Comments on: Book Review: Woman Made of Sand by Joann Kobin

By: Joann Kobin

Joann Kobin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:17:41 +0000

Your sensitive review of WOMAN MADE OF SAND, which I just discovered, delighted me. I very much appreciated the quotations from the text that you chose. They gave a good feel for the book.
It’s wonderful to have a blog like this that brings previously published books to the public eye, to the light. What a wonderful service your blog performs. Congratulations and thanks for doing it.
I appreciated the comments of people who responded and especially the comparisons to OLIVE KITTREDGE, a book I loved that was published after WOMAN but reminded me of my own work: its linked story format and the rich view of family members and their relationships over time.
I’m working on a similarly structured novel about a quirky psychiatrist as he moves from his early fifties toward retirement age — his life, loves, and times. Joann Kobin

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:09:36 +0000

I read this book a few years ago, and I thought it was just okay. I didn’t really like Harriet, but I also don’t remember those passages you included. Since I enjoyed reading them this time around, so now I’m wondering if maybe I’m at a point where I should give it another try. I don’t really remember the details, just that I read it, so maybe I could approach it like I was reading it for the first time.

By: zibilee

zibilee — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:28:06 +0000

I am thinking that the style of this book reminds me of Olive Kitteridge. Is it the same type of book, or am I way off base? It does sound like an incredibly good read, and I loved the quotes you provided. I have already added this book to my wish list and hope that I can read it soon. Great review, it seems that this book really touched your heart.

By: Florinda

Florinda — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:16:54 +0000

This sounds wonderful. Once again, you’re doing damage to my wish list, Dawn – thanks!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:20:04 +0000

As I was reading your review, I thought it sounded similar to the format of Olive Kitteridge. Glad to see I was right. This book sounds marvelous and like one a lot of women could relate to.

By: sheistoofondofbooks

sheistoofondofbooks — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:32:59 +0000

Sandy – I was so taken by it! I can only find Kobin published in journals (not another book), I’m going to try to track down some more of her writing.

Ladytink – there is imagery of disappearing and re-forming, with one of the chapters taking the same title.

Beth F – beautiful work. It’s the first book I’ve read from Delphinium, I think they’re a lit-fiction niche.

Julie – yes, very much so, I didn’t want to draw that line in the review (wanting to let WOMAN MADE OF SAND stand on its own), but it’s a very similar format and wonderful writing style. The biggest differences are that WOMAN MADE OF SAND is told primarily in first person, and focuses on a more concentrated period in the main characters life (dipping into earlier times, but mostly her mid-40s to early 50s)

Nicole – this was pub’d in 2002. I’m hoping more people who enjoyed the ‘novel in stories’ format of OLIVE KITTERIDGE will learn about this beautiful book.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:26:29 +0000

Sounds good to me. The passages that you quoted are just gorgeous.

By: Julie P.

Julie P. — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:49:27 +0000

Did it remind of you of the format for Olive Kitteridge? I am so drawn to the premise (and the cover.) Great review!

By: Beth F

Beth F — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:47:06 +0000

This is new to me and I think I would enjoy it. Thanks for sharing the extracts.

By: Ladytink_534

Ladytink_534 — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:18:56 +0000

I just love this title.

Comments on: Book Review: *Woman Made of Sand* by Joann Kobin