All Families are Psychotic: A Novel

Average customer rating:

Mentally Deranged Hilarity

Anticlimactic.

Satire seems psychotic

3.5 stars: Sucks you in but falls apart towards the end

If nothing else, this book is psychotic

All Families are Psychotic: A Novel
Douglas Coupland
Manufacturer: Bloomsbury USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Family Saga | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Coupland, Douglas | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1582342156

Amazon.com

Canadian author Douglas Coupland's seventh novel could be subtitled When Bad Things Happen to Bad People. As the estranged members of the Drummond family straggle into Florida for youngest sister Sarah's impending space shuttle launch, we only begin to glimpse the true meaning of the word dysfunctional. The family, plagued by terminal disease, financial disaster, felonious activity, infidelity, and violence, is forced--by a series of ever more fantastic occurrences--to attempt to deal with each other. That would be an easier task if they didn't loathe one another with a ferocity usually reserved for war criminals. It's not quite Jerry Springer-style tabloid TV set in Disney's Haunted Mansion, but the family members do muster the strength to insult, assault, and infect one another with abandon. With the exception of the family matriarch, Janet, they are unappealing and selfish, but without Machiavellian brilliance. Instead, they're inclined toward out-and-out stupidity, blinded by self-interest rather than enlightened by it. As they bumble through misadventure after misadventure, there seems to be no reason to cheer for them. Even Sarah, the family's shining star, has her dark side.

True to Coupland's style, the book reads lightning fast. The author punctuates his narrative with clipped dialogue and punchy exchanges that advance the palpable sense of unease and tension running throughout. And amidst the acrimony, Coupland throws a genuine caper into the plot, involving Prince William's farewell letter to his mother, Princess Diana. Add to that the oppressive heat and the postmodern, pop culture junkyard of Coupland's Florida setting, and the entire book brews and builds like a roiling tropical storm. --S. Duda

Book Description

The most disastrous family reunion in the history of fiction.

The Drummond family, reunited for the first time in years, has gathered near Cape Canaveral to watch the launch into space of their beloved daughter and sister, Sarah. Against the Technicolor unreality of Florida's finest tourist attractions, the Drummonds stumble into every illicit activity under the tropical sun-kidnapping, blackmail, gunplay, and black market negotiations, to name a few. But even as the Drummonds' lives spin out of control, Coupland reminds us of their humanity at every turn, hammering out a hilarious masterpiece with the keen eye of a cultural critic and the heart and soul of a gifted storyteller. He tells not only the characters' stories but also the story of our times--thalidomide, AIDS, born-again Christianity, drugs, divorce, the Internet-all bound together with the familiar glue of family love and madness.

Customer Reviews:

Mentally Deranged Hilarity.......2006-04-20

Nobody has a family as utterly out of this world as the Drummonds simply because it is pure fiction. Relating to the eventful family get-together is normal but the Drummonds, all of them are sick; some of them deadly. The way each member handles oneself and others is downright amusing. It is a tale of a family outing gone bizarre into total mayhem that eventually brings a broken family closer together, or so the reader would think. Shootings, robberies, scams, deaths, and spats are part of the norms in Florida (so they seem nowadays in a lot of novels) and they are appropriately included in this book. Each chapter jolts the reader upright with fresh incidents which are mostly laughable. The dialogues are jovial and Mr. Coupland knows how to make family members push each other's buttons effectively on paper. Flashbacks tell the history of each happening, person, and relationship of each in the family. The closing of the narration is somewhat unsatisfactory, as if the story that has been built up in previous chapters requires an abrupt easy finale. But, Mr. Coupland's creativity in developing roles for his writing is stupendous especially of the mother, Janet Drummond. She is a remarkable lady.

Anticlimactic........2006-03-06

This book could have been one of Coupland's best, however, the ending is so horrendous that you honestly feel the writer is mocking you for having read it in the first place. A thoroughly disappointing novel.

Satire seems psychotic.......2006-01-19

When a friend handed me this book to read I quickly glanced at the title and stuck it in my bag. Admittedly, I thought it was a non-fiction, self-help book and was quite embarrassed that she thought that I might need some guidance.

