"A heartrending story about a young mother's fight to keep her daughter and the winds of fortune that tear them apart, by the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things and The Last Year of the War. California, 1938--When she loses her parents in an accident, sixteen-year-old Rosanne is taken in by the owners of the vineyard where she has lived her whole life as the vinedresser's daughter. She moves into Celine and Truman Calvert's spacious house with a secret, however--Rosie sees colors when she ...
Read More
"A heartrending story about a young mother's fight to keep her daughter and the winds of fortune that tear them apart, by the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things and The Last Year of the War. California, 1938--When she loses her parents in an accident, sixteen-year-old Rosanne is taken in by the owners of the vineyard where she has lived her whole life as the vinedresser's daughter. She moves into Celine and Truman Calvert's spacious house with a secret, however--Rosie sees colors when she hears sound. She promised her mother she'd never reveal her little-understood ability to anyone, but the weight of her isolation and grief proves too much for her. Driven by her loneliness, she not only breaks the vow to her mother, but in a desperate moment lets down her guard and ends up pregnant. Banished by the Calverts, Rosanne believes she is bound for a home for unwed mothers, and having lost her family, she treasures her pregnancy as the chance for a future one. But she soon finds out she is not going to a home of any kind, but to a place far worse than anything she could have imagined. Austria, 1947--After witnessing firsthand Adolf Hitler's brutal pursuit of hereditary purity--especially with regard to "different children"--Helen Calvert is ready to return to America for good. But when she arrives at her brother's peaceful vineyard after decades working abroad, she is shocked to learn what really happened nine years earlier to the vinedresser's daughter, a girl whom Helen had long ago befriended. In her determination to find Rosanne, Helen discovers that while the war was won in Europe, there are still terrifying battles to be fought at home"--
Read Less
Add this copy of Only the Beautiful to cart. $3.34, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2023 by Berkley.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Book is considered to be in acceptable condition. The actual cover image may not match the stock photo. Book may have one or more of the following defects: noticeable wear on the cover dust jacket or spine; curved dog eared or creased page s; writing or highlighting inside or on the edges; sticker s or other adhesive on cover; CD DVD may not be included; and book may be a former library copy.
Add this copy of Only the Beautiful to cart. $3.35, good condition, Sold by Best Peddler LLC rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Huntsville, AL, UNITED STATES, published 2023 by Berkley.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. All pages and cover are intact with minor wear to the pages binding and possible minor marks within. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! ! **Ships SWIFTLY! ** Occasionally a book in our inventory had a previous life in a library. While the story inside is exactly the same libraries often purchase specially reinforced editions and add protective covers and labels-which can actually make for a sturdier copy.
Add this copy of Only the Beautiful to cart. $3.80, fair condition, Sold by Aspen Book Company rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Berkley.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. It's been through some chapters of life! Expect visible wear-creases notes highlights maybe even a splash of water here and there. Perfect for readers who love a book with history.
Add this copy of Only the Beautiful to cart. $3.86, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Berkley.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Book is considered to be in acceptable condition. The actual cover image may not match the stock photo. Book may have one or more of the following defects: noticeable wear on the cover dust jacket or spine; curved dog eared or creased page s; writing or highlighting inside or on the edges; sticker s or other adhesive on cover; CD DVD may not be included; and book may be a former library copy.
Add this copy of Only the Beautiful to cart. $4.15, good condition, Sold by Evergreen Goodwill rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Seattle, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2023 by Berkley.
Add this copy of Only the Beautiful to cart. $4.50, good condition, Sold by Greenworld Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Arlington, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Berkley.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good condition. It may show normal signs of use such as light writing highlighting or library markings but all pages are intact and the book is fully readable. A solid complete copy that's ready to enjoy.
Add this copy of Only the Beautiful to cart. $4.59, good condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Berkley.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Gently used with minimal wear on the corners and cover. A few pages may contain light highlighting or writing but the text remains fully legible. Dust jacket may be missing and supplemental materials like CDs or codes may not be included. May be ex-library with library markings. Ships promptly!
Add this copy of Only the Beautiful to cart. $4.79, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Berkley.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Only the Beautiful to cart. $5.11, like new condition, Sold by Zoom Books Company rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lynden, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2023 by Berkley.
Add this copy of Only the Beautiful to cart. $5.29, very good condition, Sold by BookDrop rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Phoenix, AZ, UNITED STATES, published 2024 by Berkley.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Gently read. May have name of previous ownership or ex-library edition. Binding tight; spine straight and smooth with no creasing; covers clean and crisp. Minimal signs of handling or shelving. 100% GUARANTEE! Shipped with delivery confirmation if you're not satisfied with purchase please return item! Ships USPS Media Mail.
Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner is a touching story. It is a dual timeline novel that takes us back to 1938 when Rosie lost her parents in an accident. The sixteen-year girl is taken in by the Calvertââ?¬â?¢s who own the vineyard where Rosieââ?¬â?¢s parents worked. Rosie becomes the Calvertââ?¬â?¢s maid (cook, cleaner, laundress). When Rosie becomes pregnant, Mrs. Calvert has Rosie sent to an institution. Rosie had made the mistake of telling a person about her synesthesia which was not understood at the time. In 1947, Helen Calvert returns to the United States after working as a nanny abroad. Helenââ?¬â?¢s brother, Truman has since passed. When Helen learns what Celine Calvert did to Rosie, she sets out to find her. Only the Beautiful is an emotional story. It is heartbreaking to read about the eugenics movement. I appreciated the authorââ?¬â?¢s note at the end which provided additional information. I thought the story was well-written with developed characters. Rosie and Helen are great characters. I enjoyed getting to know them. I like the author incorporated the amaryllis into the story. I can tell the author did her research for this book and incorporated it beautifully. The story does address some difficult topics (racism, institutionalization, sterilization, assault, and doctor experimentation) which some people might have trouble reading about. It is a shame that throughout history those who are ââ?¬Å"differentââ?¬Â? are often targeted. Only the Beautiful is an informative book. It is a story that provokes discussion and it had me searching for more information on a couple of the topics mentioned. I enjoyed the authorââ?¬â?¢s beautiful descriptions of the vineyard. The theme that runs throughout the book is that no one needs to live the life that someone else has mapped out for them. The determined can carve out their own path. Only the Beautiful is a compelling tale orphaned adolescent, unwavering vineyard owner, a compassionate nanny, vibrant sounds, an involuntary surgery, and a desperate hunt.