Customer Reviews

Singing Songs: A Novel

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...and the really sad thing is that it's a story that's repeated too often in real life (a fact that should be recognized by the number of fictional works dealing with this subject). All of the books written around the subject of sexual abuse (and I'm not giving away anything by mentioning that -- it's obvious from the inside cover flap) are not as well-written as this, however.

Tilly has captured the essence of any book that sets out to tell a story from the perspective of a child -- she has found an authentic voice for her young narrator, without coming across as patronizing or forced. Young Anna's thoughts and memories ring very true, allowing the reader to plunge into her frightening world and experience it along with her. In the course of the story, she frequently experiences stomach cramps -- no doubt from anxiety -- and I actually felt myself feeling them in several places in the narrative.

One of the most heart-wrenching things about Anna's story is that, more than any other book I can remember that deals with this subject, she is subjected to abuse by so many perpetrators -- not just her stepfather (again, this is mentioned on the cover flap), but several other adults and even children more or less her own age. The strength and determination that she shows (and that actual survivors must draw upon if they are not to remain victims for the rest of their lives) is amazing. It hurts to read about a child being subjected to such horrors as Anna is forced to endure -- but it's an eye-opening experience for the reader. It's also important to remember that these horrors actually happen to more children 'in real life' than most people would dare to imagine -- I think it's the great shame of our so-called 'civilization' that it happens at all.

Meg Tilly has shown with this novel that she's not only a talented actress -- she's a talented writer as well. I hope, with this novel 'out of her system', she chooses to give us more tastes of this side of her abilities.

I read the original edition of Ms. Tilly's debut novel about 2 years ago and greatly enjoyed it. She reminds me of Dorothy Allison in a lot of ways -- similar subject matter, similar compelling story, you can't put it down, despite the horrors these abused children endure at the hands of their mother and stepfather, along with his sons. I re-read Singing Songs recently -- I got my grubby little hands on an advance reader's copy of the new edition of Singing Songs being reissued this fall by Syren Book Company, at the same time the publisher is releasing Gemma, Ms. Tilly's second novel. This new edition is BRILLIANT! Ms. Tilly wrote a foreword to the new edition that will KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF! As will the new cover art. All I can say about the new cover of Singing Songs is: a picture is worth a thousand words. Ms. Tilly's decision not to make any more movies may be film buffs' loss -- but the fact that she's writing fiction is book readers' gain.

For a writer to capture the voice of a child and write a compelling page turning story is quite difficult. Meg Tilly writes in the voice of Anna, a young girl growing up in a dysfunctional, abusive family. The innocence of children is portrayed through the games created by Anna and her siblings in an effort to escape their harsh reality of poverty and disenaged parents. The haunting scenes of abuse told through a child's eyes make this book more than a tale of family, but a tale of the resilience of children as they attempt to live their lives in the absence of parental guidance. Meg Tilly eases the tension with humor through the interactions of the siblings. It turns into a coming of age at the end of the novel as Anna enters pre-teen age and starts experimenting with the pressures face by a teenager. Although it is told is a child's voice, I recommend this novel for mature audiences only.

This is a wonderful book as most everyone states, but it is not fiction. Meg Tilly has recently admitted that this is a true account of her childhood. Keep that in mind as you read...

As a former social worker I found this book to be disturbingly accurate in its' portrayal of an abusive family. Children are so much more resilient than we give them credit for. Parents such as these who are self-absorbed and narcissistic are all too common. Fortunately, most such as Anna are forgiving. The unknown is far too frightening. Anna is a survivor and will prove to either be just like her mother or the opposite. Meg has struck a cord in this former social workers heart. I only wish she would write more!

I loved Singing Songs and think Meg Tilly is as talented a writer as she is an actress. She reminds me of Dorothy Allison or even Alice Sebold. She is able to write about these incredibly painful things in such a way as to completely draw the reader in to her world and care about the characters.Wow. I hope to see more novels from Meg Tilly.

When I first heard this book was coming out, quite a few years ago, I knew I must have it. Well I never could find it. I forgot about it, then I was looking on Ebay for something and found it again. I won the bidding and started reading the book yesterday. 8 hours later I was finished, I couldn't put it down. I related to the characters and that can be very theraputic. This book moved me and I am very glad I read it. Thank you Meg for this fabulous book

I hardly know where to begin with this one. Singing Songs made me laugh. It made me weep. It made me proud. It made me angry. It made me want to grab up those young children and take them far away from the horrible "grown-ups" who were supposed to be caring for them, nurturing them into adulthood. Yet, at the same time, it reminded me of the resourcefulness of young minds that can learn to function very effectively in circumstances of almost total physical and psychological neglect.

This book is a collection of incidents in the life of a young girl named Anna. It takes place in the American Northwest in the nineteen sixties. There's not a lot of detail with regard to setting, time and place, but, then, that's not where the message lies.

When the book was first published, its author, Meg Tilly, declared the characters and events to be fictitious, but, with this edition (Oct 06), she admits Singing Songs is about her own life as a child. One wonders how a child survives such a childhood. Tilly, however, has more than survived. She has become a successful actress and the mother of three children herself. Apparently it was becoming a mother that triggered the long-suppressed memories of her troubled childhood and turned her into a writer.

Although there are many disturbing events in this book, one thing shines through: Anna is smart and wise beyond her years, though certainly an innocent. She learns how to turn many a disastrous event into an asset. Along with a boatload of premature responsibility, there are some carefree childhood adventures that build resourcefulness and guile. Anna and her siblings can prepare a complete turkey dinner from roast turkey, complete with stuffing and all the trimmings, at an early age, entirely on their own. They can take care of young animals, including a skunk they chase down and keep until Mother finds him in the house. They discover, and thoroughly enjoy, the thrill and danger of jumping from an upper level window onto a metal roof, sailing off its edge into a monstrous snow bank below. These incidents barely scratch the surface.

Singing Songs is told from Anna's point of view which allows the reader to observe her cunning in dealing with many of the challenges presented to her, particularly those of the sexually abusive men in her life and the lives of her sisters.

Anyone contemplating a career in working with children, contemplating having children, or already parents or teachers, would benefit from reading this book. Told from a child's view, this series of unfortunate events provides much insight into the mind of a young child and how she perceives the world around her, drawing some wrong conclusions along with many correct ones. Evidence of Anna's quick, intuitive mind is everywhere.

Singing Songs is not a feel good book, but it will increase the reader's admiration for youthful determination in the effort to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in one's upbringing.

Carolyn Rowe Hill

When I found out that an actress wrote a fiction story,I assumed it would not be that great.However ,this book was written so that it continued and led on,instead of getting boring,it was a book that made me feel like i was reading a diary,very personal,at times shocking.I know now that Tilly is a great author.Its like going beyond the overseen headlines of abused children and being abused with her,as strange as that seems.Changed my views.

I enjoyed this book because reading it helped me get through what had happened in my life.