Somebody

Rating:
Summary: A Poet writes a novel
Review: "Somebody" by Laurie Blauner is a masterfully and meticulously crafted depiction of family life. Although the characters are fictional, the issues are not. This combination gives the work broad appeal. Through a richly layered series of vignettes both humorous and serious which powerfully portray many classic character roles: self-absorbed, negligent parents, wanting children, and their varied acquaintances, Blauner blends an artistic presentation of abrasive characters with the impact of their behavior on their innocent children. It is a powerful work and one to be both savored and contemplated.

Rating:
Summary: Somebody by Laurie Blauner
Review: "Somebody" by Laurie Blauner is a masterfully and meticulously crafted depiction of family life. Although the characters are fictional, the issues are not. This combination gives the work broad appeal. Through a richly layered series of vignettes both humorous and serious which powerfully portray many classic character roles: self-absorbed, negligent parents, wanting children, and their varied acquaintances, Blauner blends an artistic presentation of abrasive characters with the impact of their behavior on their innocent children. It is a powerful work and one to be both savored and contemplated.

Rating:
Summary: Poetic novel
Review: I've followed Laurie Blauner's career for years. Her acute sense of language comes from growing from the poetry of novel-writiing. Language is the key to her work. Her words clearly recreate the experience of being her characters - you read from inside their heads. This can create some discomfort among readers, but I think she moves beyond the constraints of traditional story structure to recreate an accurate emotional portrayal of a dysfunctional family - and manages to transform it into something beautiful. The reader who goes with her is rewarded with a rich experience.

Rating:
Summary: Somebody by Laurie Blauner
Review: Somebody is a book that is fascinating, funny, and horrible at the same time. It's an exceptional book about a family, centering on mother/daughter relationships and all those pulled into the vortex of one particular family. Much happens over the span of forty years and several states. The language and the metaphors are simply wonderful. I want to reread this intense and well-written book over and over again. Each paragraph is its own world. And all the characters are fleshed out and made human. It's touching and yet a difficult book to read. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: A Poet writes a novel
Review: The use of language in this book is incredible. The story is painful, illuminating and riveting, but it was the beautiful use of language and masterful writing that kept me glued to this book until I finished it. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: A Poet's Novel
Review: This is a fine book, and I recommend it highly. Laurie Blauner is an accomplished poet and her fiction debut provides a poet's insight to family and personal relationships. This is a painful look at family, but an honest one....