Search Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »
My library | Help | Advanced Book Search | Web History | Sign in

Books

The Wonder Spot

Front Cover
516 Reviews
Viking, May 31, 2005 - Fiction - 324 pages
Melissa Bank's runaway bestseller, The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing, charmed readers and critics alike with its wickedly insightful, tender look at a young woman's forays into love, work, and friendship. Now, with The Wonder Spot, Bank is back with her signature combination of devilishly self-deprecating humor, seriousness and wisdom.

Nothing comes easily to Sophie Applebaum, the black sheep of her family trying to blend in with the herd. Uneasily situated between two brothers, Sophie first appears as the fulcrum and observer of her clan in "Boss of the World." Then, at college, in "The Toy Bar," she faces a gauntlet of challenges as Best Friend to the dramatic and beautiful Venice Lambourne, curator of "perfect things." In her early twenties, Sophie is dazzled by the possibilities of New York City during the Selectric typewriter era -- only to land solidly back in Surrey, PA after her father's death.

The Wonder Spot follows Sophie's quest for her own identity -- who she is, what she loves, whom she loves, and occasionally whom she feels others should love -- over the course of 25 years. In an often-disappointing world, Sophie listens closely to her own heart. And when she experiences her 'Aha!' moments -- her own personal wonder spots - it's the real thing. In this tremendous follow-up to The Girls' Guide To Hunting And Fishing, Bank again shares her vast talent for capturing a moment, taking it to heart, and giving it back to her readers.

From inside the book

What people are saying - Write a review

User ratings

5 stars
55
4 stars
123
3 stars
174
2 stars
97
1 star
44

I enjoy Melissa Bank's writing style. - Goodreads
No happy endings, no plot. - Goodreads
I really enjoy her writing. - Goodreads
Has good characterization. - Goodreads
I just don't think Banks is that good of a writer. - Goodreads
I thought the character development was very rich. - Goodreads

Review: The Wonder Spot

User Review  - Lyra - Goodreads

Maybe more of a 2.5. This was uneven and I found myself enjoying the book less and less as it went on. Bank is a technically beautiful writer, but this story left me aggravated and wishing it lived up to its potential. Read full review

Review: The Wonder Spot

User Review  - Kelly Thompson - Goodreads

I sought out "The Wonder Spot" after reading Melissa Bank's "The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing". Had I read this one first, I probably would not have looked further at her work. While I ... Read full review

All 516 reviews »

Related books

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

About the author (2005)

Melissa Bank is the author of the bestselling The Girls' Guide To Hunting And Fishing. A winner of the Nelson Algren Award for Short Fiction, she divides her time between New York City and East Hampton, New York.

Bibliographic information