In a sparkling debut, a novelist maps the heart of a mother, before and after her teenage daughter runs away in search of the man she believes is her father.
In her vibrant and wise novel, Liza Nelson captures that pivotal time when a parent's power to shape and shield her child is drawing to an end.
The year is 1986, when airport terrorism, serial killers, and Iran-Contra have put most of the population into a collective funk. But artist Godiva Blue feels safe. A refugee from the late sixties, self-proclaimed visionary, and "lady janitor" at the local elementary school, Godiva believes she has found a haven for herself and her daughter, Dylan, in the backwaters of northwest Florida. Then, on a casual trip to the post office, Godiva glances at the FBI most-wanted poster and recognizes the face of the man with whom she conceived Dylan during an antiwar rally. Meanwhile, at fifteen Dylan is chafing under her mother's overwhelming personality. When she discovers the poster that Godiva had hidden in a rare moment of self-doubt, Dylan begins to build a fantasy future centered on reuniting with her father, setting her--and Godiva's course.
"Wonderful characters," says Anne Lamott of the two perspectives that wondrously mesh and carry the surprise-filled narrative to its satisfying resolution.
"The fabulously named Godiva Blue is a vividly drawn reclamation project from my generation. But her daughter, Dylan, steals the book," enthuses Pat Conroy, affirming the broad appeal of this frank, wry, and unerringly generous tale of reckless love and mindful motherhood.
"Playing Botticelli is one of those wonderful novels that treats the mother-daughter relationship for what it is--part mine field, part love nest."--Pat Conroy
In her vibrant and wise novel, Liza Nelson captures that pivotal time when a parent's power to shape and shield her child is drawing to an end.
The year is 1986, when airport terrorism, serial killers, and Iran-Contra have put most of the population into a collective funk. But artist Godiva Blue feels safe. A refugee from the late sixties, self-proclaimed visionary, and "lady janitor" at the local elementary school, Godiva believes she has found a haven for herself and her daughter, Dylan, in the backwaters of northwest Florida. Then, on a casual trip to the post office, Godiva glances at the FBI most-wanted poster and recognizes the face of the man with whom she conceived Dylan during an antiwar rally. Meanwhile, at fifteen Dylan is chafing under her mother's overwhelming personality. When she discovers the poster that Godiva had hidden in a rare moment of self-doubt, Dylan begins to build a fantasy future centered on reuniting with her father, setting her--and Godiva's course.
"Wonderful characters," says Anne Lamott of the two perspectives that wondrously mesh and carry the surprise-filled narrative to its satisfying resolution.
"The fabulously named Godiva Blue is a vividly drawn reclamation project from my generation. But her daughter, Dylan, steals the book," enthuses Pat Conroy, affirming the broad appeal of this frank, wry, and unerringly generous tale of reckless love and mindful motherhood.
"Playing Botticelli is one of those wonderful novels that treats the mother-daughter relationship for what it is--part mine field, part love nest."--Pat Conroy
