Hello Beautiful (Oprah's Book Club): A Novel
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • MORE THAN ONE MILLION COPIES SOLD! From the author of Dear Edward comes a “powerfully affecting” (People) family story that asks: Can love make a broken person whole?
“Another tender tearjerker . . . Napolitano chronicles life’s highs and lows with aching precision.”—The Washington Post
ONE OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY’S TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, The Washington Post, Time, Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, New York Post, She Reads, Bookreporter
William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him—so when he meets the spirited and ambitious Julia Padavano in his freshman year of college, it’s as if the world has lit up around him. With Julia comes her family, as she and her three sisters are inseparable: Sylvie, the family’s dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book; Cecelia is a free-spirited artist; and Emeline patiently takes care of them all. With the Padavanos, William experiences a newfound contentment; every moment in their house is filled with loving chaos.
But then darkness from William’s past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia’s carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters’ unshakeable devotion to one another. The result is a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most?
An exquisite homage to Louisa May Alcott’s timeless classic, Little Women, Hello Beautiful is a profoundly moving portrait of what is possible when we choose to love someone not in spite of who they are, but because of it.
“Another tender tearjerker . . . Napolitano chronicles life’s highs and lows with aching precision.”—The Washington Post
ONE OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY’S TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, The Washington Post, Time, Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, New York Post, She Reads, Bookreporter
William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him—so when he meets the spirited and ambitious Julia Padavano in his freshman year of college, it’s as if the world has lit up around him. With Julia comes her family, as she and her three sisters are inseparable: Sylvie, the family’s dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book; Cecelia is a free-spirited artist; and Emeline patiently takes care of them all. With the Padavanos, William experiences a newfound contentment; every moment in their house is filled with loving chaos.
But then darkness from William’s past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia’s carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters’ unshakeable devotion to one another. The result is a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most?
An exquisite homage to Louisa May Alcott’s timeless classic, Little Women, Hello Beautiful is a profoundly moving portrait of what is possible when we choose to love someone not in spite of who they are, but because of it.
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Community Reviews
thenextgoodbook.com
What’s it about?
The four Padavanos sisters (Julia, Sylvie, Cecelia and Emaline) grow up in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago with a fierce mother and a loving father. The sisters all have their specific roles in the family and these roles often drive their behavior. They also have a deep love for each other. When the oldest sister, Julia, meets William Waters on the campus of Northwestern University the family welcomes him as their own. But when darkness surfaces in William’s life a rift will emerge that will change the family.
What did it make me think about?
Family- the beauty, messiness, and love that most families share.
Should I read it?
I enjoyed the whole reading experience of this book. I was so sorry to turn the last page and have to put it down. This book will especially appeal to those who have loved “Little Women” in the past. Ann Napolitano has written about family and sisterhood in a way that would make Louis May Alcott proud. Whether we like it or not- our families shape us…
Quote-
“Her family was a mirror in which she recognized her reflection.”
What’s it about?
The four Padavanos sisters (Julia, Sylvie, Cecelia and Emaline) grow up in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago with a fierce mother and a loving father. The sisters all have their specific roles in the family and these roles often drive their behavior. They also have a deep love for each other. When the oldest sister, Julia, meets William Waters on the campus of Northwestern University the family welcomes him as their own. But when darkness surfaces in William’s life a rift will emerge that will change the family.
What did it make me think about?
Family- the beauty, messiness, and love that most families share.
Should I read it?
I enjoyed the whole reading experience of this book. I was so sorry to turn the last page and have to put it down. This book will especially appeal to those who have loved “Little Women” in the past. Ann Napolitano has written about family and sisterhood in a way that would make Louis May Alcott proud. Whether we like it or not- our families shape us…
Quote-
“Her family was a mirror in which she recognized her reflection.”
** THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS***
I had a very difficult time getting into this book. I eventually had to DNF this one. I don't know is I was not in the right head space for it at this time, but I felt that the characters wallow in self pitty and I had enough after Julia started the whole..." I never needed you. Did you know that?" after she gave birth. I ended my journey of the book on page 134, so I did fairly give its time. Maybe this is one of those books that I can come back to and try again. I did see how others love this book and gave it a high rating. I just couldn't get there.
I had a very difficult time getting into this book. I eventually had to DNF this one. I don't know is I was not in the right head space for it at this time, but I felt that the characters wallow in self pitty and I had enough after Julia started the whole..." I never needed you. Did you know that?" after she gave birth. I ended my journey of the book on page 134, so I did fairly give its time. Maybe this is one of those books that I can come back to and try again. I did see how others love this book and gave it a high rating. I just couldn't get there.
Overall an excellent book. I loved the Italian family story, coming from an Italian family. The bond of the sisters was central to the story. I’d recommend it.
A very engrossing read - I appreciated the story and depiction of these four sisters - Sylvie, Julia, Cecilia and Emeline - (*the writing was not a pull-factor for me) but I enjoyed the weft that the author created - the entanglement of emotions, rawness, and how a few select choices and decisions can completely alter the course of one's life - I also enjoyed reading the differing character perspectives and one of the story's central themes - "what does it really mean to be brave in one's own life story?" Whether it is bravery in love...loss...bravery in overcoming or suppressing - bravery in confronting or rejecting or bravery in anticipating and/or acceptance...
The story did get me teary in some parts as it invites one to reflect on one's own family, upbringing, presence or absence of love or affection, first loves...last loves...and love we miss our on or never experience...
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