|
With Debrah Williamson’s first women’s fiction novel, Singing with the Top Down, readers will find a heart warming story of one girl’s personal discovery in a more idyllic time in America. In 1955, a fluke accident at a traveling carnival leaves teenager Pauly Mahoney and her brother, Buddy, tragically orphaned with nowhere to go. Rather than fighting over whom in the family gets to care for the children, as we all hope our families would do, the Mahoneys’ biggest argument is how to get rid of the children fastest. Already older than her years, Pauly has become cynical about life. When Aunt Nora comes to their rescue, Pauly is doubtful of what this life will be like. Thus begins the greatest adventure of Pauly’s young life. As they journey across the western US, from Oklahoma to California, Pauly learns many valuable lessons, and meets a variety of people who color her life. Soon she learns that home and family are flexible ideals, and are really what she makes of them. What a charming tale! Pauly is a delightful young girl, full of spirit, and fiercely protective of her brother. She had to grow up too fast, never really getting to experience childhood, until tragedy brings Aunt Nora in to her life. Now she gets to experience her life as it could have been, if not for the loads of responsibility heaped on her by her too-carefree parents. Readers get to experience life through a new set of eyes, alongside of Pauly as she turns over so much of her burden to Aunt Nora’s shoulders. The eclectic cast of characters they pick up along the way add so many different tones to the story. We meet Pauly’s beloved brother, a polio survivor, and watch as he conquers the setbacks caused by his illness. Aunt Nora is full of life, happy and free, exactly how so many of us wish we could be. There is elderly Tybolt, nursing home escapee, with his perky Puppy, who only wants to spend the rest of his life on his own terms. He doesn’t want to be locked up in a home where his son shoved him to be free of the burden of caring for Tybolt. Who can forget the young Indian woman and her daughter, or down on his luck Joe, formerly of the military? Then we meet one of the most memorable characters ever, who never says a word? Why? Because it’s an ancient mummified Indian baby! Every single person Pauly meets has some impact on the vivacious young girl, altering her life for all time, sometimes good sometimes bad. Sit back, grab a nice cold drink and a snack, because you will not want to quit reading until the story is done. And I can assure you, you won’t remain unmoved by Pauly’s journey! © Kelley A. Hartsell, July 2006. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2006-2008 CK2S Kwips and Kritiques. All rights reserved. |
Singing with the Top Down
Rating:
Posted July 2006 |
|
