Paper Wings: Novel, a

By Marly Swick

Book Overview

Everyone in Suzanne's family acknowledges her mothers instability, yet no one has any idea why she suffers these bouts of depression. They simply accept them as fact and enjoy the moments when she emerges from them, buoyant and energetic. With Kennedy's election, presidency and assassination as background, Suzanne tells the story of the dissolution, and ultimate redemption, of her family. Sure to appeal to readers of Barbara Kingsolver, Alice Hoffman and Mona Simpson, Paper Wings is a subtle and moving novel about a mother and daughter who struggle, hope, and learn from each other how to emerge from shadows of tragedy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060928379
• ISBN13: 9780060928377
• Release Date: April 1997
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

You may have read this sort of thing before, but...

Paper Wings manages to maintain a unique, sweet, clear voice and vision. Another "fictional memoir" about being a child during the Kennedy assassination? "Oh, spare me!", right? Swick's book has an excellent, easy flow, and, although it's not a "can't put it down" book, you certainly don't want to put it down. Worth ordering though it seems to be currently out of print.

Transcendental

I just finished this book and am still savoring its sweetness! Marly Swick is a new-found hero of mine.....she proves an incredible talent for letting you see through the eyes of a 12-year old child in this coming-of-age, touching and reminiscent novel. Her attention to detail is an important aspect of her writing and allowed me to relate entirely to this story of growing up in the 1960's. I found this book comforting and joyful, even in its "sadness", and that is a true testament to Ms. Swick's abilities!

incredably moving

this book is the most realistic book i've ever read.if you've ever had to live with a mother who was obsesive,you'd know exactly what the 1963 girl was talking about.

beautiful, powerful, moving, enchanting

this is the most beautiful book I have ever read. It evoke's tears in my eyes, just thinking about it. I identified with it like magic. Marly Swick is a genius and a magician.

An unforgettably moving book

For anyone who grew up with a mentally unstable or an unhappy mother and remembers November 23, 1963, this book is a must. It has been at least ten years since I have read a book from cover to cover in one sitting. The writing is superb with such clear imagery that I often thought, "That's exactly how one feels!" The author is an artist. Her writing flows without pompousness, pretension, or contrivance of plot.