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A Crack in Forever
A Love Story for the Nineties: a powerfully moving novel vividly portraying the turbulence of young love.
Eric Moro is a medical student eager to earn fast money modeling; Alexandra Taylor is an artist quite accustomed to drawing men's nude bodies. They fall deeply into a relationship astonishing in its intensity that transforms their lives. Then a foolish act from Eric's past rises to cast a devastating shadow over their idyllic relationship. But they will discover that within the very struggle to endure and to fight lie the seeds which can ensure love's survival.
Eric Moro is a medical student eager to earn fast money modeling; Alexandra Taylor is an artist quite accustomed to drawing men's nude bodies. They fall deeply into a relationship astonishing in its intensity that transforms their lives. Then a foolish act from Eric's past rises to cast a devastating shadow over their idyllic relationship. But they will discover that within the very struggle to endure and to fight lie the seeds which can ensure love's survival.
295 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
October 10, 2011
This is an extraordinary book, another of which I own several copies. It is mesmerising, heart-wrenching and un-put-down-able. The first time I read this was straight through the night and I couldn't go into work because I was so wrecked the following day.
This is not a happy story, this is a beautiful melancholic window into what it is to watch the love of your life be tormented by AIDS.
It is a must read. The language is simple, but the storyline is breathtaking and echoes on forever.
This is not a happy story, this is a beautiful melancholic window into what it is to watch the love of your life be tormented by AIDS.
It is a must read. The language is simple, but the storyline is breathtaking and echoes on forever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2012
This is the sweetest and saddest love story. I cried through the whole book. I couldn't put it down and I have read it time and time again. If you love love or want a good long cry this is so the book for you.
April 15, 2017
"Ein Riss im Himmel" handelt von Alexandra und Eric, die sich auf den ersten Blick ineinander verlieben und sich schließlich in eine Beziehung voller Leidenschaft stürzen. Als Eric zufällig erfährt, dass er HIV-positiv ist, bricht für das Paar eine Welt zusammen. Sie versuchen alles um Eric zu retten - mehr Zeit zusammen ist alles, was sie wollen.
Cover: Das Cover ist ganz nett gestaltet, aber definitiv nichts Besonderes. Schade finde ich, dass das Cover weder etwas mit dem Titel des Buches, noch mit dem Inhalt zu tun hat.
Meine Meinung: Nachdem ich "Dem Horizont so nah" von Jessica Koch gelesen und geliebt habe, bin ich sehr skeptisch an "Ein Riss im Himmel" herangegangen. Beide Bücher behandeln das Thema HIV bzw. Aids — eine Thematik die mich persönlich sehr interessiert und die ich als äußerst wichtig empfinde. Ich sollte mit meiner Skepsis recht behalten.
Das Buch startet mit der Beerdigung von Eric, somit war der Ausgang eigentlich schon vorweggenommen. Natürlich rechnet man mit seinem Tod, vor allem auch aufgrund des Untertitels "Nur die Liebe ist stärker als der Tod", aber meiner Meinung nach war dieser Beginn einfach unnötig. Mir wurde eigentlich schon da die Lust zum Lesen geraubt.
Die Protagonisten und deren Liebesgeschichte machte es auch nicht besser. Für mich waren die Charaktere das ganze Buch über sehr blass, weshalb ich auch irgendwo keine Bindung zu ihnen aufbauen konnte. Erics und Alexandras Liebesgeschichte wirkte konstruiert und ging für meinen Geschmack einfach viel zu schnell. Generell hatte ich das ganze Buch über das Gefühl, dass alles innerhalb von zwei, drei Monaten passierte, dabei erstreckte sich die Geschichte über mehrere Jahre.
