Publication
Doubleday Large Print
Collection
Call number
Large Print Fiction R
Physical description
593 p.; 22 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
Painter Honor Sullivan has made a life for herself and her three daughters -- Regis, Agnes, and Cecilia -- at Star of the Sea Academy on the magical Connecticut shore. Here she teaches art at the convent school's beautiful seaside campus, over which Honor's sister-in-law, mother superior Bernadette Ignatius, keeps a benevolent and watchful eye. No one could have foreseen the day rebellious Regis would come home with the stunning news that she was getting married. Nor could anyone have guessed how that sudden announcement would soon change all their lives forever. Eleven years ago, Honor thought she had the perfect home, the perfect love, the perfect life. Then her husband, brilliant photographer and sculptor John Sullivan, broke her heart -- and tore their little family apart. Now, hearing of Regis's impending marriage, John has ended his self-imposed exile and returned to the family he's always loved more than anything on earth. What he finds is one daughter still hurting over his abandonment, another who barely remembers him, and a third who may be in more trouble than anyone knows. And then there is Honor herself -- and a passion that may have been interrupted but that has never waned.… (more)
Subjects
User reviews
LibraryThing member punxsygal
As artists, Honor and her husband John, were as passionate as they were about each other. Married, with three children, Honor began to fear the physical chances John would take for his art. Six years ago, their life came apart. Now John is returning to the family he has always loved. This is a book
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about decisions made, protecting your family, and loving each other. Show Less
LibraryThing member KC9333
This book was fine.......enjoyable.......but the story did not always hold my attention and at times I found myself skimming to see what happened. Not a keeper.....
LibraryThing member rachelwett
I enjoyed this book... made me want to plan a trip to Connecticut! I would call it a drama/mystery with a lot of scenic imagery thrown in throughout the book. I'd like to try another book by this author.
LibraryThing member kimreadthis
Okay story, very Irish Catholic focused. A bit predictable in parts (and I'm not usually able to guess things in books all that early). Characters were likeable, but a bit too perfectly unperfect.
LibraryThing member StoryB
Family ties and uresolved love are the main themes in this book, set in a comely coastal dwelling.
After 6 years spent in prison, a father and husband goes back to his loved ones, hoping that they will be together again. It is what most of them want and have been wishing for.
The story drags a little
Luanne Rice has done an ardent job at depicting the beauty and grandeur of nature. The sea, coastline and rugged cliffs are given much attention - no holding back there.
There is a sequel to this book called "What Matters Most" and it is about Sister Bernadette Ignatius and Tom, whose story never had an ending in "Sandcastles."
After 6 years spent in prison, a father and husband goes back to his loved ones, hoping that they will be together again. It is what most of them want and have been wishing for.
The story drags a little
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and even though the characters express feelings, they don't always get to the point. This is true for the adults in the book. There are few surprises but it is not really a mystery story. Luanne Rice has done an ardent job at depicting the beauty and grandeur of nature. The sea, coastline and rugged cliffs are given much attention - no holding back there.
There is a sequel to this book called "What Matters Most" and it is about Sister Bernadette Ignatius and Tom, whose story never had an ending in "Sandcastles."
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LibraryThing member wareagle78
The story of an Irish-American family who shatters after an act of violence leaves a man dead and their father/husband in jail. Personally I did not find it as engaging as many of the author's earlier works, but the imagery is lovely and the characters ring true.
LibraryThing member nancynova
Fractured families and fractured relationships, set mostly in Connecticut, but events in Ireland feed what happens in the US. Artist John Sullivan has a passion to his art and his feelings. While installing art near a cliff in Ireland, one daughter is unexpectedly with him when a man was killed.
