What Readers are Saying
I don't know how I'm going to go back to my real life without Sara, Peter and the lovely, sad, amazingly compelling
Florence as part of my day. I literally ate and digested this book, which my nephew brought by request in his suitcase
from America to me in Rome after I had it sent to his house in Brooklyn. I couldn't get it soon enough! It is an intimate,
beautifully written book which my heart missed instantly after having turned the last page. What I also liked best is that
the similes and metaphors seemed to have come so easily to Ms Olevin, like water flowing.
-- Suzanne D.
I just finished this novel and now my husband is reading it. I thought it was great and the use of the first person narrative for the multiple characters was very well-executed. Examines the complex relationships between siblings demonstating that no matter what relationship exists between siblings, one fact remains--siblings have a bond like no other. Refreshing and well worth it.
-- Stefania P.
I was given this book on Friday and decided to thumb through it Sunday morning. Well...it is Sunday evening and have read every word...enjoying every minute of the journey! Bev weaves a compelling story that has you turning the pages with exciting interest. I would recommend this to all my friends.
-- Lorianne S.
Beverly has crafted a provocative story about complex sibling relationships and how they develop, deconstruct and then reconstruct themselves. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into the stories of Florence, Peter and Sara. The characters felt real to me as did the Seattle setting. I felt that I could relate to each of these characters and appreciated Beverly's effortless writing style in bringing them to life. In the end, its hope that binds these characters together which is something we can all use a little bit more of these days.
-- Nanci H.
I couldn't put it down. Peter, Sara, Florence, Dennis, Mary Ellen, Charlie – you made them all come alive. What an amazing gift – to dream all those plot twists up and put them into engaging prose. And as I (sadly) came to the last 20 pages I must admit that I had no idea how you would wrap it all up…but you came through.
--Barry L.
I just finished Beverly Olevin's riveting new book. I have that feeling of "otherworldliness" - having lived with her characters for a time now, my own reality is informed by them. I keep expecting to run into Peter, and Sara in the drugstore. I want to talk with them, let them know how much their story moved me. And Florence? This character shook my very foundations. I have a mentally ill sister, so I don't expect every reader will be so profoundly moved, but in Ms Olevin's brilliant storytelling hands, the universality of this character radiates. I commend this book to every feeling person on the planet. It reads like gunfire, leaving shards of meaning, connection, and hope.
-- Elizabeth C.S.
I could not put it down; I stayed up till past midnight; I had to finish it.
I loved the "first person" treatment. I could not stop thinking about the people; they were so real; they jumped off the page for me.At the end, I really wanted to know more about this family. I loved it! As far as I am concerned, your book should make it to "the best seller list!"
--Esther R.
I loved the voices from each of the main characters. I have always been a fan of that presentation as it is the only way to get inside the head of each character. No other method will do. In your book, none of them felt more important than the others. Florence was the catalyst but not actually most important — to me at least. And how wonderful the title is...a really a tantalizing summary of the novel. I really liked this book!
--Dory K.
I don't think I've ever read a book so quickly. Olevin had me from the beginning to the end! It was awesome! She is a brilliant, captivating writer! The way she was able to capture each character and allow us inside the soul of Florence, Peter and Sara was sometimes sad, frequently heart-breaking but in the end a story of redemption and hope.
--Rosalind S.
The dialogue in The Good Side of Bad is so tightly written that I felt the characters were on-stage in front of me. I love how the book is written in the first person dramatically telling each character's thoughts. Beverly's ability to describe the feelings of her characters is amazing. The author's description of Seattle makes an authentic setting for the story. I got Peter's excitement of Wall Street - a place I don't understand. The ending is beautiful!
-- Marcia H.
-- Suzanne D.
I just finished this novel and now my husband is reading it. I thought it was great and the use of the first person narrative for the multiple characters was very well-executed. Examines the complex relationships between siblings demonstating that no matter what relationship exists between siblings, one fact remains--siblings have a bond like no other. Refreshing and well worth it.
-- Stefania P.
I was given this book on Friday and decided to thumb through it Sunday morning. Well...it is Sunday evening and have read every word...enjoying every minute of the journey! Bev weaves a compelling story that has you turning the pages with exciting interest. I would recommend this to all my friends.
-- Lorianne S.
Beverly has crafted a provocative story about complex sibling relationships and how they develop, deconstruct and then reconstruct themselves. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into the stories of Florence, Peter and Sara. The characters felt real to me as did the Seattle setting. I felt that I could relate to each of these characters and appreciated Beverly's effortless writing style in bringing them to life. In the end, its hope that binds these characters together which is something we can all use a little bit more of these days.
-- Nanci H.
I couldn't put it down. Peter, Sara, Florence, Dennis, Mary Ellen, Charlie – you made them all come alive. What an amazing gift – to dream all those plot twists up and put them into engaging prose. And as I (sadly) came to the last 20 pages I must admit that I had no idea how you would wrap it all up…but you came through.
--Barry L.
I just finished Beverly Olevin's riveting new book. I have that feeling of "otherworldliness" - having lived with her characters for a time now, my own reality is informed by them. I keep expecting to run into Peter, and Sara in the drugstore. I want to talk with them, let them know how much their story moved me. And Florence? This character shook my very foundations. I have a mentally ill sister, so I don't expect every reader will be so profoundly moved, but in Ms Olevin's brilliant storytelling hands, the universality of this character radiates. I commend this book to every feeling person on the planet. It reads like gunfire, leaving shards of meaning, connection, and hope.
-- Elizabeth C.S.
I could not put it down; I stayed up till past midnight; I had to finish it.
I loved the "first person" treatment. I could not stop thinking about the people; they were so real; they jumped off the page for me.At the end, I really wanted to know more about this family. I loved it! As far as I am concerned, your book should make it to "the best seller list!"
--Esther R.
I loved the voices from each of the main characters. I have always been a fan of that presentation as it is the only way to get inside the head of each character. No other method will do. In your book, none of them felt more important than the others. Florence was the catalyst but not actually most important — to me at least. And how wonderful the title is...a really a tantalizing summary of the novel. I really liked this book!
--Dory K.
I don't think I've ever read a book so quickly. Olevin had me from the beginning to the end! It was awesome! She is a brilliant, captivating writer! The way she was able to capture each character and allow us inside the soul of Florence, Peter and Sara was sometimes sad, frequently heart-breaking but in the end a story of redemption and hope.
--Rosalind S.
The dialogue in The Good Side of Bad is so tightly written that I felt the characters were on-stage in front of me. I love how the book is written in the first person dramatically telling each character's thoughts. Beverly's ability to describe the feelings of her characters is amazing. The author's description of Seattle makes an authentic setting for the story. I got Peter's excitement of Wall Street - a place I don't understand. The ending is beautiful!
-- Marcia H.