Writing at the height of her powers, Alice Hoffman conjures three generations of a family haunted by love.
Cool, practical, and deliberate, John is dreamy Arlyn's polar opposite. Yet the two are drawn powerfully together even when it is clear they are bound to bring each other grief. Their difficult marriage leads them and their children to a house made of glass in the Connecticutcountryside, to the avenues ofManhattan, and to the blue waters of Long Island Sound. Glass breaks, love hurts, and families make their own rules. Ultimately, it falls to their grandson, Will, to solve the emotional puzzle of his family and of his own identity.
Download and start listening now!
"I loved the magical undercurrent. I might describe this novel as realistic fantasy, although admittedly I focus on the fantasy aspect. Every character in this story is interesting! I especially like that each character is multidimensional - not quite what they seem to others, not easy to figure out."
— Jami (4 out of 5 stars)
" I couldn't put this book down. It definitely has become my favorite. "
— Alyssa, 2/13/2014" The story was good up until arlyn's death. I felt disappointed with the outcome of each character. Meredith I could have done without "
— Linda, 2/8/2014" Really good, but I like several of her other books more. "
— Meghan, 1/29/2014" Somewhat interesting...Somewhat odd. This was a pretty good read, just most likely not in my interest group. "
— Karen, 1/28/2014" Interesting saga of three generations and how they suffered due to the mistake of a young woman vowing to marry the next man who came along. No real resolution. "
— Crystal, 1/22/2014" I usually enjoy Alice Hoffman's novels, even though after a while they all start to kind of blend together. This one really deserves more like 3 1/2 stars, but I can't do that here... The only thing that kept me from giving it 4 stars is that so many parts of it felt rushed... Hoffman relies too much on summary to carry this novel and move the reader through. Lots of exposition in places where I would've preferred dialogue and interaction among the characters. Some characters were introduced and played what seemed to be important roles, only to never show up again except as a comment here and there...Just a general rushed sensation to the entire novel. "
— Audrey, 1/20/2014" I decided to read Alice Hoffman because I read that she was a favorite author of Jodi Picoult (opne of my favorites). What a disappointment! Perhaps it was just this book but I don't think I will try anything else by her. This book is very dark and disconnected. I did not enjoy it! "
— Margaret, 1/18/2014" The author wrote the young adult fiction novel, Green Angel. Both had themes of loss and a fanciful, unreal side. Odd books, but page turners, nonetheless. "
— Becca, 12/31/2013" I absolutely adored this book. I have gone through some of Alice Hoffman's other works just for the sake of being a good fan, but this one drew me in and had me questioning everything. My favorite character had to be Sam:) "
— Claire, 12/26/2013" I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. There's something magical about Alice Hoffman's writing, mystical and quite brilliant. "
— Amanda, 12/19/2013" This was lame, even as an audio book. "
— Beverly, 12/18/2013" Okay, Alice Hoffman is my secret vice. Such a grand skiff of supernatural through her stories. I don't usually recommend her books to others, because she is a "secret vice" but thought I'd put her out there for some fun. "
— Marshunt, 12/16/2013" Very sad story, but very engaging. "
— Charissa, 12/4/2013" audio book. I thought about this book long after I read it. "
— Lisa, 11/20/2013" Good one with interesting characters "
— Palma, 11/11/2013" it was amazing, but it broke my heart. "
— Emmy, 5/27/2013" Another great Alice Hoffman book. "
— Tricia, 5/19/2013" Fate, family relationships, love and a haunting in a glass house. "
— Krissi, 2/25/2013" Can't really remember this one but as I usually enjoy Alice Hoffman novels so I am going with 3 stars... "
— Laurie, 1/4/2013" Beautifully written, in the typical Hoffman style. "
— Linda, 10/26/2012" This book kept me interested-- the story kept folding into new stories. It was definitely interesting and left me thinking; not only about how the rest of the story may go, but about how it applied to my own life. "
— Catherine, 3/6/2012" I love Alice Hoffman. This is a story about a very dsyfunctional marriage and family. Good writing but sad story. Interesting ending. "
— Dana, 1/21/2012" Family relationships- a stranger who stops to ask for directions, then eventually traps him into marrying her. After delivering their 2nd child, she dies of cancer and the young father who was never home, didn't care for the wife or family, just his career is haunted by the first wife. OK "
— Vicki, 12/10/2011" It was an okay book. Has some pretty foul language. wouldn't really recommend it. "
— Marni, 11/30/2011" As always- Alice Hoffman does not disappoint. Mystical, magical, lush.. I loved this book! "
— Jenn, 10/24/2011" My favorite Hoffman book and that is saying alot! "
— AJ, 9/18/2011" Another Hoffman book with death, pain and magic. Odd but still I liked it. "
— Janet, 6/24/2011" Beautifully written. Sad, but hopeful. Very Alice Hoffman. "
— Kristin, 6/21/2011" This is a sad book with Hoffman's magical touch, but nevertheless, a sad book. I read it on a weekend when I needed something uplifting - bad choice. "
— Diane, 6/13/2011" I almost didn't want to finish this book. It just really wasn't going anywhere. I'm sure there is some deeper meaning but I guess I was too lazy. Maybe it was bad timing or something. "
— Amy-jo, 5/17/2011" Hoffman writer of beautiful images of the real and unreal and the magic of love. Except for some profanity a touching sad tale of love. "
— Teresa, 5/4/2011" Alice Hoffman always pleases. My first summer read starts off with Skylight Confessions. I truly enjoy the multi-dimensional characters. I feel as if I peaked into their lives and understand their feelings. And that is what makes a great read for me. "
— Sandra, 5/3/2011" Her prose is elegant... <br/>Some characters earn our compassion; others distain... We root for and feel sorry for some and want to slap a few others. <br/>Story straddles true life and supernatural... <br/>I really, really liked it! <br/> "
— Mary, 3/28/2011" I love Alice Hoffman. She can spin a story like no other. There is always the underlying element of the spiritual or mystical. She never fails! "
— Sara, 3/21/2011" I'm sure A Hoffman has a fan base but I don't read her style.Great Hallmark Movie. I didn't finish book because life is to shory wasting time reading something you can't get into. She writes very elegantly. "
— Carol, 3/10/2011" A tragic tale; book club choice; led to great book group discussion. "
— Julia, 3/8/2011" I felt that the ultimate message of this book was "enjoy what you have when you have it", and thought it was powerfully portrayed with a bit of fun, supernatural to it. However, you cannot avoid the thematic (though not described-in-detail) thematic element of infidelity. "
— Jacquie, 2/21/2011Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including the Practical Magic series and the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, among others. Eight of her novels have made the New York Times bestsellers list.
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The Marriage of Opposites, Practical Magic, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. Her short fiction and nonfiction works have appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe Magazine, Kenyon Review, Redbook, Architectural Digest, Gourmet, Self, and others. Her novel Practical Magic was made into a major motion picture starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman; her young adult novel Aquamarine was made into a movie in 2006.