Within Arm's Reach : A Novel
3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by powerhouse from Culemborg, Gelderland Netherlands on Thursday, September 16, 2004
'An honest and insightful tale of interconnected life' is what the back cover says. I think it's an ok novel about an Irish-American family struggling with old pains and emotions.
Found this in the mailbox today. Thanks ever so much for trading, Powerhouse! I especially liked the text on the wrapping paper: Een pond veren vliegt niet, als er geen vogel in zit. (A pound of feathers can't fly unless there is a bird in it). This is just so true!!
I liked this novel because it gives such an honest view of family relationships. All the people in this novel seem so distant, they hardly talk with one another, they don't know how to express their emotions and yet they feel this connection towards each other and they stay together as a family. Because of Gracie's pregnancy, they all take a look at their own lives and see things from a different perspective. So, in the end this pregnancy has its consequences for all of them. They still have (and will probably always have) trouble communicating, though. No fairy tale ending, just a realistic view.
Released on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 at to a fellow Bookcrosser in n/a, n/a Controlled Releases.
RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed to the winner of the Dutch BC lottery.
RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed to the winner of the Dutch BC lottery.
Wow, what a beautiful book! The cover (not the same as is shown here) is absolutely gorgeous. The second book I got for the lottery that originated with my BC-sis Powerhouse! It is definately a book that I would pick up if I saw it in the shop.
From Amazon:
'No one in my mother's family ever talks about anything that can be categorized as unpleasant or as having to do with emotions, and, as a result, they no longer have anything to say. For them it's not a matter of keeping secrets; it's a matter of being polite, mannerly, and tough. The McLaughlins couldn't spill their woes or ask for help even if they wanted to, because they don't have the vocabulary. They are stranded within themselves, convinced that the only way is to silently persevere.' Seen from the point of view of different generations of women within this family and set around a small town in New Jersey, this is a novel about a family of Irish Catholic descent, the McLaughlins. This is a rich and resonant novel about how the totally unexpected pregnancy of the youngest (29) unmarried member the family tears apart its facade of normalcy, and throws the entire family into a state of crisis.
From Amazon:
'No one in my mother's family ever talks about anything that can be categorized as unpleasant or as having to do with emotions, and, as a result, they no longer have anything to say. For them it's not a matter of keeping secrets; it's a matter of being polite, mannerly, and tough. The McLaughlins couldn't spill their woes or ask for help even if they wanted to, because they don't have the vocabulary. They are stranded within themselves, convinced that the only way is to silently persevere.' Seen from the point of view of different generations of women within this family and set around a small town in New Jersey, this is a novel about a family of Irish Catholic descent, the McLaughlins. This is a rich and resonant novel about how the totally unexpected pregnancy of the youngest (29) unmarried member the family tears apart its facade of normalcy, and throws the entire family into a state of crisis.
