The Sweet By and By: A Novel Audiobook (Unabridged)

" A lot of people reviewed this book well, and I agree with the points they made, but this book didn't do much for me. It was so good, yet I had a hard time finishing it. I think I just need a real story, not just some meandering snapshots into several womens lives. Just a 3 for me, but I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it. Especially if you know someone in an assisted living home or someone aging, I strongly recommend it! The characters were very vivid. Amazing that a man wrote women so well. "

" A nice Southern fiction easy read. "

" I am a sucker for Southern Lit, so I probably would've given this a good review regardless. It's a lot like The Help (told from the perspective of different women). Some really beautiful writing in this one - especially at the end. "

" Truly I would probably give this book 3.5 stars. I liked it but didn't love it. This is the story of several women all living or working in a nursing home and how their lives intertwine together. These are all good women who have tried their best in often difficult circumstances throughout their lives. They find one another and their friendship grows. I loved how they supported each other even as the older women became feebler and in need need of so much assistance. Johnson's depiction of dignity and respect for the elderly was excellent. And I loved when Margaret and Bernice escaped and tried one last time to feel normal. A really good book, I think it just didn't resonate with me at the time I read it. :) "

" I liked this but reading about the end of life in a nursing home is not especially uplifting at my age. Although the characters were well done and it did have it's positive moments. "

" Is there a male in the world? One would not believe it from the pages of this book. Wonderful capture of joy, religious faith, and human connection. "

" Good book, but kind of slow... "

" Sweet Southern story surrounding five gour women as they age and face the changes that come with life and death. Really enjoyed the characters and their interaction. "

" Thoroughly enjoyed this book, so glad to have seen it on a friend's feed. Book group--we may need to look for this one! "

" This book made me smile and cry. Anyone that has friends or relatives in a nursing home will find this a great read. "

" Tops on insight! "

" Four and a half stars- great story. I enjoyed the characters and the sweet story line. "

" An interesting and well written book about aging . "

" 3 1/2 stars. Well developed characters and dialogue. Hard to believe it was written by a man. There wasn't much of a plot. Just slow and sweet. An overall very pleasant read. "

" I really liked this book. Todd Johnson has an interesting perspective on aging. It made me be a little more patient and sensitive to those that I know who are older and starting to lose some of their independence. "

" loved this book! one of the most interesting novels on aging and changing that I've ever read. Totally amazed that the author was male because he captures the women's friendships and relationships so accurately. I'll be recommending this one to lots of people. "

" I like this book. It reminded me of The Help where each chapter was written from a different person's perspective. It was about 2 women in a rest home and some others that were in their life. "

" 1st novel for this author, watch for him in the future...more books to come and this one in particular would make a wonderful movie "

" Slice of life in a nursing home told in the voices of five southern women give this novel poignancy, but the lack of plot keeps it from being a great read. "

" Nice story! Great characters. I really liked Rhonda and Margaret! "

" I can't believe this book is written by a man! Amazing! "

" I was torn between giving this 2 or 3 stars. Overall the book was pretty good, but it wasn't a "must read" and I had a hard time finishing it because the ending was so slow. "

" Mainly observations on growing older; perhaps it hit a little too close to home and I found it sad--but also humorous "

" Page turner. Just a really good story. I needed that. "

" Really fun and touching read. Deals with friendship and the challenges of aging. Written by a man about five women. For me, he captures suble friendship and relationship nuances that most people would consider would have come from a feminine perspective. "

" This was just an OK story with a few quotable lines, but not memorable. "

" I highly recommend this book! So beautifully written and I enjoyed reading it so much. "

" Along the same vein as The Help, this is a very enjoyable southern novel. Enjoyed the character development and would definitely recommend this book. "

" 3 1/2 stars. Well developed characters and dialogue. Hard to believe it was written by a man. There wasn't much of a plot. Just slow and sweet. An overall very pleasant read. "

" Lovely story about aging with grace. Beautiful characters. Hard truths written with love. Can't believe the author is male. Amazing. "

" Heartwarming, sweet, funny story about friendship in old age. "

" It took me awhile to get into the story and figure out who the characters were and how they were connected. I felt like it started a little abruptly, but I eventually got hooked. "

" Excellent. Can't believe this was written by a man! "

" Funny, sad, lovely--just like life. "

" This book was a gift from our daughter to my wife. I just didn't relate to this story of the interaction of 5 Southern women. "

" Food for thought in this good-humored and touching story of how two nursing home residents, a nurse, and a hair sytlist affect each other's lives. Remarkable that its author is a young man. "

" the relationships are portrayed so realistically. Excellent writing...flows well. "