Lucy Peale (Aerial Fiction) [Paperback]

Colby Rodowsky (Author)

Book Description

Series: Aerial Fiction | Publication Date: August 31, 1994

Pregnant after a rape and cruelly rejected by her preacher father, seventeen-year-old Lucy runs away to Ocean City, where she is taken in by Jake, an aspiring writer.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pregnant as the result of a secret rape, Lucy, 17, is faced with a choice: either publicly confess her "sin" at her fundamentalist father's tent meeting or be outcast from the family. Knowing that her baby is "no bad thing," Lucy flees to nearby Ocean City, Md., where she meets Jake, a would-be writer, who lets her stay at his apartment. As Jake feeds her mind with books, movies and music and her spirit is nourished with the concept of a forgiving God, Lucy learns that "Sin City" and the rest of the world that her father condemned isn't such a wicked place after all. With Jake's encouragement, Lucy grows more self-reliant--her plans for the future include Jake, since the couple realize they love each other. In a deft plot twist that keeps the book focused on emotional rather than sexual issues, they agree not to consummate their love until after the baby is born--and after the gratified reader knows that Lucy is mature enough to handle whatever comes along. The only jarring note in Rodowsky's ( Dog Days ; Sydney, Herself ) sweetly moving and otherwise skillful novel is the narrative's occasional inexplicable shift to the first person, a disruption with no appreciable merit. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

A well-regarded author (Sydney, Herself, 1989) tells a heartwarming love story about a pregnant 17-year-old who, cruelly rejected by her preacher father, is taken in by thoroughly wholesome Jake, who has dropped out of college in order to write. Without pausing to discover that Lucy was raped by a boy who first saw her handing out his religious pamphlets in Ocean City, Maryland, Pa commands her to confess her ``sin'' at his revival meeting or leave home. Lucy leaves, sleeps under the boardwalk, then encounters Jake, who offers sanctuary and is sensitive enough to wait until she's ready to confide her troubles. Meanwhile, Lucy gets a job and shares the rent; the two become close friends who talk, help each other, and--gradually, sweetly- -fall in love (agreeing to postpone sex), planning to marry and raise the baby together. Lucy dreads meeting Jake's family at Thanksgiving, but they are as accepting as Jake, especially after Lucy bravely explains their circumstances. The visit is another turning point: reminded of Jake's cherished opportunity to act as ``dogsbody'' for a famous visiting novelist in the spring, Lucy insists he follow through: her sister will help with the baby; if their love is real, it'll endure the separation. Almost--but not quite--too good to be true, these likable young people grow and change as their relationship blossoms; Lucy, especially, is touchingly believable as she begins to reach toward possibilities unimagined in her father's home--including more education and a kind and loving God. Gentle and appealing, written with insight and skill. (Fiction. 12+) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (August 31, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374446598
• ISBN-13: 978-0374446598
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,856,806 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 Amazing Book for Strong Teens, March 12, 2001

By 

Nicole (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lucy Peale (Aerial Fiction) (Paperback)

When I walked into my school media center, I had seen this book called Lucy Peale. I thought nothing of it. So, I took the book... The cover drew me, the preview of it drew me.. Before I knew it, I was sitting in my car reading it. This book was so incredibly amazing! It can show how a young girl can grow strong with the help and love of others. In this case, Jake. I feel in love with Jake's character and sense of compassion. I hope there is a follow up to this story. I would love it! And be right there to purchase it. Thanks for a great book!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Story, August 5, 2000

By 

Monica Landry (Red Deer, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lucy Peale (Aerial Fiction) (Paperback)

This is a very great book. It deals with a teen names Lucey with troubles with her family after being raped. Altough she loves her sister she decides she can't repent in her fathers church because she does not belive that she is a Jesabell and that her baby is not a bad thing. After she desides to leave she goes to Ocean City to the bordwalk the only place she knows to go and stays there untill she meets Jake who becomes her friend and then more but they deside to leave sex untill they are both compleatly ready. This book deals with things that alot of teens can relate to and I would recomend it to anyone who like serious books.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Heartwarming Story, December 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lucy Peale (Aerial Fiction) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book about Lucy, a girl who finds herself pregnant and homeless, and then she meets Jake, who is the most wonderful, perfect, kind, caring guy in the whole world. A wonderful love story.