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The Gazebo
Smalltown reporter Abby Reston is hungry for a good story when elderly, but still hale and handsome, Martin Rayfiel walks into her office. Martin tells the young newspaperwoman of his lifelong romance with Claire Swift, and how they have faithfully reunited once every year at the gazebo in the town square. When Abby goes to the gazebo to witness the annual meeting, she finds a briefcase filled with photographs, letters, tape recordings, and mementos. It is a poignant and haunting chronicle of love and devotion that will profoundly affect the life of Abby Reston and touch the heart of everyone who experiences it.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
May 23, 2018
Ενα βιβλιο για την ΑΓΑΠΗ!!! Πλανταξα στο κλαμα 😢😭
April 23, 2017
*4.5*
Έριξα το κλάμα της ζωής μου,είχα να κλάψω για βιβλίο απ'το ''Πρίν έρθεις εσύ''και δεν μπορούσα να σταματήσω.Καλά ίσως έφταιγε οτι η ιστορία ειναι ΑΛΗΘΙΝΗ.
Δεν περίμενα με τίποτα όταν το αγόρασα ότι θα έκανε την καρδιά μου χίλια κομμάτια,αλλα ταυτόχρονα θα μου έδινε τόσο πράγματα για να ελπίζω..Η αλήθεια είναι ότι είχα διαβάσει κι άλλες αληθινές ιστορίες αλλά δεν με άγγιζαν σχεδόν καθόλου,ομως αυτο με άγγιξε και με το παραπάνω!!
Όσοι το έχετε στην βιβλιοθήκη σας ή το δείτε σε κάποιο πάγο ή ράφι βιβλιοπωλείου,δώστε του μια ευκαιρία και δεν θα χάσετε!
Έριξα το κλάμα της ζωής μου,είχα να κλάψω για βιβλίο απ'το ''Πρίν έρθεις εσύ''και δεν μπορούσα να σταματήσω.Καλά ίσως έφταιγε οτι η ιστορία ειναι ΑΛΗΘΙΝΗ.
Δεν περίμενα με τίποτα όταν το αγόρασα ότι θα έκανε την καρδιά μου χίλια κομμάτια,αλλα ταυτόχρονα θα μου έδινε τόσο πράγματα για να ελπίζω..Η αλήθεια είναι ότι είχα διαβάσει κι άλλες αληθινές ιστορίες αλλά δεν με άγγιζαν σχεδόν καθόλου,ομως αυτο με άγγιξε και με το παραπάνω!!
Όσοι το έχετε στην βιβλιοθήκη σας ή το δείτε σε κάποιο πάγο ή ράφι βιβλιοπωλείου,δώστε του μια ευκαιρία και δεν θα χάσετε!
November 10, 2011
For the past fifty years, on May 27th, Martin and Claire have been meeting at the gazebo in the square of their small town. This year Martin has walked into the local newspaper office carrying a briefcase. He asks the editor if she would like an interesting story for her paper. As Martin begins to tell his story she realizes that it is not the newsworthy type of thing she is looking for and politely ushers him out. However, the story does not leave her alone and she heads to the town square to observe this annual meeting first hand. This year no one shows. She steps into the structure and discovers the briefcase lying under the gazebo bench. In that briefcase is the story of Martin and Claire along with a few other surprises.
Is it a little cliché? Yes. Has the story been done before? Yes. Are some of the decisions Claire and Martin make unbelievable? Maybe yes, maybe no. But, I loved this little book that packed a bit of a punch. I turned the last page of this book as I was sitting in airport terminal waiting for a flight and found I had to get up to go to ladies room to wipe the tears away.
Is it a little cliché? Yes. Has the story been done before? Yes. Are some of the decisions Claire and Martin make unbelievable? Maybe yes, maybe no. But, I loved this little book that packed a bit of a punch. I turned the last page of this book as I was sitting in airport terminal waiting for a flight and found I had to get up to go to ladies room to wipe the tears away.
March 27, 2012
BEST BOOK IN THE WORLDDD!!!!!! it made me cry. After I finished it, I didn't know whether i should feel sad or happy; whether i should laugh or cry. One of the best romance stories out there. If this was made into a movie, it would for sure be my favorite.
February 4, 2016
Μετά από χρόνια έφτασε η σειρά του. 4,5 Αστεράκια από έμενα γιατί εδώ έχουμε να κάνουμε με μια αληθινή ιστορία και όχι με μυθοπλασία. Όλο το μεγαλείο της αγάπης μπροστά στα μάτια σας, ένα κλικ όμως σίγουρα πιο κάτω από τις ΑΞΕΠΕΡΑΣΤΕΣ γέφυρες του Μάντισον. Αν πέσει στα χέρια σας διαβάστε το .
November 15, 2017
Μια όμορφη ιστορία αγάπης, διαβάζεται τόσο ευχάριστα που δεν θα θέλεις να το αφήσεις από το χέρια!
