While I Was Gone

by Sue Miller

Book Overview

A decade ago she put a face on every mother's worst nightmare with her phenomenal best-sellerThe Good Mother.Now, Sue Miller delivers a spellbinding novel of love and betrayal that explores what it means to be a good wife. In the summer of 1968, Jo Becker ran out on the marriage and the life her parents wanted for her, and escaped--for one beautiful, idyllic year--into a life that was bohemian and romantic, living under an assumed name in a rambling...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 037541178X
• ISBN13: 9780375411786
• Release Date: February 1999
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Fantastic yet real

I absolutely loved this novel. The fact that Jo was such astrong woman, who had accomplished so much, was key. But the best part for me was some of Sue's writing, in which she/Jo expressed feelings I've had but have not been able to put into words. They were REAL feelings/fears/revelations, even in the context of this fictional work. It really blew me away. I've tried other Sue Miller books and not been as connected; this one really hit home for me.

What a GREAT book!

I was SO surprised to read this fantastic book! I savored the descriptions and felt just like I was there. This book made me think about my life and family and appreciate everything so much. It's one of those thought provoking novels that opens your eyes to many things. Forgiveness, love and it's realities, family.... I felt so much while reading this - I'll go read her other books now. I feel SO LUCKY.

What a beautifully written, heartbreaking novel this is!

I can't understand some of the earlier reviews... Sue Miller has written a beautiful, haunting, heartbreaking story which interweaves a woman's past and present lives, and combines intelligent, mature writing and an entirely realistic storyline that could happen to anyone who was young and searching for him/herself in the 60s. The author's writing is absolutely exquisite... the phrasing of her sentences is so subtly nuanced that one must read paragraphs again just to appreciate and enjoy the sheer beauty of them.