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Madison House

by Peter Donahue

Madison House Cover

ISBN13: 9780976631101
ISBN10: 0976631105
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Peter Donahue's debut novel, Madison House, chronicles turn-of-the-century Seattle's explosive transformation from frontier outpost to major metropolis. Maddie Ingram, owner of Madison House, and her quirky and endearing boarders find their lives inextricably linked when the city decides to re-grade Denny Hill and the fate of Madison House hangs in the balance. Clyde Hunssler, Maddie's albino handyman and furtive love interest; James Colter, a muckraking black journalist who owns and publishes the Seattle Sentry newspaper; and Chiridah Simpson, an aspiring stage actress forced into prostitution and morphine addiction while working in the city's corrupt vaudeville theater, all call Madison House home. Had E. L. Doctorow and Charles Dickens met on the streets of Seattle, they couldn't have created a better book.

Review:

"Peter Donahue seems to have a map of old Seattle in his head. No novel extant is nearly as thorough in its presentation of the early city, and all future attempts in its historical vein will be made in light of this book." David Guterson, author of Snow Falling on Cedars and Our Lady of the Forest

Review:

"Madison House treats readers to a boarding house full of fascinating and lovable characters as they create their own identities and contribute to early 20th century life in Seattle. Every page reflects Peter Donahue's meticulous and imaginative recreation of a lively and engaging moment in American history. I loved reading this novel and sharing in the pleasures and labors of the diverse and authentic inhabitants of a remarkable city." Sena Jeter Naslund, author of Four Spirits and Ahab's Wife

About the Author

Peter Donahue is an Associate Professor of English at Birmingham-Southern College. He is co-editor of the anthology Reading Seattle: The City in Prose and author of the short story collection The Cornelius Arms. His stories have appeared in over 25 literary magazines and his literary awards include first place in the OSU Short Fiction Award and two Pushcart nominations.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
loritaott, December 26, 2008 (view all comments by loritaott)
I borrowed this book from the library in Seattle and have to return it before I can finish it! I love the discussion of the historical re-grading of the downtown of Seattle, the part that Seattle played in the Yukon Gold Rush, the many characters which arrive to Seattle to make it what it was and is, and the social commentary on places that I walk daily. The author's language is a bit over the top (intransigence? really? In a novel?) and has forced me to use words that I've not seen since my SAT's! But it's a great read and I look forward to more Seattle history by Mr Donahue!
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780976631101
Author:
Donahue, Peter
Publisher:
Hawthorne Books
Subject:
General
Subject:
Historical
Subject:
Seattle (Wash.)
Subject:
Boardinghouses
Subject:
General Fiction
Subject:
Historical fiction
Copyright:
Publication Date:
November 2005
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
514
Dimensions:
9.06x5.56x1.12 in. 1.53 lbs.

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