Later I saw the tiny words "a novel" below the title and was relieved and intrigued. I found out that she thought I'd like the book because all of the action takes place in my kitschy hometown of Orlando, Florida.

Although the storylines are farfetched and silly and the characters are ridiculously unlikeable, I actually liked the book that followed the reunion of the Drummond family in Central Florida to witness one of their own, Sarah, a brilliant and deformed astronaut, get launched into space on an historic mission.

The Drummond family represents all of popculture's plagues: AIDS, cancer, addiction, domestic violence, divorce, adultery, and the like. Everyone's got something wrong with them, in a huge way, and accordingly, they get involved in situations that you'd normally read about in supermarket tabloids.

Coupland entertains with his satire. No, we're not supposed to really believe that such a family and such circumstances exist. We're supposed to sit back and enjoy the mayhem.

Florida is the perfect setting for this tale. Have you ever noticed that whenever you read a weird or unbelievable news story, nine times out of ten, it happened in Florida? Coupland made the plastic tourist world of Orlando one of the main characters and I've read no one who describes the oppressive August heat (and enormous insects)more accurately.

After this quick read, you might still think your family is psychotic, yet you'll be thankful they're not as psychotic as the Drummond clan.

Planning a vacation to Florida? Definitely pick this one up.

3.5 stars: Sucks you in but falls apart towards the end.......2005-12-27

Douglas Coupland is one of those authors that you pick up one of his books and it sucks you in. His descriptions are so vivid, his character are described with such enthusiasm to the point where you imagine what they may look like in real life, and his storytelling is oftentimes complex but cohesive.

Coupland captures the woe and angst of the Drummond family during a botched trip to Florida to watch their deformed daughter, Sarah's launch into space from Cape Canaveral. It starts out with Janet Drummond in a hotel room, reflecting on her chaotic past life, both in and out of her family, her ailment (her and a few other characters have contracted AIDS from either sex, drugs or medical reasons), and the fact that everyone in her family has not been in the same room in a very long time. From there, the dysfuncional family's problems just multiply, and the story develops more twists and turns, from affairs to dirty secrets of one's past to diseases no one knew about, adding to the suspense.

However, this book did get too caught up in a story about some guy retrieving a letter to Princess Di (I think) to the point where it takes up a lot of the end of the book, thus making me lose interest. True, some of the parts in that scenario were humorous and scientifically informative, but it did prove relevant to the book. I just wish it took up less of the story and focused more on how the family communicated towards each other. All families may be psychotic in their own way, true, but the multitude of problems everyone had with each other seemed to be excessive and to an extent, unrealistic, or maybe too much of a soap opera in terms of what happened to this guy and that guy. I suppose it could be realistic, me being marred with family problems and backstories as well, but it certainly was a lot to keep up with, especially for a work of fiction. Maybe I'm not used to that... well not at the moment, since I honestly haven't done too much reading in the last year or so.

I still recommend at least reading this book and involving yourself in this circus of familial psychosis. Despite his flaws, Coupland is a darn good storyteller.

If nothing else, this book is psychotic.......2005-12-06

In reading Girlfriend in a Coma it struck me that it was Coupland's attempt to find meaning in life. The ending of Girlfriend in a Coma was a disappointment and Coupland never seems to have recovered. All families are psychotic, but this book is so fanciful that it lacks the power to invoke feelings of reality. The power of Coupland's early books was in their ability for people to see themselves as GenX or as Microserfs (although this lacked something). All Families is three parts slapstick ridiculousness and one part hyperbolic soap opera family.

Douglas, if you're reading this - keep looking for truth, because you have settled for mediocrity just like the characters in this book.

Customer Reviews:

back cover.......2006-08-17

-Winter Rose by Nora Roberts: On a remote island cursed with eternal winter, a young queen heals a wounded sodier-and warms her heart with the joys of true love...-The Rose and the Sword by Jill Gregory: An exiled princess's last hope for recovering her lost kingdom lies with the embittered prince she is pledged to marry- a man as impossible as he is irresistible...-The Roses of Glenross by Ruth Ryan Langan: Sheltered in an abbey in war-torn Scotland, a lonely lass tends a haunted rose garden-while a heroic soldier basks in the pure glow of her love...-The Fairest Rose by Marianne WIllman Embarking on a dangerous quest to win the hand of a princess, a bold warrior falls for the one woman who has the power to save his life-and hold his heart...