December 23, 2021
A pleasureable tale! :)
July 5, 2024
Πόσο όμορφη ιστορία!
August 10, 2024
This is a story like "the bridges of madison county". I really enjoyed reading it from the moment I started this story. I had no clue that I would have trouble putting this book down. What sad love story! Where you get thoughts about your own life. Great read for the weekends.
August 10, 2016
μια γλυκεια,τρυφερη,αληθινη ιστορια .3,5\5
October 24, 2018
Ευτυχως ηταν μικρο και αρκετα συγκινητικο αλλα δεν ηταν ιστορια αγαπης αλλα θυσιας νομιζω και δεν καταλαβα τι μπορει να ωφελουσε η συναντηση καθε χρονο??? αν ηταν αληθεια ολο αυτο
November 24, 2014
My grandma recommended this book to me a few years ago and I finally got around to reading it. The story of a rich boy meets poor girl and they instantly take a liking to it and cause a stir in town. The story brings up the choices one has to make between family and career and although the it didn't have many surprises along the way and was quite predictable, it still was a good book. I don't know if the reporter had to be involved in the story. The plot easily could have been told about Martin and Claire without switching back to present day. I understand the author was trying to provide a parallel story that the reporter could relate to, but it didn't add anything to the story and I didn't care too much about what happened in the reporter's life.
April 30, 2019
πολλά χρονιά πριν διαβασμένο μια υπεροχή ιστορία αγάπης
Το γεγονός ότι είναι πραγματική την κάνει ακόμα πιο συγκλονιστικη
Θυμάμαι οτι με είχε επηρεάσει αρκετά και είχα γυρίσει την τελευταία του σελίδα συντετριμμένη. Πολλές φόρες γνωρίζουμε το τέλος της ιστορίας μέσα πας παρόλα αυτά ελπίζουμε μέχρι το τέλος
Αν το συναντήσετε δώστε του μια ευκαιρία και πριν προλάβετε να κρίνετε σκεφτείτε ότι είναι η ιστορία δυο ανθρώπων που βάδισαν πάνω σε αυτή τη γη
Το γεγονός ότι είναι πραγματική την κάνει ακόμα πιο συγκλονιστικη
Θυμάμαι οτι με είχε επηρεάσει αρκετά και είχα γυρίσει την τελευταία του σελίδα συντετριμμένη. Πολλές φόρες γνωρίζουμε το τέλος της ιστορίας μέσα πας παρόλα αυτά ελπίζουμε μέχρι το τέλος
Αν το συναντήσετε δώστε του μια ευκαιρία και πριν προλάβετε να κρίνετε σκεφτείτε ότι είναι η ιστορία δυο ανθρώπων που βάδισαν πάνω σε αυτή τη γη
February 7, 2017
A beautiful love story that lives on.
Martin and Clair met at a Gazebo in their small town in up state New York. They came from different backgrounds, so they had to meet in secret every year, for as long as they lived.
Their families put unreasonable constraints on their children.
Their love survived for Fifty years.
Martin gave the newspaper editor his briefcase with all his and Clair's memories.
Martin and Clair met at a Gazebo in their small town in up state New York. They came from different backgrounds, so they had to meet in secret every year, for as long as they lived.
Their families put unreasonable constraints on their children.
Their love survived for Fifty years.
Martin gave the newspaper editor his briefcase with all his and Clair's memories.
November 19, 2015
Ωραίο βιβλίο...γλυκό, τρυφερό, ωραίες περιγραφές!Η συγγραφέας βγάζει έντονα συναισθήματα με την γραφή της, συγκινεί το αναγνώστη.Αν πέσει στα χέρια σας, διαβάστε το..
January 5, 2018
Πολυ γλυκο, διαβαστηκε μεσα σε μια μερα... δεν σε αφηνει να μη συνεχισεις μεχρι το τελος.. η πλοκη γρηγορη, με μια τρυφεροτητα. Περιμενα κατι περισσοτερο, ισως στο τελος... !! Αν υπηρχε �� δυνατοτητα να βαθμολογησω με 3,5,θα το επελεγα για αυτο το λογο..
April 5, 2019
Tämä on kait taas tätä romantiikkaa. Edelleenkään en tajua, mistä on kyse.
November 23, 2014
3 STARS
"Once a year for half a century, a man and a woman have been meeting at the gazebo in the square of a small town in upstate New York. Martin Rayfiel and Claire Swift long ago married other people, yet they have remained faithful to their vow to love each other always. When Martin, now a handsome, elderly man, walks into the office of the town newspaper and tries to tell his tale to the young editor Abby Reston, she is too busy to listen. But the next day Abby finds herself drawn to the gazebo to watch for the annual arrival of Martin and Claire. She waits and waits, but they don't come. Puzzled and intrigued, Abby finds a briefcase that Martin left behind for her, and in it--in photographs, papers, tape recordings, and mementos--is the entire astonishing story of Martin and Claire, a love affair that spanned the globe and somehow survived for fifty years.