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John was sent to prison, and wife/artist Honor, retreats back to Connecticut with her daughters, thinking that she can't have a life with John - it will destroy her family. But will her decision to keep herself separate from John destroy them more? Show Less
LibraryThing member moonshineandrosefire
Painter Honor Sullivan once believed that she had the perfect home, the perfect life, the perfect love. Then her husband, a renowned photographer and sculptor, shattered their little family and her heart. John Sullivan's passionate nature had led him into disaster many years ago, and left his wife
Here she teaches art at the convent school's beautiful seaside campus - under the benevolent and ever-watchful eye of her sister-in-law, mother superior Bernadette Ignatius - cultivating young minds to appreciate and to foster the artistic talent that Honor once had in abundance. No one could have foreseen the day rebellious Regis would come home with the stunning news that she was engaged. Nor could anyone have guessed how that sudden announcement would soon change all their lives forever.
Now, years later, a mysterious letter written in a familiar hand hints at John's return. Hearing of Regis' impending marriage, John has ended his self-imposed exile and returned to the family he's always loved; more than anything on earth. What awaits him is a family wounded by the past: a daughter still despondent over his abandonment; one who barely remembers him; and a third who may be in more trouble than anyone knows. And then there is Honor herself - and a passion that may have been interrupted but that has never waned.
Some things, like sandcastles, don't survive the changing tides. But love, family, and friendship - things just as fragile - have a way of withstanding tremendous challenges. It will take nothing short of a miracle to heal the rifts between father and daughter, husband and wife, the past and the present - but the miraculous is what is always at work at Star of the Sea Academy. The only question is: Do you have faith strong enough to face such adversity?
For the most part I enjoyed this story, although it was slightly longer than it needed to be. The story could probably have been wrapped up about one hundred pages earlier and still have been told well - at least in my opinion. Luanne Rice is certainly a prolific author - and I have read several of her books that I've enjoyed immensely - however, I must give Sandcastles a B+! I have several other books written by Ms. Rice sitting on my bookshelf, and I'm sure I'll read another book by this author sometime soon; however, perhaps not right away.
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and family reeling under the consequences. Since then, Honor has struggled to make a safe haven for herself and their three daughters - Regis, Agnes and Cecelia - at Star of the Sea Academy on the magical Connecticut shore. Here she teaches art at the convent school's beautiful seaside campus - under the benevolent and ever-watchful eye of her sister-in-law, mother superior Bernadette Ignatius - cultivating young minds to appreciate and to foster the artistic talent that Honor once had in abundance. No one could have foreseen the day rebellious Regis would come home with the stunning news that she was engaged. Nor could anyone have guessed how that sudden announcement would soon change all their lives forever.
Now, years later, a mysterious letter written in a familiar hand hints at John's return. Hearing of Regis' impending marriage, John has ended his self-imposed exile and returned to the family he's always loved; more than anything on earth. What awaits him is a family wounded by the past: a daughter still despondent over his abandonment; one who barely remembers him; and a third who may be in more trouble than anyone knows. And then there is Honor herself - and a passion that may have been interrupted but that has never waned.
Some things, like sandcastles, don't survive the changing tides. But love, family, and friendship - things just as fragile - have a way of withstanding tremendous challenges. It will take nothing short of a miracle to heal the rifts between father and daughter, husband and wife, the past and the present - but the miraculous is what is always at work at Star of the Sea Academy. The only question is: Do you have faith strong enough to face such adversity?
For the most part I enjoyed this story, although it was slightly longer than it needed to be. The story could probably have been wrapped up about one hundred pages earlier and still have been told well - at least in my opinion. Luanne Rice is certainly a prolific author - and I have read several of her books that I've enjoyed immensely - however, I must give Sandcastles a B+! I have several other books written by Ms. Rice sitting on my bookshelf, and I'm sure I'll read another book by this author sometime soon; however, perhaps not right away.
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LibraryThing member whybehave2002
slow starting...finished up good so I was willing to start the sequel.
LibraryThing member LauGal
Not the author's best work.Couldn't finish it.Boring,slow,dull and and repetitive.
Original publication date
2006-06
ISBN
9780739469095