Read in August, 2013

Fascinated with book 1 in the novel, we meet the MCs and settle in to the depression era terrain of the Manitoban prairie of cental Canada. Description of the realities of Lily's father's journey from England to Canada vs the minister's imaginative utopian settlement that set him on the journey; realities of prairie life hardships; relational realities of Lily's childhood journey to adulthood; intensely tangible. Now sixteen, at her grandfather's passing, Lily's father sends her to England to care for his mother...

book 2 - England
Lily meets her father's family who welcome her into their lives as one of their own. She is someone of importance to them. Sisters. Cousins. A Nana who loves and needs her as she struggles with health as Lily's homemaking skills prove essential. Much social and relational growth combined with the opportunity to continue her education adds to her self confidence. The threatened impending war becomes reality. As does the call to return to her homeland, Canada...

book 3 - back home
[without giving away spoilers]
Her grown brother enlists for the Canadian war effort. Upon his departure, homelife erupts with complications. Lily's outgrown the old ways of family doing and being. She's been stretched and no longer fits the framework of her mother's creation. How will Lily survive when she can't choose another life path?

A story that leaves readers without conclusions but enough information to draw one's own. ( )

This is a slow read that is weighted down by the middle section where the protagonist spends some years in England, but its the closest I've seen a book come to Lawrence and much of it is beautifully written. ( )

Reading by Lightning by Joan Thomas, published by Goose Lane Editions, made its way into my mailbox from Mini Book Expo. It's a coming of age novel at a time that the world is on the brink of World War II, particularly in England.

It took me a long while to get into this book, more than 100 pages, which was disheartening. In Book One readers will wander through Lily Piper's musings and her interactions or lack thereof with her parents. The wavering narrative and tangents of Lily drag on for long stretches, and readers may have a hard time following along. Her relationship with her mother is cantankerous at times and Lily is often portrayed as a wayward child led by the sin in her heart. There are a number of instances where Lily wanders off with boys alone, which in many ways should ruin her reputation.

"Wonderful for your maidenly inhibitions (going to hand me the flask and then reaching around me to unscrew it himself and in the process circling me with both arms). The way we tussled around and he pressed the mouth of the flask to my mouth and I resisted or pretended to resist, whiskey meanwhile sliding hotly in through my lips and dribbling down my chin and onto my bathing suit." (Page 88)

To read more, go here: http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/2009/03/reading-by-lightning-by-joan-thomas... ( )