The Book of Polly: A Novel Hardcover – March 14, 2017

This book reminded me so much of Counting by Sevens-with a dysfunctional group of ragtag misfits who somehow fit together and find the best in one another. It was mostly interesting, often implausible, but I was drawn to Willow’s journey.

Be prepared to fall completely in love with Willow Havens, her mother Polly, and all the other characters in the eclectic mix provided by Kathy Hepinstall in The Book of Polly. From the very first chapter, we learn that Polly is not the average mother. Along with being very much older than her daughter's classmates' mothers, she has all the spunk and sass a reader could possibly hope for. From her feuds with the neighbors to her battle with the Bear (her term for cancer), it's absolutely impossible not to be drawn completely into her story through Willow's search for answers to the secrets her mother has kept locked away from her.Kathy Hepinstall's writing is also a complete delight. In addition to the beautifully crafted cast of characters (I particularly enjoyed Phoenix), her use of language to convey emotions, develop those characters, and evoke bouts of both laughter AND tears created an overall tone for The Book of Polly that made me wish the book went on forever. My favorite books are the ones that combine beautiful language with a sense of humor and heartwarming characters, and Hepinstall mastered it in this book. Where else can you find a character described as having "a permanently conflicted expression, as though, deep inside her, someone was trying to bathe a cat," which completely nails that description in the most unexpected way?Furthermore, as much as I enjoyed Polly's story, I enjoyed Willow's telling of it and her own development as a young woman just as much. Her relationship with her mother left me completely frustrated at times and in tears at others. Willow's search for a family identity and desire for closeness with her siblings was both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and the only I know to truly describe this book is with two words--perfectly perfect.

Polly is a cantankerous older Mom, whose young daughter loves her more than anything. This book will not blow your mind but it’s a interesting story that will keep you reading.

This book is a crazy ride since the beginning. Is the story of Polly Havens and her daughter Willow. Polly was 58 years old when she became a widow and three days later that she was going to have a baby. The story is good by Willow. You can imagine the difficulties that both of them had, Willow was suppose to be her granddaughter, not her daughter.Polly gets sick, she got the "Bear". She was in remission but went it came back, it was with a lot of fury. While this is happening, Willow found a shoe box full with letters. Letters that might reveal Polly's past. Of course Polly wasn't happy but when she realized that she was dying, Polly decided to take Willow to meet her past and a river trip.There is a very important character, Polly's garden. She loved to garden and the garden was a reflection of her state of mind.I enjoyed reading it and I will recommend it if you one a light nice reading.

I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were believable.

Every once in a while, I hit a home run and get a book that I can't put down. I hit that home with this book. I loved the characters, loved the story line, and couldn't wait to read it at night. This is the first book I read by this author and I can't wait to read another one. I am also going to order some more copies as gifts; when you find a great book, you have to share the joy. :)

This is about an older woman who’s has a teenage daughter scared to lose her mother to the “bear” (cancer) and everything she is willing to do to keep that from happening. Her mother is cantankerous, stubborn, a smoker, a drinker, hard to live with but lovable anyway and adores her daughter. Their life together is a laugh out loud story. The ending is a bit over the top but does go along with their outrageous life even so. Loved it.

Strong Southern women are lucky to have Polly Havens among them. A character as real as she is rare. As humorous as she is secretive. And a worthy addition to the list of characters you will root for after work or while the kids are asleep. You will eventually find yourself trying to explain Polly’s unique quirks and delightful humor to your friends—after a glass of wine or two. But you’ll fail. Because you aren’t Kathy Parks and when you attempt to explain just why Polly is such a delightful human you’ll find your words lacking even if your enthusiasm is resorting to emphatically swearing in a vain attempt make up for your verbal shortcomings. In other words. Just read the damn book.

Enjoyable read from start to finish I love a happy ending, and I think I would enjoy more books by this author

Purchased for others.