The Dream Lover: A Novel

I could go on about all the things that I thought were wrong about this book, but it all boils down to one word.... BORING. I slogged on and on, hoping that some glimmer of Berg's style, that I have loved in so many of her other books, would emerge. But no such luck. She doggedly stuck to her endless narration, enumerating one paramour after another, telling, telling, telling. I felt nothing for the characters because they expressed nothing. All I can say is, if this is your first exposure to Elizabeth Berg, please read one of her other books. This book is NOT indicative of her wonderful and warm style.

I am probably Elizabeth Berg's biggest fan and it disheartens me to write this review. I usually get entirely absorbed in Elizabeth's books and lose a piece of 'me' when I get to the end. But this one was a huge disappointment. It felt like I was reading one of the mass-produced Harlequin romances as opposed to an exquisitely written tale of real people, with real problems, living real lives. I wouldn't quit the book and kept hoping it would turn the corner as I turned the pages. But sadly, it never happened. I just kept feeling that I had become part of the author's deadline. Going back to re-read all the other wonderful Berg books on my book shelf.

Sometimes it’s hard to really enjoy a book you’ve looked forward to reading for such a long time. Especially when the story seems so incomplete.This is just such a book. Want to see George Sand go from lover to lover? That you will in this book but who she really is, how were her passions for life and writing formed and why the lovers that she went for? The author has left those answers and much more for the reader to figure out.Throughout my reading, I kept wanting to get to know Sands — Who was she and what things occurred to form a great writer who went through life as a strong, determined woman? Those answers were not found, in my mind, through this work.

I was blown away by this book and I found it to be very important for me because it restored my respect for this author. Since her first book was published, I have been reading and loving every one; however, I had been recently disappointed by Night of Miracles and it was wonderful to discover that, not only was there a book of hers I had somehow missed, but it turned out to belong among her greatest works.

I don't really know what to say about the book. I feel this is true to the period it was written. The main character was interesting and the author did include a lot of dates, places and famous historic people. The story jumps from her younger life to her more present life and I felt the past was much more interesting than the present making the present a little boring. It jumps from lover to lover and from place to place in europe. Not my favorite kind of book but it was a pick in my book club.

I have the first edition of every book Berg has written. Usually I'm hooked on the first page, but I was finishing up the school year when I started reading this, and the time-period took more concentration than I had. Disappointed, I set it aside a couple months, but once I picked it back up I was hooked again. Berg has such a way with prose and this was so artfully written that you believe every word is true as it happened. You forget that she's taken some license with a non-fiction character.

I'm reading Sand's first novel "Indiana" at the same time which is excellent and I can see how she would have "stayed up writing all through the night" and is beautiful writing. However, The Dream Lover drives me a little crazy with the author jumping around a LOT from Sand's early childhood and life to adult. I understand the purpose of an author doing this, but it comes off disjointed and distracting. Just my opinion. Still good to read both. Don't miss "Indiana"!

Knowing more about The woman who wrote under the name George Sand was well worthwhile. Berg deserves credit for telling this story but I found the constant switching from one part of the 1800s to another difficult to keep up with for about half the book. Since it is paperback and not expensive it is worth the difficulty to have a rich description of life in France among both rural and city elites.

I knew little about Feorge Sand when I began this book. Having finished it I know a lot more. But I never felt all that engaged with the characters or the plot. Although I didn't love the book I thought it was easy to read. Not sure I would recommend it.

Very interesting book. George Sand was before her time in her progressive outlook on life and the injustices perpetrated on the poor people in Paris. She was also very progressive in her beliefs of the rights of women. Very courageous person.

really enjoyed this story

Das Buch von Elizabeth Berg ist sehr interessant. Ich habe viel erfahren über das Leben von George Sand, was mich sehr interessiert hat, weil wir in Französisch an der Uni viel über sie gehört haben. Vor allem, aber, bin ich begeistert von Elizabeth Berg, die Autorin von "The Dream Lover." Ich habe schon lange keinen Roman gelesen, die so wunderbar geschrieben ist.

Beautifully written, very interesting book.