Note: Wendy Jehanara Tremayne will be presenting her book at Powell's City of Books on Sunday, June 23, at 7:30 p.m. For seven years Mikey and I...
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DL, January 16, 2012 (view all comments by DL)
I really enjoyed this lovely little novel. What a great escape this author allows the reader to take. She Paints a very accurate account of rural life in the west, without seeming hokie. The characters were well thought out and easy to bond with. I would highly recommend this to anyone who might need a fresh outlook on life. Can't wait to read another by Kaya McLaren.
blytherusling, October 7, 2008 (view all comments by blytherusling)
What can I say? I'm a sucker for the magical realism genre, and Church of the Dog fit the bill perfectly. While Kaya McLaren's effort does exhibit the fits and starts of a first novel, the underlying story of hope and forgiveness makes it a worthwhile read.
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"Publishers Weekly Review"
by Publishers Weekly,
"In this treacly reprint of a novel first published in 2000 (by a now-defunct indie press), Edith and Earl McRae have lived on their Oregon farm for 60 years, but know their time is coming to an end. After a withdrawn Earl discovers a lump in his neck, he struggles to reconnect with his wife and his alienated grandson, Daniel. Into this family tragedy strolls Mara, a chaotic figure who sees auras and appears in other characters' dreams — in other words, she's the stereotypical freethinking outsider who opens stoics to the redemptive powers of love. The result is an ersatz inspirational novel that mistakes the characters' tendencies to natter on about God and ethics and spout goofy New Age-isms for plot or character development. (June)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review"
by Christina Schwarz, author of Drowning Ruth and All is Vanity,
"Kaya McLaren's sincere and generous feelings for all the creatures of this world make this novel of comforting magic both heartfelt and heartening."
"Review"
by Cammie McGovern, author of Eye contact,
"What a genuinely surprising novel Kaya McLaren has written, with characters that are each, in their own way, quietly magical and also heartbreakingly true. Like Barbara Kingsolver's early heroines, Mara O'Shaunnessey lives in the real world but reminds us, in all her actions, that animals can be messengers of truth and love has transformative powers."
"Review"
by Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author of Light of the Moon,
"Church of the Dog is a radiant novel that honors the broken among us, tenderly healing with its love, humor, and understanding. Kaya McLaren is a deeply wonderful writer. From the opening scene of Mara in her grandmother's garden, through the wrenching finale on the ranch, I was stunned by this book. It's a classic on the spirituality of everyday life."
"Review"
by Lynne Hinton, author of Friend:Ship Cake and The Arms of God,
"This is a sweet, whimsical tale of love and friendship, a slice of pure life. It is a beautiful story that is not to be missed."
"Review"
by Sarah Addison Allen, author of Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen,
"With prose as clear and pure as mountain water, Kaya McLaren has written a testament to the plain sense of things. Church of the Dog is spiritual, even a little magical, but it's also incredibly practical. McLaren has a glorious way of finding beauty in the bigger picture. A lovely, uplifting book."
"Synopsis"
by Firebrand,
Unabridged CDs ? 6 CDs, 7 1/2 hours
An unforgettable debut novel about finding a home, a safe haven, and family.
"Synopsis"
by Firebrand,
An unforgettable debut novel about finding a home, a safe haven, and family
Deep in Oregon farm country, Edith and Earl McRae are looking down the barrel of their fiftieth anniversary with none of the joy such a milestone should hold. Instead, they are stuck in a past that holds them to heartbreak and tragedy. Enter the mysterious and ever-so-slightly magical Mara O’Shaunessey who appears on their ranch with the power to mend long broken fences and show them how to recognize the enchantment of their everyday lives. Gracefully capturing the strange alchemy of people and places, Kaya McLaren’s story of redemption and rediscovery will inspire readers to find the magic and power in every day shared with the people they love.
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