Simple easy read romance. ( )

A charming tale about the power of love and its ability to change your life, improve your sanity, and stimulate your immune system :) ( )

could be an older teen, much older teen. quick read, good to see Mr. Wilder using his talents in another form.

The Woman Who Wouldn’t was similar to Wilder’s first novella My French Whore (which I loved), in that it was also sweet, short, spare, and probably other words that begin with “s”. I read The Woman Who Wouldn’t while sitting in a coffee shop for an afternoon, trying to relax a bit in the middle of wedding planning craziness. It was the perfect little escape — even though it deals with some difficult topics (cancer, mental illness), Wilder takes the focus off the problems and puts it on his characters, who are likably flawed. I thought the dialogue was very sweet if not a little simple, and I loved how Anton Chekov made little appearances throughout. Overall, though, I wouldn’t say it’s a particularly memorable novella — although I enjoyed it, there was nothing in it that really etched into my heart or mind. I’m not sure I’ll remember it in a year.

Read my full review here: http://letseatgrandpa.com/2013/07/19/book-review-10-the-woman-who-wouldnt-by-gen... ( )

This was a totally quirky read, just as you would expect from Gene Wilder. The main character, proficient violinist Jeremy Spencer Webb, has a nervous breakdown in front of a large audience. He poured water down a tuba because he thought it was thirsty and banged on the keys of a beautiful Steinway piano, among other things. This got him promptly sent to Badenweiler (a health resort in southern Germany), which seemed much more like a nice vacation spot rather than a treatment facility. There he meets Clara Mulpas, whom he falls in love with practically instantly. His doctor and Anton Chekhov are other important characters in this lovely little novella with a syrupy sweet but satisfying ending. ( )