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Elizabeth Berg, bestselling author of The Art of Mending and The Year of Pleasures, has a rare talent for revealing her characters’ hearts and minds in a manner that makes us empathize completely. Her new novel, We Are All Welcome Here, features three women, each struggling against overwhelming odds for her own kind of freedom.
It is the summer of 1964. In Tupelo, Mississippi, the town of Elvis’s birth, tensions are mounting over civil-rights demonstrations occurring ever more frequently–and violently–across the state. But in Paige Dunn’s small, ramshackle house, there are more immediate concerns. Challenged by the effects of the polio she contracted during her last month of pregnancy, Paige is nonetheless determined to live as normal a life as possible and to raise her daughter, Diana, in the way she sees fit–with the support of her tough-talking black caregiver, Peacie.
Diana is trying in her own fashion to live a normal life. As a fourteen-year-old, she wants to make money for clothes and magazines, to slough off the authority of her mother and Peacie, to figure out the puzzle that is boys, and to escape the oppressiveness she sees everywhere in her small town. What she can never escape, however, is the way her life is markedly different from others’. Nor can she escape her ongoing responsibility to assist in caring for her mother. Paige Dunn is attractive, charming, intelligent, and lively, but her needs are great–and relentless.
As the summer unfolds, hate and adversity will visit this modest home. Despite the difficulties thrust upon them, each of the women will find her own path to independence, understanding, and peace. And Diana’s mother, so mightily compromised, will end up giving her daughter an extraordinary gift few parents could match.
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By Reading Teacher
I didn't want this one to end. I was hoping for a sequel until I got to the end and realized it wasn't going to happen. Enjoy it!
By Nancy Miller (cincinnati, OH USA)
I had to read this book for school and it was easy to read and pretty good
By Laurel-Rain Snow - Raine- (Fresno, California)
It is 1964, in Tupelo, Mississippi, and a young mother, Paige Dunn - paralyzed by polio while pregnant with her daughter Diana - lives a life limited by her condition and as a single mother. But because of her inner strength and determination, she is raising her daughter, now entering her teens. Paige's in-home help (she is a quadriplegic) consists of a young black woman (Peacie) who comes in the daytime, and another helper who comes for part of each night.
Against this backdrop, Peacie and her husband LaRue, also constrained by their own limitations of race during a time of segregation, are equally determined to push for a life beyond its limitations. While Peacie cares for Paige, LaRue decides to help with the voter registration cause, involving himself in protest marches and placing himself at risk.
Gradually, things begin to unravel for these characters: LaRue is arrested, Peacie bails him out with money loaned by Paige - who can ill afford it - and someone has called to report the family to social services for having "insufficient help" in the home. Peacie's occasional absences have taken a toll.
Throughout the dire series of events that lead to what might seem a hopeless situation, Paige maintains her faith and hope, determined to find the help she needs so that she can finish her job parenting her daughter.
What unexpected events turn this disaster on end? And will Diana's father be of assistance? Will Peacie return in her role as caretaker? Or will Paige have to finally give in to her limitations?
Just when they are all about to give up, an unexpected visitor appears - someone who owes Paige a debt of gratitude for something that occurred many years before - and their lives are all blessedly improved.
An inspirational story based on true events that have been fictionalized, We Are All Welcome Here: A Novel sends a message of hope to all those who have almost given up on the circumstances that seemingly control their lives.
Laurel-Rain Snow
By Fred W. Hood
Upon first reading this wonderful story of Medical care, Psychology & Beauty I became saddened. I wondered how it could become more compelling? As got the teenager Dianna who had been born in her mother's Iron Lung, I noted she came to be the narrator. Her Mother, Paige could only move her head requiring the continual respirator and personal care day and night.
Her care-givers were Peacie a loving black woman during the day. Mrs Gruder at night along with Diana, who always awakened during the early hours to her Mother's voice. Every few weeks the Social Worker Susan, came by to check on Peacie, Paige & Diana. It was during those times that Peacie & Diana lied about who was taking care of Paige during the night.
Each person expressed their feelings of love and cocer for each other. I noted the author's use of psychology in the relationships of Diana & her friend, Suralee. They created plays about their neighbors, enemies and shop owners related to their parents.
Iris Johanson created a sub-plot of Civil Rights' marches which LaRue & Li'l Bit joined for voters' rights! Crucial times were all contrasted with the peacefulness of Paige, Peacie & Diana. Not long after this the family was forced to find new care-takers.
When I came to the surprise ending, Paige is able to enter College and graduate. There are hopeful scenes of "redemptive beauty" as Paige comes to "see the light everywhere!" In spite of all her obstacles she succeeds in seeing the inner beauty of life! With gratitude,
Retired Chaplan Fred W Hood
By M.V. (TX, USA)
I picked this up off the discount table at the bookstore, was headed out for summer vacation and it looked like an interesting read for the beach. I have to say I don't normally read this author but the premise for this book sounded interesting to me. I was not dissappointed, really enjoyed the story and when I realized it was based loosely on a women's real past history, that just made it even more interesting. It was a quick read, which will leave you somewhat sad, and wondering how would I have dealt with something like this.
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