This captivating book follows the story of Lynnie, Homan and Martha from 1968 in Pennsylvania to 2011.
Lynnie , a young woman with an intellectual disability, and Homan, a deaf man with only sign language to guide him, make a desperate escape from the School for the Incurable and Feebleminded for just long enough to leave Lynnie’s newborn baby with Martha, a retired school teacher. Lynnie is quickly captured and returned to The School, but Homan, presumed dead, makes his escape.
Each chapter concentrates on one character, building up an intricate description of each of their lives. There is Kate, who works at The School and her unfailing support for Lynnie, Homan’s constant search for Lynnie (his Beautiful Girl) and her baby, and his belief that he will find her. Martha, who takes in a stranger’s baby and honours her promise to “Hide her.” and of course Lynnie, who is the “Beautiful Girl”.
I loved the way the story was written and found the characters incredibly believable. Rachel Simon has obviously researched her facts very thoroughly- the end notes give her reasons for writing the book. The fact that institutions such as The School existed until such recent times was horrifying and the way that children, babies and adults were kept there was deeply upsetting.
I read this book within a week as I quickly found myself swept along by events and wanted to find out if they would ever be reunited.
I would recommend this book without hesitation. It was a beautiful story. Moving at times, tragic in parts, uplifting and informative.
Sunday, 11 March 2012
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
ELEVENSES...
Writing from the edge has linked me into a daft blog game!
Why not is what I thought... here goes
THE RULES:
You must post these rules.
Paste the questions the “tagger” listed for you in their post onto a new post of your own and answer them
Create eleven new questions for the people you tag to answer.
Choose eleven people to tag and put a link to their pages in the post.
Let each taggee know that you have tagged them.
So - here are writingfromtheedge's 11 questions with my answers:
Looking back, which author did you most love in that transition between childhood and becoming an adult? I WAS AN AVID FAN OF ANNE FRANK AND READ THE WHOLE SERIES AGAIN AND AGAIN
Which 5 plants or species would you always want growing in your garden (or hypothetical garden)
ROSES, LAVENDER, HONEYSUCKLE, SWEET PEAS AND POPPIES (HAVE 3 SO FAR )
What would you try to save if the house went up in flames and you knew all the people and animals were safely out? PHOTOS FOR CERTAIN
Which country/city in the world (that you have never been to) would you most like to visit and why? THAILAND- FOOD, CULTURE, SOMEWHERE I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO VISIT
What's the number one favourite piece of music/song you would take to your desert island? IMPOSSIBLE TO NARROW DOWN TO ONE- IT WOULD CHANGE DEPENDING ON MY MOOD. AT THIS EXACT MOMENT- I WILL SURVIVE.
Do you read using a Kindle or would you if you could? NO AND NO BECAUSE I LOVE THE FEEL OF BOOKS
What individual item of food would you not eat, even if it was served to you at the Queen/President's dinner table? (Something ordinary, we're not talking about sheep's eyeballs here!) OFFAL, YUK
If you found an unexpected £20 in the bottom of your coat pocket, what would you spend it on - books, wine, plants, clothes, bills...? WINE :)
If your car could be any colour you want, what colour would it be? RED- IT IS- ALWAYS WANTED A RED CAR AND NOW I HAVE ONE.
Looking back, what do you most regret not buying (no matter how big or small) THE WINNING LOTTERY TICKET
Do you still have your childhood teddy bear? If so, what is he/she called? NOT ANY MORE- TEDDY
Here are my questions:
1) who from history would you most like to meet and why?
2) What would you like to be remembered for?
3) If money was no object, describe your ideal home
4) What was your favourite board game as a child?
5) Can you remember what your first wristwatch was like?
6) At a party what is the first "nibble" you go for?
7) Walking or cycling?
8) Best way to drink coffee?
9) Milk or plain (chocolate as if I need to add)
10) If you ruled the world what would be the first thing that you would change?
