Goodbye, Earl: A Bad Girl Creek Novel

By Jo-Ann Mapson

Book Overview

Five challenging years have passed in the lives of the ladies of Bad Girl Creek. Beryl, Nance, Ness, and Phoebe have experienced their share of hardship and heartache but also much love and happiness.
Beryl now lives with Earl in Alaska, where the fissures in their relationship have started to spread. But then Earl disappears one wintry night. Nance, on the heels of a string of devastating miscarriages, has been advised to stop trying for a baby. Phoebe finds herself overwhelmed by her five-year-old daughter, Sally, and an enigmatic Southern charmer named Andrew. And Ness tenderly nurses David Snow as he gradually succumbs to AIDS. The farm's successes have brought profits, but when a nursery opens across the road, the bar is set higher yet again.
Life rolls on, though, and in the midst of myriad misfortunes come explosive surprises. The old friends are challenged to reunite once again, to rediscover with fresh eyes the powerful words in Aunt Sadie's journal: Live life to the fullest. Love as often as you can. Regret nothing. Eat hearty. Laugh often. Plant flowers. And don't forget to dance.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743224647
• ISBN13: 9780743224642
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

lovely elegy for earl and those like him

This book had depth and bittersweet loneliness in the suspenseful story of Earl and Beryl, set in a well-described Alaska. But the lusty bird-whispering man was the best part...come back, bird man, who needs Earl when you're around? Christy

Didn't want it to end

I have read the two other books in the "Bad Girl Creek" series and eagerly awaited this new one, Goodbye Earl. Like the two others, the novel was completely absorbing, and I was able to pick up right where I left off with the bad girls. The book focused on Beryl, who lived in Alaska, and her life after her lover, Earl, left her suddenly. Also in the book were stories of Phoebe, who was raising her daughter on the flower farm and was courted by a new love, Andrew, and Ness, who lost her husband David due to AIDS. I really felt for these women and actually found myself holding my breath at some parts. I thought the characters were real and grew throughout the book, and by the end I was rooting for all of them to make it--which it seems as though they did. Even if you haven't read the two other books, I highly recommend this one. You'll want to move to the flower farm when you're done.

strong dose of mental hugging warmth

Five years ago, Beryl thought she and Earl were forever. However, now in Anchorage, Beryl knows he is going to leave her soon. Somehow the magic vanished.In California, Phoebe raises her five year old daughter by herself, makes a living from the nursery she inherited from Aunt Sadie, and fails to move past the death of her beloved. Newcomer Andrew makes her very nervous because he wants her.Nance and James still seem in love and have everything at least in the eyes of an outsider. However, both know what is missing from their perfect lives. They want a child, but all they have is miscarriages and a doctor warning for no more pregnancies.In Arizona, a dying David asks his friend Ness to help him see the ocean one last time. She moves heaven and earth to take him to California though her heart breaks to see how ill he is.They are returning to the farm where each found solace in the land and in Aunt Sadie's words of wisdom from her journal.As with the previous Bad Girl Creek novels (see BAD GIRL CREEK and ALONG CAME MARY), GOODBYE, EARL uses alternating chapters to tell the tales of the four women and other people in their lives. The story line provides a slice of Americana as each of the protagonists deal with tragedy but is helped by the love of friends. Series fans will appreciate the return especially Aunt Sadie's sage advice that in this violent world remains simple but worthy. Jo-Ann Mapson provides a strong dose of mental hugging warmth.Harriet Klausner

Incredible finale to the Bad Girl books

I can't believe this is the last of the glorious Bad Girl novels! Phoebe, Nance, Beryl and Ness--I'm going to miss you. In this last remarkable installment, the talented Mapson again gets into the souls of these incredible women--focusing on Beryl, when Earl, the love of her life, mysteriously disappears one evening. What happened and why? Each of these women make inroads into new lives, and Mapson's theme of women's friendships--healing, sustaining and surprising--is pure bliss to read. Mapson has the ability to tear your heart apart and then soothe and heal. An amazing, amazing, amazing novel.