Great.......2005-09-29

I loved this book. It was in superb condition, it came quickly, and was exactly what I wanted! Thank you!

Magic and love- A must read!!!.......2005-03-30

I have read all the Once Upon A series. All the stoies are wonderful fairytales filled with love, magic, suspense, heartache, yearning and happy ending. What else could a girl want?

It has left me wanting to read more!!!
So Nora Roberts and friends, care to do another ....Please?!?!?!?!?!

ehh...ok.......2003-05-29

It started out well enough with "Winter Rose", but, as many other reviewers have said, it had a lot of eery parallels to "Beauty and the Beast". Also, towards the end, I was confused at how the turnaround came so fast, without reason. How did summer all of a sudden come to the island?

"The Sword and the Rose" I liked, except for the fact that it ended way too fast. I thought that they would have spent more time finding the Rose staff or whatever it's called. And the climax was very short and the story cut off right after. It made me think that they thought they were in love because they went through an ordeal. I wasn't at all sure of their feelings for each other.

"The Roses of Glenross"...wow...that majorly sucked. I really hate to be this blunt, but the storyline could have been much better. First of all, I don't believe that they would have everlasting love from seeing each other for one second on the battlefield. And making love before they're married in a convent?! That was misplaced in my opinion. It just seemed that the concept of roses was too forcefully tied into the main storyline.

"The Fairest Rose" is ok. However, I didn't like the fact that Deirdre died and that Rosaleen didn't get to live like a princess. At least not in the story as written. The bit about them going for the phoenix was too mythological. It weirded me out. I don't get why the King doesn't feel more sad for finding out that the Queen killed his love. That was disappointing. He just stated that Rosaleen was his daughter and that Deirdre's death had something to do with the Queen, but dammit!! There was no punishment, no anger, no expressing his lasting love for Deirdre. And I still wasn't sure if the guy really loved Rosaleen because he seemed VERY infatuated with the princess. But all of a sudden, he finds Rosaleen irresistable. Who knows if he'll decide that that's an infatuation too?

Confusing, a bit flat, but overall enjoyable.

Contrived and rushed.......2003-04-18

I love romantic anthologies, and while some are naturally better than others, I'm generally not disappointed. Until now, that is. I had no preconceived notions about the "Rose" stories, except that they would all feature roses, obviously. I was a bit taken aback at the "magic and mythology" involved-- not just in one story, but in ALL of them. As one other reviewer noted, the Nora Roberts story is almost a rip-off of the Beauty & the Beast story. (I also remember another fairy tale about a kingdom, complete with beautiful princess,hidden by an impenetrable forest of roses; very similar to the concept of the "ice island" hidden from the rest of the world in Roberts' story... can't remember the name of it, tho.) "The Sword and the Rose" and also the "ROse of Glenross" both started slowly and then suddenly were at a climactic moment (no pun intended). I'm not sure why these stories should be so awkward and contrived.... other anthology stories I've read have no problem being well-paced and balanced. Perhaps these well-known authors didn't put in the amount of time necessary to produce a quality story, but instead just wanted to "get it done"-??

Average customer rating:

Once Upon the Tiber
Rose Williams
Manufacturer: Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

Rome | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1898855781

Book Description

Rose Williams presents a humorous, illustrated account of the history of Rome from Aeneas, through Troy, to the end of the Roman Empire. Working on the premise that students need to have some historical background to their language study, this book presents it in a way that is both pleasant and instructive. The "reality check" that is provided will supply the students with historical explanation where needed.

The Rose Bride: A Retelling of "The White Bride and the Black Bride" (Once Upon a Time)

Average customer rating:

Are you loved? -- Bookwyrm Chrysalis Review
Holder Writes Another Winner
A fantastic summer read for HARRY POTTER fans!
Disappointed

The Rose Bride: A Retelling of "The White Bride and the Black Bride" (Once Upon a Time)
Nancy Holder
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Love & Romance | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1416935355

Book Description

"Once upon a Time" Is Timeless

When Rose's mother dies, her only comfort is the exquisite rose garden her

mother left behind. The purple blossoms serve as an assurance of her

mother's love. But Rose is dealt a second blow when her father dies and his

greedy widow, Ombrine, and her daughter, Desirée, move in and take over

the manor in true Cinderella fashion.