11) If you could see into the future, would you?
I'm not sure how to tag people so I will tweet this instead. Sorry if that isn't quite following the rules!
Why not is what I thought... here goes
THE RULES:
You must post these rules.
Paste the questions the “tagger” listed for you in their post onto a new post of your own and answer them
Create eleven new questions for the people you tag to answer.
Choose eleven people to tag and put a link to their pages in the post.
Let each taggee know that you have tagged them.
So - here are writingfromtheedge's 11 questions with my answers:
Looking back, which author did you most love in that transition between childhood and becoming an adult? I WAS AN AVID FAN OF ANNE FRANK AND READ THE WHOLE SERIES AGAIN AND AGAIN
Which 5 plants or species would you always want growing in your garden (or hypothetical garden)
ROSES, LAVENDER, HONEYSUCKLE, SWEET PEAS AND POPPIES (HAVE 3 SO FAR )
What would you try to save if the house went up in flames and you knew all the people and animals were safely out? PHOTOS FOR CERTAIN
Which country/city in the world (that you have never been to) would you most like to visit and why? THAILAND- FOOD, CULTURE, SOMEWHERE I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO VISIT
What's the number one favourite piece of music/song you would take to your desert island? IMPOSSIBLE TO NARROW DOWN TO ONE- IT WOULD CHANGE DEPENDING ON MY MOOD. AT THIS EXACT MOMENT- I WILL SURVIVE.
Do you read using a Kindle or would you if you could? NO AND NO BECAUSE I LOVE THE FEEL OF BOOKS
What individual item of food would you not eat, even if it was served to you at the Queen/President's dinner table? (Something ordinary, we're not talking about sheep's eyeballs here!) OFFAL, YUK
If you found an unexpected £20 in the bottom of your coat pocket, what would you spend it on - books, wine, plants, clothes, bills...? WINE :)
If your car could be any colour you want, what colour would it be? RED- IT IS- ALWAYS WANTED A RED CAR AND NOW I HAVE ONE.
Looking back, what do you most regret not buying (no matter how big or small) THE WINNING LOTTERY TICKET
Do you still have your childhood teddy bear? If so, what is he/she called? NOT ANY MORE- TEDDY
Here are my questions:
1) who from history would you most like to meet and why?
2) What would you like to be remembered for?
3) If money was no object, describe your ideal home
4) What was your favourite board game as a child?
5) Can you remember what your first wristwatch was like?
6) At a party what is the first "nibble" you go for?
7) Walking or cycling?
8) Best way to drink coffee?
9) Milk or plain (chocolate as if I need to add)
10) If you ruled the world what would be the first thing that you would change?
11) If you could see into the future, would you?
I'm not sure how to tag people so I will tweet this instead. Sorry if that isn't quite following the rules!
100 words for grown ups
This week's prompt is at http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week-33/ and returns to a picture prompt.
Tricky one this week that I wasn't sure how to approach.
After a few failed efforts this is what I have come up with
Sea horse
Casually, she picked up the discarded pieces, her collection ever changing, not long treasured. Never-ceasing undulations smoothed away the roughness leaving muted hues of cream and grey.
Expelled-some in a whisper, others with a roar. Exposed to the elements, stripped bare ,picked clean, desiccated. To a casual observer, no more than flotsam and jetsam, but to the artist- building blocks for his craft.
Painstakingly collected, assembled, twisted, layered, woven. Complex forms created from nature's throw aways.
What was lost, overlooked, cast away ...is now looked upon, admired, celebrated.
The artist's task is done....
Find the rest at http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=134366&type=basic
Tricky one this week that I wasn't sure how to approach.
After a few failed efforts this is what I have come up with
Sea horse
Casually, she picked up the discarded pieces, her collection ever changing, not long treasured. Never-ceasing undulations smoothed away the roughness leaving muted hues of cream and grey.
