)
Many other stories are told throughout the pages, some sad, and portray animals as humans, while other stories distinctly draw the line between humans and animals.
If animals are able to feel shouldn't society acknowledge this and treat them accordingly. It once thought that the ability to cry was a human trait, and only a human trait. As a habit, most people consider bodily fluids disgusting (such as urine, feces, etc.), but embrace the concept of tears and crying. The reason for this mindset was because it was an action that only humans had the capability of performing. Mason proves otherwise through the stories of a particular elephant. "Okha does cry at times, but that he had no idea why. Okha sometimes shed a tear when being scolded, it is reported, and at least once wept while giving children rides." (Masson 106) This does not just end with the idea of elephants crying and shedding tears, but also delivers stories of poodles, apes, and seals crying in painful or distressful situations. Not only does the topic of animals weeping relate directly to the title of this book, it demonstrates that other species besides humans are capable of a multitude of emotions.
Another major topic that is brought up is that of zoos and animals being imprisoned by them. When a human is put behind bars, they feel lonely and an aurora of despair and depression overtakes them; the same emotions have been found in animals. Many studies have been conducted to see if animals do in fact have these emotions. There is a story that tells the tale of a monkey who was put in a black isolation chamber for six months and then placed in a cage with other monkeys who were left to socialize during the six month time period. Once the isolated monkey was placed with the others, it immediately ran into the corner and embraced itself and was assaulted by his mates until the monkey perished away. These studies in fact are a lot like zoos; the animals cannot enjoy their abilities, a function that is labeled as "funktionslust". A cheetah may appear to be happy in an enclosed pasture, however it does not have the freedom to sprint for miles or to hunt and reproduce under its own terms. What happens now that it has been revealed that we share many human attributes with animals; is it time we stop their suffering, is time we discontinue using them as a food resource? Masson is still unclear about this. Has the time finally arrived where we as a society have realized that we hold no dominion over animals and that they are in fact equal to us in the field of emotions, or shall we just imprison more species behind the steal cages we call zoos.

I enjoyed reading this book and only have a slight criticism of this book. I would have liked to read more about the stories that are touched upon rather than have them summarized in a few sentences. Masson and McCarthy touch on some amazing accounts of animals exhibiting truly unique emotional qualities that could be better understood if detailed more. I have also realized that perhaps testing on animals is not the best way to learn their emotions, if in fact it is true that they share emotions with humans, why not test on humans themselves.

Even if you don't really agree with all of the author's hypothesis about animals, it is still a good read. To those who DO care about animals, it won't give you that much information you didn't already know from the Discovery Channel or Nature on PBS. This book not only attacks speciesists (my word: those who discriminate against other species)but is an attack agianst the scientific meathod in general. In fact, that is the main theme of the book--scientists are elitists male stubborn snobs--the animals are just there to prove that point. Had he focused ENTIRELY on the animals and left his soapbox a little more often at home (were the attacks on Sea World REALLY necessary?), this book would have gotten a 10. Still, it is an important book in that it might help promote people to think for themselves and to be more concerned about animals as other beings, not just as "inhuman beasts"

The behaviorist school of psychology has taught students of behavior that non-human animals are merely stimulus-response mechanisms. Yet Darwin established nearly 150 years ago that humans are fully part of the natural world; part of the Animal Kingdom. The evidence for conscious thought among non-human animals is now overwhelming, yet fabulous sums are poured into unnecessary research that is pure torture. This book makes the strongest case to date that animals feel the results of this suffering,as well as experiencing joy and many other emotions. It is a powerful book, a "must read" for for every member of OUR species.

This book depressed me greatly. It proves to this reader that the academy has taken over. This book is impenetrable, verbose, and cold. Susan Wheeler is the type of poet who is always saying, 'Hey look at me, look at how clever I am.' The work is empty of humanity. It is the kind of poetry that graduate students on so-called writing programs spend days discussing what they actually signify. It is poetry for the academic elites who jet from one writing program to another. The reader who believes poetry to be more than shallow verbal pyrotechnics will be disappointed by this book.

Who reads this stuff? The mind boggles.

Susan Wheeler writes intelligent and playful poems. Former poet laureate Robert Haas, who selected this book for publication, says that "Smokes" is a "deeply literary book." I agree. It's like Wheeler is having a conversation with the whole history of poetry: Pound, Mallarmé, Hesiod, John Berryman. And yet there are poems called "Beavis' Day Off" and "Fractured Fairy Tale," so Wheeler is also in tune with our present culture. A unique mind engaged with many worlds. And take a look at the rhymefest "Shanked on the Red Bed"--a classic! Wheeler's poems delight and haunt.