Fate has been cruel to Ombrine and Desirée, too. So despite their harsh

ways, Rose has compassion. But these feelings are bitterly tested when, in a

rage, Ombrine tears out the garden. Rose nearly gives up all hope -- until a

chance meeting with the king. Happiness might be within her reach, but first

she must prevail over Ombrine. And then she must determine if she has the

courage to love.

Customer Reviews:

Are you loved? -- Bookwyrm Chrysalis Review.......2007-08-14

Rose's mother, Celestine, grew a glorious rose garden behind their chateau, and central to that garden was the statue of Artemis. Celestine was faithful to her goddess, and on the eve of her daughter's thirteenth birthday, she asked the goddess to give Rose the gift of always knowing that she is loved. Thus began Celestine's death, the growth of the purple roses, and Rose's journey to discovering what love really is.

The elements of love, grief, and dealing with death are central to this book, and I found that it covered all these emotions in a rather realistic way. Rose is told throughout the book, by whispers from the purple roses (which sprouted up after her mother's death), that she is loved, but she can't believe it. How can she be loved when her parents are gone, she has a wicked stepmother, and she has been turned into a deer? Still, she manages to find love in many places, from that of her goddess, her mother's everlasting love, and even the love of friendship and long-lost family.

One thing that rather bothered me about the book was how they worshiped the Greek gods so devoutly, yet spoke French all the time. The use of French was confusing in itself because it was portrayed that they spoke French at all times, yet there would simply be random phrases in the book in French. Kind of like in comic books or on TV shows where they have to remind you that the character is from another country by having them randomly say "yes" and "no" in their own language when they were just discussing nuclear physics in perfect English. Also despite the use of the Greek gods there was also a very definite introduction of the devil as the enemy and witchcraft in use by the stepmother. There was a lot of mish mashing of religions and cultures that just didn't quite fit for me as the reader and kept me questioning the society/culture/religion of the book's characters.

For a relatively fluffy book, it did manage to challenge the notion of love at first sight, and I admired that the main character resolved by the end to only accept true love - not simply a man who would care for her, but one who loved her as well. And even as the king showers her with gifts, it's not until he really forgets about her and looks at himself that he is able to present himself as someone who can love her. These are aspects of love and fairytales that aren't always examined.

Holder Writes Another Winner.......2007-07-03

Let's face it, you can't really go wrong with anything Nancy Holder writes -- she couldn't do a bad book if she tried, and with "The Rose Bride," Holder's one-upon-a-time story is simply a pure delight.

I do this for a living, and it's such a joy to see somebody who can do it so much better than I.

There's a lot to like in this one. Check it out and see for yourself.

A fantastic summer read for HARRY POTTER fans!.......2007-07-03

I had been greatly looking forward Nancy Holder's contribution to the ONCE UPON A TIME series, and was not disappointed! I've followed Ms. Holder's work for years, first becoming a fan of her BUFFY books, which I imagine may be true of many of her readers even now. THE WHITE BRIDE AND THE BLACK BRIDE as an existing, old fashioned fairy tale was competely new to me, and therefore the whole story was a welcome refreshing surprise through and through! Reminded me of an episode of JIM HENSON'S STORYTELLER, a show I loved as a kid for many of the same reasons! That sort of rich, dark, historical-feeling, European-flavored, "fairy tale" without an ounce of light and fluffy, cutesy, predictable-ending Disneyification. You know the kind I mean. And not one of your run-of-the-mill, done-to-death fairy tale stories that everybody already knows going in. So, if you enjoy that same kind of European tone--like the HARRY POTTER stories have--and discovering a "new" old fairy tale for yourself, then you'll love THE ROSE BRIDE as much as I did!

