The Third Angel: A Novel
by Alice Hoffman
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Book Reviews of The Third Angel: A Novel
Book Review: Hoffman Falls Short
Summary: 3 Stars
Unquestionably, Hoffman is one of America's five best novelists now writing. Her use of language and her gift for storytelling are both stunning. She sees beauty in words; a phrase or sentence from her pen can have such impact that the reader is forced to stop in admiration for the craft and the insight. Her stories invariably bring the reader to tears.
Although her early works are notable, she reached a new level with "The Probable Future", and has turned out one stunning novel after another - until now. "The Third Angel" is good, but not great, and great is what we've been expecting and getting from Hoffman with "Probable Future," "Blackbird House," and "Ice Queen."
What sets Hoffman apart is her use of magic realism, so utterly convincing and captivating. Unfortunately, it doesn't work for me in "The Third Angel." I felt she was rushing for a deadline. Ultimately, this is a hiccup in her oeuvre, and I can't wait to read her next novel.
Book Review: A Magically Delicious Read!
Summary: 5 Stars
I always get excited when I find that a new Alice Hoffman novel is out and this one is as good or better than her very best books. The day I discovered her writing was like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one. I love her mix of nature/fantasy/myth/magic. When people ask me my favorite authors, she's always on top of the list and I say rather wistfully, "I honestly wish I'd never read even one of her books yet so I could discover her all over again!"
I like the way she told this beautiful bittersweet story in three different time periods through the eyes of the three main characters in the story. The story of the heron made me cry more than once, as did the story of the third angel. Her magnificent, magical stories just get better and better and always take me outside myself --- the way a great book should.
I highly recommend this book to all Alice Hoffman fans. She doesn't disappoint!!!
Book Review: Not my favorite, but I still love Alice Hoffman!
Summary: 3 Stars
I was so excited to read the latest book by Alice Hoffman that I actually bought the hardcover (I'm a paperback fan)and now wish I would have waited for the paperback version. I would have to say it was just, OK. I am a HUGE Hoffman fan and, to date, my all-time favorite book of her's is "The Ice Queen", where I fell in love with the characters immediately. In this latest book I found it a bit confusing and had to go back several times to make sure I had the characters all connected right and I found the story line to be a bit rushed. I did, as always, enjoy her style of writing but "The Third Angel" won't go up on my "must read" shelf and I won't be passing it on to friends, just re-selling it to a book store. Sorry, but I'm still a fan and am looking forward to her next book with fingers crossed that it will sweep me away as many of her books do!Book Review: Love Hoffman but this one was confusing for me
Summary: 3 Stars
I have read all of Alice Hoffman's books and absolutely love her style. She seems to have a deep connection with the spiritual and is able to bring it off the page and into your heart. I found this book gripping and often hard to put down, however, it was a bit confusing with it going backwards. I think I would have appreciated it more if it was written in reverse order. I did love the explanation of the Angel of Life and the Angel of Death along with the "Third Angel" that walks among us. I found the three different (yet the same) story lines to be interesting and captivating. Ms. Hoffman was able to show us the humanity of the doctor in both the positive and negative. All in all I really enjoyed the book but I gave it three stars because I found the backward style confusing for me. It appears that most others did not, so perhaps it's just me.Book Review: CAPTIVATING
Summary: 5 Stars
I was so happy to come across this new book of Alice Hoffman's at my local library. I have read all her books and wasn't aware she had a new one out. This may be the best one yet!!
It is the story of love and loss. Tragedy, choices and consequences. It begins in 1999, the next story is 1966 and then finally 1952. All the women in this story somehow interweave into each others lives from future back to the past.
I can only say you will begin to read and immerse yourself in the world of Alice Hoffman and her wonderful writing style and won't put this book down until you have read the last word. She can write about the dark, troubling nuances of a person with such conviction and we see a lot of redemption and faith come trough as well.
I loved this book and am thankful for this author.