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Literary Friday: Falling Together

Friday, January 20, 2012

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This week I read Falling Together by Marisa de los Santos.  This is the second book of hers I have read.  You can read my post about Belong to Me here.

I tend to favor character-driven books.  De los Santos's characters are so endearing, unique, and complex, yet the issues they face are universal.  The three main characters in Falling Together meet the first day of college their freshman year.  Penelope (Pen) Calloway, a tall, willowy beauty, leaves her English lecture in tears, not because of Beowulf's fate, but because her mascara is running down her face.  She finds a pretty, fae-like girl named Cat having a seizure in the bathroom.  Pen panics and grabs the first sweatshirt in the hallway and drags it into the ladies' room.  The sweatshirt belongs to Will, and he takes charge of the situation and helps Cat.  The three form a strong friendship that lasts throughout their college years.

Six years after graduation, Pen is living with her brother, Jamie.  She is still dismayed that Will and Cat separately walked out on her shortly after graduation, and so much has transpired in the interim.  Her father has died, and Pen has a five year old daughter.  Cat grieves for all she has lost, and she is stunned and elated when Cat sends an email requesting Pen's attendance at their college reunion.  When Pen and Will arrive on campus, Cat is a no-show, but her obnoxious husband is there. He influences Pen and Will to travel across the world with him.

The plot, partly told in flashback, builds to reveal why the best friends parted ways.  To me, this story is personal and touching as friends come and go in and out of our lives.  We graduate, move, marry, have children, change neighborhoods, churches, and play groups.  But usually we do have what my friend Susan calls "touchstone friends."  They are friends we had when we were young, and no matter what, no mater the distance, they are always there for us.  That is why this novel moved me to tears.  Pen, Cat, and Will should have remained touchstone friends, and I so badly yearned for a positive resolution while reading the book.

I highly recommend Falling Together.  Marisa de los Santos writes about relationships better than anyone.  You will not be disappointed in her books. But be forewarned: you might be compelled to call, email, google, or Facebook stalk college friends you have not heard from in years!  ;P

Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill


8 comments

  1. hmmmm, It is funny because my kids have remained fast friends with some of those they had in their early childhood. It has always amazed me. They hold them as close friends. I, on the other hand, have remained in contact with just one (but it is not close). When I got married, had kids, and moved and moved and moved, I did not retain close friendships. Now, I am developing friends, but I find none are as close as my husband. And there are none that are as close as when I was a kid. I don't have someone to go do things with.....I have friends that I pray with , study with and can count on however. I think it would be nice to have a friend that has common interests to "hang out" with.....but it seems to be my hubby. Perhaps I need to work on this.

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  2. Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the review.

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  3. Oh, I can't wait to read this book! I've read Belong to Me and loved it, too! I need to start a really good book! I just finished another Mary Kay Andrews book that I absolutely LOVED...Summer Rental. Hugs! ♥

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  4. Wow, what a compelling review. Sounds good. I just had a book club mtg this past week- have you read The Paris Wife? That's our next read.

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  5. Hi Ricki! Shame on me because I haven't read this book. How could I forget reading a book from a fellow Filipina. But you see, I always appreciate and become happy, when other people take time to appreciate the works of my countrymen. Thank you Ricki!

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  6. Wow it sounds very moving. You find the best books. I haven't been reading any books of late other than one I checked out from the library on frugal cooking. Boy you can get pretty darn basic with food if you had to. Glad I am not that lean around here. I enjoy my snacks and such too often I am afraid.

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  7. This sounds like a great book. I'll definitely have to put it on my to-read list. Thanks for the review, Michelle

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  8. Ricki Jill your table would look fabulous with any vignette upon it, I love it. Book sounds fab! Enjoy your daughter & lunch, my friend.
    Have a great week ~
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

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I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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