A Hundred Pieces of Me Paperback – September 2, 2014

Now here is proof that good book jackets sell books. I doubt I would have discovered Lucy Dillon if there hadn't been a picture of a greyhound looking directly at me from A Hundred Pieces of Me, begging as only sighthounds can do, talking you into early dinner or another walk or just some time for fusses and kisses. (I have 4 Italian greyhounds, who have perfected this technique to the point where they once talked a pet-minder to feed them at 3 AM.) I was sick in bed, bored silly, and I ordered this book to pass the time. My husband took one look at it and said, "Why did you buy that book? The dog's going to die and then you'll start crying." He has a point. I'm a sucker for dog stories. I also write, and teach in the MFA low-residency program in Anchorage, Alaska, and in workshops when a dog appeared in a story, I wanted to throw the story out the window. The reason was that mention of a dog unfortunately inevitably led to a "symbolic" death in student stories. Just for once, I'd harangue my students, I'd like the dog not to die. I'd like the dog to do something else, contribute to the story in another way. That's what A Hundred Pieces of Me did. I was sick in bed for a couple weeks, so I ordered all Ms. Dillon's other books, delighted to see that dogs are a thread in all her books, that her female characters solved their own problems, that work and the future and the importance of objects are pondered by women who pick themselves up and dust themselves off, that the male characters are people, too, not romantic Band-aids. A Hundred Pieces of Me is as bittersweet a story as they come. The narrator Gina has real issues, such as making a life post-divorce, deciding what to keep and what to let go of, and how to continue work on a historic house she once dreamed of living in, restoring to its glory. Gina, a breast cancer survivor, hasn't had an easy life, and this book does not make it easier. Its up-in-the-air ending was like viewing a perfect snapshot of a good life. I found it hard to let go of this story. Fortunately, Ms. Dillon does a wonderful thing in her other books, which means a narrator from another book has a different place in other stories. I suppose I write that way myself, but all I cared about reading these books was to watch what happens. The choices the character makes were as realistic as talking to a dear friend. I discovered that Lucy Dillon's world is my kind of world. I will pre-order, snatch up as soon as they arrive, and recommend to readers and writers alike, these books. And P.S., not only does the dog live, but the dog becomes a part of the narrator's heart and family.

I enjoyed reading this book very much, although I am closer to Gina's mother's age, so I understood some of her issues. I totally bonded with Buzz, as I have a Spanish greyhound (called a galgo) and they have such distinct characters. A lot of emotion and pain here, but also joy and love--along with endings and beginnings--a totally encompassing tale. Great dialogue between the friends and a bit of humour to lighten things up. Extremely talented writer; I will definitely read more of her books.

Another who rescued who from Lucy Dillion. Great reintroduction of the character Rachel from the first book. Enjoy that all of Dillions characters are fully developed and each speaks in their own voice. Divorce and restarting your life can be a tough subject empowering super woman or sympathetic sad sack woe is me. Im so pleased that the main charecter doesn't fall into either of these traps and shows a life and a true life lived. Thank you again Lucy Dillion for showing real women with our faults and fears and loves and our Iove of our friends imperfect in their perfection. And of course the dogs who love us back to being normal. Im patiently waiting for her next book...

Rarely would a book draw me in so quick and so fast. I started this book on Thursday and read it over the weekend with 3 kids running around! I found myself wanting to reread parts to take in the stories behind the 100 pieces. It really is a story about living...I mean intentional living..that makes this story so rich. Truly gives you the insight to stop and smell the flowers in all moments of your life...and realize life doesn't have to perfect to be amazing.

WOW. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a story about bad love, lost souls, good love, the love of an animal and good endings. You feel sorry for the main character in this book because she goes through so much in her life. We all try to find ourselves in real life. Lucy Dillon is such a wonderful author. She takes you right into the characters in the book and you actually feel what they are going through. Again, read this.

I love Lucy Dillon books. They always leave me happy. I wish I could say the same about this one. I really liked the book and the concept. Unfortunately, the up in the air ending of the book left me feeling a little depressed and unsatisfied. I'm hoping at some point the main character, Gina, shows up in another of Dillon's books so we know how things are going. This author many times brings in people from previous works so you stay up to speed with a huge cast of characters all brought together in one series even though the books are stand alone stories.

I loved this. I had not encountered Lucy Dillon before, but will be seeking out some more of her books. The plot line has some elements of predictability, but instead of being spoilers, they made me eager to see them realised in the story. The main protagonist is a very real person, dealing with some very real things. Furthermore, I felt that the other characters in the book, including Buzz and Magistrate's House, had become 'people' I'd like to meet: I sincerely hope the author is going to give us more of all of them.

Although I found the book predictable, that does not mean I didn't like it. It is a story that all too many of us can relate to or know of someone who this may remind us of.it really is a big book but one doesn't feel whilst reading and all in all a lovely read.

I bought the paperback version as a present as the summary on the back sounded just the kind of book for the person it was intended for. However, it intrigued me enough to treat myself to the audible version. Really glad I did as I absolutely loved it! This is from someone who normally prefers a dark crime novel.I've never come across Lucy Dillon before but after this book I am going to start at the beginning of her novels.This particular story will I'm sure strike a chord with anyone going through a period of significant change in their life, it a mixture of gentle humour, soul searching, love, loss and the healing power of dogs! I even had a tear or two by the final chapters.Give it a go, curl up with a cuppa and indulge when you can make the time. Fantastic.

Gina Bellamy has just moved house, is going through a divorce and 5 years ago was treated for breast cancer. When she moves she discovers she has a lot of stuff, far too much for her new apartment. And so she sets out deciding that she will just keep the 100 things that mean the most to her, and sell/throw/give away to charity the rest of her belongings.This act of de-cluttering has a lot of unexpected consequences.A Hundred Pieces of Me is written in a way that you get the back story to Gina's life and her first true love and her ex-husband, in small sections, not in chronological order, at the beginning of each chapter, as one of Gina's items is looked at and its past is revealed.As a result I found the story took a very long time to get going, and I honestly only started to enjoy reading the book in the last 25%. I found it very slow to get going and at times I was wondering if it was worth it. I'm still not completely sure I made the correct decision to finish reading this.I can't explain it, but just didn't really feel like this was up to Lucy Dillon's usual quality, which is a shame as I usually love her books, and hope her next one is a lot better.

I have really enjoyed all the books I have read so far by Lucy Dillon, but rate this the best yet. Wonderful story, beautifully written and I love the way she brings a dog into all of her books. Buzz the greyhound was a sad case but I suppose every reader guessed that Gina would keep him - they needed each other. I am looking forward to reading other books by Lucy Dillon.

Gina hits a sad time in her life and is forced to take a deep breath and look deep into what she has. At that time I was literally crying myself, going through various tests myself so could understand some of how she felt at times when forced to look at what you have. One of those reads of should I read it and get weepy of leave alone. Rest assured though know that previous reads by Lucy Dillon have had me not wanting to put them down and this one pretty much the same. Yes tears and mixed emotions but also love and understanding, just a great read.From this though she makes discoveries that without would never know just what good points there are in her life.A read that yes at times had me crying but other times feeling as though Gina had then found the things that mattered to her and her life. All about seeing what you have already but sometimes harder for you when looking in on it yourself, it does make you think though.

Although tinged with sadness and heartbreak, this story is inspiring. I imagine many readers have identified with the loss of a loved one, or known someone struggling with cancer and will appreciate Lucy's compassion and understanding towards her character. I enjoyed the way in which she constructed the story and found it a pleasant change. A worthwhile read and a charming love story.