FIVE STARS

Disappointed.......2007-07-01

On Rose's 13th birthday her mother makes a wish to the goddess Artemis that her daughter always know that she is loved, for that is the greatest gift of all. The goddess challenges her, asking whether safety and security aren't more important. Mother holds her position, and so she dies, leaving behind a rose bush that whispers to Rose that she is loved. What follows is the typical Cinderella story wherein Rose loses everything important to her, until she's discovered to be the spitting image of the former queen who died in childbirth and for whom the king still bitterly mourns.

In a move either to protect Rose from her evil step-family or to teach her a lesson, or perhaps both, Artemis changes her into a doe. Rose watches from afar as her step-family moves to ensnare the king. True love, it is felt, just might save the day.

I have for the most part greatly enjoyed the "Once Upon a Time" series, and anticipated this book before its release. I am a bit let down. Ms. Holder has some worthy things to say about the nature and value of love, but rather than trusting her story to carry her message, or perhaps her readers to understand it, she frequently spells it out in an effort to drive it home. At the end of the book I had been told how the characters felt and had evolved, but I had not made the journey with them. I wasn't feelin' it.

Early in the story it is hinted at several times that perhaps buried beneath pain and disappointment there are some real people in Rose's step-mother and -sister, but these hints go unfulfilled. The story is prone to abrupt changes of course. I was left feeling like I was chasing after a child with ADD.

I hate giving a bad review, because I know it's incredibly difficult to write a good story. I guess this book is worth reading because after all, it's a fairy tale, but it's not something that captured my imagination, and that's the magic that I hope for every time I read a new book.

The Rose: A Novel Based on Beauty and the Beast (Once Upon a Dream)

Average customer rating:

A Modern,More "high-tech" version of Beauty and the Beast
Hmmmmmmmmm.....................
Sweet But Not Too Expressive
A Beast or a Kitten?
Beauty and the Beast modernized!

The Rose: A Novel Based on Beauty and the Beast (Once Upon a Dream)
Jennifer Baker
Manufacturer: Point
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Love & Romance | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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The Fire Rose

ASIN: 0590259482

Customer Reviews:

A Modern,More "high-tech" version of Beauty and the Beast.......2004-12-29

By:BATBFan
The reason I call this version "HIGH-TECH" is because it's not everyday you read Beauty and the Beast that brings up the words T.V.,Computer,VCR,and virtual-reality machine.Other than that, I lost myself in the book.I was so eager to see what happened next,I finished the book in 2 hours!It's just about the same as the Disney version,which made me very dissapointed.I like the origional version better.

It's about a girl named Bonnie Oliviera (the "Belle" in the story)who dreams of something more than helping her father catch lobsters on his boat,who loves to invent.Gary(the"Gaston"in the story)is the handsome brute who always tries to hit on Belle.....I mean Bonnie.

In the harbor of Land's End rumors about the mansion say it's haunted.The mansion is Peter Crowley's home.Because of his beastly behavior towards an enchantress in disguise as a hag he was sentensed to live as an animal,a monster...a BEAST.

While Bonnie takes the place of her father's imprisonment as the beast's prisoner,can she change the heart of the beast? Here is a charming,modern tale of the classic fairytale,Beauty and the Beast.

_______Savannah R.

Hmmmmmmmmm............................2001-11-20

Well
It was pretty good, but it just wasn't quit there. It had all the elements for a good story but all the strangeness to it clashed with the good stuff. You would be sitting there enjoying the feeling of compleate sadness for the Beast and suddenly he was like in his little "Dream Machine". It was just sort of Abstract
But I guess I'm to attached to the old times kinda, versions better
but all in all it was worth reading

Sweet But Not Too Expressive.......2000-08-22

For someone who cherishs romances concerning the Beauty and the Beast tale as much as I do, this is a wonderful piece of writing to read. The story is charming and beautiful but altogether, the author, Jennifer Baker, isn't to be thanked too much for that, for the original story just isn't capable of being ruined. Baker's style gets the point across, but isn't very eloquent; there is such potential in the story that just wasn't brought out. I am not saying that the book is a piece of trash or that Baker is a terrible writer, but all in all, the story may have some sentiment as you read, but becomes rather forgetable.

