Rating: 
Summary: What a terrific writer!
Review: I loved this book. I read it a few months ago and I stil miss Mandy! This poor girl had her share of troubles and sorrows, and through her struggling, the reader witnesses her growth and her inner triumphs! While she makes some poor choices, I myself (and I would suspect most readers) can certainly empathize with her and understand, to a great extent, her motivation behind those decisions......she wants so desperately to be loved unconditionally! Ms. Brown does a wonderful job of letting you into Mandy's world, and letting Mandy enter your heart. I loved my time with Mandy and can't wait for this author's next offering!
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read in a long time!
Review: I usually don't write reviews, but I found this book to be so enthralling that I just had to say a little about it. I was hooked after the first few pages, and that's saying a lot because it usually takes me a couple of chapters to get into a book. The author does a wonderful job of making the reader just as confused about the people in Mandy's (the main character's) life as Mandy herself is. The reader doesn't know whether the mother is a haterful hypochondriac or an unfortunate soul, whether the father is a jolly good guy or a drunken bum, and whether the boyfriend is an abandoned little boy or a possessive jerk. The reader sees the quirky Mandy making poor choices, but somehow sympathizes and understands them at the same time.I would say this is probably the best modern-fiction novel I've read in a couple of years. I don't agree at all with the Kirkus review that calls it slow-moving. I give this book my highest praise, and I will be looking for more from this author.
Rating: 
Summary: I threw this book away after reading it
Review: Laura Catherine Brown writes a vivid tale of a young girl coming of age. Mandy Boyle has had a tough time of it. Her mother is a hypochondriac who treats Mandy terribly by constantly putting her down as well as sexually abusing her as a young girl. Her father truly loved his little girl but he was an out of work man who drank heavily. All of this has had serious consequences for Mandy. She leaves home for college and has to try to make her own way in the world. She faces a lot of difficult choices and almost never chooses wisely. She turns her back on her one true friend and finds comfort with Booner, a guy she barely knows who tries to possess her. Mandy is "grateful" for love from anyone who is willing to show her attention or affection. I have to admit though that while I enjoyed the story to the extent that I had to see how Mandy ends up, it was a little sad and depressing to read. The circumstances in her life were sometimes heart wrenching. Overall however it is worth a read.
Rating: 
Summary: A Compelling Read
Review: Laura Catherine Brown writes a vivid tale of a young girl coming of age. Mandy Boyle has had a tough time of it. Her mother is a hypochondriac who treats Mandy terribly by constantly putting her down as well as sexually abusing her as a young girl. Her father truly loved his little girl but he was an out of work man who drank heavily. All of this has had serious consequences for Mandy. She leaves home for college and has to try to make her own way in the world. She faces a lot of difficult choices and almost never chooses wisely. She turns her back on her one true friend and finds comfort with Booner, a guy she barely knows who tries to possess her. Mandy is "grateful" for love from anyone who is willing to show her attention or affection. I have to admit though that while I enjoyed the story to the extent that I had to see how Mandy ends up, it was a little sad and depressing to read. The circumstances in her life were sometimes heart wrenching. Overall however it is worth a read.
Rating:
Summary: The Process of Finding Yourself...
Review: Miranda Boyle (Mandy) had everything against her - an alcoholic father, an abusive, self-centred mother, and most importantly a lack of love. Through our parents we learn how to give and accept love, Mandy was never shown love, and in turn never believed that she was worthy of being loved. The quickening, the stage in pregnancy when a fetus first shows signs of having life, is a very powerful analogy that is used to detail Mandy's search for love, and ultimately self. Qickening is the coming of age story of a young woman who quickly learns her life is in her own hands and she must make many difficult decisions. Mandy, like so many young women, battle with self-esteem, are unable to be assertive, and struggle to find their place in the world. Mandy often sought love through substances and the attention of men. Mandy was not able to distinguish between true love and lust. Quickening will have you follow Mandy on her journey of reconciling and renegotiating her relationships - most importantly the relationship with herself. Laura Catherine Brown, illistrates this concept perfectly, "I would wake up there and face myself." Laura Cathering Brown is an author that I will seek out again. I would highly recommend Quickening. ~ Kelly
Rating:
Summary: The Process of Finding Yourself...
Review: Miranda Boyle (Mandy) had everything against her - an alcoholic father, an abusive, self-centred mother, and most importantly a lack of love. Through our parents we learn how to give and accept love, Mandy was never shown love, and in turn never believed that she was worthy of being loved. The quickening, the stage in pregnancy when a fetus first shows signs of having life, is a very powerful analogy that is used to detail Mandy's search for love, and ultimately self. Qickening is the coming of age story of a young woman who quickly learns her life is in her own hands and she must make many difficult decisions. Mandy, like so many young women, battle with self-esteem, are unable to be assertive, and struggle to find their place in the world. Mandy often sought love through substances and the attention of men. Mandy was not able to distinguish between true love and lust. Quickening will have you follow Mandy on her journey of reconciling and renegotiating her relationships - most importantly the relationship with herself. Laura Catherine Brown, illistrates this concept perfectly, "I would wake up there and face myself." Laura Cathering Brown is an author that I will seek out again. I would highly recommend Quickening. ~ Kelly
Rating:
Summary: A Powerful First Novel...
Review: Quickening is one of the most powerful down-to-earth novels I've read this year. Mandy is a struggling young woman dealing with a difficult childhood and attending college for the first time. She, like many of us, is trying to figure out who she is and where she belongs. Unfortunately, circumstances out of her control lead her down the wrong path. Mandy's father dies, and she is left with a very ill, very abusive mother. Mandy turns to drugs and a promiscuous lifestyle to hide her pain and ends up quitting school and moving in with a guy she barely knows. This story could be about any college freshman with a little bad luck, and the story is definitely addictive. I look forward to reading other books by Ms. Brown.
Rating:
Summary: Quickening rocks!
Review: There's so much to this book. The story evolves in a world of wryly portrayed characters who are hilarious and scary by turns. Mandy's myriad difficulties with her family, friends and her own identity will keep you glued to the pages and you will cheer when she asserts her own self worth at the conclusion. A notable debut indeed.
Rating:
Summary: I threw this book away after reading it
Review: This book is for you if you enjoy reading about: sexual abuse, drug abuse (there is pot smoking every 2-3 pages), out of wedlock sex, pregnancy and abortion, and dozens of other bad choices along the way. When I read the author's review at the end where she noted that the book had gone through 7 (I think) revisions, I thought to myself, it needed another 7 more. This book left me sick to my stomach, and I can't believe I read the whole thing.
Rating:
Summary: earnest search for meaning
Review: This book mixes gritty realism with wish-fulfillment in the story of a young woman trying to shed her own skin. Throughout you're hoping poor Mandy will find a way to free herself of who she is and figure out who she can become. "Quickening" is an absorbing, heartfelt book that I already want to read again.
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