The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman (2008, Hardcover)

Alice Hoffman never disappoints and this was no exception.
Ms. Hoffman's characters in this novel fall in love with the wrong person, or with the right person but too early or too late. Then they may settle-- in the case of Frieda-- for a "nice man." Although love may be simple, it is not rational. The author also writes about the love of parents for children. As one character puts it: "You won't believe how much you'll love your child." Even though Hoffman's complex characters are flawed, seldom turning out the way their parents had hoped they would (sound familiar?), and may do bad acts, betraying those they love, they also often have redeeming qualities as well. They mend their broken lives and sometimes become that third angel, described so beautifully by Frieda's doctor father whom she remembers as a "very serious, lovely, practical man." In addition to the Angel of Life or the Angel of Death, one of whom would ride with him in the back of his car when he made house calls, there was the mysterious Third Angel: "'You can't even tell if he's an angel or not. You think you're doing him a kindness, you think you're the one taking care of him, while all the while, he's the one who's saving your life.'" He walks among us. Highly recommend!

The book was just as described. It was worth the money I bought it for. Book arrived earlier than what I expected.

Wow, this one blows me away...Alice Hoffman never disappoints. With each chapter is an interwoven story of several people who experience love, betrayal, and even death. The first chapter will leave you in tears! After that, it gets more and more intriguing as the author talks about different aspects of love and how we make our choices. As for the 'Third Angel' it is discussed with Frieda by her Father who is a wise Doctor. How we have the Angel of Life, The Angel of Death, and The Third Angel..."He may be right in front of you. You may think you are helping him, when it is YOU that is being rescued"...Can you find the Angel in the story?? So thought-provoking and lyrical. 5 stars! *****

I love this author. Read everything she writes. I think she is a very unique and addictive writer. This book is no exception. I truly enjoyed the characters and the way they were interwoven.

We did not like the book -- slow starting hard to follow. Someone suggested it -- they must have liked it, but we did not.

great service. I do not have a 100 characters to enter in this test box. I do not have a 100 characters to enter in this test box. I do not have a 100 characters to enter in this test box. I do not have a 100 characters to enter in this test box.