A Beast or a Kitten?.......2000-03-15

Despite the authors attempts, this book didn't catch my attention as much as the original. Don't get me wrong, as a very young budding author myself I appreciate her efforts, but her words were mangled, and she didn't let her thoughts didn't bloom completly. I like the book, but it isn't very high on my scale of favorite books. If you want a book that will keep you in a cloud of thoughts about love, then this might work, but it definetly isn't the best. No offense Jennifer.

Beauty and the Beast modernized!.......2000-02-20

I loved this book. I thought it was very creative in turning the plot into a sort of modern story. When I started it I thought it was rather boring but after I was about 40 pages into it I couldn't stop! I loved Peter's "dream machine". I think this is a wonderful book and that anyone who enjoys fairy tales and romance should read it.

Once Upon a Time in the Meadow: A "Six Cousins" Story (Golden Storytime Book)

Average customer rating:

My Childhood Revived
One of the Best Children's Stories

Once Upon a Time in the Meadow: A "Six Cousins" Story (Golden Storytime Book)
Rose Selarose
Manufacturer: Golden Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Customer Reviews:

My Childhood Revived.......2000-02-15

I received this book for my fourth birthday (18 years ago). I made my parents read it to me every night, and I brought it to school with me every day. I loved my book so much that the pages eventually ripped and fell out. For years now, I've been looking for a replacement copy of this book so dear to my heart. Finally I've found it here at Amazon. I urge everyone to get a hold of this wonderful childrens book. I am certain that any little girl would find this book their most favorite book in childhood!

One of the Best Children's Stories.......1999-12-08

My grandparents brought this book home for me, from a vacation in Missouri. That was about 18 years ago. My copy is now falling apart and I would like to buy a new copy for myself and one for my sister's baby. I wish I could get a few copies; it is one of the best stories I have read.

Once Upon A Baby ... (Silhouette Romance)

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Once Upon A Baby ... (Silhouette Romance)
Karen Rose Smith
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

Silhouette Romance | Series | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0373197373

Average customer rating:

Once Upon a Rose -- Entirely Believable

Once upon a Rose: Once upon a Rose
Judith O'Brien
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0671502255

Customer Reviews:

Once Upon a Rose -- Entirely Believable.......2000-07-24

"Once Upon a Rose" is a time travel book about a country music singer from the 90's, who ends up lost in a maze that transports her to the 1500's. I found it very enjoyable. While most time travel romances don't particuarlly concentrate on making it realistic, Judith O'Brien does a wonderful job. I felt that all the characters reacted very believably, and the historical details were accurate, and perfectly intertwined with the romance.

Book Description

The stories from bedtime fairy tales are not just for children. Enjoy inspirational romance woven around beloved fairy tale themes in contemporary settings from authors Irene B. Brand, Lynn Coleman, Yvonne Lehman, and Gail Gaymer Martin.

Customer Reviews:

Fairy Tales Modernized with a Christian undertone.......2007-03-05

There are four short stories in th book, each one LOOSELY based on a fairy tale. If you like fairy tales and Christian literature, than this is a book for you!

The first story is based on Beauty and the Beast. My favorite story in the book! It isn't a beast under a magical spell though, he has scares on his face from an accident. The girl is called Beauty and she is working at the house of the beast for her father who just suffered a stroke. Find out the details of why her family is poor? And what are "the beast's" secrets!

The second story is based on the Elves and the Shoemaker. There is a new shoemaker in town and he is having trouble keeping up with the orders. He has an accident with this woman and a surfboard, and when he comes into work and ten orders are completed he begins to think he suffered some memory loss from the accident. Does he have a secret helper? or is he losing his mind?

The third story resembles Snowwhite and the Seven Drawfs. Lily White is applying for a new job at an advertising agency. The agency turns out to be a big family with many characters, one thats really grumpy, another always telling jokes, and so on. . . She feels an attraction for her boss but it is obvious he is involved romantically with a client who used to be a model. Does she stand a chance at winning his heart? Should she even try? Who is in love with the former model?

The last story resembles Little Red Riding Hood and it takes place in Germany!!! How fun! This book has the heaviest christian undertones of the four and involves a rekindling of a romance with an exfiance who had no religious values before. Who is the "wolf" in this story?

