by Raymond L. Atkins
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by Diane Ackerman
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Sumner, author of the story collection Polite Society, has written a sure-footed first novel with no idea where to go: her voice is clear, yet the story she tells is anything but. At the outset, the focus is on the fractious, flamboyant Peppers clan of Counterpoint, Ga.: Louise, the narrator; her older brother, Roderick, a boy with severe asthma; her father, Henry, a punctilious, warm-hearted cardboard plant manager; and her mother, Florida, the high-strung, artistic, ambitious daughter of Kentucky hill folk, desperate to make her family respectable. Defiant and deeply troubled Louise has other plans, especially after Roderick's accidental death. But whereas Sumner's rendering of Louise's upbringing is filled with finely observed moments, Louise's downward spiral is loose and untidy. It is never made quite clear why Louise seduces a worker at her father's plant, applies to clown school, rejects religion, runs off to the circus or becomes an alcoholic although Louise insists she's guilty of Roderick's death, the pacing of the novel is so erratic that her grief and growing-up both become hard to follow. The novel's many vivid and provocative characters aren't given much to do other than provide a colorful backdrop, and the book's often uproarious humor tries a bit too hard to entertain. The novel falters until the last bittersweet section, which finds Louise among a loony and lovable group of alcoholic carnies. While not without charm and some strong writing, Louise's story reads as if Sumner discovered the tale she should have written hiding in this novel's last hundred pages. (Sept. 28)Forecast: Sumner, winner of a Whiting Award, is a writer of great promise, but in this first novel she fails to harness her storytelling abilities. Still, a cheeky cover and an author tour should attract some readers, particularly in the South.
From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-The wry comic narrator of this novel will immediately capture teens' attention with her vivid, figurative language. Louise Peppers is the only daughter of a loving, middle-class family in Counterpoint, GA. However, her grief and guilt over the death of her older brother eventually lead her to abuse alcohol, engage in loveless sex, and drop out of college to join the circus. Louise's parents are also devastated by Roderick's untimely death, but they work hard over the years to help their daughter cope. Her mother is a fashion-conscious, amateur artist who tries to instill Christian values into Louise. Her father is a well-paid and dedicated factory manager who is willing to spend money liberally to satisfy his family's desires. The story takes place sometime during the last quarter of the 20th century. Though her parents don't discuss it, Louise is keenly aware of and disillusioned by the different forms of social injustice and prejudice that she observes throughout the novel. The book jacket is a real draw with its whimsical photos of a young woman wearing a halter and showing off her trendy body piercings. Teens will be interested in Louise's reckless acts of rebellion and rage, and through her story, they will also see the contrast between the warm, unconditional (if sometimes suffocating) love of her parents and the superficial, capricious affections of the circus staff.
Joyce Fay Fletcher, Rippon Middle School, Prince William County, VA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
See all Editorial Reviews
Sumner, author of the story collection Polite Society, has written a sure-footed first novel with no idea where to go: her voice is clear, yet the story she tells is anything but. At the outset, the focus is on the fractious, flamboyant Peppers clan of Counterpoint, Ga.: Louise, the narrator; her older brother, Roderick, a boy with severe asthma; her father, Henry, a punctilious, warm-hearted cardboard plant manager; and her mother, Florida, the high-strung, artistic, ambitious daughter of Kentucky hill folk, desperate to make her family respectable. Defiant and deeply troubled Louise has other plans, especially after Roderick's accidental death. But whereas Sumner's rendering of Louise's upbringing is filled with finely observed moments, Louise's downward spiral is loose and untidy. It is never made quite clear why Louise seduces a worker at her father's plant, applies to clown school, rejects religion, runs off to the circus or becomes an alcoholic although Louise insists she's guilty of Roderick's death, the pacing of the novel is so erratic that her grief and growing-up both become hard to follow. The novel's many vivid and provocative characters aren't given much to do other than provide a colorful backdrop, and the book's often uproarious humor tries a bit too hard to entertain. The novel falters until the last bittersweet section, which finds Louise among a loony and lovable group of alcoholic carnies. While not without charm and some strong writing, Louise's story reads as if Sumner discovered the tale she should have written hiding in this novel's last hundred pages. (Sept. 28)Forecast: Sumner, winner of a Whiting Award, is a writer of great promise, but in this first novel she fails to harness her storytelling abilities. Still, a cheeky cover and an author tour should attract some readers, particularly in the South.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-The wry comic narrator of this novel will immediately capture teens' attention with her vivid, figurative language. Louise Peppers is the only daughter of a loving, middle-class family in Counterpoint, GA. However, her grief and guilt over the death of her older brother eventually lead her to abuse alcohol, engage in loveless sex, and drop out of college to join the circus. Louise's parents are also devastated by Roderick's untimely death, but they work hard over the years to help their daughter cope. Her mother is a fashion-conscious, amateur artist who tries to instill Christian values into Louise. Her father is a well-paid and dedicated factory manager who is willing to spend money liberally to satisfy his family's desires. The story takes place sometime during the last quarter of the 20th century. Though her parents don't discuss it, Louise is keenly aware of and disillusioned by the different forms of social injustice and prejudice that she observes throughout the novel. The book jacket is a real draw with its whimsical photos of a young woman wearing a halter and showing off her trendy body piercings. Teens will be interested in Louise's reckless acts of rebellion and rage, and through her story, they will also see the contrast between the warm, unconditional (if sometimes suffocating) love of her parents and the superficial, capricious affections of the circus staff.
Joyce Fay Fletcher, Rippon Middle School, Prince William County, VA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
See all Editorial Reviews
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First Sentence:
I WAS BORN AGAIN, for the first time, when I was seven. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Tic Toc, Southern Board, Red Cavern, Arthur Reese, Owl Aerie, Grandmother Deleuth, Louise Peppers, Melanie Sumner, Mount Zion, Reverend Waller, Jesus Christ, America the Beautiful, Human Dragon, Maude Wilson, New Hope River, Raymond Patch, Berry Hill, Lacy Dalton, Most Beautiful Teenager, Zane Wilder, Bellamy Baptist Church, Front Street, Barbara Groche, Myrtle Beach, Regina Bloodworth New!
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Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
I WAS BORN AGAIN, for the first time, when I was seven. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Tic Toc, Southern Board, Red Cavern, Arthur Reese, Owl Aerie, Grandmother Deleuth, Louise Peppers, Melanie Sumner, Mount Zion, Reverend Waller, Jesus Christ, America the Beautiful, Human Dragon, Maude Wilson, New Hope River, Raymond Patch, Berry Hill, Lacy Dalton, Most Beautiful Teenager, Zane Wilder, Bellamy Baptist Church, Front Street, Barbara Groche, Myrtle Beach, Regina Bloodworth New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 11
books:
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- North Carolina (Celebrate the States) by David Shirley on page 267
- James Joyce (Writers and Their Work. New Series.) by Steven Connor on page 195
- Romeo and Juliet (Folger Shakespeare Library) by William Shakespeare on page 65
- Light in August: The Corrected Text (Modern Library) by William Faulkner on page 195
- Romeo And Juliet by William Shakespeare on page 65
See all 11 books this book cites
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