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Book Reviews of The Elegant Gathering of White Snows

The Elegant Gathering of White Snows
The Elegant Gathering of White Snows
Author: Kris Radish
ISBN-13: 9780553382419
ISBN-10: 0553382411
Publication Date: 6/10/2003
Pages: 352
Rating:
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 183

3.4 stars, based on 183 ratings
Publisher: Bantam
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

59 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Suzyjal avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 14
I'm sorry, I really am. But this is the most contrived, cliche piece of trash I think I have ever had to read. So overwrought. So dramatic. There were passages that were so bad, we took turns at book club reading them out loud and laughing. If you love low end, southern-ish chick lit, this is the one for you. Otherwise, keep moving.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 166 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
While charming in its way, this book seemed about thirty years behind the curve to me, touting in sometimes unrealistically lyrical terms, the bonds of women's friendships and overcoming life's challenges with the help of one's friends. Didn't we all learn about consciousness-raising groups in the 60's? Lesbian love is also given an unnecessarily strong boost here; it is already pretty much an accepted fact of life and doesn't need to be wrapped up in a pretty package and sold so hard. We get it, for some women, it's better. This book would have been a lot more interesting, and controversial, a generation ago. Now it seems absurd to portray a group of seven women who decide to go walking together for a week as somehow capturing national attention and effecting change across the globe.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
It was okay. Not my favorite. I didn't enjoy the style of writing. There were some touching moments, but most seemed very contrived.
keepmelaffn avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I picked this book up at an estate sale and though it is out of my usual genre, I read it and I really liked it. After reading the book, I checked out the 56 member reviews here and found that the average reviews were favorable. Sure, it's chick lit and the moral of the story is that women can be empowered by other women. Some say that the story itself is far fetched and unbelievable...I disagree. Haven't you ever felt like just "taking a break" from all the junk in your life? Well, I have many of times. Good, clean, get-your-stuff- together story. If you're strictly against lesbianism, abortion, beer and wine then this book isn't for you.
nymphadora avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 95 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
A wonderful story of women, loss, love, happiness, sorrow... a true "chick" book! I only wish we got to know some of the men in the book a little better. This is a road trip reminiscent of Forest Gump's run across country.
pghbeth avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I enjoyed this book a lot. Every woman can relate to at least one of the main characters and I am sure that many women wish that they have the nerve to do such a thing...I know I would do it with my friends.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 1474 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Lyrical and mystical, this tale of the sisterhood of women is a mesmerizing read. I found the vignettes of women whose lives were affected by the walk, even though they weren't walking, to be more satisfying than the main story of the walkers.
dbs avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 329 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I don't get Kris Radish and I don't get her books, but this is not to say it was not well-written. Just not my cup of tea. Some people would enjoy the book and call it thought-provoking and soul-stirring. I was looking for brain candy and entertainment. We were just working on different levels. It is very well-written though and the right reader would get a lot of enjoyment from it.
howlips avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I was completely sucked in by this book and its characters. It is a fairly easy read, but mostly because the story is so well-written. A great setting that I would highly recommend to the female reader looking for some mental bonding time!
calevanik avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was a great book that explores the bonds of woman. As a member of a all women book club I found myself wishing that I had a similar connection with our members. These woman are from different backgrounds, in different stages of life and they decide to step out of their lives and go on a search for...what, thay don't know, but they think they'll know when they finally get there.
gr8ce avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 44 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very intriguing and fun book to read.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
disappointing
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 64 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This title is referring to tea and yet it also works to highlight the group of women friends who decide to support each other by "going for a walk". It is a character study of diverse women, differing ages, backgrounds, work history, relationship status. They are friends living in south central Wisconsin when they begin their walk.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Another excellent Kris Radish book! Entertaining, and funny.
BethC avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I hated this book, it made no sense at all to me, and I usually have a pretty high tolerance for nonsense.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 17 more book reviews
Couldn't really get into this one...didn't finish.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 11 more book reviews
It's a story of what the power of friendship between a group
of women can accomplish.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 76 more book reviews
A story of friendship between women and the lengths that each will go for their friends.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 293 more book reviews
I like Kris Radish's books; that said, although this was not my favorite, it was still good. 8 women just get up and begin walking - looking for??? Themselves. Again a story of friendship between women. Of knowing who you can truly rely upon when needed. Of finding yourself - and possibly a friend or lover - during the search.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 8 more book reviews
Fabulous book !!!!!!!!!!!!
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 109 more book reviews
This book focused on the power of women's friendship provoked the best discussion our book group has ever had.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 31 more book reviews
I really had hopes for this book until about three quarters of the way through when it became clear that all the women were from one mold and cut from the same cloth. They all feel the same, have the same vocabulary and agree on absolutely everything. No disagreements, no original thoughts. In the end, it turned out to be tedious.
bookgoddessme avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 106 more book reviews
LOVED this book when I read it, purchased it with loose tea in a beautiful container for many friends. It is a beautiful story of women and rituals. The characters could be any of us, and their story will have your nose in the book the entire read. Recommend.
jazzysmom avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 907 more book reviews
What a wonderful story. It's the story about friendship. About 8 women and how these women work through burdens they have carried in their hearts for years with the help of each other. It's the story of loving a friend and of trust. There are 178 reviews on this book alone. Just a few negative. But most of them positive...I'm on the positive side. It made me feel good while reading this book. These women were powerful, they did what they had to do for themselves to be able to move on with their lives. This book was really quite moving. I loved it.
Valimichel avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 139 more book reviews
What would it be like to chuck it all and walk away for that wonderful "my time?" A group of 8 best friends begins a walk that will open their eyes to what their lives are about.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 30 more book reviews
I think every woman can find a part of herself that relates to these women. Very good book and easy to become a part of these women's journeys.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 13 more book reviews
It was heart-warming to read about this great group of friends, and it made me appreciate my own circle of friends even more.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 13 more book reviews
Contemporary women's fiction, telling the tale of eight friends who decide on the spur of the moment to take a walk-- that lasts for weeks.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 112 more book reviews
Wonderful book surrounding a group of women who get fed up with their lives and just leave on a walk... recants stories of their lives/trials and how they overcome them through walking. Definately a "power of the woman" read!
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 85 more book reviews
NOT REALLY THE KIND OF BOOK I USUALLY READ BUT OKAY FOR A CHANGE. WOMEN TAKE OFF WALKING, SETTING THEIR LIFE HURTS TO REST.
mkdmom avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 40 more book reviews
A wonderful read...really lets you live the fantasy of walking away from life's sorrows and troubles.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 334 more book reviews
An excellent read - most women can relate to some of life trials that the women in this novel have lived through. Poignant and believable.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 2 more book reviews
A unique story. It offered different perspectives from several characters in the book. A woman story.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on
Seven women take a walk together,walk out of their lives, away from their problems, to talk to each other about their lives. They listen, they support each other, they empower each other as they learn from each other. Their pilgrimage down rural roads draws national attention and inspires other people to assess their lives, goals and relationships.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 5 more book reviews
One of the best books about women and relationships I have ever read. Made me want to go out and walk too!
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 31 more book reviews
very well written
Dove avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 262 more book reviews
This is a wonderful book! A book about the empowerment of women--to do what they need to do, be who they need to be and accept and love themselves as they are or can be. A must read (in my mind)
Family avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 33 more book reviews
This book feels like and old warm quilt on a cold winter night! Sweet and moving!
Tata avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 135 more book reviews
This is a wonderful, wonderful book. It is about 7 friends that decide to start walking. It is about their lives and how their walking affects others. Loved this book.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 24 more book reviews
What an empowering book! I thouroughly enjoyed the story of the unity of different women and the power to change your life an dt he lives of those around you!
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 334 more book reviews
This is the story of the spontaneous odyssey of eight women - I found it fascinating reading. Any woman would recognize herself in some of the struggles, choices, and life patterns of these woman. A good read.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 213 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book. It was a lot of fun!
julie avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 28 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book and could relate to the characters.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 24 more book reviews
Interesting story of eight different women on a journey of self discovery in Rural Wisconsin, that effects other women around the country.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on
How many of you would like to just take off walking and not stop till you figure your life out? well that is what a group of women did in this book.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 121 more book reviews
An incredible story about female friendship, self discovery and forgiveness. The characters are wonderful and compelling. Could not put it down.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on
Interesting read about female bonding.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 153 more book reviews
LOVED this. It's a nice story of friendship.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 14 more book reviews
A touching and uplifting story about women supporting one another and the effect their actions have on everyone around them. A very positive story.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 141 more book reviews
It is a book that opens your eyes to what you could have if you would take a risk.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 2 more book reviews
Great story, premise....women are strong in numbers. This book is empowering for those who want to make a positive change in their life.
booknookchick avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 117 more book reviews
Eight women form a study group that doesn't study. They meet to share friendship and support. One night the group impulsively begins walking the backroads of Wisconsin, keeping anonymous the entire time.

