Starcarbon: A Meditation On Love

Rating:
Summary: Great Story, Great Writing
Review: I actually read this novel without knowing that it followed a previous work of Ellen Gilchrist's. However, I STILL enjoyed it immensely. Starcarbon is intellectual and interesting and moves at a quick over-lapping pace. I often fold over a small corner of a page when I read an interesting bit of prose to go back to later - page after page is dog-earred in my copy of this book. Don't be alarmed by the family tree outlined in the first few pages; it is easy enough to follow along. You'll find yourself in several heads during the course of this book - even if it gets confusing, enjoy the writing and ride it out.

Rating:
Summary: glorious southern disfunctional family..(what else?)
Review: I have just discovered how to connect onto Amazon.com and I am thrilled to be able to get (and give) so much information on READINGS! One of the first authors I looked into wasd one of my very favorites, Ellen Gilchrist. I typed in Starcarbon randomly (I have read all of her works) and was amazed to find that noone had reviewed it. Although it's been a fre years since I read it and had tro go back to my notes to refresh my memory, the enthusiasm I felt (feel) for this book is current. The story is a continuation in the vibrant and evey so interesting lives of the Hand family (We were introduced to them in earlier books). The protagonist is Olivia deHavilland Hand, a young woman, whose mother is a Cherokee Indian. Although the better part of the book deals with her dropping out of Carolina and her going back to Oklahoma (where her tribe lives) to get a better handle on who SHE is , we are reintroduced to other menbers of her family Before Rebecca West had th! e Yaya's, Ellen Gilchrist has the Hand Family. Someos its various settings are New Orleans, Boston, Charlotte - and all of them come alive, as do the wonderful Hands. I particularly appreciated the family chart in the front of this book so that I could connect to the family faster when new books come out. Anyone wanting a sample of Gilchrist's should try her short stories in IN THE LAND OF DREAMY DREAMS. Y'all enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: The book is as interesting as it's title.
Review: This book is fabulous. This was the first book I read about her crazy, intertwined Southern clan. Once I read this, all I wanted to do was sit down and read every book she ever wrote about these people. What impressed me the most was the descriptions of the emotions people felt throughout the story. Each of her characters has a distinct and slightly zany personality. Equipped with a wide range of strong emotions, they all are pondering major life decisions throughout the book. She blends the three stories together masterfully. As I read her other books, I am impressed with how she creates an entire world that revolves around a massive network of characters who are all related by blood or situtation. In case you can't keep up, use the family tree at the front of Starcarbon.