Wheeler is one of the really fascinating voices in contemporary poetry. Avoiding the sentimentality and clumsiness of most American lyric poetry, she heads off instead toward poems that combine the virtuosity of early modernism with a fair share of post-modern fun. Notwithstanding the experimental flair, tho, these poems are accessible and full of bemusement and yearning. Anybody who likes this book should check out the just-published SOURCE CODES, too. It's even better.

There's skill here, but no heart. Just a poet who knows her intelligence and cleverness but's blocked. If you wrung out the soul from Ashberry, you'd have Wheeler. There's a poet in New England, Bill Knott, who is far more dextrous than Wheeler; he writes similarly, but the reader feels and laughs. Knott is a dazzler. But not Ms. Wheeler.

...You can't argue with success: Wheeler is a real poet and Knott is not. Her two books are worth more than all his put together. Don't argue with the Poetry Establishment.

In reference to "a reader in ny"'s (what is the proper punctuation there?) "shiny & shallow" I take exception. I'm also a great fan of the poet Bill Knott. He's brilliant. And yes I do see crossover between Knott and Wheeler. But although they're both wildly clever, the territory is simply different which makes any comparison between the two poets invalid. Knott is a sufferer--and God bless sufferers. Wheeler is an observer--(I don't know if God blesses observers, but theological considerations are not necessary to this review). In her own oddly guarded, controlled and quite imaginative way, Wheeler's telling us what she sees. May both poets reign. May ALL poets reign.

I have never been happier that I decided, to go beyond the circle of authors I normally read, to try someone new! Susan Wilson created a story so finely crafted it is truly a work of art. I could truly see Lee & Alix as real people,living a very unique story.After finishing this novel it makes you want to look for the "beauty" in people instead of the "beast"

I love all retellings of Beauty and the Beast and admit to being addicted, so of course I had to read this modern version. It was exactly the type of book I dream of writing. You fall in love with Lee along with Alix. You begin to hate Mark. The characters are all so real, you can feel their pain with them. I loved this book so much, and it is something any fan of B&TB should definitley read! The only sore spot is the ending. I really don't see why Wilson chose to do what she did, but the book is still very beautiful.

The characters in this book are so real, so well-written, you will be taken in. I read this book in an obsessed and feverish 4 hours! I couldn't put it down for a second. I was completely surprised at Leland Crompton's personality. Someone so cruelly treated most of his life was delightful and like a breath of fresh air to me. Lee seemed to be a man made purely of feeling. I guess the reason why I absolutely fell in love with Leland's character is because there aren't many people like him. I am fortunate to know one. Someone with such a beautiful heart that it makes him seem even more beautiful outside than he already is. Is it really our appearance (the clothing and makeup) that makes us beautiful, or could it be our personality that brings out our true beauty? Time has a way of changing our appearance but our hearts will always be the same. If you fall in love (can you even call it that?) with someone only because of the way they look, I ask you this: when time takes their beauty away and all that is left is their personality - a personality that you may have always had trouble tolerating but put up with because of their physical appearance - what will you do? Their wealth and beauty, and the physical pleasure will not always be enough. Just something to think about. Something, I am sure, Alix didn't think of when she began her relationship with her previous lovers and with Mark. She realized it, but stayed with him because she had likely not been with better men and was herself somewhat shallow. She had always focused on appearance...until Leland. He showed her what true beauty is made of. :-) Read it! You won't be able to put it down, I promise.

Susan Richards Shreve's The Visiting Physician is an interesting, entertaining read. Her descriptions of the small town and it's small minded inhabitants are spot on, if not stereotypical. What makes this book enjoyable are the details, the gaily colored Victorian houses lining Main St., the river and its surrounding landscape, snippets from her character's lives, both past and present. Still we want to know more. Too many unanswered questions make the actual story less than satisfying.

Why can't Helen Fielding, the "Visiting Physician" of the title, connect on more than a surface level with any of her lovers? Why did Sophie, the voluptuous town "vixen", leave Meridian without taking her daughter with her? What secrets drive Prudential, the health clinic "nurse" to be so prickly and harsh at times? What are the circumstances of sherriff David Jasperson's past that caused him to divorce, get custody of his son, change occupations and move back to his hometown?

For light reading on a summer day, The Visiting Physician is perfect. Just don't look for a neatly wrapped up ending. It seems there may be more to this story than even the author is telling us.

