Talk Before Sleep: Amazon.ca: Elizabeth Berg: Books

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

A friendship between two women turns tragic when one is diagnosed with breast cancer.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The subject of women's friendships in the face of death is sensitively handled in Berg's ( Durable Goods , LJ 4/15/93) second novel. Conventional and quiet, Ann Stanley never had a true best friend until she met the beautiful and outgoing Ruth Thomas. Over the years, their friendship deepens and enriches them both. Then Ruth is diagnosed with rapidly metastasizing breast cancer. During the period of Ruth's dying, a small group of women, along with Ann, share Ruth's doctor visits, help make funeral plans, and enjoy late-night lobster feasts together. They talk about men, children, sex, the future, and the past. They weep, laugh, analyze, and try to console one another. Never preachy or maudlin, this novel is utterly convincing. All the conversations ring true; all the emotions are recognizable and real. Many women will be able to identify with the subject matter of this novel, which should guarantee it a well-deserved readership. Highly recommended for all public libraries.
- Nancy Pearl, Washington Ctr. for the Book, Seattle
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Customer Reviews

91 Reviews

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (91 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars The problem is, Oct 25 2004

By	Kahlid Abrammason - See all my reviews

Ce commentaire est de: Talk Before Sleep (Audio CD)

The problem some are going to have with this book is the fact that they'll forget it's actually fiction. Berg's prose is so clear and real that this book is unnerving, but in a good way. I've read where other reviews have called this "gripping" and that's certainly the case. If you have to read any book this year, please make it this one. I would also recommend another great read, though it's totally different from this (why would you want to read the same thing in a row?). It's called "The Bark of the Dogwood" and it's very shocking and funny. Guaranteed to be like nothing else you've come across. Also try "The Art of Mending."

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4.0 out of 5 stars A great novel, but so sad., Jun 17 2004

By	The Feisty Curmudgeon (USA) - See all my reviews

Ce commentaire est de: Talk Before Sleep (Paperback)

Talk Before Sleep" is the story of Ann and Ruth and their friendship, told from the point-of-view of Ann. We learn right from the start of the story that Ruth has been diagnosed with breast cancer, that there is nothing else that can be done for her, and that she is dying. The book shows the development of the womens' friendship from the time they meet, and more than anything else, I think the author tries to show the strong bonds of love and friendship that exist between the women and how special and unique a "best friendship" can be. Much of the time, it almost feels as if the novel is nonfiction, and Berg admits in an author's note that she lost a friend to breast cancer and wanted to write about that experience.

The novel is short, around 200 pages, and I finished reading it in only a few hours. I have to admit that I found the story very difficult to read--not because it was badly written, but because it was so tragic and sad. It did make me a cry (a lot), but the tears didn't feel cathartic. I hate to sound so dramatic, but I felt depressed and grief-stricken by the time I reached the end.

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2.0 out of 5 stars She has done better, Jun 14 2004

By	C. Young (Germany) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ce commentaire est de: Talk Before Sleep (Paperback)

Even so I read the book in two days and was touched by it, I have to say that Elizabetz Berg has done better. Unlike in 'Range of motion' or her 'Katie-books' for example, the dramatic moments in this one often feel forced and tasteless. The character of the nurse remains flat and lifeless, the other characters often seem very exaggerated. It almost feels as if Berg tried to fill the story with life by adding different stereotypes, like Sarah, the efficient, pretty, petit businesswoman and L.D., the baseball cap wearing, bulky lesbian with a crew cut.
So all in all it was a disappointing book, especially since one is spoiled by Berg's previous excellent work.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read; tough subject
This story will make you think about a subject we really don't like to. Solely because of its subject matter, the story is sad but the strength of the bond of friendship is... Lisez davantage

Published on Mar 29 2004 by Patty Philbrook

5.0 out of 5 stars Written in classic Berg style
In 'Talk Before Sleep' Elizabeth Berg displays the dynamics of the female friendship in such a moving and realistic way that this could be a true story, only it's not. Lisez davantage

Published on Dec 12 2003 by valgal00

5.0 out of 5 stars Berg doesn't take the easy road
She could EASILY have seduced us into tears with just the death of the character. But, no, Berg is much too good to resort to that. Lisez davantage

Published on Nov 8 2003 by Alicia Cathers

5.0 out of 5 stars The laughter and intimacy of womens friendship
The fact that one of the two main characters is dying of breast cancer doesn't set the tone of this book by prolific Elizabeth Berg; it just puts the friendship between these... Lisez davantage

Published on Sep 17 2003 by Peggy Vincent