Pamela Hobson - Reviews

::Editorial Reviews::

The New York Times
Buzzzz, Murmurs Follow Novel
"The novel...has created a stir...with residents venturing guesses as to the real identities of the fictional characters."

USA Today
Best-Selling Books Top 150
Chicken Soup for the Mother and Son Soul

The Town Report
Local author Pamela Hackett Hobson is adding a bit of her Bronxville flavor to the soup, or in this case, the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books….Hobson had already had publishing successes prior to her inclusion in the inspirational series. She has written various articles on women's issues, but is perhaps best known in the literary world for her novels, “The Bronxville Book Club” and “The Silent Auction,” both works of fiction.

Review Press
“There's nothing like the bond between mother and son, Bronxville author Pamela Hackett Hobson says. That is why she jumped at the opportunity to be a contributing writer for the new addition to the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series… The theme is “near and dear to my heart,” Hobson said about the book that includes 100 short stories by mothers, sons, grandmothers and grandsons, all celebrating the relationship between mother and child. Hobson, who has two sons—contributed an inspirational story called, “Don't Blink,” about her bond with her sons and how quickly they grew.”

Westchester Wag
In this latest addition of the popular series, local author Pamela Hackett Hobson of Bronxville has been chosen to contribute an inspirational true story that celebrates the special lifelong bond between a mother and son… Ms. Hobson and her fellow authors' stories will most certainly appeal to all moms, from new mothers to grandmothers.

In Town Magazine Spring/Summer, 2005
"Do the lives of these women sound the slightest bit intriguing? You're not the only one who thinks so. It seems America's latest obsession centers around the lives of suburban women, and we don't just mean the famous five sneaking around Desperate Housewives of Wisteria Lane. There has been a recent outpouring of books, The Bronxville Book Club and The Silent Auction that dive into the lives of suburban women, and many suburban wives are happy to bury their newly done noses between the pages."

The Westchester WAG
The Write Stuff
"Here's a glimpse into a small, affluent Westchester suburb--one we know well--as experienced by 10 well-to-do members of a book club."

The Review Press
Spotlight Shone in 2003
"Bronxville author Pamela Hackett Hobson, a banker by trade, ventured into the field of fiction, publishing her first novel..."

The Journal News Review Press
Hobson's Silent Auction adds new family to village
"Pamela Hackett Hobson has quickly followed her first novel, The Bronxville Book Club, with another intimate tale of life in Bronxville, The Silent Auction. Hobson's sense of humor and gracious style reveal even more about the unique, affluent Westchester village and its customs and lifestyles by introducing a new family to the community in her second book."

::Reader Reviews::

The Bronxville Book Club

A Sensational Read!
Reviewer: P. Murphy
"I read at least two books/week, and enjoyed this book more than many I've read over the summer. The women are a wonderful mix of sophistication, self-assurance and (at times) self-doubt. I will look forward to their future exploits!"

Too Much Fun In One Book!
Reviewer: A reader from Hawaii
"A total escape into the world of Westchester society. We have all met these character over and over in our lives; it read like a mystery seeing every background converge on one day. Great persepective with a wonderful retro-twist."

London perspective
Reviewer: A reader from London, U.K.
"I stayed up reading this book several nights in spite of jet lag. I thought it was delicious. I howled. Sometimes I even gasped."

Not only in Bronxville!
Reviewer: A reader from Delaware
"This book is great fun! If you are a member of a 'book club' and have a sense of humor, it is a 'must read'. You don't have to live in Bronxville to relate to this book!"

The Bronxville Book Club
Reviewer: A reader from Bronxville, New York
"THE BRONXVILLE BOOK CLUB is a cleverly composed fable about an imaginary book club which meets evenings, once a month, in Bronxville, New York. The women in the club are all very special and different, but they look forward to coming together in order to socialize and to analyze a favorite book.

In her description of each participant's interests and idiosyncrasies, author Pamela Hobson has given us delightful insights into the motivations and interests of these very different book club personalities. Portraits of the club members and their families are wittily, yet compassionately drawn.

Readers who belong to community book clubs, as well as readers who do not, will enjoy this delightful story."

The Silent Auction

A Sensational Sequel!
Review: A reader from Ohio
"Your favorite ladies return in a wonderful tale about the Braithwaites, newcomers to Bronxville, and how they get close to their neighbors via prizes they win in the school's Memorial Day Silent Auction. Wonderful and suprising twists to the story will keep you grinning and shaking your head throughout...and waiting for the next book to learn what will happen next to Lizbet, Giselle, Kathryn and their friends."

If you liked The Bronxville Book Club, you will love The Silent Auction.
Reviewer: A Library Director - Purchase, New York
"The (fictional) enactment and playing-out of the events in Pamela Hobson's second novel reflect a real 'happening' that occurs every Memorial Day in Bronxville, New York, an exquisitely crafted fair and fund-raising initiative for the Bronxville School, in which every family with school age children becomes involved. Ms. Hobson's depiction of the event, and the participation that follows it, necessarily requires the introduction of many more intriguing characters. The original heroines of the Bronxville Book Club are still in evidence, but the stage is more crowded this time, with children, neighbors and friends. Their inclusion is a great enhancement to the story. How they relate to each other becomes the heart of the narrative, as they come forward to claim and make use of the wonderful offerings they have won.

Starting in June, the story takes us through the year, from the realization of one prize event after another, to a final, over-the-top December Christmas party. My favorite section of the book is the Richman's hilarious Christmas letter. You will have to read the entire book through to the end to reach this part, but once you begin reading, you won't want to stop. If you liked The Bronxville Book Club, you will love The Silent Auction."

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