Promises to Keep: A Novel

Jane Green

Jun 2010 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

From the New York Times bestselling author of Falling and Sister Stardust comes a compelling novel about the love that keeps us together when everything is falling apart.
 
A successful photographer living in Bedford, New York, Callie Perry adores the settled existence she shares with her handsome husband and two adorable children. But while Callie’s life is practically perfect, her nearest and dearest are having a harder time.
 
Her best friend Lila is stuck dealing with her dream man’s demanding ex-wife. Her free-spirited sister Steffi is adjusting after leaving her city life for the simplicity of the country. And her divorced parents, Walter and Honor, can barely stand each other.
 
But when Callie is diagnosed with a recurrence of the cancer she thought she had beaten, everything changes. With their own problems suddenly in perspective, Callie’s family and friends rally to support her during an unforgettable, emotional—and ultimately life-changing year.

Ratings and reviews

Viking Canada ISBN 97806700691 Published June 2010 352 pages July 7, 2010 We meet Steffi, one of the main characters in this novel at a vegan restaurant in New York City where she is the chef, a self-described “rock chick and vegan chef”. As a thoroughly modern woman Steffi drifts from one romantic encounter to another without any stability in her life. Her sister, Callie, the heroine of this novel, is completely the opposite. She has a perfect life, it seems – a husband who loves her, two delightful children, loyal friends, a home in the suburbs and a growing career in photography. She is so happy. Walter and Honor, their parents, divorced for 30 years, despair that Steffi will ever learn responsibility. Multi-tasker Callie exudes success in life, so they have no worries about her. Then news arrives that drastically affects and changes each of the relationships in this close-knit extended family as they strive to understand and cope with the terminal illness of one of their own. The character development is very good. I felt that I knew each person by the time I was mid-way through the story. The last half of the book is very poignant, particularly if the reader has experienced the loss of a friend/ family member to cancer. (The narrative reminded me of the hospital vigil with my mother as we hopefully looked for even the tiniest indication of improvement.) However, the intensity of the narrative is relieved, curiously enough, by the delightful addition of recipes. It somehow works. By the end of the book the reader understands that the extended family will survive and prosper despite their year of tragedy and sadness. Romance, babies, security, contentment, and peace are on the horizon. Life does go on. One negative is the use of expletives. The story is not enhanced by their usage. Otherwise this is a book that I recommend. It is a portrayal of the love and support that family members bring to a tragedy. In fact, it’s a love story in all its various facets.

Sweet and sad. Glad I stumbled upon this story.

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About the author

A former journalist in the UK and a graduate of the International Culinary Center in New York, Jane Green has written many novels (including Jemima J, The Beach House, and, most recently, Falling), most of which have been New York Times bestsellers, and one cookbook, Good Taste. Her novels are published in more than twenty-five languages, and she has over ten million books in print worldwide. She lives in Westport, Connecticut, with her husband and a small army of children and animals.