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Book Reviewed by:Epic, propulsive, incredibly ambitious, and dazzlingly written, The Resurrection of Joan Ashby is a story about sacrifice and motherhood, the burdens of expectation and genius. Cherise Wolas's gorgeous debut introduces an indelible heroine candid about her struggles and unapologetic in her ambition.
I viewed the consumptive nature of love as a threat to serious women. But the wonderful man I just married believes as I do--work is paramount, absolutely no children - and now love seems to me quite marvelous.
These words are spoken to a rapturous audience by Joan Ashby, a brilliant and intense literary sensation acclaimed for her explosively dark and singular stories.
When Joan finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she is stunned by Martin's delight, his instant betrayal of their pact. She makes a fateful, selfless decision then, to embrace her unintentional family.
Challenged by raising two precocious sons, it is decades before she finally completes her masterpiece novel. Poised to reclaim the spotlight, to resume the intended life she gave up for love, a betrayal of Shakespearean proportion forces her to question every choice she has made.
Excerpt
The Resurrection of Joan Ashby
A fair came to Rhome the first weekend of August, setting up in a huge field where the hay had been sickle-mowed, leaving behind a flat, golden carpet. The field was ten miles past the Mannings' neighborhood, now called Peachtree by almost everyone. It was hot and sunny, the cloudless sky a rich blue. All of Rhome seemed to have turned out, as well as a good part of the populations of the towns on either side of it, for the fair was bustling when Joan and Martin and the boys arrived. White and beige tents dotted the landscape and booths had been set up and were doing a brisk business selling local produce, home-made jams and preserves, cheeses made from cows and goats and sheep from the nearby farms, wine bottled from Rappahannock County and Shenandoah Valley grapes. For the kids, there were Italian ices and sno-cones to lick, cotton candy to pull apart, and rides—a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, a small roller coaster, a riding ring ...
This is an amazing book! If I could think of other superlatives to describe it, I would use them (Diane H). Wow! And double wow! This book made everything else I've read lately seem simplistic, dull, unimaginable and shallow (Gwen C). I was completely intrigued and found it very hard to put down; it kept me engrossed until the very end (Nancy L). I seldom give a 5 rating, but the story and the writing held me from the first to last page without my interest flagging at any point (Harriette K). This may be the best debut novel I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Each sentence is exquisitely written, the characters are unique and fully developed with extremely insightful examinations of what drives each of them, and the format of including literature written by the main character enhances and supports the plot. This book is everything that you want a great piece of literature to be (Amy P)...continued
Full Review
(783 words)
(Reviewed by First Impressions Reviewers).
A.M. Homes
A stunning debut...Reminds me of my most favorite authors: J.D. Salinger, Carson McCullers, Truman Capote, Joan Didion. Ivy Pochoda, author of Visitation Street
Cherise Wolas has delivered an audacious and dynamic first novel. The Resurrection of Joan Ashby is a remarkable tapestry of literary skill, emotional insight, and sensational storytelling. Sarah Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Postmistress
This is the kind of book that pulls you under and you go willingly. And when it's over, you come up for air and see anew. In giving us the story of one woman's struggle to write her own life, Wolas captures worlds in worlds here, and lives in lives. As many currents run in a single river, The Resurrection of Joan Ashby is rich and wide, and deep.In The Resurrection of Joan Ashby, the eponymous main character struggles to maintain her career as a writer while raising two children. She is not alone; thousands of women grapple with this issue every day. In recent years many books have been published aimed at this demographic with the goal of providing advice, guidance and support. A few of the more popular are listed below.
The Milk Memos: How Real Moms Learned to Mix Business with Babies and How You Can, Too by Cate Colburn-Smith and Andrea Serrette (2007)
This book was started when Cate Colburn-Smith sat down in IBM's company lactation room and scribbled on a paper towel, "I'm a new mom and today is my first day back at work. Is anyone else using this room?" ...
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