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The Earth Hums in B Flat

by Mari Strachan

The Earth Hums in B Flat Cover

ISBN13: 9781847671929
ISBN10: 1847671926
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

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Staff Pick

Gwennie struggles against her neighbor's death, her teacher's grief, the village gossips, and her mother's bizarre behavior. To escape it all, she flies above the humming earth in her dreams. The Earth Hums in B Flat is a rare find: a superbly written novel that charms as well as fascinates. First-time novelist Strachan enchants you with her perfect gem of a story.
Recommended by Dianah, Powell's Books at PDX

Synopses & Reviews

Review:

"Twelve-year-old Gwenni Morgan bears witness as her family crumbles under the weight of its secrets in Strachan's lyrical debut. In a small Welsh village swirling with secrets and gossip, few are willing to tell the truth about who they are. Gwenni soars above the local intrigue in her dreams — each night as she drifts off to sleep she flies away from her family and over the nearby fields and farms — and hopes someday to fly during the day as well. Though most, including her mother, see Gwenni's unending curiosity as a nuisance, local schoolteacher Elin Evans nurtures Gwenni's dreams of a different life. When Elin's husband, Ifan, disappears, town tongues wag, and when his body is found, Gwenni's mother mourns him more than seems proper. Strachan ramps up the tension, as Gwenni is caught between loyalties and learns some damning family secrets. The author's light touch keeps the story unfamiliar and surprising, while Gwenni's ber-precocious narration revels in a love for language and reveals an unspoiled innocence about the world. It's small, quiet and nicely done. (June)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Synopsis:

This debut novel by a 62-year-old Welsh novelist tells a story of dark family secrets unraveled by the shrewd insight of 12-year-old Gwenni, a child with an irrepressible spirit living in a Welsh village that is reluctantly entering the modern age.

Synopsis:

The Earth Hums in B Flatis a story of dark family secrets unraveled by the shrewd insight of twelve-year-old Gwenni Morgan, a child with an irrepressible spirit living in a Welsh village that is reluctantly entering the modern age. From the small bed that she shares with her sister at night she flies up into the starry sky above her village and looks down on the lives of its inhabitants. And when the family that she babysits for is rocked by the sudden, unexplainable disappearance of their patriarch, Gwenni is determined to solve the mystery of Ifan Evans whereabouts. Turning amateur detective, she is unaware that the trail will lead her closer to home than she ever imagined.

Told with a breathtaking, irresistible blend of freshness and wisdom, the voice that sixty-two-year-old Welsh debut novelist Mari Strachan has created with Gwenni is vibrant, charming, and full of heart. An unforgettable character, Gwennis unique way of seeing the world lends her the ability to make the ordinary extraordinary. A magical novel about the trials of youth, familial duty, and understanding,The Earth Hums in B Flatwill transport you to another time and place. 


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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
teelgee, September 23, 2009 (view all comments by teelgee)
I seem to be drawn to books narrated by adolescent girls lately. Perhaps it's because there's something so true and honest about them and that they're full of questions, trying to find their way into the complicated and confusing world of adults.

Gwenni Morgan tells the story of her family and that of some of the other residents in her small Welsh village. Her family is coming apart at the seams throughout this journey. Gwenni makes some startling discoveries about them and about other townsfolk as she plays detective while trying to find a missing man, the father of two young girls she sometimes babysits.

There is a touch of magical realism to the novel; Gwenni believes she can fly in her dreams and has some premonitions. She strives to fly while she's awake. Her older sister thinks she's loony and her mother fears that others will think her odd. Her father loves unconditionally.

This is a beautifully told story of family, love, coming of age and honesty.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781847671929
Author:
Strachan, Mari
Publisher:
Canongate Us
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
Domestic fiction
Subject:
Missing persons
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Copyright:
2009
Edition Description:
Trade Paper
Publication Date:
20090631
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Language:
English
Pages:
336
Dimensions:
8.25 x 5.50 in 13.50 oz
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Related Aisles

The Earth Hums in B Flat Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$4.95 In Stock
Product details 336 pages Conongate Us - English 9781847671929 Reviews:
"Staff Pick" by ,

Gwennie struggles against her neighbor's death, her teacher's grief, the village gossips, and her mother's bizarre behavior. To escape it all, she flies above the humming earth in her dreams. The Earth Hums in B Flat is a rare find: a superbly written novel that charms as well as fascinates. First-time novelist Strachan enchants you with her perfect gem of a story.

by Dianah
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "Twelve-year-old Gwenni Morgan bears witness as her family crumbles under the weight of its secrets in Strachan's lyrical debut. In a small Welsh village swirling with secrets and gossip, few are willing to tell the truth about who they are. Gwenni soars above the local intrigue in her dreams — each night as she drifts off to sleep she flies away from her family and over the nearby fields and farms — and hopes someday to fly during the day as well. Though most, including her mother, see Gwenni's unending curiosity as a nuisance, local schoolteacher Elin Evans nurtures Gwenni's dreams of a different life. When Elin's husband, Ifan, disappears, town tongues wag, and when his body is found, Gwenni's mother mourns him more than seems proper. Strachan ramps up the tension, as Gwenni is caught between loyalties and learns some damning family secrets. The author's light touch keeps the story unfamiliar and surprising, while Gwenni's ber-precocious narration revels in a love for language and reveals an unspoiled innocence about the world. It's small, quiet and nicely done. (June)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Synopsis" by , This debut novel by a 62-year-old Welsh novelist tells a story of dark family secrets unraveled by the shrewd insight of 12-year-old Gwenni, a child with an irrepressible spirit living in a Welsh village that is reluctantly entering the modern age.
"Synopsis" by ,
The Earth Hums in B Flatis a story of dark family secrets unraveled by the shrewd insight of twelve-year-old Gwenni Morgan, a child with an irrepressible spirit living in a Welsh village that is reluctantly entering the modern age. From the small bed that she shares with her sister at night she flies up into the starry sky above her village and looks down on the lives of its inhabitants. And when the family that she babysits for is rocked by the sudden, unexplainable disappearance of their patriarch, Gwenni is determined to solve the mystery of Ifan Evans whereabouts. Turning amateur detective, she is unaware that the trail will lead her closer to home than she ever imagined.

Told with a breathtaking, irresistible blend of freshness and wisdom, the voice that sixty-two-year-old Welsh debut novelist Mari Strachan has created with Gwenni is vibrant, charming, and full of heart. An unforgettable character, Gwennis unique way of seeing the world lends her the ability to make the ordinary extraordinary. A magical novel about the trials of youth, familial duty, and understanding,The Earth Hums in B Flatwill transport you to another time and place. 
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