Positiv herauszuheben ist der Schreibstil der Autorin, der sich angenehm und auch schnell lesen lässt. Jeannie Brewer hat definitiv eine philosophische Ader! Manche ihrer Sätze und Gedanken über die Liebe und das Leben waren wirklich wunderschön formuliert und regten mich zur Reflektion meines eigenen Lebens an. Allerdings gab es auch einige Stellen, an denen ich im Geiste die Augen verdrehen musste. Zum einen übertreibt sie es manchmal einfach, wie z.B. mit Sätzen wie "Er explodierte in einem Orgasmus von solcher Gewalt, wie ich es noch nie gesehen hatte", zum anderen gibt es teilweise extrem komische Dialoge, die im echten Leben niemals auf diese Art stattfinden würden — zumindest kann ich mir das nicht vorstellen.
Fazit: Für mich leider eine große Enttäuschung. Die Geschichte konnte mich trotz der sensiblen Thematik emotional einfach nicht mitreißen. Obwohl ich sehr nahe am Wasser gebaut bin, musste ich bei "Ein Riss im Himmel" keine einzige Träne vergießen — bei mir ein vernichtendes Urteil für ein Buch, das von Krankheit und Tod handelt.
© isleofbookx.wordpress.com
Cover: Das Cover ist ganz nett gestaltet, aber definitiv nichts Besonderes. Schade finde ich, dass das Cover weder etwas mit dem Titel des Buches, noch mit dem Inhalt zu tun hat.
Meine Meinung: Nachdem ich "Dem Horizont so nah" von Jessica Koch gelesen und geliebt habe, bin ich sehr skeptisch an "Ein Riss im Himmel" herangegangen. Beide Bücher behandeln das Thema HIV bzw. Aids — eine Thematik die mich persönlich sehr interessiert und die ich als äußerst wichtig empfinde. Ich sollte mit meiner Skepsis recht behalten.
Das Buch startet mit der Beerdigung von Eric, somit war der Ausgang eigentlich schon vorweggenommen. Natürlich rechnet man mit seinem Tod, vor allem auch aufgrund des Untertitels "Nur die Liebe ist stärker als der Tod", aber meiner Meinung nach war dieser Beginn einfach unnötig. Mir wurde eigentlich schon da die Lust zum Lesen geraubt.
Die Protagonisten und deren Liebesgeschichte machte es auch nicht besser. Für mich waren die Charaktere das ganze Buch über sehr blass, weshalb ich auch irgendwo keine Bindung zu ihnen aufbauen konnte. Erics und Alexandras Liebesgeschichte wirkte konstruiert und ging für meinen Geschmack einfach viel zu schnell. Generell hatte ich das ganze Buch über das Gefühl, dass alles innerhalb von zwei, drei Monaten passierte, dabei erstreckte sich die Geschichte über mehrere Jahre.
Positiv herauszuheben ist der Schreibstil der Autorin, der sich angenehm und auch schnell lesen lässt. Jeannie Brewer hat definitiv eine philosophische Ader! Manche ihrer Sätze und Gedanken über die Liebe und das Leben waren wirklich wunderschön formuliert und regten mich zur Reflektion meines eigenen Lebens an. Allerdings gab es auch einige Stellen, an denen ich im Geiste die Augen verdrehen musste. Zum einen übertreibt sie es manchmal einfach, wie z.B. mit Sätzen wie "Er explodierte in einem Orgasmus von solcher Gewalt, wie ich es noch nie gesehen hatte", zum anderen gibt es teilweise extrem komische Dialoge, die im echten Leben niemals auf diese Art stattfinden würden — zumindest kann ich mir das nicht vorstellen.
Fazit: Für mich leider eine große Enttäuschung. Die Geschichte konnte mich trotz der sensiblen Thematik emotional einfach nicht mitreißen. Obwohl ich sehr nahe am Wasser gebaut bin, musste ich bei "Ein Riss im Himmel" keine einzige Träne vergießen — bei mir ein vernichtendes Urteil für ein Buch, das von Krankheit und Tod handelt.
