The Magic of Ordinary Days

A Novel

By: Ann Howard Creel

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Olivia Dunne, a studious minister's daughter who dreams of being an archaeologist, never thought that the drama of World War II would affect her quiet life in Denver. An exhilarating flirtation reshapes her life, though, and she finds herself banished to a rural Colorado outpost, married to a man she hardly knows. Overwhelmed by loneliness, Olivia tentatively tries to establish a new life, finding much-needed friendship and solace in two Japanese American sisters who are living at a nearby internment camp. When Olivia unwittingly becomes an accomplice to a crime and is faced with betrayal, she finally confronts her own desires.

Beautifully written and filled with memorable characters, Ann Howard Creel's novel is a powerful exploration of the nature of trust and love.

©2001 Ann Howard Creel (P)2016 Tantor

Lovely romance

A lovely romantic story. There is one glaring problem, however. Livey, the main character, is rather unsympathetic ( for me, at least ) and her abrupt change of character and feelings toward Ray is changes the story's dynamic. Yes, I wanted her to appreciate his kindness, but there is no explanation or revelation on how she comes to change her attitude. The lovely narration by Justine Eyre was PERFECT for the story.

Filled in the gaps…

Aside from the narration I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found if I sped up the play to 1.2 I could actually listen without critique. Before I did that it was painful. I was not put off by the differences in the book and the movie and found the narrative discussion about the internment to be helpful and thought provoking. I recommend this audio book but take my advice about the play speed.

excellent story.

loved it. I was hoping it would surpass the movie and it did. One of my favorite Hallmark HoF.

Hope

This book shows what loneliness can make people do things they would never dream of doing in norm times.

Good story line with awful narration

Tourture listening to this narration of a good novel I struggled through having originally enjoyed the movie.
I can't recommend you listen to this rendition read the novel instead.

I love this story

I have loved this movie for awhile, and now I’m happy to find I love the book too. The narrator is not as good as some I have heard, but she doesn’t ruin it for me. I am left feeling a bit sad as the ending of the book is different than the movie and doesn’t work out as well for all the characters, but it is still such a wonderful story.

My kind of reading-Enjoyed it!

Saw the movie first, and really loved it, but I felt that there were gaps and places that really didn't make sense. I discovered the audiobook later and now I understand why. The movie took a LOT of license! However, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The narration was not my favorite. Generally, when I'm listening to an audiobook, The narration is so smooth and seamless that I forget that all of the dialogue is being done by one person. This book was not like that. Although some of the dialogue was excellently done particularly for the the women, at times I was drawn away from the story and into the narration because of some awkwardness or disbelief.

Took forever to get to the plot

The last 10 chapters is the whole story but an okay read. Light hearted and not too serious. Overly on the nose and politically correct the first 12 chapters

Beautiful Book; Awful Voice

I love this book but could not handle the reader's voice. It grated on my nerves -- tired and mewling.

Not sure about being 'Ordinary' or 'Magic' certainly not 'usual'

This novel is quite difficult to explain in that I found the subject matter filled with intent ... by that, deep and, should you be so inclined, thought provoking. I sensed that I was reading several stories wrapped in a greater episode of lives lived during a certain time period.
It is well written, told quite well, and offers the reader a challenge to accept these people as they faced their daily strife.