Charity [Paperback]

Paulette Callen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1998

This beautifully written novel explores Gustie's secret friendship with a beautiful young Sioux woman, a murder involving her best friend's husband--and the reaction of this small town when faced with surprising truths about the private lives of its citizens.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Late 19th-century Charity, South Dakota, says first-time novelist Callen, "was a stagnant pond. Gossip grew like scum on a slough." At the same time, "Live and Let Live" was the local motto. Clearly, the rural village depicted here is no Little House on the Prairie. Callen's re-creation highlights white prejudice against Native Americans as well as pervasive sexism and family violence. Woven in is a lesbian love story (between Easterner "Gustie Roemer," who is finally gaining acceptance, and the Native American Jordis), a series of grisly murders, and a lesson or two about the spirituality of indigenous people. Callen's progressive political agenda is matter-of-factly presented; nonetheless, her lyrical prose never sacrifices craft to ideology. Instead, Charity is a mystery so delicate it feels like a poem, so piercing in its depiction of small-town life that it leaves the reader startled by its straightforward insights. One closes the book renewed. A debut to be heralded, this is highly recommended.?Eleanor J. Bader, New Sch. for Social Research, New York
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Poet Callen's first novel, set at the turn of the century, tells of the love and friendship between two women--a story that, for all its up-to-date politics, is really an old-fashioned celebration of its title virtue. Lena and Will Kaiser, longtime residents of Charity, South Dakota, have always stuck by each other, despite their childless marriage, Will's drinking problems, and his loutish, quarrelsome family. When a drunken Will is arrested after he is observed leaving the scene of his father's murder, no one believes that this peaceable man is actually the killer, but Lena lacks the money to hire a lawyer or post bail. Enter Gustie Roemer, a schoolteacher recently arrived from back east. Unbeknownst to the community, Gustie traveled to South Dakota with her ailing lover, Clare, who died shortly after arriving. Still mourning Clare, Gustie is tormented by nightmares that are dispelled only by hanging the dead woman's nightgown near her bed. Though preoccupied with her own sorrow, Gustie is moved to become the Kaisers' secret benefactor, using Clare's inheritance to buy Lena groceries and to get Will out of jail. Meanwhile, Gustie has become acquainted with Dorcas, an elderly Sioux woman, and her beautiful, troubled granddaughter Jordis, who still bears scars from the beatings white teachers gave her for youthful rebelliousness. Gustie's loyalties are torn as she and Jordis fall in love, despite Gustie's deepening friendship with Lena, who can't understand Gustie's closeness to Jordis and the Indian community. But as Kaiser family tensions unfold, Lena learns the virtues of tolerance and kindness, while Gustie finds the strength to confront her own past. Despite a few excessively lyrical flourishes, an unusually satisfying tale, combining an engrossing mystery, a lovingly etched portrait of a community, and an appreciation for the moral resilience of strong women. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425165167
• ISBN-13: 978-0425165164
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #964,230 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 This book has so much going for it!, July 29, 2006

By 

M. Clark (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Charity (Paperback)

I came across this book at Powell's books and am so pleasantly surprised. I can't believe I never heard of it in the press or through word of mouth, considering how many subjects/topics it covers that I happened to be interested in, and how amazingly well written it is. The story centers around women in the Victorian Western, who are living in hard times and who struggle in various ways. So many subjects that I am interested in and have a passion for are in this book such as native American sprituality, lesbian romance, western living, farm-life, Victorian-era, female/minority empowerment, and the plot is full with various mysteries involving murder and other dangers. This book is amazingly well written, so beautiful that I actually have memorized a few lines here and there that I have been quoting to my friends. A haunting story rich with strong female characters, and a dark, spiritual, nostalgic, passionate, intensely female mood to it. I was sad as I neared the end of the novel because I've been enjoying it so much. It isn't often that I come across a book that is both literary and a page turner, What a treat!
I truly hope this author writes more, because I will buy anything she writes.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read, October 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Charity (Paperback)

I read this book without having read any reviews, thus I went into it without any pre-conceived ideas. It then became a pleasant surprise to have the story reveal itself to me. I found it to be thoughtfully written and with a lyrical feel. I highly recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine, exciting read, April 21, 2003

By 

Sandi K. Cary "G-ma Sandi" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CHARITY: A Novel (Hardcover)

This book was so well written I felt I was discovering who the culprit was along with the writer. I love the way the words wove together and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. On the same note I didn't want the book to end because I wanted the words to go on. The characters were real and the mystery was exciting. I highlty recommend this book and look forward to many more from this author.