Essie in Progress

By Marjorie Presten

The Wells family has reached a state of crisis. Essie is burning the candle at both ends as she tries to juggle her job, her motherly duties, and her impulsive husband, Jack. Meanwhile, Hamilton, the patriarch, has taken up residence in a dilapidated sailboat on Lake Lanier, trying to forget his past. The one thing that they all have in common is their search for significance. Told with a unique wit and a genuine Southern sensibility, Essie in Progress is a stirring story about realizing the life God has in store for you.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 082543565X
• ISBN13: 9780825435652
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Kregel Publications
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A FUN READ!

I enjoyed this book because the characters are so lively and full of personality. This book has the winning recipe and brought out a wide range of emotions. It was funny and sad, but very entertaining. I appreciate the author for her writing abilities. I am an avid reader and can get more than a little annoyed with typos, run-on sentences and poor grammar. You won't find any of those here, Marjorie has done a great job of telling her story, and telling it well. Can't wait to see what she does in her next novel. This one is a fun read!

A delight to read

This book was quite a surprise to read. From the front cover and description, I immediately assumed this was going to be another mommy-lit book where the wife has the unruly children and the husband seems to be oblivious to his wife's struggles. Luckily though I was in for a treat as this was not the case. Yes, there is a pregnant mom trying to juggle her kids and her life but there's a twist. She's a working mom and not a SAHM . Essie is a character that you immediately like as you read about her tackling life out in the work force and how to take care of the kiddies back at home. Meanwhile she has to watch her husband face a midlife crisis as he actually goes out and buys the stereotypical Porsche. An incredibly funny scene happens when Essie comes home one day and finds her beloved SUV replaced by a hulking Hummer. The story is also about Jack's estranged father Hamilton and how his life has become unfulfilled. He's had numerous wives that have come and gone. His new catchphrase could be "I'm on a boat!" as that has become his permanent home. He has found out that his so called easy way of life has completely alienated himself from getting to know his only son's family. It's interesting how living on the boat is a metaphor for how unstable and unpredictable Ham has made his life. The story is very entertaining and it's filled with lots of humor. There were times when I would get a bit miffed with Jack and his lack of concern for Essie's life at times. However their marriage is quite healthy and it's refreshing to see a family who actually enjoys spending time with each other. I believe this is the author's first novel and I really enjoyed reading it. It's fun, light, non preachy and teaches one what's meaningful in life. I'll be looking forward to reading the rest of Majorie's books.

Great book club book

A working Mom with three kids, an OCD husband, critcal mother plus a demanding boss sounds stressful, because it is stressful and "Essie" must make decisions that impact her entire family. What makes this book a great read is that "Essie" takes the time to see the beauty and the laughter that can be found in the middle of it all. I was rooting for this family. I laughed, I cried and I was inspired to look a little harder for the good in those around me. Amy Kimmes

Essie in Progress

Essie in Progress is a book you don't want to put down. There are moments in the book that are so relatable as a mother of three trying to juggle life, husband, parents and inlaws. Marji Presten tells a story that will make you laugh out loud and cry. There is a piece of Essie in all of us. I absolutley loved this book... I am reading it a second time to make sure I didn't miss anything!!

Funny, Touching, Brilliant, and Entertaining!

Marjorie Presten is a fabulous wordsmith! This is one of the best books I have ever read -- totally entertaining, and with wonderful values applied to real-world situations. It has that Southern humor that makes you laugh out loud. At the same time, I could relate to the feelings this young woman has as a working mother with all the relationships and work projects she has to juggle. Her conversations with her husband, her sister and the lady with all the chihuahuas are delightful! A great wit, a sensitive story, and a fun read. Every woman needs to find herself in this fast-paced world, especially when life seems so overwhelming at times. Having children and a career are two full time jobs. I think this story would make a great movie - so many visuals. (I want Robert Duvall to play Hamilton. What a character!) I am looking forward to anything else Marjorie Presten writes. She's a winner!