The Grace That Keeps This World: A Novel Audiobook

" Shot son. Yuk. "

" Kind of predictable, but overall a good read. "

" So I liked the way the book was written but if you have a loved one about to go out for the Hunt I suggest skip it until they are home. "

" My book club book for September - also the Library's "One Book One Community Book" for 2008. "

" I would never have read this one if it weren't for my book discussion group, but I enjoyed it, and it made for a very good discussion. Lots of 21st-century writing flaws, but I ultimately liked it for its exploration of (what I've always considered the most difficult in our society) father-son relationship, and Bailey is a good story-teller. "

" I read this book again for my book group. It was harder reading it a second time because you know what happens and wish you could do something to change the outcome. Saying that, I also picked up some more of the subtle indications of what the results were going to be. "

" Set in upstate New York, a family lives by the land/forest that surrounds them. A story about growth, disagreement, faith, friendship, values of many besides the main characters of a couple with 2 grown sons. "

" A fast read, reminding me of stories of family growing up in the Adirondacks. I liked the focus on the father-sons relationships. "

" The book had a very slow start, but the characters were very real, and their hardships were believable. I think the connection with them created a very moving reaction for me at the end of the book. "

" Kind of based on a true story. This is a book you should read without knowing anything about it before you begin, like I did. Basically, it is a love story between a father and his sons. The dynamics of father and son relationships are explored in tom bailey's first novel. "

" This book has well-developed characters. I felt like I knew them well. And the writing is very poetic and full of lovely descriptions of the NOrth CXountry. "

" Didn't love this book along the way, however I came to like most of the character throughout the account of their routine lives. Don't want to spoil it for those of you who haven't finished....but the ending will leave you with a draw dropping reaction! "

" I thought the story was mildly interesting and I became fairly engaged in the plot about 3/4 of the way through... but I just didn't like how it was written. It seemed very college creative-writingish. Or maybe I made that up because the author is a college creative writing professor?! "

" Great writing style that gives the reader a lot to think about. I think this would be a great book to use in a book club as there are many characters to relate to and the idea of community is well explored within the pages of the book. Not a favorite, but an enjoyable read on cold fall afternoons. "

" I couldn't get into to the book. It might be good if I kept on going. Sorry :-) "

" This is a very interesting novel. Just when I ws ready to write it off as another "paean to self-sufficiency, daitribe against government and rules", the author starts revealing facets that parallel the complications of life. The foreshadowing does not lessen the impact of the ending. "

" All I can say is WOW! "

" This was a One Community, One Book pick last year, and I really didn't think it was all that great. The others that they had selected in previous years, were fantastic, that's why I got this book and read it right away. "

" Another book club book. I wasn't thrilled about reading it, but enjoyed it quite a bit. The prolog in the voice of the mother comes off as pretentious writing, however that pretentiousness does not carry through the rest of the book. "

" I found myself lagging when I read this book. It seemed I had to force myself to pick it up. The prose was sometimes difficult for me to follow without re-reading it, which I know as for an effect, but which bogged me down. Still it was an admirable read. "

" I didn't love Bailey's writing voice, though he does know how to pick a good title (from Wendell Berry). Nevertheless, his characters eventually developed the power to haunt me. "

" I loved this book. A great story about the imperfections of human being and just so well crafted. Highly recommended. "

" The author really focuses on character and this novel features over a dozen different perspectives. Not particularly challenging, but raises interesting issues. "

" I really enjoyed this story of family and rushed through it. "

" This book was well-written <br/>and the author's style lent <br/>itself well to the plot. I <br/>kept dreading the tragedy <br/>that was sure to come, which <br/>took some of the enjoyment <br/>out of the story. "