After reading her Daughters of the New World, I had to get my hands on another of her works. Like Daughters, this book has strong female characters, and deals with the ever-popular "mother-daughter" delimma of finding oneself. The storyline develops around missing children in a small town which this visiting Physician is drawn to. Unlike her earlier work in Daughters, the supporting characters are underdeveloped,but Ms. Shreve keeps your interest with her unique twist on the main character's connection with the town.

In "Bella Tuscany" Frances Mayes finally begins to notice there is more to Italy than Bramasole. Her expeditions to the South of the boot as well as to the Venetian area are very interesting. I just wish we didn't have to be informed of EVERY meal & menu she participated in!

However, the strengths of expanded horizons also proves to be a detriment as the reader discovers when Ms. Mayes feels obligated to also recount her life back in the States, the hassles, stresses, etc. Do we really need to know about her oh-so-traumatic house hunting problems in overpriced San Francisco? All I kept thinking was "Boy, she must have made alot of money on her first book to afford all this!" Luckily since I had gotten the books from the library I did not feel suckered as well!

The title of this book is "Bella Tuscany:the Sweet Life in Italy". When the prose follows the title, it is usually interesting and enjoyable, if a little pretentious. When it digresses (& oh does it ever!) it is just a waste of paper & ink. Too bad Frances Mayes can't buy a sense of humor about herself along with all her antique linen & wine. She really could use one!

I really can't understand why so many reviewers have complained about this sweet little book. Although I'm French, not Italian, I have traveled all over Italy and I found Bella Tuscany to be a sweet and interesting book that provides a few evenings of lighthearted and entertaining reading. In Bella Tuscany, Mayes travels to regions outside Tuscany, such as Sicily and Venice, as well as to the many castle towns, fishing villages and islands. Many reviewers have complained about the chapter on recipes, but I found them quite interesting and delicious! Although I don't think Mayes captures the essence of Tuscany with quite the wit and verve of Peter Mayle, writing about Provence, Bella Tuscany is still a sweet and lighthearted look at one of the world's most beautiful regions.

This is a great book! It actually take you to a portal of Italy. Well written of Italian culture, Frances Mayes capture the bella of Italy. I love this book very much, I visited Italy before and I miss it so much. When I read this book, I feel that I am there again. I love the detail of it, I actually love when she talked about food, the market and the italian word with english beside it. I learned from the book.
If you love Italy, this is a must read.
One thing I agree with the other reader that if there's pictures and map included would make this book a plus. I really wants to see the pictures she mentioned and the map for my quick reference. I love the part she talked about mushroom and market with fresh food.

This is the worst of SJ book I have ever read. First of all Robbie Carr is too young, at 18 and spoil, selfish and acts like a child all the time, doesn't constitue what a man should be like. Sorry readers but I enjoy romance and love hot steamy sex but this book lacks everything. The only reason I finish this book was because I spend money on it and also I wanted to know more about Elizabeth and Johnnie(Outlaw). If I had to suggest a book it would be Outlaw and that readers you will get your money worth

After reading Susan Johnson's novel, A Touch of Sin, I rushed to find and read her other books. I've read her entire library and enjoyed every title. I was really looking forward to her new novel, To Please A Lady. I'm sorry to say that I was very disappointed in this book! It seems that Ms. Johnson has not put the effort into this novel that she has put into the others - as I was reading I wondered if the book was written to fufill a contract. Ms. Johnson's other novels were full of historical detail, great characters, and incredibly erotic love scenes. This books seems to be missing all of those! I never really liked the hero, and the heroine was the sterotypical romantic leading lady and not the strong woman that Ms. Johnson usually writes. The best part of the book was the prequel to Ms. Johnson's next, unnamed novel. Come back Susan, we miss you!

Sure, Robbie is only 18,but this is not a contemporary setting. I don't know why everyone is making such a big deal of this...I haven't been reading romance very long but it seems that in many historical romances the woman is much younger than the man. So the positions are reversed here. He is not an 18 year old of today either. He is very powerful and very wealthy. I liked the conversation too..a lot was very humorous. Haven't read Susan Johnson before so I can't say if this is better or worse than her others. I found it enjoyable with just a few questions. What's with all the footnotes? Do I really care about detail here? I didn't check any of them. It's a romance novel. This is all in fun..nothing serious about it. Also, some of the conversation was questionable. Did they really use those words back then? I don't really care. I liked it and found it very entertaining!!