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Original Essays | September 23, 2009

Jonathan Lethem: IMG Stops: On Those Things My New Novel Forgot to Be About, Maybe



For me, there's a weird, unfathomable gulf — I almost wrote gulp — between the completion of a novel and its publication. Some days this duration feels interminable, as though the book has... Continue »
  1. $19.56 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

    Chronic City

    Jonathan Lethem

The Rules for Hearts

by Sara Ryan

The Rules for Hearts Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Battle Hall Davies is sure of some things: she's going to Reed; she loves girls; and her older brother, Nick, is cooler than she could ever be. Nick ran away when Battle was in high school, and four years later, he's tracked her down. Now she's spending her summer before college in "Forest House," the co-op where he lives in Portland. Battle is quickly swept into Forest House's community Shakespeare production, its all-night card games, and the arms of her new roommate, Meryl. It turns out that Nick isn't who Battle thought he wasand Battle's not who she thought she was, either.

Review:

"Fans of Ryan's debut novel Empress of the World will find her sophomore effort a satisfying follow-up, as well as an entertaining stand-alone for those just tuning in. The narrative picks up three years later, this time following 18-year-old Battle to Portland, Ore., for the summer, as she prepares to attend Reed College in the fall. Unbeknownst to her overprotective parents, she moves in with her long-lost brother, Nick, who ran away from home when Battle was 13, and she quickly acclimates to life among the residents of Forest House-a community theater troupe whose members cohabitate under one roof. As the summer wears on and rehearsals for A Midsummer Night's Dream are well underway, the housemates learn what it takes to make a play-and their household-come together, despite difficult circumstances. Battle continues to struggle with her sexuality after falling for 22-year-old Meryl, one of her roommates (who has also hooked up with Nick), and her relationship with her brother falters after his lying habit catches up to him. Readers will appreciate Ryan's open approach to discussing homosexuality, but some might wish for a more in-depth exploration of Battle's feelings beyond the mere description of her actions. The ending (and Nick's inevitable return to his parents after an intervention) feels abrupt, which may prompt some to wonder if there isn't another installment in the works. Ages 14-up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Synopsis:

Ryan delivers this follow-up to her award-winning "Empress of the World." Battle Hall Davies is spending her summer in Portland, where's she's quickly swept into a community Shakespeare production, its all-night card games, and into the arms of her new roommate.

About the Author

Sara Ryan lives in Portland, Oregon.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 6 comments:
Jokergir, December 1, 2008 (view all comments by Jokergir)
After I read EMPRESS OF THE WORLD I knew that I had to read more of Sara's books she is a phenomenal writer!! THE RULES OF HEARTS is just as moving as the first.
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(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
monkey reader, March 26, 2007 (view all comments by monkey reader)
When i first bought the book Empress of the world, i read it in only half a day. It was amazing and i don't usally finish books until 3 days. But it was so hard to put down that book and i can't wait to read the next book called "THE RULES FOR HEARTS".i was a liitle sad that nic(battle's old girlfriend) isn't going to be in the next book. But i trust that sara is going to make this book more interesting to read!
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(11 of 14 readers found this comment helpful)
alexxx raeee, March 18, 2007 (view all comments by alexxx raeee)
i just got Empress of the world yesterday and i finished it a couple of hours ago it was sooooooooooo good i couldnt ever put it down i cant wait until april when the next one comes out, but i dont like how ryan isnt going along with nic and is going along with battle but it will probably be another great book! i cant wait!!!!
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(5 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
View all 6 comments

Product Details

ISBN:
9780670059065
Subtitle:
A Family Drama
Publisher:
Viking Children's Books
Author:
Ryan, Sarah
Author:
Ryan, Sara
Subject:
General
Subject:
Brothers and sisters
Subject:
Lesbians
Subject:
Social Issues - General
Subject:
Family
Subject:
Situations / Adolescence
Publication Date:
April 2007
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
Young adult
Language:
English
Pages:
222
Dimensions:
7.84x5.34x.88 in. .66 lbs.
Age Level:
14-17

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