© isleofbookx.wordpress.com
November 12, 2013
Have you ever been stuck in a literary quagmire where all movement is precarious and the feeling of ever escaping and breaking free seems impossibility? I was in this position, fluttering from one book to another like a butterfly in a summer garden of flowers. Everything looked attractive on the surface but once I started reading the interest soon faded. I had literally started and set aside a score of books when my eye happened upon this book on my shelf. I started it with the same open mind that I had for the others but soon found my eyes dancing over the words and my fingers busily turning the pages. Alexandra Taylor is in a relationship with Peter as the stabilizing factor. He keeps their lives headed in the direction he deemed appropriate. An apposite isn´t what Alex really wants or needs but only realizes this when Eric Morro stepped into her life. Love has many faces and they are not all synonymous with joy and happiness. This story explores them all, making this more than just a love story. Life is not a fairy tale and NEVER ends just happily ever after. I realize that this is story written by a woman and primarily targeting a female audience but something in this tale touched the gentler and emotionally sensitive side of me and made a lasting impression. This is a story of life and how to cope with its agonies and ecstasy.
October 8, 2015
I read this book in the summer of 2014 and I still think about it often. When a book has that effect on me, I know my time was well spent reading it. It is a very moving story-- a very REAL story-- and I highly recommend it.
July 20, 2021
Ich habe es ja geahnt. Das ist einfach nix (mehr) für mich. Eine SUB-Leiche weniger...
January 17, 2016
A real tearjerker...a love story, but also a learning experience for anyone who doesn't know much about AIDS and inspiring in itself because of the love between two people, a man and a woman. Its also about secrets kept, family, and so much more. A love story that is beautiul,daring, and emotionally devastating...it packs a great wallop. Make sure you read this, with a handful of tissues! I really loved this book.
August 10, 2016
Fiction
4 stars
I bought this book a few years back and just came across it again on my bookshelf. Now I am almost sorry I let it gather dust so long.
A Crack in Forever is a beautiful, heartbreaking love story. The chemistry between Alexandra and Eric was undeniable and I appreciated the maturity that Alex showed in giving herself some time to know it wasn't just an infatuation. She took responsibility for her future with a strong spirit. I loved how carefree and beautifully broken Eric was. He had all the charm I expect to see and did not disappoint at any point of the story. The relationship he had with his parents was hard to read. What a heavy cross Alex had to bear.
I totally did not see Eric's diagnosis coming, so it kind of threw me for a minute. But I am happy that I didn't peek at any of the GR reviews before reading the book, because a few people didn't use the spoiler alert.
That said, the way Eric and Alex handled their changing relationship was interesting to read. It begged the question, "what would I have done in their situation?" I totally felt for both of them, trying to be brave against all odds.
There were things about this book that bugged me. The excessive sex in random locations for one. Perhaps the author was trying to convey the fact that their relationship was polar opposite of the life Alex had with Peter, I get that. Still, it was too much after a while. Then there was the whole flying thing... please don't get me started.
Also, I felt Maria's character was unnecessary. Her story was rushed and unbelievable. I understood it to be the author's attempt to give Alex and Eric some sense of family, but it was kind of ridiculous.
Overall, it was a great story. It made me feel a mess of emotions which is my indicator of a worthy read.
Highly Recommended
4 stars
I bought this book a few years back and just came across it again on my bookshelf. Now I am almost sorry I let it gather dust so long.
A Crack in Forever is a beautiful, heartbreaking love story. The chemistry between Alexandra and Eric was undeniable and I appreciated the maturity that Alex showed in giving herself some time to know it wasn't just an infatuation. She took responsibility for her future with a strong spirit. I loved how carefree and beautifully broken Eric was. He had all the charm I expect to see and did not disappoint at any point of the story. The relationship he had with his parents was hard to read. What a heavy cross Alex had to bear.
I totally did not see Eric's diagnosis coming, so it kind of threw me for a minute. But I am happy that I didn't peek at any of the GR reviews before reading the book, because a few people didn't use the spoiler alert.
