Rating: 
Summary: exquisite, resonant and elegant coming-of-age novel
Review: The truth of the matter is that Sarah Willis' "Some ThingsThat Stay" should be rated much higher than five stars. It isone of the most powerful and affecting works of fiction I have read inrecent years. Thematically rich, with characters who are so real youimagine them sitting with you as you read, the novel literallyembraces us with the almost desperate ambivalence and profoundemotional tensions the compelling protagonist, Tamara Anderson, feels.That this is Ms. Willis' first novel makes the achievement all themore stunning. Rest assured, this work will find its way on therequired reading lists of both secondary and university readinglists.In a seamless fashion, Sarah Willis has managed to convey thelife of an anachronistic family in the mid-1950s with accuracy andempathy. In an era which celebrated conventional nuclear families,the Andersons are peripatetic wanderers, the journeys fueled by afather whose need for fresh landscapes to fuel his painting requiresthe family to move from house to house each spring. Indeed,Ms. Willis explores the definitions of family and home throughout,both in her evocation of place and her contrasting the Andersons withtheir cross-street neighbors. These neighbors, whosereligion-centered lives contrast with the rational/scientific mind ofTamara's mother, provide both ballast and turmoil to Tamara'sworld-views. In addition to the author's sensitive treatment of theaforementioned themes, she is at her very best in dealing with thewrenching illness of Tamara's mother and the protagonist's discoveryof her own body and growing awareness of herself as a sexual being.The descriptions of Tamara and her partner-in-discovery, Rusty, arealone worth the reading of the novel. Ms. Willis poses many seriousquestions: What is the best way for a family to handle medicaltragedy? What responsibility to parents have in guiding theirchildren? How do children accept the loss of a parent? What is themeaning of "home" in the life of a family? What is thenature of belief? It is my hope to meet the author some day and topersonally thank her for this work. Sarah Willis will emerge as oneof our nation's most eloquent and wise interpreters; I anxiously awaither next novel.
Rating: 
Summary: You're drawn into this book and want to stay awhile.....
Review: This book had been sitting on my shelf for awhile so as a break from all the chick lit I have been reading, I decided to crack the cover on this one and I was not disappointed--Infact, far from it. I think the author made a very wise choice in having fifteen year old Tamara narrate this story. Her fiestiness and very wry sense of humor often made me chuckle out loud. Having life filtered through Tamara's eyes very much endeared her to me and made the story come alive. In this coming of age story, Tamara not only has to deal with her body's physical changes and her curiosities about sex, but heaped upon it all is the fact that her family is moving again. (They have moved almost every year of her life.) Her Father, Stuart, is an eccentric painter, hence the reason for all the moving. Add to that Tamara's mother is highly intellectual. She doesn't believe in anything that isn't concrete. Because of this Tamara struggles with her feelings about God. During her four month stay in Mayville, NY, Tamara has met many people that have undoubtedly changed her life, she has dealt with death head on, kept her family together, and even learned how to deal with her emotionally bankrupt father. This book was a pleasure to read and left me with a peaceful feeling in my heart. I will probably order Sarah Willis' next book as soon as I am done writing this review.
Rating:
Summary: You're drawn into this book and want to stay awhile.....
Review: This book had been sitting on my shelf for awhile so as a break from all the chick lit I have been reading, I decided to crack the cover on this one and I was not disappointed--Infact, far from it. I think the author made a very wise choice in having fifteen year old Tamara narrate this story. Her fiestiness and very wry sense of humor often made me chuckle out loud. Having life filtered through Tamara's eyes very much endeared her to me and made the story come alive. In this coming of age story, Tamara not only has to deal with her body's physical changes and her curiosities about sex, but heaped upon it all is the fact that her family is moving again. (They have moved almost every year of her life.) Her Father, Stuart, is an eccentric painter, hence the reason for all the moving. Add to that Tamara's mother is highly intellectual. She doesn't believe in anything that isn't concrete. Because of this Tamara struggles with her feelings about God. During her four month stay in Mayville, NY, Tamara has met many people that have undoubtedly changed her life, she has dealt with death head on, kept her family together, and even learned how to deal with her emotionally bankrupt father. This book was a pleasure to read and left me with a peaceful feeling in my heart. I will probably order Sarah Willis' next book as soon as I am done writing this review.
Rating:
Summary: This Book Will Stay With You
Review: This is a touching, beautifully written tale of an unusual family and the 15-year-old daughter, Tamara, who is forced to hold it together while her mother battles TB in a sanitarium and her artist father fails to cope. As someone who also moved many times as a child, and was often forced to care for younger siblings, I can fully relate to Tamara's feelings. It wasn't until I became a mother myself that I was able to gain some perspective and understand that most parents do what they are able to do in often impossible circumstances. You'll love this book and all of its humor, wit, style, and yes, tragedy. Take the time to read it. This tale will be one thing that stays.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Quick Read
Review: This is one one my favorite coming of age stories yet. I started recommending it to friends before I finished it. I think about Tamara often and wonder at her future. Did her family stay in Sherman? Did her father continue to put his art first? I was also drawn to the cover of this book -- like Sarah Willis's writing style it is gentle and ties in nicely with the story. This was my book of choice to give to friends in 1999.
Rating:
Summary: Eclectic characters on a bittersweet canvas.
Review: This story is told from the perspective of a 15 year-old daughter of atheist parents who move to a new house every year so her father has new landscapes to paint. In her 15th year, Tamara befriends the Baptists who live in the tar-papered house across the street from their newest neighbors and does her best to find a god she so badly wants to believe in. The characters are compelling and the story paints it's own landscape of a family separated by their private needs. Poignant telling. I was moved. I think you will be too.
Rating:
Summary: Remember when you were 15?
Review: This touching and funny coming of age story was a delight from start to finish. The main character Tamara poignantly brings back all those memories of being a 15 year old girl on the verge of womanhood, yet still a child in so many ways. This book would make for a lovely little summer read, I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A truly wonderful experience
Review: Willis' narrative takes you to Tamara's world. I loved every word of it and didn't want the book to end. It's told with truth and love and I think everyone can find a bit of themselves in the characters. I look forward to reading more of Sarah Willis' work.
Rating:
Summary: A truly wonderful experience
Review: Willis' narrative takes you to Tamara's world. I loved every word of it and didn't want the book to end. It's told with truth and love and I think everyone can find a bit of themselves in the characters. I look forward to reading more of Sarah Willis' work.
Rating:
Summary: Make that 10 stars, not 5!
Review: You can read what this book is about from the other reviews. All I want to say is that every single page of this novel was precious and so beautifully written. I had to draw my breath in with every page I turned because I could not believe that every word this woman wrote was so filled with humor and understanding for her characters. It amazes me how many fabulous writers are out there, just waiting to be discovered, and Ms. Willis is definitely one of those. I envy her talent and wish her every success. Highly, highly recommended. Enjoy!
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