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The Girl Who Fell from the Sky - by Heidi W Durrow (Paperback)

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The Girl Who Fell from the Sky - by Heidi W Durrow (Paperback)

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Rachel is a powerful debut novel by Jamie Durrow, whose story is full of mixed race drama and the impact of culture and politics. It follows the story of Rachel, a young black woman, as she navigates her identity, parentage, and future. The audio book is performed by a trio of talented artists, and the story is woven into the narrative with complex characters. It is a powerful and beautiful piece of literature that will grow with the reader.

About the Book This debut novel tells the story of Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I., who becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy. Growing up in the 1980s, she confronts her identity as a biracial young woman in a world that wants to see her as either black or white. Book Synopsis "The Girl Who Fell from the Sky can actually …

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About the Book This debut novel tells the story of Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I., who becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy. Growing up in the 1980s, she confronts her identity as a biracial young woman in a world that wants to see her as either black or white. Book Synopsis "The Girl Who Fell from the Sky can actually fly." -- The New York Times Book Review Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I., becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy after a fateful morning on their Chicago rooftop. Forced to move to a new city, with her strict African American grandmother as her guardian, Rachel is thrust for the first time into a mostly black community, where her light brown skin, blue eyes, and beauty bring a constant stream of attention her way. It's there, as she grows up and tries to swallow her grief, that she comes to understand how the mystery and tragedy of her mother might be connected to her own uncertain identity. This searing and heart-wrenching portrait of a young biracial girl dealing with society's ideas of race and class is the winner of the Bellwether Prize for best fiction manuscript addressing issues of social justice. Review Quotes "An auspicious debut . . . [Durrow] has crafted a modern story about identity and survival." "The Girl Who Fell from the Sky can actually fly. . . Its energy comes from its vividly realized characters, from how they perceive one another. Durrow has a terrific ear for dialogue, an ability to summon a wealth of hopes and fears in a single line." --The New York Times Book Review -- Dallas Morning News " The Girl Who Fell from the Sky is that rare thing: a post-postmodern novel with heart that weaves a circle of stories about race and self-discovery into a tense and sometimes terrifying whole." "[An] affecting, exquisite debut novel . . . Durrow's powerful novel is poised to find a place among classic stories of the American experience." --Miami Herald -- The Christian Science Monitor "A heartbreaking debut . . . keeps the reader in thrall." -- Boston Globe -- NPR's Morning Edition "Hauntingly beautiful prose . . . Exquisitely told . . . Rachel's tale has the potential of becoming seared in your memory." --Dallas Morning News -- The New York Times Book Review "Rachel's voice resonated in my reading mind in much the same way as did that of the young protagonist of The House on Mango Street. there's an achingly honest quality to it; both wise and naive, it makes you want to step between the pages to lend comfort." -- Ms. Magazine "Stunning . . . What makes Durrow's novel soar is her masterful sense of voice, her assured, nuanced handling of complex racial issues--and her heart." "The Girl Who Fell from the Sky can actually fly . . . Its energy comes from its vividly realized characters . . . Durrow has a terrific ear for dialogue, an ability to summon a wealth of hopes and fears in a single line."

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Review summary

AI-generated content

Rachel is a powerful debut novel by Jamie Durrow, whose story is full of mixed race drama and the impact of culture and politics. It follows the story of Rachel, a young black woman, as she navigates her identity, parentage, and future. The audio book is performed by a trio of talented artists, and the story is woven into the narrative with complex characters. It is a powerful and beautiful piece of literature that will grow with the reader.

Pros

Engaging storyline
Multiple narrators
Strong character development
Emotionally impactful
Well-written

Cons

Confusing at times
Lack of clarity in narration

Read original reviews

Description

About the Book This debut novel tells the story of Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I., who becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy. Growing up in the 1980s, she confronts her identity as a biracial young woman in a world that wants to see her as either black or white. Book Synopsis "The Girl Who Fell from the Sky can actually fly." -- The New York Times Book Review Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I., becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy after a fateful morning on their Chicago rooftop. Forced to move to a new city, with her strict African American grandmother as her guardian, Rachel is thrust for the first time into a mostly black community, where her light brown skin, blue eyes, and beauty bring a constant stream of attention her way. It's there, as she grows up and tries to swallow her grief, that she comes to understand how the mystery and tragedy of her mother might be connected to her own uncertain identity. This searing and heart-wrenching portrait of a young biracial girl dealing with society's ideas of race and class is the winner of the Bellwether Prize for best fiction manuscript addressing issues of social justice. Review Quotes "An auspicious debut . . . [Durrow] has crafted a modern story about identity and survival." "The Girl Who Fell from the Sky can actually fly. . . Its energy comes from its vividly realized characters, from how they perceive one another. Durrow has a terrific ear for dialogue, an ability to summon a wealth of hopes and fears in a single line." --The New York Times Book Review -- Dallas Morning News " The Girl Who Fell from the Sky is that rare thing: a post-postmodern novel with heart that weaves a circle of stories about race and self-discovery into a tense and sometimes terrifying whole." "[An] affecting, exquisite debut novel . . . Durrow's powerful novel is poised to find a place among classic stories of the American experience." --Miami Herald -- The Christian Science Monitor "A heartbreaking debut . . . keeps the reader in thrall." -- Boston Globe -- NPR's Morning Edition "Hauntingly beautiful prose . . . Exquisitely told . . . Rachel's tale has the potential of becoming seared in your memory." --Dallas Morning News -- The New York Times Book Review "Rachel's voice resonated in my reading mind in much the same way as did that of the young protagonist of The House on Mango Street. there's an achingly honest quality to it; both wise and naive, it makes you want to step between the pages to lend comfort." -- Ms. Magazine "Stunning . . . What makes Durrow's novel soar is her masterful sense of voice, her assured, nuanced handling of complex racial issues--and her heart." "The Girl Who Fell from the Sky can actually fly . . . Its energy comes from its vividly realized characters . . . Durrow has a terrific ear for dialogue, an ability to summon a wealth of hopes and fears in a single line."

Specifications

Age Range	Adult
Suggested Age	22 Years And Up
Number Of Pages	272
Weight	55 Pounds
Dimensions (Overall)	8.1 Inches (H) X 5.4 Inches (W) X .7 Inches (D)
Publisher	Algonquin Books
Language	English
Genre	Fiction + Literature Genres
Sports Sub-genre	General
Author	Heidi W Durrow
Format	Paperback