Gathering Roses

Ellen Weisberg
Chipmunkapublishing (2007)
ISBN 9781847471185
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (8/07)


Lori met Nick during her college internship at a radio station; she worked closely with Nick, the morning DJ.  He was an enigma, a challenge, something to acquire.  His demeanor was cold and unemotional.  Lori always pushed herself to extreme limits, always wanted to attain the unattainable.  After she got it, she usually found she no longer wanted it, feeling that if she could achieve it, then it must not be good enough.  His aloofness was what made Nick attractive to her; he was the unattainable.  Lori saw Nick as a challenge and she would go to any length to acquire him.  Nick has health problems which influence his dark outlook on life.

“Gathering Roses,” by Ellen Weisberg, is a story for young adults.  She successfully describes the lives of young professionals and the struggle they face in today’s world.  Women face struggles with self-image and isolation.  These are situations young women endure, but keep hidden, preferring not to talk about them.  Ms. Weisberg demonstrates how technology, the internet and email have an impact on the daily life of the characters.  There are email messages throughout the book from Lori and her friends.  They add humor and insight to the storyline.  While email may be quick and easy, it has its own set of communication problems, it does not allow you to hear a person’s voice or see their face so that you can judge their emotions.  This is a very contemporary, coming-of-age story.  Lori is coming to accept who she is.  I could see her growing and maturing throughout the book.  This is a book of relationships; it steps beyond the issue of gender and reaches to the heart of interaction.  Ms. Weisberg is a very talented author.  I recommend “Gathering Roses” to young adults.

Make comment on weblog