Amazon.com Reviews
The eponymous heroine of Gwyn Rubio's Icy Sparks is only 10 years old the first time it happens. The sudden itching, the pressure squeezing her skull, and the "little invisible rubber bands" attached to her eyelids are all symptoms of Tourette's syndrome. At this point, of course, Icy doesn't yet have a name for these unsettling impulses. But whenever they become too much to resist, she runs down to her grandparents' root cellar, and there she gives in, croaking, jerking, cursing, and popping her eyes. Nicknamed the "frog child" by her classmates, Icy soon becomes "a little girl who had to keep all of her compulsions inside." Only a brief confinement at the Bluegrass State Hospital persuades her that there are actually children more "different" than she.
As a first novel about growing up poor, orphaned, and prone to fits in a small Appalachian town, Icy Sparks tells a fascinating story. By the time the epilogue rolls around, Icy has prevailed over her disorder and become a therapist: "Children silent as stone sing for me. Children who cannot speak create music for me." For readers familiar with this particular brand of coming-of-age novel--affliction fiction?--Icy's triumph should come as no great surprise. That's one problem. Another is Rubio's tendency to lapse into overheated prose: this is a novel in which the characters would sooner yell, pout, whine, moan, or sass a sentence than simply say it. But the real drawback to Icy Sparks is that some of the characters--especially the bad ones--are drawn with very broad strokes indeed, and the moral principles tend to be equally elementary: embrace your difference, none of us is alone, and so on. When Icy gets saved at a tent revival, even Jesus takes on the accents of a self-help guru: "You must love yourself!" With insights like these, this is one Southern novel that's more Wally Lamb than Harper Lee. --Mary Park
Book Description
In the tradition of To Kill a Mockingbird and The Cape Ann, a funny, sad, wise, and redeeming first novel about a young girl's battle with a troubling affliction. Rural Kentucky in the 1950s is not an easy place to grow up in, and it's especially hard for 10-year-old Icy Sparks, an orphan who lives with her grandparents. Life becomes even more difficult for Icy when the violent tics and uncontrollable cursing begin. Icy's adolescence is marred by the humiliation brought on by her mysterious condition, and its all-too-visible symptoms are the source of endless hilarity as everyone around her offers an opinion about what's troubling the girl. Eventually, Icy finds solace in the company of an obese woman who knows what it's like to be an outcast in this tightly knit Appalachian community. Narrated by a now-grown Icy, this first novel shimmers with warmth and humor as it recounts a young girl's painful and poignant journey to womanhood--and the many lives she touches and enriches along the way.
--Icy Sparks was a New York Times Editor's Choice
"Awesomely intelligent . . . Robinson's accurate but unstuffy writing has done much to popularize wine and make it accessible to new drinkers." --The Guardian (London)
Customer Reviews:
Very Good Read.......2007-08-13
This was a really good book, so good in fact that I've read it over again. A lot of reviews are so focused on the depiction of Tourette's Syndrome that they lose the whole point of the book. It's not so much as the disease but how Icy "controls" or tries to control it and what happens to her. If what you are looking for is an accurate depiction of T syndrome...get an informational book. Looking for an interesting read...try Icy.
Good read..........2007-06-14
I really did enjoy this book. Number one, I do agree that Rubio probably doesn't have the most extensive knowledge on Tourrette Syndrome (sp?) in the world. At the same time, most people reading a novel don't want a medical explanation of this disorder. So maybe it could have been more accurate, but give the writer a break. Someone said if you want real information on the disorder, don't read this novel. Not to push any buttons but....why would you?! Second, yes, Icy didn't get 'real' treatment at the asylum she was in, and it didn't really help her all THAT much. But, the things she learned there and the people she met had a huge impact on her life. If you read the epilogue, it says in college she finally got a diagnosis. In the final chapters I think that the point was that she was BEGINNING to find ways of dealing with her inner issues, and she was BEGINNING to really discover the world. If some don't agree that Jesus Christ can help with inner issues, then OK, but don't condemn the book because something you may not agree with is praised in it. I just wish people would read this like they would any other novel. I hold true sympathies for people who know firsthand about Tourrettes, and it's too bad that those people didn't get anything out of the book. But I enjoyed it. I thought it was about MUCH more than just Tourrettes. That was what was on the surface. But so much more was inside.
