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How Clarissa Burden Learned To Fly (2010)

by Connie May Fowler(Favorite Author)
3.43 of 5 Votes: 1
ISBN
0446540684 (ISBN13: 9780446540681)
languge
English
genre
publisher
Grand Central Publishing
review 1: 9/10I loved this. It's quirky and emotional and a bit mystical. There are passages written from the perspective of a literal fly on the wall. A one-armed provisional angel with ant-infested dreadlocks. Dwarves. Lifesaving ghosts. Worm grunting. Revenge fantasies.While there are lots of ways Clarissa and I are quite different, I can relate to her in others (e.g., that terrifying intersection of raging anger and fear of change and hope and the waffling and missteps that occur there; the [in my case former — don't worry] tendency to stick with terrible relationships out of inertia and the sense that this is as good as it gets or as good as we deserve). It's not a book for everyone — I can see how some readers would be frustrated with Clarissa's doormat tendencies, and yo... moreu have to have a high tolerance for stretching the boundaries between the real world and others to really enjoy this — but I adored it.
review 2: Although it takes a chapter or two to fall into the rhythm of this book, once the reader does, Clarissa’s world opens up to us in an extraordinary way. Fowler brings to light not only the unspeakable beauty but also the devastating and sometimes cruel world in which we live. Clarissa both entertains and chills us with her spousal death sequences. We learn about the ghost women and children of Poor Spot Cemetery. We also learn the history and why the ghost family haunts her home. Fowler takes us on a bewildering and curious roller coaster ride until finally, the reader understands not only Clarissa’s present marital frustrations but also the lingering remnants from her childhood. Amy Tan said of Connie May Fowler: "If writing is a gift, then Connie May Fowler must have been bestowed with the gift of ten Muses.” These muses not only inspired How Clarissa Learned to Fly but make several personal appearances as well. Fowler introduces us to a world of beauty, danger, and unspeakable acts of human cruelty. Then, she shows us the strength a woman can find to survive it, all waiting silently, just below the surface of her life. Clarissa Burden will capture your heart. You will weep with her, be angry with her and cheer her on along with the voices of her “ovarian shadow women” as she faces the fears both within and outside of herself. Settle in to read this book with a large cup of tea, warm fuzzy slippers, a comfy throw and a seat belt because once you open the pages of this book you won’t want to put it down until the ride is over. less
Reviews (see all)
linatropolis
A little slow for my taste but the writing was so good at times that it made up for it.
howie
One of the best books I have ever read!
AngiLoves
Quick read...almost fluff.
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