Author: Tanis Rideout / Dorothy Allison / Dorothy Allison
Above All Things
Why would anyone voluntarily put themselves through the physical agonies and risks to climb a mountain? According to George Mallory the answer was “Because it’s there”.
This novel tells the story of Malloy’s last climb – an attempt on the summit of Mount Everest. In alternating chapters devoted to the climbing party and Ruth, the wife and family Mallory left behind, there is a glimpse of the harsh lives both are living.
It was a fascinating read and I have to admit I Googled the Everest expedition because I couldn’t wait until the end of the book to see what happened.
Goodreads Rating * * * * *
Cavedweller
Certainly not a joyful novel but there are some very strong women characters. The book is set in Georgia but this is certainly not Southern Belle territory. I highly recommend it.
Goodreads Rating * * * * *
Bastard Out of Carolina
When I pulled this book, and another by the same author, off my bookshelf and added it to my “virtual bookshelf” I was pretty sure that I had read it before. When I was at the Library returning my last set of books this was the only author I remembered so brought both of the books home – strange I know, but in my mind it made sense.
The story is narrated by Bone, a poor Southern girl living a sub-standard life. When her step-father begins to abuse her she blames herself and tells no one,
This is not a book for the faint of heart but I’ve pulled my copy from the For Sale box and added it to my Modern Classic shelf.
Goodreads Rating * * * * *
The book is set in Texas but it is about a family of Mexican heritage; it is one in a series of 
This is the story of Anna and her grandmother, Goldie. When Anna married a man Goldie did not approve of the two were estranged, but a few years later, after the death of Anna’s husband, the two are reunited. Goldie asks Anna to drive her from New York to San Francisco to return a piece of art that she was given when friends were forced into an internment camp during the Second World War. Sections of the book fill in both Anna and Goldie’s back stories.