Expelled-some in a whisper, others with a roar. Exposed to the elements, stripped bare ,picked clean, desiccated. To a casual observer, no more than flotsam and jetsam, but to the artist- building blocks for his craft.
Painstakingly collected, assembled, twisted, layered, woven. Complex forms created from nature's throw aways.
What was lost, overlooked, cast away ...is now looked upon, admired, celebrated.
The artist's task is done....
Find the rest at http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=134366&type=basic
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Review of The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Before I read this book, I knew very little about Ernest Hemingway and even less about his wives. That had changed by the time I reached the end.
Paula Mclain’s book tells the story of Ernest and his first wife, Hadley. It is told from her point of view and chronicles their initial meeting, subsequent courtship, marriage and ultimate heartbreak.
Much of the story is set in Paris during the time of prohibition, although alcohol flows freely throughout (including the then illegal absinthe!). It follows Ernest’s struggle for recognition as an author and Hadley’s unfaltering adoration and support of him through a succession of breakdowns, occasional highs and many lows.
McLain’s writing totally draws you into Hadley’s world and you can’t help but feel an emotional connection as the story of their marriage unfolds. However, Hadley’s passiveness became increasingly frustrating and I found myself less and less sympathetic towards her as the story unfolded. She almost completely loses her identity as she devotes herself entirely to Ernest and accepts his outrageous actions towards their marriage even though it is ripping her apart. The book becomes more and more difficult to read as their marriage crumbles and their once so beautiful relationship becomes ugly, fuelled by copious drinking. All their relationships seem superficial- perhaps that is what they were like and I just didn’t like them much!
McLain stresses in the end notes that her work is fictional and I did find the Hemingways became increasingly caricature like as the story progressed; was Hadley really that passive and did Ernest really act so appallingly? Their pet name for each other, “Tatie”, along with other pet names given to their friends added to my exasperation. I am undecided whether or not to read his memoirs of his time in Paris (A Moveable Feast) to see how that compares.
That said, the love story of their early relationship and marriage was beautifully written and the descriptions of life at the time obviously well researched; the images conjured up of the many parties, the skiing and the cafes were, at times, breathtaking.
As a historical romance the story ticks the boxes, for readers who are fans of Hemingway or want to know more about his life I wonder whether this would meet their expectations.
100 words for grown ups
This week the prompt is, "Take a leap of faith." http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week32/
“It’s no good, I can’t go through with it. “
“Yes you can, love, this time it’ll be different, it will work out.”
“But I’m so scared, what if it doesn’t? What if it turns out like before? I just can’t go through that all again.”
“No one knows what the future holds darling, but he’s not the same. He’s one of the good guys- he adores you, you light up when you’re together; I’ve never known you so happy. “
“Really?”
“Of course. Believe me, this is the right thing to do. Come on, it’s time.”
I know that lady...
Find the rest at http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=132006&type=basic
Book reviews
I have always been a keen reader. Since my early childhood reading has been one of my favourite past times; my hubby and I often chat about winning the lottery (who doesn't!?) and how we would have our own library/reading room with floor to ceiling book shelves, an open fireplace, great big comfy chairs...Bliss!
In the meantime, I sit curled up on the sofa reading. I have kept a log of the books I read for the last 7 years so that I can make a note of favoured authors or books that I particularly enjoyed.
When I spotted a tweet from WHSmiths asking for people interested in reviewing books to contact them, I leapt at the opportunity.
It has been a very interesting pursuit and one that I intend to continue; I shall use my blog to share reviews that I do.
As with the weekly writing challenges I am hoping that regular practise of writing reviews will improve them; I have been reading reviews in various papers and see that I have some way to go.
