Breakfast on Pluto: A Novel

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This is an unusual story about a darling person.

What a mess!

Paddy Pussy fan

The island's united; the people divided

charming and disturbing

Breakfast on Pluto: A Novel
Patrick Mccabe
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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McCabe, Patrick | ( M ) | Authors, A-Z | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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The Butcher Boy

Breakfast on Pluto { Original Soundtrack }

Breakfast on Pluto

Carn Carn

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Amazon.com

Patrick McCabe hit pay dirt with his third novel, The Butcher Boy, which was short-listed for the 1992 Booker Prize, filmed by Neil Jordan, and acclaimed as "a masterpiece of literary ventriloquism." In his fifth, Breakfast on Pluto, also on the Booker shortlist, McCabe produces another inimitable voice to amuse and infuriate, mimicking perfectly the overwrought, near-hysterical style of a character whose emotional processes were cruelly halted somewhere around the age of 14, and whose tale requires English literature's highest concentration of exclamation marks.

Patrick "Pussy" Brady is recording her memoirs for the mysterious Dr. Terence, and it's quite some story. After randy Father Bernard gets carried away with his temporary housekeeper, a dead ringer for Mitzi Gaynor, the result is Patrick Braden, abandoned on a doorstep in a Rinso box and condemned to a foster home with the alcoholic Hairy Braden. Escape comes in fantasies of Vic Damone and the occasional glitzy frock, and eventually, inevitably, the rebaptised "Pussy" heads for life as a transvestite rent boy on Piccadilly's Meat Rack. But this is not just Pussy's story; as hitherto-muffled paramilitary violence blows up in her face, Pussy falls apart, providing a vivid and unsettling final comment on the human price paid in 1970s Ireland. --Alan Stewart

Book Description

Breakfast on Pluto, Patrick McCabe's lyrical and haunting new novel, became a #1 bestseller in Ireland, stayed on the bestseller list for months, and was nominated for the Booker Prize, one of the world's most prestigious literary awards. With wonderful delicacy and subtle insight and intimation, McCabe creates Mr. Patrick "Pussy" Braden, the enduringly and endearingly hopeful hero(ine) whose gutsy survival and yearning quest for love resonate in and drive the glimmering, agonizing narrative in which the troubles are a distant and immediate echo and refrain. Twenty years ago, her ladyship escaped her hometown of Tyreelin, Ireland, fleeing her foster mother Whiskers (prodigious Guinness-guzzler, human chimney) and her mad household, to begin a new life in London. There, in blousey tops and satin miniskirts, she plies her trade, often risking life and limb amongst the flotsam and jetsam that fill the bars of Piccadilly Circus. But suave businessmen and lonely old women are not the only dangers that threaten Pussy. It is the 1970's and fear haunts the streets of London and Belfast as the critical mass of history builds up, and Pussy is inevitably drawn into a maelstrom of violence and tragedy destined to blow his fragile soul asunder. Brilliant, startling, profound and soaring, Breakfast on Pluto combines light and dark, laughter and pain, with such sensitivity, directness and restraint that the dramatic impact reverberates in our minds and hearts long after the initial impression.

Customer Reviews:

This is an unusual story about a darling person........2007-02-16

I fell in love with this book and film. Absolutely could not put it down. So well done and so original.

What a mess!.......2006-11-17

I read this book prior to watching the movie. The movie is now one of my favorites of all time. This book however is one of the worst books I have read and I read a LOT.

I will say up front that at least part of my difficulty with this book is the slang. What I mean is the author and character of the book are Irish, so perhaps I just couldn't pick up the language, and that may be my own shortcoming.

That being said, the main problem with this book is that it is all over the place. The narrator will suddenly write three or four pages about some random people that we don't know, have never read about, and do not ever read about again. The problem with that is that it makes you wonder what the point of those interactions and antecdotes are exactly. That's just one example of the "messy" part I am referring to. I found myself re-reading almost every other page wondering what I missed, trying to figure out where this and that came from. I am not even sure why, but I never felt much for Patrick. Although what he describes is awful and sad, I never really felt like I could identify with him and I never felt bonded with him like I would expect to.

Another problem in my opinion is that I don't feel that the character ever evolves or changes. Patrick does go through a lot and experiences a lot of things, most of them hateful and disgusting (not on his part though) and he spends his time being upset over his mother who abandoned him yet I don't feel that there is ever any resolution or progression at all. I got to the end of the book wondering what the point was, wondering if there was any point at all. This book left me feeling pretty s****y about humanity, not that I need much to make me feel that way.

The ONLY thing that stopped me from giving Breakfast one star is the simple fact that an incredibly heartfelt and beautiful, even inspiring movie was born from this muddled piece of work. The movie is "never" better than the book. Well this is one of about three cases I know of where that is absolutely not true. I never thought I'd say this about ANY movie adaptation of a book....SAVE YOURSELF THE TIME AND WATCH THE MOVIE INSTEAD.

Paddy Pussy fan.......2006-11-10

I was a bit lost with the book. I had seen the movie and thought Paddy Pussy wonderful. Always a mistake to do it that way round, I guess. The writing did give an inkling of how Pussy's mind works and the disparate chapters helped to reinforce this. I found, though, that this made me, as reader, more detached from any kind of narrative. However it led to a wonderful movie so I should be grateful to Patrick McCabe for that.

The island's united; the people divided.......2006-08-04

Mad Ireland has its weather and its writers still. Among them some of the best: Joyce in novels, Yeats in poetry, and Shaw in plays. Along comes Patrick McCabe with a good challenge to the best of them and in a more modern mode. Because of the density of the writing and the many ellipses, you are better off seeing the movie first (the way I did) and then reading the book. Both movie and book are worth while independent of each other, but the both together are simply great in story, plot, character, and impact. The background of the Irish troubles helps clarify lots of Irish history and makes us want to get the foe out of Ireland as soon as possible. The troubles also help get the author out of the mid-plot sag that often afflicts modern novels. The frame in the book gives us just enough reason to suspect Pussy's insane and therefore unreliable as a narrator and that gets us thinking about what's real and what isn't. And the language approaches the redemptive quality of true art by bringing the soul of man to God. What's next for McCabe? I can't wait.

charming and disturbing .......2006-05-09

Often, when I'm reading a book or watching a movie, I'll think about the villain or the eccentric character or the wacky character - they're always so interesting, and yet, rarely are we given a privileged look at the *why* of their lives. Why are they so different from the rest of us? Why do they dress like that? Why do they act the way they do? Patrick McCabe is an author who is concerned with the why.

Patrick "Pussy" Braden, the hero(ine) of McCabe's Breakfast on Pluto, is an Irish Transvestite, who - believe it or not - is just looking for the simple life. Sure, she likes silky jackets and false eyelashes. But all Pussy *really* wants is a sweet little home; a strong, masculine husband; and a loving family. Unfortunately, her desires are complicated by the deteriorating social system in her small, Irish hometown; by violent IRA attacks; by her dysfunctional childhood; and - of course - by her sexuality.

As with McCabe's The Butcher Boy, Breakfast on Pluto is a fascinating exploration of the life of a social deviant. Once again, McCabe masterfully captures the humorous and extraordinarily idiosyncratic voice of his protagonist, and the combination of Pussy's charismatic narration and her tragic life story make for another bittersweet novel. Breakfast on Pluto is at once hilarious and heartbreaking.

If I were to compare the 2 texts, I'd have to say that Butcher Boy is the superior; for one thing, it's more fleshed out than the very brief Breakfast on Pluto. But, if you enjoyed Butcher Boy, chances are, you will also enjoy this work by McCabe.

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Breakfast on Pluto : A Novel
Patrick McCabe
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OF2EGO

Book Description

Years later, the girl Colton spurned has blossomed into an uncommon beauty desired by every eligible bachelor in the land -- except the man she desires, the decorated hero who has finally returned home. As arrogant and seductive as ever, Colton agrees to court Lady Adriana for ninety days to prove that love cannot be forced, after which time he will be free. But this stunning, spirited woman is far different from the young chit he left behind. And a heroic heart, once tightly closed, is now susceptible to Adriana's charm and sensuality -- even as dark secrets and a rival's treachery threaten to steal her from Colton's arms forever.

Customer Reviews:

COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!.......2007-06-27

I absolutely LOVED this book! I had a little trouble getting into it at first, but I read it in just a few days (and I'm a slow reader!). It didn't start out like Kathleen's other books, where you kind of knew what was going on, but once I could figure out who everybody was, (within the first 30 pages or so) I absolutely couldn't put it down. It was typical, fabulous Kathleen!! I have read all of her books at least twice. I've read Shanna 3 or 4 times. I will definitely reread this one in the future. If you are a Kathleen Woodiwiss fan, don't let the bad reviews deter you from this gem!!

Worth the Wait.......2007-04-24

I waited & waited for Kathleen E Woodwiss to have a new book when this came out & it was great. I read this book in 2 days, I couldn't put it down. It is a typical Kathleen E Woodwiss book. It is great!

what a disappointment.......2006-08-22

I had read all of Kathleen Woodiwiss's books years ago. When she finally came out with a new one, I was excited, hoping to be taken back again. This book just plain stunk! I was terribly disappointed from the opening pages. What struck me right off the bat was how there were these family dogs that were 17 years old and STIll alive and very active, having remembered Colton from when they were puppies! THAT is what made think that this is stupid. The things that were happening throughout the book were just so farfetched that I wondered if I was reading a regency romance or a book with superheroes in it. I had a really hard time getting through this book and I think that if Woodiwiss writes anything else, I'll just pass on it.

0 stars should be an option for this book.......2006-08-15

I was going to try to write this nicely, but I find I can't. This book is terrible. It reminded me of those sucky romance novels from the 80's where long, drawn out descriptions were in. God, I'm glad I was still watching Rainbow Brite in those dark days, before Nora Roberts and Julia Quinn were throwing out books at the speed of light. I actually wasn't even able to finish this book, which has never happened before. I tried, I really did, but the author just goes on and on and on about absolutely nothing until you want to stand up, rip the book apart, and jump up and down on it while screaming. The first 30 pages were tedious, so I thought maybe I'd just skip ahead a hundred pages or so and see if things had started to move along a bit. Nope, still tedious. In fact, I think I might possibly have been the same scene, 100 pages later. But I'm not sure, I didn't want to read back to see. So I skipped to the end, figuring this author likes to really stretch things out, it ought to cover all the bases during the epilogue. I was bored by even that. This was a waste of $3.97. Well, not a complete waste. I fully intend to use it as kindling for my campfire tonight and I'll save the newspaper classified ads for reading, since they are vastly more entertaining that this book. Bottom line: I wasted $3.97 and approximately an hour of my life trying to make myself finish this book and couldn't. For your sake don't waste your money or your time.

Really shocked...........2006-08-09

After many years of not reading romances I picked up this book and really regret it.

This is not the Kathleen Woodiwiss I remember....The characters are okay. However the book is long, draggy, and has way too many subplots. Including an "evil villan" that abuses women. If I am reading a romance I don't like to read about "abuse".

I am really shocked that Ms. Woodiwiss wrote this. All of her other books ahve been so wonderful.

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Reluctant Suitor (Regency Romance)
Sarah Eagle
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

Regency | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0515106100

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The Reluctant Suitor
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Manufacturer: HarperAudio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEQ5GA

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The Reluctant Suitor
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Manufacturer: Avon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N266VM

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The Reluctant Suitor
Megan Daniel
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0451096711

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the Reluctant Suitor
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Manufacturer: Avon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0061137510

Product Description

For as long as she can remember, Lady Adriana Sutton has adored Colton Wyndham, to whom she has been betrothed since childhood. But Colton was too proud to submit to a future not of his own choosing, and he fled his ancestral home for a life of adventure as a British army officer. Years later, the girl Colton spurned has blossomed into an uncommon beauty desired by every eligible bachelor in the land - except the man she desires, the decorated hero who has finally returned home. As arrogant and seductive as ever, Colton agrees to court Lady Adriana for ninety days to prove that love cannot be forced, after which time he will be free. But this stunning, spirited woman is far different from the young chit he left behind. And a heroic heart, once tightly closed, is now susceptible to Adriana's charm and sensuality - even as dark secrets and a rival's treachery threaten to steal her from Colton's arms forever.

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The Reluctant Suitor

Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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The Reluctant Suitor Display
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

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Pacto De Amor/ the Reluctant Suitor
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Manufacturer: Plaza & Janes Editories Sa
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 8401378990

9 Titles by Kathleen Woodiwiss - Wolf and the Dove - Shanna - Ashes in the Wind - Rose in Winter - Come Love a Stranger - So Worthy My Love - Forever in Your Embrace - Petals on the River - Reluctant Suitor

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9 Titles by Kathleen Woodiwiss - Wolf and the Dove - Shanna - Ashes in the Wind - Rose in Winter - Come Love a Stranger - So Worthy My Love - Forever in Your Embrace - Petals on the River - Reluctant Suitor
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Manufacturer: Avon Historical Romance
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000MOINRQ

Product Description

9 massmarket paperback Titles by Kathleen Woodiwiss - Wolf and the Dove - Shanna - Ashes in the Wind - Rose in Winter - Come Love a Stranger - So Worthy My Love - Forever in Your Embrace - Petals on the River - Reluctant Suitor

Amazon.com

Gary Paulsen, author of several books of high adventure and survival--including the Newbery Honor winners Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room--this time brings readers a science fiction tale reminiscent of Planet of the Apes. The Transall Saga follows 13-year-old Mark on his first solo desert camping trip. After stepping into a mysterious beam of light, Mark is transported to another place--a strange and hostile world. As Mark tries to find his way back home, he learns to survive in this dangerous jungle, calling on reserves of strength he didn't know he had. Encountering wild creatures, primitive tribes, and a more advanced and warlike group of humans, the young protagonist is forced to grow up before he can return to the life he once knew. In the process, he becomes a slave, a warrior, and falls in love--all before the mystery of exactly where he is becomes clear.

As an adventure story and coming-of-age tale, The Transall Saga makes for gripping reading. While the account of Mark carving a new life in a place both strangely familiar and totally alien is cleverly imagined, the science fiction elements are, unfortunately, not nearly as well thought out. Still, fans of Paulsen's other works will find much to enjoy here, including vivid characters, exotic locations, and feral beasts that will not soon be forgotten. (Ages 10 to 15) --Neil Roseman

Book Description

Find yourself in another world in The Transall Saga, the latest adventure from Gary Paulsen:

Mark's solo camping trip to the desert begins as any other camping trip, until a mysterious beam of light appears. The trip turns into a terrifying and thrilling adventure when the light beam transports Mark into another time, and what appears to be another planet! Although he is searching for his way back to earth, in the meantime he is forced to make a life in this unknown world. He meets primitive tribes and shares the joy of human bonds, but this end of isolation in the new world also brings war and a struggle for power.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Shitface.......2007-05-23

Gary Paulson has once again written a compelling book on one boys struggle to survive in a strange world. Immediately in the first chapter the main character Mark is thrown into a dangerous environment making an interesting read right from the beginning. With the evolving plot line and the numerous surprises you'll have a hard time doing anything but read Mark's adventure.

As I read this book I loved the various ways Gary Paulson showed how Mark became a master of survival and gained status in the strange world of Transall. He describes everything perfectly so that you can picture it in your mind. Another great thing about the book is its ability to cover many genres; with the mystery of Transall it covers (you guessed it) mystery's spot, the alien world and mutated creatures will keep a sci fi fan happy, and it could even pass as an apt survival guide.

Anyone who has read and enjoyed the Hatchet books will definitely want to grab this book, like the Hatchet books it tells the story of a boys struggle to survive in a unfamiliar place, but it is also very different so it wont feel as if your reading a rewrite of Hatchet. Some of the variations I liked were that it was set in an entirely different plant, there's interaction with other humans (some hostile), the mystery that unravels as you read, and how it is set in more of a medieval time frame.

The Transall Saga.......2007-03-23

In the book The Transall Saga Matt Harrison is hiking in the old Magruder Missle Range when a strange blue light transports him to a future Earth where the Earth has a very different look after nuclear explosions. Matt finds himself in a jungle for a few years trying to find discover what happened to the blue light. While he is in the jungle one day he finds an arrow and that night hears noises coming from the forest. The next day he looks for people and finds them but is knocked out by a guard. He awakes in a hut a few hours later and lives with these people for a few weeks. After he decideds to leave the tribe is attacked by another tribe called the Toosk who kill most of the tribe but capture the rest and make them slaves. After the few years Matt is finally accepted into the tribe after he saves them from an attack from another tribe. After he is made a member, he starts a new life and starts a quest with a few other tribesmen and the leader of the Toosk called the Merkon. On the way to find the light the convoy is attacked and the Merkon is captured. Matt then decides to go on his own to the Toosk capital and find the Merkon. When Matt arrives he finds that the Merkon is alive and hears what has happened to Earth and how a disease like the Black Plague killed mostly everyone and the rest were left with physical disabilities. Matt then fights the Merkon and kills him and then the blue light appears and takes him back to his time.

The Great Light.......2007-03-15

Mark is a bigger kid who loves to explore. He goes out on his own in a desert for a hiking trip. He finds a bright blue light and desides to touch it. He finds himself waking up on another planet,or is it? He has to find ways to survive on this weird planet. He finds what looks to be human life and becomes part of the tribs or villages. He has to fight and protect his village that he grew to love and learns that we are all the same and there is no need for wars. This book teaches how to survive in the wild and how to love one another. Gary Paulson finds amazing ways to tie together the book at the end. It is interesting.

Amazing!!!.......2007-02-24

I just finished reading this book,it was incredible! Just when you think it can't get any better it does! Gary Paulsen capsures the emotions and situations in this book! For people like me that doesn't like to sit down and read for hours and also wants it intresting and action packed this book is perfect!This is a must read 5 star book!

One Camping trip Gone Weird.......2006-11-03

It all started because of one rattlesnake. Who knew it could be so much trouble?.........
But is it really trouble? This thrilling adventure actually shows mark's purpose in life.
It puts him in the best shape of his life, causes him to put his live survival skills to the test, and causes him to build friendships he never thought possible.
When Mark goes on a camping trip in the desert he falls into a strange iridescent beam of light and is transported to another time or planet he must find his way back to his own time.

I really liked the medieval setting. Gary Paulson is also an awesome adventure/survival author. He describes settings and creatures very well. Along with that he uses smaller words to describe whatever he is describing. That way younger kids will understand what he means, and at the same time he describes it just as well as if he had used larger words. It can also teach you some survival skills too. I also can teach you a little of a made up language. The plot is really clear throughout the entire book. Another good thing is all of the suspense. This book has a never-ending chain of suspense. This book also has a lot of themes: friendship, courage, patience, survival, loyalty and trust.

Oct. 1 - Oct 31
Paulson, Gary. (1999). The Transall Saga
New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell for Young Readers. 0-440-21976-0
Adventure/Survival. 248 pgs

Varn Von Crillik

Gary Paulsen Set 5 (Hatchet; The River; My Life in Dog Years; The Transall Saga)

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Gary Paulsen Set 5 (Hatchet; The River; My Life in Dog Years; The Transall Saga)
Gary Paulsen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WGHGGS

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The Transall Saga
Gary Paulsen
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NU0RZA

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Transall Saga

Manufacturer: Dell Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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The Transall Saga
Gary Paulsen
Manufacturer: Recorded Books Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
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The Transall Saga

ASIN: 078872973X

Product Description

Thirteen-year-old Mark Harrison has a week to hike across the desert. He will meet his parents on the other side. By his fourth day, hes made good time. As he settles in for the night, he gazes up at the stars, feeling completely content. Suddenly, a blue light streams from the sky, jolting Mark into another dimension. Now, in a land filled with strange jungle animals and primitive tribes, Mark desperately battles hunger, armed enemies, and superhuman powers. To find the way back to his own world, Mark will need to find greater resources and strengthbut time is running out. Gary Paulsen has written dozens of books for young people. His tales of adventure and survival have won the enthusiastic praise of young adults across the country and many awards, including three Newbery Honors and a Golden Spur award. In this imaginative story, Johnny Hellers narration keeps you close by the resourceful young teenagers side.

4 Titles By Gary Paulsen : Hatchet Canyons The Transall Saga The Car

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4 Titles By Gary Paulsen : Hatchet Canyons The Transall Saga The Car
Gary Paulsen
Manufacturer: Various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Product Description

Four mmpb books. 4 Titles By Gary Paulsen : Hatchet Canyons The Transall Saga The Car.

Book Description

In The Seasons of a Restless Heart popular retreat leader and author Debra K. Farrington retells the story of the Israelites and their time in the desert, before they reached the Promised Land. The struggle of the Israelites wandering in the desert serves to illuminate the everyday challenges of letting go of the past in order to move on to the future. While transitions often feel like an endurance contest that would be better if it would end sooner rather than later, Farrington invites us to rethink these unsettling periods and learn to embrace them. She shows how times of transition can become periods of rest, play, creativity, and discernment. Transitions, Farrington claims, give us the opportunity to re-create and renew ourselves and become more fully what God calls us to be.

Customer Reviews:

Gentle Guide.......2006-07-10

Debra's unique ability to weave personal stories, spiritual reflection and practical suggestions has produced an invaluable aid to assist anyone making an life transition albeit a personal illness, graduation, job change, loss of a love one, divorce or any other crises that befall us in our everyday lives. She speaks as someone who has lived through these dry spells and offers hope for those who cannot see their way clearly that yes there is a tomorrow.

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