Great Story that brings the 50's South to Life...........2007-05-13
Very strange that some reviewers wanted this book to be a more of a manuel for a disorder rather than the fictional story it's meant to be. The author's colorful use of language and characters paints a picture of goodness of the heart vs those that are just rotten to the core. (much like the apples Icy's mother ate while pregnant!). I loved the pace of the story and thought each chapter was a gem. Watching Icy try to deal with her mysterious and baffling affliction is both heatbreaking and heartwarming.
Tourettes.......2007-04-14
The interesting part of this novel was the attempt to hide the problem. I was left wondering whether this was an accurate dipiction of tourettes, from the reviews found here, it appears that it wasn't.
Colorful Story of Rural Life and a Plucky Girl.......2006-09-12
I'm surprised to see the dichotomy of reviews for this book. I loved it. I can understand the disappointment of those who picked it up because it appears to deal with Tourett Syrndrome; in fact, it's more a story about a young girl trying to fit in than a disease.
But that's clear early in the book. The story as a whole is about people who don't conform to society's guidelines and their struggle to be happy with themselves. That's where Icy comes in. She's a bright, fiery young girl who learns too early to keep secrets and what those secrets can do when trapped inside one's heart. She lives in a deftly painted rural Kentucky world, full of lazy beauty and interesting characters. Icy's experiences are both painful and amusing at times, and she learns with each one, all except for the most important lesson -- learning to love oneself.
I admit, the last few chapters felt initially like a 90 degree turn. Once you've gotten to know independent, headstrong Icy, it's hard to believe a back country church service would shed light in her life. But this isn't a community of therapists and researchers and in the end, Icy doesn't need to name her affliction so much as find love for herself. Suddenly, in one gathering spot and with one selfless purpose she finds all the neighbors who themselves have struggled, alienated others, been cruel and held secrets and she finally realizes that love is what sets people free.
I found this to be an engaging book with a memorable characters at its center. It's not a therapy book, it's not about a disease; it's the story of a girl learning to be herself, no matter what it takes.
Average customer rating:
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Icy Sparks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739417665 |
Average customer rating:
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Icy Sparks
Manufacturer: Recorded Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
 Tourette Syndrome
| Disorders & Diseases
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0788799266 |
Product Description
Comes in clamshell case on 9 cassettes.
Customer Reviews:
Charming.......2005-09-11
Thoroughly entertaining. After purchasing this audio book on a whim, with no expectations, and half expecting to be disappointed, I was pleased with the prose itself in the very beginning. Then the characters and the story captured me. The story could have dragged in places but didn't. Kept me waiting for more. The reader was perfect. It's been a long time since I've purchased an audio book, or any book for that matter, without knowing what I was buying beforehand. I really feel lucky for having purchased and listened to this charming tale.
Average customer rating:
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Icy Sparks
Rubio
Manufacturer: Penguin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I1DFMG |
Average customer rating:
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Icy Sparks
Gwyn Hyman Rubio
Manufacturer: Penguin USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NXU5QI |
Average customer rating:
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Icy Sparks
Gwyn Hyman Rubio
Manufacturer: Recorded Books LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: 1402529082 |
Product Description
Oprah book club best selling novel in the life of a young girl struggling with Tourette's Syndrome
Average customer rating:
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Icy Sparks
Gwyn Hyman Rubio
Manufacturer: Penguin USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NXVK3U |
Average customer rating:
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Icy Sparks
Gwyn Hyman Rubio
Manufacturer: See notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SWVE5U |
Average customer rating:
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Icy Sparks
Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 1417648422 |
Average customer rating:
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Icy Sparks
Gwyn Hyman Rubio
Manufacturer: Penguin USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NZW8GQ |
Book Description
National bestselling author Robin Paige brings Victorian England vividly to life in a brand-new mystery featuring Lord Charles Sheridan and his fiesty American wife, Kate.
It's Derby day at Epsom downs, and the Sheridans are on the scene-Charles to take photographs, Kate to gather information for her latest novel. But the race becomes life-and-death when one of the jockeys doesn't make it to the finish line...