Here's my review of the latest Stephen King novel, 11.22.63
Having been an avid fan since my teenage years, it was with much anticipation that I read this latest offering from the prolific writer, Stephen King. 11.22.63 takes the reader on a journey back in time through a portal found in the most inauspicious of places. The plot soon draws you in and it doesn't take long for the reader to be turning pages at breakneck speed to find out if Jake's mission will be successful or not. Time travel stories can all too often become unbelievable but King's writing is so well researched that this never becomes the case with this book. As the story progresses you find yourself willing him on against a multitude of barriers. This novel, although not a patch on "The Stand" (in my opinion one of his greatest), is well worth a read. Gritty, pacey and well researched. It isn't a horror story at all; so don't be put off by that thought- it is a mixture of thriller, both crime and psychological, love, action and history
In the meantime, I sit curled up on the sofa reading. I have kept a log of the books I read for the last 7 years so that I can make a note of favoured authors or books that I particularly enjoyed.
When I spotted a tweet from WHSmiths asking for people interested in reviewing books to contact them, I leapt at the opportunity.
It has been a very interesting pursuit and one that I intend to continue; I shall use my blog to share reviews that I do.
As with the weekly writing challenges I am hoping that regular practise of writing reviews will improve them; I have been reading reviews in various papers and see that I have some way to go.
Here's my review of the latest Stephen King novel, 11.22.63
Having been an avid fan since my teenage years, it was with much anticipation that I read this latest offering from the prolific writer, Stephen King. 11.22.63 takes the reader on a journey back in time through a portal found in the most inauspicious of places. The plot soon draws you in and it doesn't take long for the reader to be turning pages at breakneck speed to find out if Jake's mission will be successful or not. Time travel stories can all too often become unbelievable but King's writing is so well researched that this never becomes the case with this book. As the story progresses you find yourself willing him on against a multitude of barriers. This novel, although not a patch on "The Stand" (in my opinion one of his greatest), is well worth a read. Gritty, pacey and well researched. It isn't a horror story at all; so don't be put off by that thought- it is a mixture of thriller, both crime and psychological, love, action and history
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Oliver's lizard ...the next day (Part 3)
The second part of this story can be found at SJB writing http://sjbwriting.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/olivers-lizard/ It was continued from the start written by her niece. You can read that at http://sjbteachingkids.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/a-day-at-the-zoo/
I loved the idea so much that I couldn't resist continuing it. I've left it open ended...
Oliver had, at least for the time being, managed to keep the lizard’s presence a secret from his parents. After what had happened last time, he had been told that he would NEVER be able to keep a pet again. His protestations of, “It wasn’t my fault!” had fallen on deaf ears.
He gently stroked the lizard’s smooth scaly skin, “Now then lizard, when shall we start?”
Oliver, an enthusiastic “BGT” follower had been wracking his brains to come up with an original idea. His Gran’s magazine had given him the idea. He just knew he was onto a winner,
“Oliver and his amazing problem solving lizard.”
The lizard would soon wish he was back in the confines of the tank.
This article
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/4513/clever-lizards-surpass-expectations
just had to be used in a prompt somewhere.
I suppose there is a (very) tenuous link to this week’s prompt- flip side...out of the frying pan into the fire... but I just thought it was fun.
I loved the idea so much that I couldn't resist continuing it. I've left it open ended...
Oliver had, at least for the time being, managed to keep the lizard’s presence a secret from his parents. After what had happened last time, he had been told that he would NEVER be able to keep a pet again. His protestations of, “It wasn’t my fault!” had fallen on deaf ears.
He gently stroked the lizard’s smooth scaly skin, “Now then lizard, when shall we start?”
Oliver, an enthusiastic “BGT” follower had been wracking his brains to come up with an original idea. His Gran’s magazine had given him the idea. He just knew he was onto a winner,
“Oliver and his amazing problem solving lizard.”
The lizard would soon wish he was back in the confines of the tank.
This article
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/4513/clever-lizards-surpass-expectations
just had to be used in a prompt somewhere.
I suppose there is a (very) tenuous link to this week’s prompt- flip side...out of the frying pan into the fire... but I just thought it was fun.
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