Kate Vaiden

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Price, Richard, Kate Vaiden

376 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 23,1986

About the author

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Reynolds Price was born in Macon, North Carolina in 1933. Educated at Duke University and, as a Rhodes Scholar, at Merton College, Oxford University. He taught at Duke since 1958 and was James B. Duke Professor of English.

His first short stories, and many later ones, are published in his Collected Stories. A Long and Happy Life was published in 1962 and won the William Faulkner Award for a best first novel. Kate Vaiden was published in 1986 and won the National Book Critics Circle Award. The Good Priest's Son in 2005 was his fourteenth novel. Among his thirty-seven volumes are further collections of fiction, poetry, plays, essays, and translations. Price was a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and his work has been translated into seventeen languages.

Photo courtesy of Reynolds Price's author page on Amazon.com

Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
28(28%)
4 stars
35(35%)
3 stars
37(37%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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I'm going to say 2.5. It's a rather specific number, isn't it? It makes you wonder what it could possibly refer to. Maybe it's a score, a rating of some sort. Or perhaps it's a measurement, like 2.5 inches or 2.5 liters. But as I think about it more, I realize that it could also be used to describe a character. A character who is just a little bit too much, a character who is unbearable in some way. Maybe they talk too loudly, or they're always interrupting others. Or perhaps they have a really annoying habit that just drives everyone crazy. Whatever the case may be, 2.5 seems like a lot of words to use to describe such an unbearable character.

July 15,2025
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3.5 stars.

This is a very well-written, interesting, plot-driven, and character-based novel about Kate Vaiden. It won the 1986 National Book Critics Circle award.

Told in the first person, Kate, now a 57-year-old woman, shares the story of her life. At the tender age of eleven, her parents passed away under unusual circumstances. A few years later, her lover died suddenly.

The story itself, although interesting, may not seem extraordinary. However, Reynolds Price's writing imparts a sense of dignity to it. Kate, the protagonist, is a character with a certain decency and honesty that engages the reader and keeps them turning the pages.

She admits to being a flawed character, yet she is fortunate to have the support of her next of kin.

Overall, this novel offers a captivating exploration of Kate's life and the challenges she has faced, presented in a beautifully written and engaging manner.
July 15,2025
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Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.
July 15,2025
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This story, this kind of life, is so incredibly true that it truly breaks my heart.

The language employed within it is nothing short of exquisite, and it seems to speak directly to my North Carolina self.

It's as if the words have a special connection with the essence of who I am and where I come from.

Among all the lines in the story, my absolute favorite one, which has no direct relation to the actual narrative of the story but is deeply connected to MY story, is " ...the two most useful subjects in school are Latin and typing...".

This line holds a certain charm and significance for me. It makes me reflect on my own educational journey and the various subjects that I have encountered along the way.

It's a simple yet profound statement that can引发 so many thoughts and memories.

It truly stands out and has become a memorable part of this story for me.

Overall, this story has had a profound impact on me, touching my heart and making me appreciate the power of words and the beauty of a well-told tale.

July 15,2025
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Yes, that's five stars for dear Ms. Vaiden. I'm still processing it, so perhaps my opinion will change, but basically, I adored it.

Can I describe what I love about it yet? I'll give it a try. I love how Kate's character is utterly inscrutable. I simply couldn't fathom why she made some of the decisions she did. The ending didn't clarify it for me.

I love how she accepts the consequences of her behaviors as a matter of fact. It shows a certain strength and maturity.

I also love the close, homey feel of the story. This book is set in eastern North Carolina, where I grew up, Norfolk, VA, where I was born, and Raleigh, near where I live today. It gives a sense of familiarity and connection.

Finally, I love how a book about questionable choices ends with one last choice that Kate offers to her son. It adds an interesting layer to the story and makes you wonder about the future. Overall, it was a great read.
July 15,2025
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Barbara Kingsolver, one of my favorite authors, turned me onto Reynolds Price.

Price's writing is truly captivating. This particular book that I've read is the best among those I've explored so far.

All of his stories have the power to evoke a visceral feeling within me, something unnameable yet deeply profound. It's as if I'm longing for a past that I never actually experienced.

The characters he creates come to life so vividly that they become real to me. I find myself completely immersed in their world, sharing their joys and sorrows.

At the end of the book, it's incredibly hard to let them go. They've become a part of my literary journey, leaving a lasting impression on my heart and mind.

I can't wait to explore more of Reynolds Price's works and continue to be amazed by his storytelling prowess.
July 15,2025
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Well,

I really slogged through a Reynolds Price novel. To be honest, I can't say that I particularly enjoyed it. Instead, it felt more like I was fulfilling some sort of obligation as a Duke alum to have read at least one of his novels. You know, it was like a task that I had to complete. So, finally, I can cross that off my list and move on to other things. It's not that the novel was necessarily bad, but it just didn't click with me. Maybe I'll give another of his works a try in the future, but for now, I'm glad to have this one behind me.

July 15,2025
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I really wanted to love it.

From the moment I set my eyes on it, there was a glimmer of hope in my heart.

I thought it would bring me joy, excitement, and a sense of fulfillment.

But as time went on, things didn't quite work out as I had expected.

There were little disappointments here and there, small flaws that gradually chipped away at my initial enthusiasm.

However, I still held on to that tiny spark of possibility, hoping that maybe, just maybe, it would turn around and become the wonderful thing I had envisioned.

But despite my efforts, it seemed that fate had other plans.

In the end, I was left with a bittersweet feeling, having wanted to love it so much but not quite being able to.

Yet, I know that sometimes in life, we have to let go of the things that don't work out and look forward to the next opportunity that comes our way.

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