Download Description
National bestselling author Robin Paige brings Victorian England vividly to life in a brand-new mystery featuring Lord Charles Sheridan and his feisty American wife, Kate. It?s Derby day at Epsom Downs, and the Sheridans are on the scene. While Lord Charles sets up his camera to photograph the race for the Prince of Wales, Kate absorbs the atmosphere as fodder for her new novel. Watching the Derby from a box shared with Jennie Jerome Churchill and world-renowned actress/mistress/horse owner Lillie Langtry, Kate senses something strange about the outcome. And that evening?s news bears out her suspicions? It seems that while some gamblers lost their shirts on the race, one unfortunate jockey lost his life. Hard on the heels of that shock comes a British bank?s request that Charles investigate the theft of Lillie Langtry?s jewels from their vault. The case pulls Kate and Charles into Miss Langtry?s fast, frantic social circle as they probe into her secret life, getting caught in a dangerous web of intrigue. There are no safe bets as kidnapping, bitter rivalries, and past love affairs cast suspicion in all directions. Now, as the lord and his lady run neck and neck with thieves and murderers, the race for justice stands to be a photo finish?
Customer Reviews:
Love this author.......2005-09-07
I really love the way this author weaves mystery and real characters. Although this was not my favorite installment in this series, it did interest me in purchasing a book on the real life character, Lillie Langtry.
A Horse is a Horse of Course of Course.......2005-06-21
As this series has now reached it's sixth installment the personalities and backgrounds of the major characters have been set and explained in previous books. To jump in with this book will leave the reader somewhat lost as to what is going on and I would highly recommend that this series be started from the beginning. Some of these light mystery series' allow the reader the luxury of jumping on board at just any stop but that is not the case here. I think that you will find this book enjoyable even if you haven't read the previous books, but you will enjoy it much more if you start at the beginning.
One of the most noticeable traits of this series is the use of real historical characters in the stories. His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales heavily influences this story, like at least two before it. The story seems to revolve however, around the actress Lillie Langtry. A mediocre actress, Ms. Langtry would probably have never have been remembered by history if not for her dalliances with the above mentioned Prince. Although being the one true love of Judge Roy Bean, the "Only Law West of the Pecos" might have kept her name alive also. Judge Bean by the way, never met Langtry but he named his saloon after her.
Langtry is a rather despicable character whom Kate visits while Charles is called on to solve a problem for the Jockey Club, which counts the Prince as one of it's members. The club is desperate to solve it's little problem without any publicity, especially after one of the area's leading bookies is murdered. It all seems to relate to the practice of doping horses before races which completely alters the odds and is costing the bookies a fortune. As is normal, Charles begins to find clues almost immediately and with the help of his sleuthing wife they are able to name the killer in short order. It is refreshing that in this case Kate's personal maid Amelia turns out to be quite the detective herself. In the end, the Prince steps in and Kate, not quite yet understanding English ways is unhappy with the result, at least until she sees royal justice in action.
This is another fine entry in the "Victorian Mystery" series and the horse racing background is fascinating. Like I mentioned earlier, the characters may seem flat or confusing if this is the first book in the series that you have read but the story is so engaging and the writing so polished that I think that most people would enjoy this story anyway. So grab a parasol, pick a horse and let's enjoy the races at Epsom Downs.
One of their best.......2005-03-12
Supplementing the other reviews, this one is notable for its thorough research into the horse racing scene during the Victorian era. The whole series is highly recommended.
Fluffy but cute.......2003-05-11
I admit I do enjoy this series, but it is strictly a "fun" read. I agree with the other reviewers that the author(s) really make a royal hash of the British titles, alternately referring to the same character as Lord "surname" and then as Lord "first name" - yet the same person would NEVER go by both of those. Charles, as a peer, would never EVER be referred to a Lord Charles, and it would be terribly gauche to do so. A prince is never Your Majesty.
These are pretty simple things that even an American like me can figure out and understand, yet the author(s) screw this up every time in book after book.
However if I just grit my teeth and bear it the rest of the book is funny and informative, a "light" read, so I guess I cannot expect too much accuracy. But fun. Brain candy.
Not Really Bad, Not Really Good.......2003-03-18
I started reading this book one evening before bed and had not gone more than two chapters when I found myself noticing that I had a couple of places on the wall I needed to touch up with paint. A couple of chapters later I found myself wondering if I needed to clean my gutters out.
Since neither paint nor gutters appear prominently in this book, the only conclusion I could draw was-- I was bored. I ended up finishing the book when stopped by a train and it was the only book I had in the car.
Here's the good: It's not badly written at all. One of the authors writes the China Bayliss mysteries which I have read and enjoyed, so the writing is smooth and professional.
The information on horse doping was new to me and appeared well researched.