The only son of the town's wealthiest family, Martin dreamed of being a world-class chef, while Claire, born of poor parents, hoped to be a sculptor. Despite their disparate backgrounds, and in defiance of small-town morality, they left everything behind and traveled together through Europe, until family allegiances suddenly and unexpectedly called Claire home. Before they parted, they vowed that, no matter what, they would meet at the gazebo once a year. Now it's up to Abby to find out what drove these lovers apart, why they continued to meet over the decades, and where they are now." (From Amazon)
An okay romance novel.
"Once a year for half a century, a man and a woman have been meeting at the gazebo in the square of a small town in upstate New York. Martin Rayfiel and Claire Swift long ago married other people, yet they have remained faithful to their vow to love each other always. When Martin, now a handsome, elderly man, walks into the office of the town newspaper and tries to tell his tale to the young editor Abby Reston, she is too busy to listen. But the next day Abby finds herself drawn to the gazebo to watch for the annual arrival of Martin and Claire. She waits and waits, but they don't come. Puzzled and intrigued, Abby finds a briefcase that Martin left behind for her, and in it--in photographs, papers, tape recordings, and mementos--is the entire astonishing story of Martin and Claire, a love affair that spanned the globe and somehow survived for fifty years.
The only son of the town's wealthiest family, Martin dreamed of being a world-class chef, while Claire, born of poor parents, hoped to be a sculptor. Despite their disparate backgrounds, and in defiance of small-town morality, they left everything behind and traveled together through Europe, until family allegiances suddenly and unexpectedly called Claire home. Before they parted, they vowed that, no matter what, they would meet at the gazebo once a year. Now it's up to Abby to find out what drove these lovers apart, why they continued to meet over the decades, and where they are now." (From Amazon)
An okay romance novel.
November 2, 2014
For those of you that are big fans of The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks or The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller, this is a book for you.
This is not a romance novel. This is just a story. A story of 2 people, Clair and Martin, who fall in love as teenagers and love each other to the day they die. How they live their lives in between is the real story. I was frustrated a bit with Clair and the choices she made. She definitely sacrificed her happiness for a heartfelt obiligation. I would personally struggle with her decision.
The author did a great job with this story from beginning to end. It's short and sweet with a little surprise at the end.
Get ready to shed a tear or two.
This is going to be another lifelong tenant of the Smith Library. I will cherish it.
A quick little blurb on how I actually found this book. I was looking for the book called Grayson (about a whale) and did not pay any attention to the book the popped up. I requested it from Readers United without realizing it was the wrong book until it was too late. I decide to pull it off the shelf and give it a try. A true diamond in the rough.
This is not a romance novel. This is just a story. A story of 2 people, Clair and Martin, who fall in love as teenagers and love each other to the day they die. How they live their lives in between is the real story. I was frustrated a bit with Clair and the choices she made. She definitely sacrificed her happiness for a heartfelt obiligation. I would personally struggle with her decision.
The author did a great job with this story from beginning to end. It's short and sweet with a little surprise at the end.
Get ready to shed a tear or two.
This is going to be another lifelong tenant of the Smith Library. I will cherish it.
A quick little blurb on how I actually found this book. I was looking for the book called Grayson (about a whale) and did not pay any attention to the book the popped up. I requested it from Readers United without realizing it was the wrong book until it was too late. I decide to pull it off the shelf and give it a try. A true diamond in the rough.
December 13, 2014
This book is my mother's favorite. She was always telling me how emotional she felt every time she read it. Given the how much she loves this book,I gave it a try. I'm so glad I did.
Emily Grayson processed this true story amazingly. She managed to capture the characters' feelings and personalities and present this epic love story in a few pages. It was a small book but despite the limited number of pages it was always clear what was going on and what everybody felt.
I was drawn to the story from the very beginning and after a few pages I felt like I knew the main characters all my life.
Truth is I didn't want this book to end even though I really wanted to know what happens to Martin and Claire in the end.Thankfully when I finished this book I was not even close to disappointed. I was thankful.
It's the kind of love story that makes you think about it over and over again and I'm so sure I'll read this again.
I strongly recommend this book to everyone!!
Emily Grayson processed this true story amazingly. She managed to capture the characters' feelings and personalities and present this epic love story in a few pages. It was a small book but despite the limited number of pages it was always clear what was going on and what everybody felt.
I was drawn to the story from the very beginning and after a few pages I felt like I knew the main characters all my life.
Truth is I didn't want this book to end even though I really wanted to know what happens to Martin and Claire in the end.Thankfully when I finished this book I was not even close to disappointed. I was thankful.
