Ebook395 pages4 hours
Blue Plate Special
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
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About this ebook
The lives of three troubled girls, of three different generations, intertwine: “Evocative . . . [The] protagonists are distinctive and sympathetic.” —Publishers Weekly
An Eliot Rosewater Award Nominee
Shortlisted for a Cybil Award
Spanning from the late 1970s to 2009, this novel follows the stories of three young women raised by single mothers in upstate New York. Madeline eats compulsively and tries to be ultra-responsible as she copes with her self-centered, alcoholic mom. Desiree clings to her boyfriend to avoid her verbally abusive mother, who neglects her in favor of her beloved soap operas. And smart, ambitious Ariel gets love and support from her mother, but struggles with a father in prison and a possessive, controlling boyfriend. Each experiences trauma that could shatter her spirit. But ultimately, a hard-earned healing will unite them.
“Kwasney effectively develops her characters into multidimensional personalities, convincing in their strengths and weakness.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Kwasney’s protagonists are distinctive and empathetic, her narratives meticulously structured and realistic, exposing the unpredictability—and sometimes unfairness—that life can bring.” —Publishers Weekly
An Eliot Rosewater Award Nominee
Shortlisted for a Cybil Award
Spanning from the late 1970s to 2009, this novel follows the stories of three young women raised by single mothers in upstate New York. Madeline eats compulsively and tries to be ultra-responsible as she copes with her self-centered, alcoholic mom. Desiree clings to her boyfriend to avoid her verbally abusive mother, who neglects her in favor of her beloved soap operas. And smart, ambitious Ariel gets love and support from her mother, but struggles with a father in prison and a possessive, controlling boyfriend. Each experiences trauma that could shatter her spirit. But ultimately, a hard-earned healing will unite them.
“Kwasney effectively develops her characters into multidimensional personalities, convincing in their strengths and weakness.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Kwasney’s protagonists are distinctive and empathetic, her narratives meticulously structured and realistic, exposing the unpredictability—and sometimes unfairness—that life can bring.” —Publishers Weekly
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Reviews for Blue Plate Special
Rating: 4.153846115384615 out of 5 stars
4/5
26 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was an amazing read. In the 1970's Madeline spends all of her time taking care of her alcoholic mother, making no life of her own until it is almost too late. In 1999 Desiree's mother ignores her, unless it's to criticize. When she is raped by her mother's boyfriend, everyone's life is forever changed. Ariel is being raised by her mother. Ariel's boyfriend Shane wants just a little bit too much from her. The chapters alternate in each young woman's voice and Desiree's story is written in a different format, although it is still prose.
The book follows three seperate teenagers each about 15 years apart. Over the course of their stories, you realize that the girls are related. The reader is able to see how the previous generation's experiences affect the future's, both for the negative and the positive. This story really focuses on realizing how chains of events are set into being. They also serve as a reminder that no one's life is easy and sometimes people just don't know how to handle what is thrown at them. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This wound up being my final book of the year. This little gem was number 100. I saw this on a list for teens, made by teens, for my library (I try to keep up with what they're talking about). I enjoyed this book a great deal. One of the girls sections was even written in free verse. You know that's been my thing lately. Anyway, for all of their differences, these girls had undercurrents of similarities. You know we're all more alike than we realize. They were all very different people though. The times were different and I thought that part was really cool too. I had my favorites of the girls, but loved their stories individually and the meshing of them as well. I kept thinking, now I know these girls have to be linked in some way. It took awhile, but did start becoming clear. However, there was one final link between all of them that I never saw coming. It was like lightning out of a clear blue sky. Where did that come from?! It was awesome! Hats off to Ms. Kwasney for sneaking that one in there and blowing me away with it. I loved this book because it told you that while yes, we come into life with leftovers, it's all in how you use them. It told girls that it's okay to value who you are and NOT allow yourself to be abused or taken advantage of. It spoke to the strength of women, whether we know it or not. We, as women tend to sell ourselves short or let ourselves feel 'less than'. This book celebrates women in all of their flawed, broken, but still amazingly strong states. And the cover is very cool really. I'm giving it 5 kisses!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Writing a review without disclosing too much is somewhat difficult. Rolling out three running stories of three young women, Blue Plate Special is a treat. Its horrible ingredients of an alcoholic pill popper, a victim of child rape, and a young lady caught in a controlling relationship swirl together to create a wonderfully bitter meal. Order up.
Book preview
Blue Plate Special - Michelle D. Kwasney
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