The writing style can be annoying. There are some attempts at colorful language that just doesn't make any sense and the story itself is unrealistic at times.

The personal bios the author created for each character was the most interesting and enjoyable part of the book.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 14 more book reviews
Warning: one storyline deals with abortion-if I'd have known I would not have wasted a credit on this book.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 72 more book reviews
a wonderful mid-life thelma and louise escape from your rut life adventure... except the gals in the book don't kill themselves in the end...
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 31 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book a lot. A great read for women.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 22 more book reviews
some cursing
stacy270 avatar reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 30 more book reviews
Very good book!
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on
Was a good book about womens relationships. I think maybe I am ready for a sexy novel now.
reviewed The Elegant Gathering of White Snows on + 7 more book reviews
From back cover:
"Just after midnight in a small town in Wisconsin, eight women begin walking together down a rural highway. Career women, houseives, mothers, divorcees, and one ex-prom queen, they are close friends who have been meeting every Thursday night for year, sharing food, wine and their deepest secrets. But on this particular Thursday, Susan, Alice, Chris, Sandy, Gail, Mary Joanne, and Janice decide to disappeaer from their own lives.

Their spontaneous pilgrimage attracts national attention and inspires other women from all across the country. As the miles fall away and the women forge ahead on their backroads odyssey--leaving small miracles in their wake--each of their histories unfolds, tales of shattered dreams and unexpected renewal, of thwarted love affairs and precious second chances."