At a Crossroads: Between a Rock and My Parents' Place [Paperback]

Kate T. Williamson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2008

After graduating from college and spending a magical year abroad writing our best-selling A Year in Japan, Kate T. Williamson felt ready for anything. But, like many a postgraduate, she needed some time to figure out just what that anything was. Her parents' house in Pennsylvania seemed like the perfect place for a brief layover, but twenty-three months later, Williamson was still contemplating the past and the future, while explaining to curious neighbors that, at present, her life was "at a crossroads."

At a Crossroads is a unique graphic memoir about the common, yet little-discussed, "boomerang years." With sharp wit and expressive drawings, Williamson illustrates the joys, disappointments, comforts, and embarrassments of life back home with mom and dad. Highlights and low points include celebrating her twenty-fourth birthday at a Hall & Oatesconcert with her mother; noticing the train sounds from her bedroom for the first time; battling an infestation of squirrels;discovering that the ballet class she has signed up for is actually for children, and attending anyway; getting mail fromher college crush, who has developed an interest in taxidermy; wearing a chain-mail belt of her own creation to her cousin'sRenaissance-themed wedding. Moving from season to season, Williamson uses her delightful illustrations and vivid descriptions to discover the beauty and truth inside every hilarious episode. At a Crossroads is a book for young and old alike, or for anyone contemplating the little things worth noting in the times of our lives we often erase from our histories.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up–In this sequel to A Year in Japan (Princeton Architectural, 2006), Williamson returns home to work on a book and figure out what she wants to do with her life. Like its predecessor, Crossroads collects anecdotes and vignettes, and brings them together to create a perfect picture of someone lost at age 20-something. Highlights of her story include a Hall and Oates concert, flirting with the cute boy in the neighborhood who's just a little too young for her, battling noisy squirrels in the attic, and making a chain-mail outfit to wear at her cousin's Renaissance-themed wedding. And of course, she is constantly plagued by the question, So what are you up to these days? Williamson's light touch is what makes this work funny without being cruel, and, occasionally, sad without being depressing. The visuals, with their bright pastels, will appeal more immediately to girls. But anyone who has ever felt the frustration and malaise of figuring out the future will relate to and laugh along with this author's touching story.–Matthew L. Moffett, Pohick Regional Library, Burke, VA
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Review

...a mix of quietly poignant and humorous vignettes about returning home and being unsure where you life is heading next. -- The Reading Eagle, May 25, 2008

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press; 1 edition (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568987145
• ISBN-13: 978-1568987149
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Graduation Gift, April 3, 2008

By 

W. S. Bauman - See all my reviews

This review is from: At a Crossroads: Between a Rock and My Parents' Place (Paperback)

At a Crossroads: Between a Rock and My Parents' Place Graduation time is fast approaching and in the most timely way, the perfect gift for any high school or college (and beyond) graduate is Kate Williamson's new book, "At a Crossroads..." The exquisite artwork that was found in Williamson's first book, "A Year in Japan" is happily found in "Crossroads..." As well, the evocative text will ring true for the multitudes who will be throwing their caps in the air and beginning the often confusing journey into the real world.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm a Kate Williamson Fan, August 12, 2008

By 

D. Diane (Robesonia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: At a Crossroads: Between a Rock and My Parents' Place (Paperback)

I started enjoying Kate Williamson's haiku in the Hello Kitty series. I thoroughly enjoyed her book, A year in Japan and wanted to read more. This book has the same humor and flavor I've come to expect with Ms. Williamson. At a Crossroads took me back to my college years when I was old enough to have the world by the tail, but too young to know it yet. This book is great for anyone who has the same angst felt by many young people who are starting out. The referrals to Hall & Oats is one of my favorite parts and the illustrations are awesome.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So true & very funny!, April 2, 2008

By 

Heather O. (Brandon, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At a Crossroads: Between a Rock and My Parents' Place (Paperback)

I loved reading this book! Besides the wonderful illustrations, Kate Williamson is a fabulous writer. I was instantly engaged and could completely relate to that time in my life many years ago. A great book for all ages.