Here's the bad: I felt as though the characters lacked depth. Charles (I think he started the series as Sir Charles but I must have missed something after that) is egalitarian (doesn't want to use his title), supportive of his wife having a career as a writer, and interested in science. The reader would not guess that he had ever held any other views or struggled to arrive at the views. The just appear full blown. Kate, his American wife, supports women's sufferage, writes succesful novels and has set up a school to teach women agriculture. She also never seems to question her ideas or wonder if what she is doing is best for the objects of her charity.
They have one friend who supports Cecil Rhodes' policy in Africa, but I'm sure he will see the error of his ways. All of the other members of the nobility and gentility are potrayed as corrupt and venal. This is just too easy for the modern reader. It affirms the current beliefs in these areas and never asks us to examine whether or not the beliefs of that era had any value.
Also there are numerous errors in the titles used in the story. Lord Charles (and Lady Charles for his wife) are honorific titles for the younger sons of Dukes and Marquesses and their wives. Charles's proper title would have been Lord Somerset and Kate would be Lady Somerset. It's stated he doesn't want to use the title (prefers Sheridan) but it still wouldn't be proper to address him as "Lord Charles Sheridan." If he properly renounced the title he would be simply Mr. Charles Sheridan.
I guess it might be possible to just say it's meant to be light entertainment and shrug off any criticism that way, but it has to have some quality that engages the interest of the reader before it can entertain.
Customer Reviews:
Love this author.......2005-09-07
I really love the way this author weaves mystery and real characters. Although this was not my favorite installment in this series, it did interest me in purchasing a book on the real life character, Lillie Langtry.
A Horse is a Horse of Course of Course.......2005-06-21
As this series has now reached it's sixth installment the personalities and backgrounds of the major characters have been set and explained in previous books. To jump in with this book will leave the reader somewhat lost as to what is going on and I would highly recommend that this series be started from the beginning. Some of these light mystery series' allow the reader the luxury of jumping on board at just any stop but that is not the case here. I think that you will find this book enjoyable even if you haven't read the previous books, but you will enjoy it much more if you start at the beginning.
One of the most noticeable traits of this series is the use of real historical characters in the stories. His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales heavily influences this story, like at least two before it. The story seems to revolve however, around the actress Lillie Langtry. A mediocre actress, Ms. Langtry would probably have never have been remembered by history if not for her dalliances with the above mentioned Prince. Although being the one true love of Judge Roy Bean, the "Only Law West of the Pecos" might have kept her name alive also. Judge Bean by the way, never met Langtry but he named his saloon after her.
Langtry is a rather despicable character whom Kate visits while Charles is called on to solve a problem for the Jockey Club, which counts the Prince as one of it's members. The club is desperate to solve it's little problem without any publicity, especially after one of the area's leading bookies is murdered. It all seems to relate to the practice of doping horses before races which completely alters the odds and is costing the bookies a fortune. As is normal, Charles begins to find clues almost immediately and with the help of his sleuthing wife they are able to name the killer in short order. It is refreshing that in this case Kate's personal maid Amelia turns out to be quite the detective herself. In the end, the Prince steps in and Kate, not quite yet understanding English ways is unhappy with the result, at least until she sees royal justice in action.
This is another fine entry in the "Victorian Mystery" series and the horse racing background is fascinating. Like I mentioned earlier, the characters may seem flat or confusing if this is the first book in the series that you have read but the story is so engaging and the writing so polished that I think that most people would enjoy this story anyway. So grab a parasol, pick a horse and let's enjoy the races at Epsom Downs.
One of their best.......2005-03-12
Supplementing the other reviews, this one is notable for its thorough research into the horse racing scene during the Victorian era. The whole series is highly recommended.
Fluffy but cute.......2003-05-11
I admit I do enjoy this series, but it is strictly a "fun" read. I agree with the other reviewers that the author(s) really make a royal hash of the British titles, alternately referring to the same character as Lord "surname" and then as Lord "first name" - yet the same person would NEVER go by both of those. Charles, as a peer, would never EVER be referred to a Lord Charles, and it would be terribly gauche to do so. A prince is never Your Majesty.
These are pretty simple things that even an American like me can figure out and understand, yet the author(s) screw this up every time in book after book.
However if I just grit my teeth and bear it the rest of the book is funny and informative, a "light" read, so I guess I cannot expect too much accuracy. But fun. Brain candy.
Not Really Bad, Not Really Good.......2003-03-18
I started reading this book one evening before bed and had not gone more than two chapters when I found myself noticing that I had a couple of places on the wall I needed to touch up with paint. A couple of chapters later I found myself wondering if I needed to clean my gutters out.
