The Borders of Life [Paperback]

Gael A. Kathryns (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999

An elderly patron of the town of Lee's Corners returns to her ancestral home to live out her final days. But she has more time left than she realizes, when a mysterious man appears, presenting her a key to a very special garden--where the dead citizens of the town continue to "live". Unable to comprehend this incredible new world, a different mystery reveals itself...a scandal involving the murder of a young girl years ago. And in order to unravel the secrets of the garden, she must first solve this mystery.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Roc (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451455746
• ISBN-13: 978-0451455741
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,646,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Everyone's cup of tea!, April 12, 2003

By 

Maye Vanarsdel (Clinton, Md USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Borders of Life (Paperback)

I was stunned by this fantasy. Why in the world did I find this book in a remainders bin? It is excellently written, well plotted, and totally absorbing. It should have many more readers than it apparently had! I've put G.A. Kathryns on my 'authors to watch for' list. This is an extraordinary fantasy well outside the standard fantasy-type plots. The book might almost be classified as mystical realism.

This is the story of a woman, Alma Montague, who comes 'home' to Lee Corners to retire and live out her life in peace. She left town when she was a young woman, and never returned until her retirement. Part of the intriguing aspect of the novel is the question of what is 'real' Vs what might or might not be the imaginings of the heroine.

Spend some time with this book, I found it to be a lovely elegy and a bit of comfort in grieving about a friend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Have any of you ever read Faulkner?, August 18, 2007

By 

Gretchen Holtman "The Mysterious G" (walnut creek, ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Borders of Life (Paperback)

I'm not sure how I even ended up with this book. Must have felt compelled by the description and bought when I was leaving the bookstore. That was (eek!) 5 years ago now. I just reshelved all my boxed up books and found it again. Finished about half an hour ago. I almost didn't read it when I read the author's preface. I am not a Faulkner fan--As I Lay Dying was a rather traumatic high school experience. I had nothing else to read. Here I sit, desperate to chat with someone else who has read it. It was...compelling. The descriptions at various points were horrific but extremely well written. I can't believe I'm saying this but I am considering digging out some Faulkner and trying again.

My complaints are that there were more than a few loose ends. My pleasure was in the description and twist and turn of the book. Even with the open ended ending I liked it. I realy, really want to talk to someone about it.

I came here in hopes of getting some insight from other readers only to discover complaints about run-on sentences and disjointed plots. Hello people. Faulkner. Open up your horizons.

Probably a rather useless review. I can't say run out and pick it up--thus the 3 stars--but I would say, that should you find it in the remainder pile, it's worth giving it a shot if you have any literary background at all.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a well crafted and intelligent novel, July 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Borders of Life (Paperback)

I am enjoying this book immensely, it combines elements of mystery and the metaphysical seamlessly in a story of a small southern town and it's inhabitants. It's a joy to find such a well written and intelligent "fantasy".