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Summary: Another enchanting story by Judith Hendricks
Review: Avery James is both cursed and charmed by the legacy of the woman who left her a foundling with only a thread (literally, you'll see) of a clue to her mother's identity. But Avery doesn't count on that (or much of anything or anyone else) as she grows herself up in the orphanage in Colorado, then on the road through New Mexico from Florales to Albuquerque and eventually to Sante Fe where her past and future converge.
Hendricks beautifully renders the vistas and cuisine, art and history of New Mexico while revealing layer after layer of Avery's perceptions and blind spots, her longings and her fierce attempt not to desire anything more than whatever she can claim as of her own making.
Avery blunders and blooms in fits and starts as she gradually comes to accept the mantle of her ancestors and allows herself to grow into their dreams for her.
Isabel's Daughter does for Sante Fe and visual arts what Hendrick's first novel Bread Alone did for Seattle and baking.
They transport the reader in the great tradition of storytelling so it's the next best thing to being there.
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Summary: I couldn't put it down
Review: Hendricks captures the variety and vagueries of real life in a seamless and flawless style. Her novels impart the essence of their settings: I felt like I was in New Mexico.
Reading Hendricks' novel is a transcendental experience: I felt the lead character's emotions and sensations.
I especially like the way Hendricks creates quality men for her heroines. The romantic love stories in this tale aren't pat or formulaic---and they seem genuinely loving.
Isabel's Daughter isn't better than Bread Alone; they are both equally great!
I can't wait for Hollywood to discover Hendricks' work. Both of her novels could be great movies! Meantime, get in on the secret. I couldn't put either of Hendricks' books down. They dignify human experience, especially female experience, in the real world and are thoroughly engaging, well-crafted tales.
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Summary: How does she do it?
Review: Hendricks captures the variety and vagueries of real life in a seamless and flawless style. Her novels impart the essence of their settings: I felt like I was in New Mexico.
Reading Hendricks' novel is a transcendental experience: I felt the lead character's emotions and sensations.
I especially like the way Hendricks creates quality men for her heroines. The romantic love stories in this tale aren't pat or formulaic---and they seem genuinely loving.
Isabel's Daughter isn't better than Bread Alone; they are both equally great!
I can't wait for Hollywood to discover Hendricks' work. Both of her novels could be great movies! Meantime, get in on the secret. I couldn't put either of Hendricks' books down. They dignify human experience, especially female experience, in the real world and are thoroughly engaging, well-crafted tales.
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Summary: An Unexpected Surprise
Review: I always check out at least three books from the library, and read them in the order of which I think I will be most interesting. Isabel's Daughter, I'm sorry to say, was the last book - and it should have been the first! I started the book at bedtime one night and ended up reading until 1 A.M. I was hooked!This book is a fascinating tale, combining a young woman's modern life with her ancient roots. The people, the landscape, the beliefs are all brought to life by Hendricks' spellbinding voice. This book is truly an unexpected surprise and I look forward to reading more from this author.
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Summary: I hope there is a sequel
Review: I am an avid reader who rarely re-reads novels, but this book was so wonderful it moved me to order it. I didn't want it to end, and I loved the author's characters.
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Summary: isabel's daughter
Review: I find Judith Ryan Hendricks an incredible writer. She incorporates so many different avenues of interest and as a reader you always feel so much a part of her story, laugh at her sense of humor, and in your minds' eye, picture where the story is taking place. A warm, easy read that you dont really want to come to an end, but continue on....I look forward to her next book in 2005.
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Summary: Outstanding 2nd novel
Review: I highly recommend this book. I read it over the weekend and could not put it down. The main character, Avery, is a great storyteller and observer of others. The supporting characters are wonderful as well. Avery goes through much self discovery as she finds out about her mother's past and her own history. The setting is very much a part of the story with it's southwestern flair and mixture of anglo, mexican, and native american culture as Avery meets many people in her life. My only complaint would be that it ended! (Oh, and that I got hungry every time I read it...her description of the foods Avery eats and makes will make your mouth water!) I really look forward to more of her writing. This story reminded me in some ways of another of my favorite reads: Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver.
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Summary: I couldn't put it down
Review: I loved this book. I usually read action/adventure books but I simply could not put this down and, while I loved the ending, I hated for it to end. The characters matter. They are real people, simple in lifestyle but rich in heart and mind. The story is compelling, emotional and fascinating. Hendricks shows that people don't need to be traveling at hyper-speed or moving in all the "right" circles to be interesting. Hendricks understands a lot about emotion and about how life's events shape our emotional selves. This book affected me in a nice and warm way and I learned a lot about herbs and Mexican-American cuisine too. I can't wait to pick up her first novel "Bread Alone." If you think this looks like just another romantic story, look again. "Isabel's Daughter" goes deeper and will never quite leave you.
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Summary: An entertaining and engrossing story
Review: I recently heard author Zadie Smith speaking, and she said a novel should be "a journey towards enlightenment." I immediately thought of this wonderful book, and Avery's literal and figurative journeys. The characters are well written, but still have some mystery to them. The dialog - even among the children's characters - comes across as natural. I just requested "Bread Alone" from my local library, and am looking forward to reading more work from Ms. Hendricks.
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Summary: Weave us a colorful story......
Review: Judith Hendricks really is an extraordinary story teller! This is a story you can jump into and feel as if you are really there...Even more exciting than her first novel, Isabel's Daughter keeps you turning pages in a race to see where she is taking you this time. Santa Fe, New Mexico, is where. You are drawn into Isabel's spell instantly, with her dry sense of humour and sly, quick wit. It is fabulously entertaining, with a little bit of history and culture thrown in for good measure. Her facination with food is something all will appreciate. This is one terrific book you'll be glad you read. Bring us some more like this, Judith Hendricks!!!
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