Natural Disasters [Paperback]

Julia Salazar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 20, 2006

“There are seasons when life appears to be nothing by an unremitting series of calamities, when the worlds—internal and external—are crumbling, leaving no safe ground on which to stand. Julia Salazar's poignant and poetic novel, Natural Disasters, describes such a season in the life of its protagonist, Jesse Perez, suggests that the key is not only to withstand and survive it, but to heed the call of the universe to ‘wake up’ and learn to live more deeply.”—Terry Wolverton, EMBERS

“Julia Salazar's brave and honest book reminds us that loss—belongings smashed in earthquakes, friends stolen by AIDS—can help us find the strength to change our lives.”—Anne Stockwell, Journalist

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Julia Salazar has an MA in clinical psychology. In 1993, one of her short stories was included in Blood Whispers-Volume II (L.A. Writers on HIV and AIDS. Salazar lives in West Hollywood with her partner, Tracey Stern and their twin daughters.

www.myspace.com/juliasalazar

Product Details

• Paperback: 287 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (April 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595364756
• ISBN-13: 978-0595364756
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,047,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Updated Editorial Review, June 14, 2006

By 

Lightning Source (LaVergne, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Disasters (Paperback)

Set against mudslides, fires and earthquakes in Los Angeles, Natural Disasters is about a friendship between a gay man and a lesbian who work in a Los Angeles AIDS organization called the Alliance. Set in 1993, the protagonist Jesse must navigate her way through burn out, a break-up of a relationship of ten years and her friend Gabe's HIV status and eventual death. "There are seasons when life appears to be nothing by an unremitting series of calamities, when the worlds-internal and external-are crumbling, leaving no safe ground on which to stand. Julia Salazar's poignant and poetic novel, Natural Disasters, describes such a season in the life of its protagonist, Jesse Perez, suggests that the key is not only to withstand and survive it, but to heed the call of the universe to 'wake up' and learn to live more deeply."-Terry Wolverton, EMBERS

"Julia Salazar's brave and honest book reminds us that loss-belongings smashed in earthquakes, friends stolen by AIDS-can help us find the strength to change our lives."-Anne Stockwell, Journalist

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story of Moving Beyond, May 8, 2006

By 

M. Padilla (Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Natural Disasters (Paperback)

Natural Disasters is a compelling read that will keep you flipping pages and wanting more. As parallels between physical, emotional, and natural disasters are drawn, the reader finds an immense emotional connection with the protagonist and her struggles throughout the novel. I highly recommend this to anyone in search of a story about moving beyond tragedy and learning to rebuild from the rubble.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving exploration of how life can change you, May 5, 2006

By 

E. Poole (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Natural Disasters (Paperback)

At turns funny and tragic, this book is a wrenching look at the cataclysmic events that can turn a life inside out, yet can help us to discover who we really are. Disasters can harden us, or deepen our relationships with one another and with God/The Universe/[Your Spiritual Deity here]. It's all up to us.