The Turning Hour [Hardcover]

Shelley Fraser Mickle (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With impressive credibility, and even humor, Mickle (The Queen of October) explores the tragic and potentially maudlin subject of teen suicide, creating an engrossing narrative that manages to avoid sentimentality and bathos. Based on a real incident, the novel interweaves the story of Bergin Talbot, a smart, popular 17-year-old whose attempt at suicide initially seems inexplicable, with that of her mother, Leslie, a public defender who's found contentment in a second marriage. Having survived physically (she's discovered by her stepbrother), Bergin must confront a soul-searing spiritual question, "how do I get back?" The background to her desperate act and her struggle to return to a normal life, to bond again with her mother and the rest of the family, and to fit in again with her peers, are detailed with psychological acuity and genuine feeling. Bergin's voice is irresistible: a refreshing blend of feigned nonchalance, irreverence and just plain funky teen, poignant in what it reveals obliquely. Alternating chapters are narrated by Leslie, with more mature urgency and self-recriminations as she seeks to understand the reasons behind Bergin's emotional breakdown. The circumstances of her own life, as she gradually reveals them, are affecting, and her sorrow over Bergin's emotional distress is almost palpable. Mickle can nail a characterization in a single sentence and break your heart with witty rue. Set in north Florida and laced with front-porch wisdom, this is Ordinary People made right again, and graced with humor. Agent, Sam Pinkus. (Nov.)Forecast: Mickle will probably garner her first sales in Florida, where she writes essays for the Orlando Sentinel, and reads on Florida Public Radio. Her fans on NPR's Morning Edition and her active Web site will help move books farther afield.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: River City Pub; First Edition edition (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913515221
• ISBN-13: 978-0913515228
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,105,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Word Painting, October 27, 2007

By 

Richard A. Moskovitz - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Turning Hour (Paperback)

When I began reading The Turning Hour, the voice of the teenaged Bergin reminded me of Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones. As I continued reading, however, I found myself immersed in a story written without gimmicks or guile that portrayed ordinary people grappling with an extraordinary situation. Shelley Frazer Mickle develops the portraits of people striving to connect with one another, but missing the mark until a desperate cry for help forces them to learn to know and cherish one another.

As I read, I anticipated the revelation of a secret, an ancient trauma or tragedy, that would explain why a young girl would give up on life. No such formula followed. What I found instead was a journey through the mysteries of the heart as ordinary people interact with one another amidst the many demands on their time and energy. Through the eyes of Bergin and her mother Leslie, we get to know each of these people gradually, layer upon layer, like watching the creation of a painting, while the language of the narrators lend authenticity to their characters and their stories.

This is a story that would appeal to anyone interested in learning how to love and how to deal with disappointment at the hands of those who would love them. It is of particular value, however, to anyone who has ever had to deal with a suicide or attempt by someone close to them. And therapists may take instruction from a portrayal of a therapist who facilitates discovery in her patients of what lies within their own hearts rather than trying to lead them to preconceived answers.

Richard A. Moskovitz, MD, author of Lost in the Mirror: an Inside Look at Borderline Personality Disorder and Carousel Music: a Novel.
Lost in the Mirror, 2nd Edition: An Inside Look at Borderline Personality Disorder
Carousel Music

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars well done!, November 24, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Turning Hour (Hardcover)

this is a book about teenage sucide. The author demonstrated great sensitivity for the readers. The subject matter for all who have adolescent children is a difficult one. Yet, I came away with so much knowledge and insite that I wasn't appalld by the topic,as I thought I would be. Again, the author does a good job describing Bergins (victim's name) interruption of what was troubling her. I found it most insightful of the therapist treatment(homework assignments) for Bergin. Atlas, a happy ending and for the reader a clear understanding of what was going on in Bergins mind and what she was feeling.
Especially recommended for adolescence from divorced homes.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars well written story, November 23, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Turning Hour (Hardcover)

This is a book about a teenage suicide. From start to finish the book was sensitive to the reader re the subject matter. A difficult subject, indeed. I found the book insightful into the mind of a teenager and her way of interrupting life and her particular situation. The cause for her to take her life had an extraordinary simple explantion ,yet, the obvious was hidden
from all those who loved her due to the comman everyday ciurcumstances in their own life. The author keeps the readers interest throughout the book . Bergin's (girl victim) interaction with her psychiatrist was the best of all . The Simple homework given Bergin had a healing affect on the reader as well.
I enjoyed this book .Perhaps, because it had a happy ending or perhaps I totally shared with Bergin the healing effects of her treatment and a genuine understanting about sucide and some of the reasons why a young girl would want to end it all.
I think the book helps me to be a better mom not to look through my child or put his needs second to mine at any point in his vunerable life. He too comes from a home of divorced parents. The author makes the reader sensitive to the communication she has with her children and to how vulnerable our precious adolescent truly are. A good book!