Milk Glass Moon (Big Stone Gap) Paperback – July 1, 2003

So, yeah, I gave this book 3 stars--but I feel I have to explain that rating a bit. I actually liked this book more than I enjoyed any other 3 star book, but I just didn't feel I could give it 4 stars. I gave he two books that precede this one the series (Big Stone Gap and Big Cherry Holler) 4 stars each and, despite the fact that I enjoyed this book, it just wasn't as good as the other two.First off, this is not a stand alone book. If you haven't read the two previous books, this one will make no sense. I'm not counting that against Milk Glass Moon, but I do feel I should say that. However, for those of you who have read (and enjoyed) Big Stone Gap and Big Cherry Holler, Milk Glass Moon will feel like coming home. The characters are still as lovable and quirky as ever .... which is both good and bad.It's great if you want something familiar. Yes, the fact remains that no one has really changed--including Ave Maria. Because of that, this book felt a bit stalled as the characters haven't really developed since the first and second books. Ave Maria is still dealing with the same feelings that she doesn't belong that she did in the first book, feelings that I felt had been (or should have been) resolved already.This book also seemed to lack any real plot. It takes place over about 4 or 5 years and at times it really feels like Trigiani is just skipping through time. Without a strong plot to hold such a long time period together, an author has no choice but to write only on the topmost layer of things.I guess what I'm saying here is that it was like visiting old friends who are always the same, but it wasn't a satisfying read. I'm glad I read it, but I think I could only recommend it to people who are fans of the first 2 books and want a "check in" with the characters. There is one more book in the series, which I will be reading at some point in the not-so-distant future, and I hope that Trigiani returns to storytelling with the conclusion to this series.

In the third installation In the Big Stone Gap trilogy we arereunited with our beloved characters from Big Stone Gap, Virginia. After the long, winding road we took with Ave Maria and Jack Mac in Big Stone Gap, and the introspective look we got at the realities of their marriage 8 years later in Big Cherry Holler, Milk Glass Moon lets us into these treasured characters lives even deeper. This is another sequel that does not disappoint. The gang of favorite towns folk are back: Iva Lou, Pearl, Fleeta, Spec & the like. Beginning four years after Big Cherry Holler leaves off, Ave Maria is experiencing the challenges of unchartered waters in the territory of motherhood. She's learning how to deal with a teenage daughter, Etta, who it seems has more in common with her father-.."she's all Macchesney.."As Ave struggles to form a bond with Etta, she must find a balance between trying to protect her daughter from the mistakes she made, and allowing Etta to be her own person.Milk Glass Moon maintains the charm that it's sister novels possessed, but opens the heart even deeper. You'll struggle through more of lifes twists and turns with the Big Stone Gap family and share more joys. Not only does Ave cope with learning to let go of the reign of motherhood, she is also forced to re-examine some old story lines with Pete Rutlidge and the effects this temptation has on her marriage. Ave also faces the changes time inevitably brings, as friends grow older and life as she has known it is being redefined. Trigiani's writing and gift for story telling continue to be magical. In Big Stone Gap she will make you fall in love with the town & it's family. In Big Cherry Holler she lets you in to some heavier issues and the path that true love and years of marriage can find itself on. In Milk Glass Moon we see how years of struggles and triumphs work together to make the Big Stone Gap family who they are. We get some closure on some still unresolved issues and Trigiani's usual insightfulness on relationships and human frailties. I couldn't read this novel fast enough, but was sad when it was over. This is one reader who can't wait for more from Trigiani~

After reading all four books I realized that it bothered me concerning the story about Ave and Jack. It seems impossible to think that Ave would have just put the fact that her husband Jack would supposedly "Not have had made love" with Karen as stated in this book. Ave would NOT have reacted in the manner that was written in the books-not a normal reaction. I think it was a good book but also realize that nobody would have reacted like -neither of them- as written and if they did huh something must have been wrong with both parties especially with Ave. Now Jack is a simple man -very simple-and in the end Karen would and should have been his soul mate as Ave was to good for him and Pete turned out to be her soul mate. Jack wanted what to be first and foremost and instead of talking it out and trying to work things out he started looking around for someone else which is typical but to profess his love repeatedly to Ave before and after and then act like what he did is not love at all but selfish desire. Sorry the entire series leaves much to be desired. It simply is not normal for anyone to react like this and not believable. Also what bothered me was the fact Ave did a complete turnaround and started doting on Jack and only then was he happy! He acted like it was Ave's total fault in everything and WHY did she feel like it was anyway um they should have talked it out at some point. Again a very simple man! What woman would in their right mind would have reacted like that-I can't think of anyone-Can YOU?

This is one of a trilogy which takes one lady and her friends on a journey through the teenage yearsof her daughter,her marriage and good friends.The main character is a valued member of a small community living in the Blue Ridged Mountains and the author has cleverly created an understandable version of the language peculiar to the region. There are all the types of events that keep a small community ticking over with an understanding of peoples' weaknesses and fears,potential crisis, community events, teenage loves and not so good decisions. It's about all of us really.I loved all three of the books and would recommend them to anyone who likes to read about people and doesn't necessarily want sex and violence.

This is another lovely book by Adriana Trigiani that allows us to escape from the daily grind to a small town in America where people still talk, have family dinners and enjoy the important things in life. The book is a great escapsim from the modern world of internet and mobile phones that often prohibit communication and social interaction in the world today. We live this through the life of Ave Maria as she moves through important stages and events in her life.The book is the 3rd book in the Big Stone Gap series and although you do not need to have read the previous two books to begin this one, it is more enjoyable to have read the others first (Big Stone Gap and Big Cherry Holler) as you can feel more immersed in the book through having an understanding of Ave Maria's life so far.This is a lovely book and I look forward to reading the fourth book in the series - Return to Big Stone Gap.

Have already read this book from the library but wanted to purchase it to collect the whole series which I have now done. Thank you.

Great Service. A really enjoyable book!

Love all her books. This is no 3 in the trilogy - but there is still a 4th one!! Love the way she writes and the Italian link