If you don't want to read stories that contain scriptures and talk of God, than these stories are not for. But I highly recommend this book as a wonderful Christian example a love mixed in with a few of everyones favorite fairy tales.

Lacks enchantment and reality.......2006-04-16

And yes, you can have both in a story. The stories here attempt to be two things: retold fairy tales and Christian dramas. For the most part, they fail miserably at both. Fairy tales, in their true form, are stories that feature very hard lessons about life and realistic portrayals of human nature. This book, however, delivers only a huge cast of syrupy characters and happy endings sweet enough to give you cavities. I love a light-hearted fairy tale, but shouldn't it feature realistic characters?

These stories are only fairy tales in the Disney sense, possibly even less than that, as Disney at least doesn't shy away from producing believably harsh plights. As for the "Christian" aspect, when did a bunch of old-fashioned people get together and decide that Christian stories could only be G-rated and fluffy? Christians live in the real world too, folks! We're right here with everyone else on the planet, not floating on a pink cloud blithely unaware of the messy world beneath. This book failed the "realistic Christian" aspect in many ways, mainly characterization.

Most of the heroines here are totally innocent "good girls" who are happily aware of their salvation in Christ and happily unaware of how cruel the world can be sometimes; they prove this by shrinking away like wounded does whenever something hurts them. Granted, some of the heriones are more like this than others, but they all seem to have their purity printed on their T-shirts. They hardly ever get angry and when they do, it's usually an infuriatingly "rightous" anger; if by any chance they're unreasonably angry like normal humans, they repent of it immediately, thus showing just how Christian they are. The book, in fact, tries way too hard to promote Christianity. Have you noticed that if you try to witness to someone by preaching your head off, they're more likely to run away than listen to you? Here's a little secret: preachiness in writing has the same result.

The only story I liked was "The Shoemaker's Daughter", a cute comedy with a spunky heroine who actually comes close to losing her temper a few times and doesn't mention God's name every few sentences. The worst story is "Better to See you", which is packed with narrow-minded, old-fashioned messages about how Christians should live and a heroine who manages to be both sharp-tongued and goody-two-shoed. Here are a few of the faulty lessons this story tries to teach:

1) Lying is always wrong, even if you're lying to protect yourself from a con-artist who could be dangerous.

2) The life of a starving artist is a filthy and immoral one; anyone who attempts this path will find unfulfillment and sorrow until they repent of it.

3) Since the Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil, if you love money, you are unquestionably evil as well.

This last ridiculous statement had me doubting that the author has any idea of what true evil is. It's certainly not a label to be used loosely! Sure, greed is bad, but if you compare it to crimes like rape and serial killing, I think it would pale in comparison.

Needless to say, I recommend you skip this book. Give Liz Curtis Higgs and Francine Rivers a try instead; they offer Christian passion as well as a good dose of reality.

I THOURGHLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK!!!.......2004-12-29

If you enjoy Christian romances and fairy tales set in modern day settings this is the perfect book for you! It includes four different books by four authors.
1. Rose for Beauty by Irene B. Brand
(My favorite of the four)
2. Shoemaker's Daughter by Lynn A Coleman
3. Lily's Plight by Yvonne Lehman
4. Better to See You by Gail Gaymer Martin

I ENJOYED THIS BOOK TREMENDOUSLY!!!.......2003-06-22

ONCE UPON A TIME is a wonderful success as Barbour Publishing authors tackle old time fairytales with contemporary plots and settings. I have really enjoyed reading all four novellas in this book and know that if you try them, you'll be "enchanted" as well! A great read and a wonderful time if inspirational romances are your favorites!

Threw the book away - and I never throw books away........2003-03-25

If I had wanted Bible thumping, I'd have bought a Bible. I thought I was getting a fairy tale, but was instead getting a good Christian book produced by a Bible company full of scriptures.
Not what I thought I was buying. There's a place for everything and I'd rather people be more up front in their advertising.

Average customer rating:

Once upon a Time Story Book
Rose Dobbs
Manufacturer: Random House (Merchandising)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0394806670

Average customer rating:

More once-upon-a-time stories;
Rose Dobbs
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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