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The Gazebo: A Novel

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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 the picturesque square in the center of a small town to the hotels, restaurants, museums, and boulevards of Paris, Florence, and London, Martin and Claire's story offers a voyage of discovery that transforms Abby Reston's own life. The Gazebo is a haunting tale of love and faithfulness that no reader will ever forget.


PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS:

Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780688167530
ISBN: 0688167535
Label: William Morrow
Manufacturer: William Morrow
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 224
Publication Date: 1999-05-05
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: 1999-04-21
Studio: William Morrow


SIMILAR ITEMS:

• The Fountain: A Novel
• The Observatory: A Novel
• Waterloo Station: A Novel (Grayson, Emily)
• Night Train to Lisbon
• The Last Valentine


CUSTOMER REVIEWS:

Readable, but not enthralling -
As a disclaimer - I listened to the AudioBook version of this, and part of the reason I didn't love it might have been the narrator. However, the story was a little bland, and the writing was not very engrossing at all. Not necessarily a waste of time, but I wouldn't put it at the top of your reading list.

so romantic! -
If you are looking for a quick, romantic read this summer, The Gazebo is the book for you. If you have ever been in true love and chosen another path you will be able to relate to this love story.

Emily Grayson grabbed my attention from the moment an elderly man walked into the reporter's office and and told her he wished that she would tell the story the world should know... it all began once upon a time in the gazebo... there Abby found her visitor's briefcase with cassettes... Little did Abby know that as she listened to the tapes, the whole involved story would really end up being so close to home.

Attention all Romantics: You HAVE to read this one!!

Excellent! -
THE GAZEBO by Emily Grayson
September 19, 2004

For those who love the books of Nicholas Sparks, THE GAZEBO by Emily Grayson covers familiar territory. The star-crossed lovers are Claire Swift and Martin Rayfiel, and their story is told through tape recordings made by Martin, telling the story that spans fifty years. He has asked the editor of the Longwood Falls Ledger to print their story in the paper, but when she refuses, he leaves Abby Reston, the editor of the paper, a briefcase full of cassettes and mementos that tell the tale of Claire and Martin.

The love story starts on May 27, 1949, the day the two meet. They are young adults, both about to make that change from teenager to responsible adult. Martin is about to leave for college at Princeton, and Claire is expected to stay in town and become a secretary or possibly help out with her father's business. They are from opposite sides of town. He is part of the wealthy families living at The Crest, and Claire's family is working class. The two are expected not to associate with one another, so it is an event when the two meet by chance. Martin had just received a beating by a group of boys in town, and Claire sees him sitting at the gazebo that sits in the middle of town, and offers to take him to her house to do something for his black eye.

That fateful day begins the lifelong relationship between the two, and as all love stories, theirs is not an easy road. The reader may or may not buy into the choices made by Claire regarding their love affair, but this reader feels that it made a lot of sense. The ending was expected, but nevertheless it warrants a box of tissues. A very fast read, anyone that loves this type of story will enjoy THE GAZEBO.

Good but predictable -
And sometimes good and predictable is just what the mind needs in this hectic crazy world of ours.

So yes, it's a bit of Bridges of Madison County, The Notebook and others like it. And yet, does anyone ever wonder why these books are bestsellers? Why people come back for more? Because sometimes we need reminders that love eventhough it's not perfect is still everlasting and strong.

Based on this, I recommend this book. If you are looking for a comforting, enjoyable book that is a quick read, this book is for you.

Stuck in the Gazebo -
This novel was a QUICK read, so I don't feel as totally manipulated as I would have had this taken days to read. The story and characters were pleasantly enough presented if not a little bland. I didn't quite feel transported back to another era, though. The main character, Martin, must have been created by poll of what woman wish for in their dream man in 2004 not mid 20th century:
Sensitive, thoughtful, rich (though willing to leave it all for love), indulgent, and he can cook! (Although he seems to be only able to cook in London!!)
The other half of this duo is the codependant, martyr Claire. The only thing I found that made her unique from most of these romantic heroines was that she "never wore a hat" (which is ironic because Martin's family made their fortune selling hats).
But apart from the nice descriptions of Europe and the non offensive main characters, the story became increasingly one dimensional....you are supposed to shed tears for these two and the author tries to pull at every available heartstring. Thus, the author walks the fine line between drawing empathy and outright manipulation. In my case, she crossed it.
******SLIGHT PLOT REVELATIONS*****
I find that marrying someone who will always be a distant second and taking one special day a year to make it abundantly clear to the second fiddle is almost as cruel as Martin's oh-so stereotyped father. How would any reader feel if he/she were Martin or Claire's spouse?? Be truthful!
Frankly, Martin chose his career over Claire and Claire chose her family over Martin. All choices limit us although Martin and Claire never really accept this sad fact of life.
***END SLIGHT PLOT REVELATIONS***
I don't believe that showing up at a "gazebo" once a year is any more a manifestation/celebration of trandscendant love than changing one diaper a year indicates a devoted parent.