Starting from Square Two

by Caren Lissner

Book Overview

Starting from Square Two by Caren Lissner released on Feb 23, 2004 is available now for purchase.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373250525
• ISBN13: 9780373250523
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Red Dress Ink
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Memorable read

In the summer, I read about five books a week, and most are decent but forgettable. However, after a month has passed, I can still clearly remember how much I liked this book. This is a stand-out from Red Dress Ink.First of all, Caren Lissner is an intelligent writer. Her first book, Carrie Pilby, was as well-written and amusing as this one. Caren Lissner stated in an interview (I'm paraphrasing here) that when she tried to get her first book published, she was afraid that her book would be disregarded as "chick lit". I think the presence of Caren Lissner's books in RDI's catalog and therefore in chick lit uplifts the whole genre. This is the kind of writing that should be catering to young women.The story is interesting: Gert, a widow, is having trouble getting back into the dating pool about 2 years after he rhusband is killed. Gert is remarkably lucky in the book that the first guy she dates turns out to be just as wonderful as her husband. (Well-written, yes; realistic, perhaps not.) Her grief and healing are written and dealt with in a real but not preachy manner. I did take issue with Gert's callousness towards her perpetually single girlfriends, but in fairness to the story, it was in character for her.If you're looking for a fast, interesting, intelligent read, I recommend Starting from Square Two.

sweet and deep

There's a lot to like in this appealing novel about a young window getting back into the social swing. Gert, the main character was very likable and wise. And her maniacal sidekicks are very page-turnable, in a cover-your-eyes, "she just did what?!" kind of way. But what I liked best was the hopeful vibe of the novel, which approached a tough and sad break in a sweet and positive way. Nice. Tough to pull off, too. But it's done here.I also commend readings by Caren Lissner (so - full disclosure - I've been to one, and I met her!). Witty, dry, extemporaneous. If you're in an area where she has one, you should go.Did I have a beef? Well, maybe one. Todd, a potential love interest, seemed a little indistinct to me. But that might be me - I like characters with plenty of edgy qualities! Overall, though - highly recommended!

Change is difficult but necessary

The theme of this page turning gem of a novel, by author Caren Lissner, is change and the consequences brought about by it. For a plot summary, simply read the description above. I found myself wiping tears from my eyes at the end of the book not from over sentimentality but due to Lissner's ability to get her point across simply and poignantly, without being overly wordy. First off all, this book is too beautifully written to be placed in the romance section. I hardly consider it a typical 'romance' novel. The concept of 'change' is frequently a topic I read about but rarely do I find it written about in such a universal way that it can connect to a wide array of women. I loved the metaphor of Todd working on a train and studing history (past connecting with present and constant movement, etc.) and the fact that while change is often difficult, painful, and hard to accept, it is a part of life, necessary and unavoidable and good in fact can come from it even when one least expects it. I love the comparisons between generations (if we were women in the 50s and 60s we all would have married our college sweethearts whether or not it would have ended happily or not)...rather like Laura in The Hours. Women have choices now, like we see in character of Erika, which only causes a entirely different type of pain. Do these choices allow us freedom, or only cause us more confusion and unanswered wonders?I found the character of Erika extremely compelling and she was with whom I most identified with. I loved reading the lack of understanding between Gert and Erika and towards the end how Gert came to almost empathasize with Erika's situation. When an ex boyfriend cuts you out of their life (even when the breakup is on your part) and the only contact you have with him is an abprupt and cold e-mail or info from the new girlfriend's website it is like a death and hence you have to mourn the loss, as I believe Erika learned. While this is very different from Gert's loss, Gert came to understand that everyone's pain is in fact, painful to them, and I liked seeing her slowly shed her judgements. The Gert/Hallie relationship was also very well developed and kept in tune with the theme of change. Hallie was nicely created and the dynamic between the three women was very realistic. The references to 9/11 are subtle, are go along with the theme of change. The world is changing along with us and we must keep up or die trying. I found this novel comforting in many ways. Life goes on, regardless of tragedy. Like an unstoppable treadmill, we all must tread through and learn to find to see the good in things. This book is certainly a fantastic place to start.Overall, I thought the book was truly phenomenal. I loved the mix of seriousness and humor and the message was hopeful and positive.

Says things I've been waiting to hear

This book says things that I'm glad were said - about dating, loss, etc. It's funny sometimes, but it also rings true about the dating dilemmas, especially in my experience. The main characters, Gert Hallie and Erica, have different kinds of dating and life issues. When Gert (the young widow) finally dates and sees how awful it really is, she does eventually meet an OK guy, but then has to deal with another problem, which is figuring out whether to date someone when she really still loves her late husband. She doesn't really feel ready to date and could do nothing, but sitting home all the time would cause other problems. She sees how complicated it can be, especially the scene in NYC.What I found in some ways more interesting is her friends. They have dating rules and Gert is scornful of the rules at first but then sees that after dealing in the dating scene, sometimes it's hard to avoid wanting to use them. Hallie and Erica are good characters even if they can be a little nutsy.Gert has to learn that different people have different ways of dating and getting along with the opposite sex, and you can't blame people for trying to not be alone. I liked a line a lot which is something like: "There should be a pill to prevent you from loving the people you can't get, and to help you love the ones you can." Sorry, story of my life!

Hits the nail on the head, sensitive but still fun

This book is fun to read even though it's partly about a sensitive subject. It also has alot to say about singlehood and couplehood. I read the author's other book Carrie Pilby, and this is very different from that one, but it's still smart. In the book, Gert Healy lost her husband Marc a year and a half ago. Her friends, who have been single for a long time, think it's time to take her out in New York City to get back into the dating arena. But she met her husband, Marc, in college, so she has no clue what dating is like out of school. She thinks her friends have always whined over nothing. But she also finds it hard to imagine dating anyone new. She goes along with her friends only because she thinks it might be good to get out of the house.I won't spoil all of the things that happen next, but the book says alot about how you should be able to get over someone at your own rate. A character who was very interesting was Gert's friend Erika, who is obsessive about an ex-boyfriend she still cares about. Even if she goes too far, she says she can't help it, and it's an interesting look at how people get closure on things. I enjoyed reading it.