“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine
Elegies for the Brokenhearted
; Christie Hodgen
; Christie Hodgen(July 13 - WW Norton and Co)
What's your pick this week?
A savvy, spirited, moving, and surprisingly humorous novel in elegies. Who are the people you’ll never forget? For Mary Murphy, there are five: A skirt-chasing, car-racing uncle with whiskey breath and a three-day beard. A “walking joke, a sitting duck, a fish in a barrel” named Elwood LePoer. A dirt-poor college roommate who conceals an unbearable secret. A failed piano prodigy lost in middle age. A beautiful mother haunted by her once-great aspirations.
In five quirky elegies to lost friends and relatives, Mary tells us the story of her life. We begin with a restless childhood spent following her mother between multiple homes and husbands. Then comes the disappearance of Mary’s rebellious and beloved sister, Malinda. By the time Mary leaves for college, she has no one to write home to, and we follow along on her difficult search for purpose. From a series of miserable jobs to her “reborn” mother’s deathbed, Mary finds hope in the most surprising places. With a rhythmically unique voice and pitch-perfect wry humor, Christie Hodgen spins an unconventional and moving story about identity, belonging, and family.
What's your pick this week?
This sounds good!
ReplyDeleteInteresting pick! Here is mine: http://bookreviews.me.uk/waiting-on-wednesday-30th-june-2010/
ReplyDeleteWhat an unusual find. I like it though.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing character development, this looks like a fun read!
ReplyDeleteFYI, I think your formatting is off as needed to search to post my comment & found it burried in a picture.
That might be a little sad.
ReplyDeleteOh, that story tugs at my heartstrings!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely cover, too.
Here's mine:
http://chezraine.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/waiting-on-wednesday-16/
I love the concept behind this one...and makes me think about my own list! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds quite different but it also sounds very intriguing. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteWow, AWESOME pick! This sounds so good! My pick is at The Crowded Leaf.
ReplyDeleteSounds like this book is a one of a kind read. I think I might like it! Thanks for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteI'm finding myself a bit intrigued by this one. Love that retro cover look.
ReplyDelete