That said, the way Eric and Alex handled their changing relationship was interesting to read. It begged the question, "what would I have done in their situation?" I totally felt for both of them, trying to be brave against all odds.
There were things about this book that bugged me. The excessive sex in random locations for one. Perhaps the author was trying to convey the fact that their relationship was polar opposite of the life Alex had with Peter, I get that. Still, it was too much after a while. Then there was the whole flying thing... please don't get me started.
Also, I felt Maria's character was unnecessary. Her story was rushed and unbelievable. I understood it to be the author's attempt to give Alex and Eric some sense of family, but it was kind of ridiculous.
Overall, it was a great story. It made me feel a mess of emotions which is my indicator of a worthy read.
Highly Recommended
March 24, 2013
I've read this several times, each time I cry my eyes out!
May feel a bit dated due to the 90s setting but stick with it, at times a bit cheesy but in all a great holiday read, remember the tissues!!
May feel a bit dated due to the 90s setting but stick with it, at times a bit cheesy but in all a great holiday read, remember the tissues!!
February 25, 2010
i cried like a blubbering dolt i love this book and absolute forever favorite
September 30, 2014
Amazing....really worth a read!
July 21, 2020
A beautiful but tragic love story.
June 2, 2024
Super schöne Liebesgeschichte. Toll geschrieben, sehr bewegend, sehr traurig.
October 24, 2022
I read this book in two days. What started as a love story ends in a way I never expected. I was hooked early on and never put the book down this one had me in tears in the end. Gives you a new appreciation on life.
February 12, 2013
I am not the kind of person that usually reads tearjerkers, my usual genre is whodunnits. After a heavy push from a friend several years ago, I gave this a go, and I couldn't put it down. Heart-wrenching but absolutely beautiful. It is still to date, the only book I have ever read that has reduced me to tears and the only tearjerker I have really invested my time in. A firm favourite on my bookshelf.
July 31, 2012
This book was fantastic. I found a used copy at work and decided to give it a try. The dialogue was great, and I quickly got attached to the characters. I teared up a few times and even though the ending is clear from the beginning I found myself still hoping for them to find a way. If you like books like THE NOTEBOOK then you will enjoy this.
May 11, 2016
One of the most beautiful, tragic love stories I have ever read!
I've owned a copy since it was first published, and the story is like an old friend now. Superbly written, it's guaranteed to make you cry!
I've owned a copy since it was first published, and the story is like an old friend now. Superbly written, it's guaranteed to make you cry!
April 24, 2007
This is a great book and deeply moving. I wont read it again as it was almost a little distressing. But I loved it.
September 8, 2007
One of my all time favs!
I would love to see a movie version of this book!
Gutwrenching love story!
I would love to see a movie version of this book!
Gutwrenching love story!
January 24, 2008
Heart wrenching but one of my favorite books of all time.
November 14, 2010
IMMENSE!
never cried so much - over a book - in my life!
never cried so much - over a book - in my life!
December 13, 2010
This is an amazing read. For those that believe that not even death can conquer love, this is a must have!
August 19, 2012
This is my all-time favourite book. I have read it many, many times and have introduced it to my sister who is now a firm fan. It's such a shame that there have been no more books from this author.
July 12, 2012
I cried so hard at this book I almost called in sick to work. Depressing but page turning storyline.
February 9, 2014
A must read love story. Love's messy, difficult, infuriating and so made it a ridiculously good read. It is breaking my heart just to think about it.
August 27, 2012
Didnt have great expectations -the cover and the blurb were uninspiring but surprisingly enjoyed it very much - very well written. Bit sad though. Thanks Nic
April 23, 2013
I've read this so many times. It's a really lovely story, that puts a different perspective on your own life. Well worth reading.
June 13, 2013
I ran out of kleenex
January 9, 2024
Amazing - one of my all time favourites- heartbreaking 💔
January 20, 2018
My all time favourite...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews