Customer Reviews

Delta Girls: A Novel (Random House Reader's Circle)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A facinating book that kept me reading. Delta Girls tells two parallel stories, told in alternating chapters. One story is about Karen, an 18 year old figure skater, and the other Izzy, a single mother working as a migrant farm worker.

As the book progresses, it becomes clear that Izzy, and her ten year old daughter Quinn, are living incognito; Quinn doesn't attend school and Izzy avoids making friends, being in photos, or anything that might expose her. To what? Perhaps something to do with Quinn's father? Or some criminal act? Sometimes Izzy has memories of a different life than the one she lives with Quinn, traveling, often sleeping in her car, and taking Quinn with her everywhere. When new characters enter their lives, and events shake their temporary but comfortable living situation, I grew more curious, more anxious to solve the riddles of Izzy's past.

Karen is sheltered and driven by her mother Deena to practice, diet, and train for endless figure skating competitions. When Karen gets a new skating partner, Nathan, her world changes. Nathan is sexual and has a dark side that scares and attracts Karen. This plot develops as Karen changes and more is revealed about Nathan.

The settings for both stories were almost as absorbing as the characters. Brandeis puts in vivid details about the world of competitive skating and also about the the pear orchard where Izzy works. Many of the other characters are very unique. While this isn't a novel with many twists and turns, instead it builds to the surprising conclusion as the author puts in enough clues and mis-clues to keep this reader guessing until the end.

This novel kept me interested right from the beginning. I have always loved books with seemingly unrelated parallel story lines(ala, The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo). I know that the story lines will converge at some point in the novel and the mystery lover in me keeps trying to figure out how. I will not give away the surprise, but suffice it to say it was well worth the wait. I also learned so much about an area I had never heard of before; the Sacramento River delta agricultural region of California. It's amazing how a whole other,unknown,interesting way of life can be right under your nose (so to speak). I hope many more people will read, and love this book.

Long after I'd closed the book, Izzy and her daughter lingered in my mind. I found myself wanting to continue inhabiting their world; I told friends about them as if I literally had. Reading Brandeis's fiction is like entering an alternative reality where I quickly become part of the family she creates on the pages. It was as painful for me to walk out on the ice as it was for Karen; Nathan was so real I wanted to slap him. The story inspired a visceral reaction from start to finish -- including hunger for pears. And, for a person who prides herself on figuring out the ending of every mystery story and detective show I watch, I was wowed by the ending.

Within this novel are woven stories, voices, that will literally capture your heart...in the unique story-telling voice of Ms. Brandeis that makes you weep and laugh at the same time. Alma Luz Villanueva

All third grader Quinn can remember is that she and her mom Izzy have always been on the move. Nine years old, her mom works the California farms as a migrant fruit picker. In the Sacramento River Delta, Mr. Viera offers Izzy a chance to stay permanently. Quinn especially wants that as the entire Viera family especially Ben is very kind to mom and daughter. In fact so much so Izzy forgets she is on the run from her past; an incident that haunts her. That is until whales get trapped nearby putting a spotlight on the Delta and those volunteers like Izzy for the world to see.

Karen is a teenage star figure skater. Her latest partner Nathan is a hunk who takes her to new heights. However, her mother Deena is a demanding coach who wants the gold at any price. Apparently as Karen and Nathan are on the brink of achieving this, their passion ignites too.

The Delta Girls is a delightful compelling character study that rotates subplots between Izzy and Karen as the tale looks deeply at mother-daughter relationships. The story line meanders a bit slow as the players are established, but also drills inside the souls of Izzy and Karen and to a degree the support cast. With a great twist that brings the two sagas together, fans who appreciate a discerning look at motherhood will enjoy this thoughtful tale.

Harriet Klausner

Author Gayle Brandeis once again tackles human and environmental rights in her newest novel, Delta Girls. The novel brings us deep into the migrant worker's life in the California pear groves. Issues of race, class, gender, and sustainability surface through the journey of Izzy and her daughter Quinn. Peppered with quirky characters (an abcderian poet!), a rich landscape, and a secret, Delta Girls pulls the reader into the land as much as it pulls us into the lives of its characters. Landscape and place provide a foundation for Izzy to begin to feel safe once again, and as the novel unfolds and the storylines converge, the reader realizes that the most treacherous landscape of all is the inward journey of the self, and the path to wholeness involves not only an outward quest, but an inner reconciliation, forgiveness, and compassion.