Looking Back

Name: Looking Back
Brand: Penguin Random House
Availability: InStock
Author: Belva Plain
ISBN: 9780553754964

Author: Belva Plain

Narrator: Anne Twomey

Abridged: 6 hr 1 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Random House Audio

Published: 04/17/2001

Categories: Fiction, Coming Of Age, Family Life, Women

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Belva Plain goes to the heart of what it means to be a woman, a wife, and a friend, in her powerful new novel—a story of love and betrayal that measures the limits of loyalty, friendship, and forgiveness.

They met at school and have been inseparable ever since: Cecile, confident, elegant daughter of privilege; Norma, extraordinarily gifted and sadly troubled; and beautiful, ambitious Amanda, determined to rise above her humble southern beginnings. Two are married. One despairs of ever finding love. Three women. Leading their busy adult lives. Yet first and always: friends.

Then something unexpected happens that forever alters their long, complicated friendship. A pivotal event, a shattering act of betrayal shifts the balance of power between husbands and wives, parents and children, sisters and brothers. And in the months that follow, each of them will look at their families, their lives--and one another--differently.

And none of them will ever be the same.

About The Author

Belva Plain captured readers' hearts with her first novel, Evergreen, which Delacorte published more than 30 years ago. It topped the New York Times best-seller list for 41 weeks and aired as an NBC-TV miniseries. In total, more than 20 of her books have been New York Times best sellers. Before becoming a novelist, Belva Plain wrote short stories for many major magazines, but taking care of a husband and three children did not give her the time to concentrate on the novel she had always wanted to write. When she looked back and said she didn't have the time, she felt as though she had been making excuses. In retrospect, she said, "I didn't make the time." But, she reminded us, during the era that she was raising her family, women were supposed to concentrate only on their children. Today 30 million copies of her books are in print. A Barnard College graduate who majored in history, Belva Plain enjoyed a wonderful marriage of more than 40 years to Irving Plain, an ophthalmologist. Widowed for more than 25 years, Ms. Plain continued to reside in New Jersey, where she and her husband had raised their family and which was still home to her nearby children and grandchildren until her death in October 2010.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Elaine

This book is set in modern times however all the characters talk and act like they should be part of their parent's generation which gives the story the feeling of being stuck in a kind of time-warp. On top of that complaint, the stories of these 3 old college buddies didn't really generate much int......more

Goodreads review by Meryan

This is about 3 girls that went to college together, Cecile, who is the confident and rich one. Norma, the smart and gifted one.And Amanda who comes from a poor family in the south and is beautiful and ambitious. After college Amanda goes to stay with Norma for Cecile's wedding.Norma's brother,Larr......more

Goodreads review by Vicki

This book is about three friends who begin with a very loving and supportive relationship. It tells of how the relationships change, grow, dye or just fading away. One friend is elegant, nice looking,rich and good. She marries a good man and they face their difficulties together in a loving and matu......more

Quotes

“An accomplished storyteller.”
—The Washington Post

“Belva Plain is in a class by herself.”
—The New York Times

"Belva Plain writes with authority and integrity.”
—San Francisco Chronicle