Synopsis (Publisher): After more than a dozen moves in 25 years of marriage, Joanna Harrison is lonely and tired of being a corporate wife. Her children are grown and gone, her husband is more married to his job than to her, and now they’re about to pack up once more. Panicked at the thought of having to start all over again, Joanna commits the first irresponsible act of her life. She runs away to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, a place she’s been to just once. She finds a job as a live-in companion to Grace Finelli, a widow who has come to the island to fulfill a girlhood dream. Together the two women embark on the most difficult journey of their lives: Joanna struggling for independence, roots, and a future of her own, as her family tugs at her from afar; and Grace, choosing to live the remainder of her life for herself alone, knowing she may never see her children again. Entwined is Paul Harrison’s story as he loses his wife, his job, and everything that defines him as a man. He takes off on his own journey out west, searching for the answers to all that has gone wrong in his life. One thing remains constant: He wants his wife back. Joanna, however, is moving farther away from her old life as she joins a group dedicated to rescuing endangered loggerhead turtles, led by a charismatic fisherman unlike anyone she’s ever met.
My take: The Richest Season is a beautiful story about two women striking out on a new path in life. Joanna is starting over on her own terms. She’s not sure where she’s going but if she has to leave her home she’ll go where she wants this time. Grace knows where her path will lead and she’s determined to do things her way. She has a plan.
After Joanna makes her life-changing decision life throws her husband a curve ball that sets him on his own journey of change. It’s an important facet to the story that I thought ultimately made the novel’s resolution possible.
Maryann McFadden’s book is one of discovery, reflection and forgiveness. The two women support each other through difficult times as each navigates her way through challenging circumstances. I loved the setting, the characters, and the themes. I think book clubs would have lively discussions about the choices made by Grace and Joanna in The Richest Season.
Narration: I thought Cassandra Campbell’s performance was wonderful. She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators.
- Title: The Richest Season
- Author: Maryann McFadden
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Narrator: Cassandra Campbell
- Published: 2008 – Tantor Audio
- Source: I bought it.
her books have the prettiest covers. I read this one several years back. Glad the audio was good. I love C. Campbell as a reader.
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I have never read this author. Thanks for opening my eyes to someone new!
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I have never read anything by this author although I feel like I’ve seen a lot of her covers in different places!
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I would really like to read this one. Great review~ Moving more than a 12 times in 25 years sounds exhausting.
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I agree!
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I love strong female characters! This sounds like a winner to me!
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I think I would like this one. The fact that Joanna makes such a life changing jump and lands in such a soft place really intrigues me. I also like that the other half of the story tells what it’s like for the husband. Great review today! I need to see if I can find this one!
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Mary this sounds like a great book. I don’t think I have read anything by this author, but the synopsis of this book has made me want to make sure I read this book.. Thanks for the great recomendation
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Give her a try, Kathleen. I think you’d enjoy her books!
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Might be a narrator I should try
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I loved, loved, loved this one! Glad you enjoyed it, Mary. I want to read her So Happy Together book.
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This is the second book I’ve read by McFadden and would love to read So Happy Together.
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Interesting that you should recommend this for book clubs as this is one of the books we are considering reading this year. Great review as always, thanks.
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Thanks, Tracy. I’d love to know if your group selects this book!
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I can totally relate. The club I joined after moving here has been full of women that move for their husbands’ jobs. I need to read this one.
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It might be an interesting book for the club!
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Oh, now I want to listen to this one because I love Cassandra Campbell’s narration too. The story sounds compelling to me.
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This one sounds absolutely lovely!! I like the idea of running away 😀 I also want to hear this narrator’s voice, especially if she’s becoming a favorite of yours!!!
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I recommend it, Staci!
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I have this one on audio too and I should listen to it next. I’m sure I’ll love it too. I really enjoy McFadden’s stories.
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I think you will, Dar!
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Mary, I read this book. Maryann McFadden is a wonderful person. We are both from NJ and I have met her and I love her books!
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I love that you got to meet Maryann McFadden, Sherri. I can’t wait to read another of her books.
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[…] The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden […]
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