Since neither paint nor gutters appear prominently in this book, the only conclusion I could draw was-- I was bored. I ended up finishing the book when stopped by a train and it was the only book I had in the car.
Here's the good: It's not badly written at all. One of the authors writes the China Bayliss mysteries which I have read and enjoyed, so the writing is smooth and professional.
The information on horse doping was new to me and appeared well researched.
Here's the bad: I felt as though the characters lacked depth. Charles (I think he started the series as Sir Charles but I must have missed something after that) is egalitarian (doesn't want to use his title), supportive of his wife having a career as a writer, and interested in science. The reader would not guess that he had ever held any other views or struggled to arrive at the views. The just appear full blown. Kate, his American wife, supports women's sufferage, writes succesful novels and has set up a school to teach women agriculture. She also never seems to question her ideas or wonder if what she is doing is best for the objects of her charity.
They have one friend who supports Cecil Rhodes' policy in Africa, but I'm sure he will see the error of his ways. All of the other members of the nobility and gentility are potrayed as corrupt and venal. This is just too easy for the modern reader. It affirms the current beliefs in these areas and never asks us to examine whether or not the beliefs of that era had any value.
Also there are numerous errors in the titles used in the story. Lord Charles (and Lady Charles for his wife) are honorific titles for the younger sons of Dukes and Marquesses and their wives. Charles's proper title would have been Lord Somerset and Kate would be Lady Somerset. It's stated he doesn't want to use the title (prefers Sheridan) but it still wouldn't be proper to address him as "Lord Charles Sheridan." If he properly renounced the title he would be simply Mr. Charles Sheridan.
I guess it might be possible to just say it's meant to be light entertainment and shrug off any criticism that way, but it has to have some quality that engages the interest of the reader before it can entertain.
Book Description
Ragnar gives you precise instructions for securing and using the very latest drugs and supplies from animal health centers, foreign pharmacies, mail order suppliers, military dispensaries and other unusual sources.
Customer Reviews:
The best survival book you will ever buy.!.......2007-01-10
This book is good information for advanced retreaters who know there math or are willing to do there home work i have so you can to.This book is worth any amount of money for those who dont believe in conventional doctoring because of religious or personal reasons this is the book for you it can make the diffrence between life and death.Buy it and keep it at the front of youre Medical library.Another fine book bye Ragner Benson
Just Downright Dangerous.......2006-11-04
A listing of the errors and inaccuracies in this book would fill a small paperback in itself. If a person hasn't been trained in the basics of emergency medical science, some of the procedures advocated in this book could prove lethal to a patient if performed by an amateur. The book can best be characterized this way: even the author's method for forging prescriptions is obsolete.
If you're looking for a felony conviction, this is your book. If you're interested in sound do-it-yourself emergency healthcare procedures, try one of the books recommended by the other medical professionals who reviewed this one.
Just do your EMT.......2006-03-10
Full of less than half information, just do your EMT Basic license at a local community college. Its a real qualification and you know that you met a standard. After all, people are not legos and in an emergency you want skills you can depend on...because thats exactly what you'll be doing.
Full of half-truths and lies.......1999-04-14
I don't recommend this book. As with most books by survial author "Ragnar Benson" it is full of innaccuracies and half truths. There is some basic information on setting bones, stitching wounds, and other simple topics, but it is not very well addressed -- It's almost as if the author has no idea what he's talking about and is simply repeating urban knowledge thirdhand. As far as his information of how to aquire the various supplies, there are far better, easier, and more legal ways than he describes here. The misinformation presented here is likely to get you in trouble. "DITCH MEDICINE" is a far better book.
Long on drug acquisition, short as a medical material.......1998-12-28
The author spends a lot of time telling you how to obtain drugs normally available only through doctors (and ranting about government control) while not spending a lot of time on the medical aspects that the title leads you to believe.
I suppose that his suggestions about forging prescriptions shouldn't be surprising when his other books tell readers how to gunrun for profit, acquire new id, build claymore mines, etc.
Books:
- If Life Is a Game, These Are the Rules
- In Praise of Shadows
- Jayber Crow
- Killer Curves
- L'Etranger (Collection Folio, 2)
- La frontera / Borderlands
- Lady Sophia's Lover (Avon Historical Romance)
- Legacies: A Repairman Jack Novel (Repairman Jack)
- Making Big Books With Children (Emc 303)
- Marly's Choice (Men of August, Book 1)
Books Index
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