It's the kind of love story that makes you think about it over and over again and I'm so sure I'll read this again.
I strongly recommend this book to everyone!!
March 28, 2017
Μου άρεσε. Αρκετά. Θα ήθελα να μου αρέσει ακόμα περισσότερο γιατί το θέμα του είναι πολύ γλυκό, τρυφερό, ρομαντικό (��ωρίς να γίνεται γλυκανάλατο) αλλά....παρ'ολο που δεν θα το χαρακτήριζα "κακογραμμένο" οπωσδήποτε θα έλεγα πως είναι κάπως "στεγνό". Το γράψιμο είναι κατά κάποιο τρόπο μηχανικό, στερείται φαντασίας. Οι ήρωες είναι ή φαίνονται σε εμένα τουλάχιστον μονοκόμματοι, οι αντιδράσεις τους κάπως ψυχρές και αποστασιοποιημένες , σε υπερβολικό βαθμό ίσως για ένα βιβλίο ρομαντικό εξ'ορισμού. Είναι σαν , η συγγραφέας προσπαθώντας να αποφύγει την παγίδα του "γλυκερού" να πηγαίνει στην άλλη άκρη, πολλές φορές φαίνεται σαν απλά να παραθέτει γεγονότα. Δεν μπόρεσα να νιώσω καμία σύνδεση με τους χαρακτήρες αν και το ήθελα πολύ, λόγω και προσωπικών βιωμάτων. Σε γενικές γραμμές δεν θα έλεγα "μην το αγοράζετε". Απλά , μην περιμένετε και πάρα πολλά από το βιβλίο, πάντα κατά την προσωπική μου άποψη.
July 14, 2011
This is another easy read that is a compelling story. I like that two characters come together, although in love realize they must take different paths in life. So is it real love or a women's recognition that after she ventured beyond what she thought she could do that the pull of home, care of parents and life's real loves are not the same when we are teens as when we are a bit older.
The end was a bit abrupt and left some lingering problems that should have been addressed. I love a love story and this was one. I like the small town setting that brought these two individuals together year after year and tied the book into a neat package across lives.
If you need an easy escape and want to be transported to a more innocent time, take a few minutes to enjoy.
The end was a bit abrupt and left some lingering problems that should have been addressed. I love a love story and this was one. I like the small town setting that brought these two individuals together year after year and tied the book into a neat package across lives.
If you need an easy escape and want to be transported to a more innocent time, take a few minutes to enjoy.
August 1, 2014
I didn't put the book down because I was determined to finish it, it had such great romantic potential, but that potential quickly dropped like a hot potato about 1/2 way through the book. I detest spoilers, so I will leave it at that. I am a believer in 2nd chances. Emily Grayson, I'm giving you another shot, don't blow it.
December 16, 2018
Πρόκειται για αληθινή ιστορία για αυτό και το τέταρτο αστέρι. Διαβάζεται πολύ εύκολα. Οι χαρακτήρες δυστυχώς δεν σε αιχμαλωτίζουν παρά μόνο η ίδια η αγάπη που μοιράστηκαν. Θα μπορούσε θεωρώ να αποδοθεί καλύτερα μια τόσο αξιομνημόνευτη ιστορία.
April 6, 2015
Μια πολύ ρομαντική ιστορία που όσο τη διαβάζεις σου αφήνει μια γλυκόπικρη αίσθηση!
April 17, 2022
Kaunis ja haikea rakkaustarina, suloinen ja ajaton.
October 16, 2016
*3.5 stars. So much promise. I enjoyed the premise of the story.
December 25, 2018
Ένα πολύ ωραίο βιβλίο μικρό σε έκταση και ευκολοδιάβαστο. Η ιστορία βασίζεται στο κλασικό μοτίβο των ερωτευμένων που λόγω διάφορων δυσκολιών έχουν μία μοναδική ημέρα να είναι μαζί και να ζήσουν και αυτοί την ιστορία τους. Ένα πολύ ωραίο και συγκινητικό βιβλίο. Ο μόνος λόγος που δεν του βάζω 5 στα 5 είναι γιατί αν και μικρό σε μέγεθος σε ένα σημείο έχει τόσες περιγραφές και κάνει αρκετή "κοιλιά", κάτι το οποίο με έβγαλε σαν αναγνώστη από την ροή του βιβλίου.
June 6, 2017
Ένα ευκολοδιάβαστο βιβλίο, μια απλή αλλά πολύ γλυκιά ιστορία αγάπης.
April 8, 2021
Το πιο τρυφερό ρομαντικό βιβλίο που διάβασα ως έφηβη! Πάντα θα το θυμάμαι με αγάπη. Μία συγκινητική και καλογραμμένη ερωτική ιστορία. Ανάλαφρο και ευκολοδιάβαστο για όλους.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews