The Real Minerva

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A tense, compelling read

In search of the selkie within...

Excellent Historical Novel

A Real Book, for Real Readers

An absorbing story

The Real Minerva
Mary Sharratt
Manufacturer: Mariner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0618618880

Book Description

A riveting, old-fashioned story with a modern spirit, Mary Sharratt's follow-up to her much-acclaimed debut, Summit Avenue, is the story of three women forging their own paths in a midwestern farming community. In 1923, as book-loving Penny enters adolescence, her mother pulls her out of school to go to work. Penny, the only child of Barbara, an embittered single mother who works as a cleaning woman for a wealthy family, sees no escape from her bleak existence until a scandalous figure arrives in the town of Minerva, Minnesota, and sets tongues wagging. Cora, very pregnant, very headstrong, and very alone, has come to make a home on her grandfather's farm. Intrigued by this curious woman, Penny goes to work for her. Like Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, The Real Minerva is a suspenseful and moving novel about the strength of women and the unexpected bonds that form between them.

Customer Reviews:

A tense, compelling read.......2005-02-19

"She's your angel. She saved us both." These are the words we read in the prologue of Mary Sharratt's captivating second novel, The Real Minerva. The woman who speaks shows her daughter, the prologue's narrator, a photograph of the angel, "...taken before she vanished from Minerva and embarked on her long journey." From that moment, we understand that in this story someone will be saved, but something - or someone - will be lost.

The novel centers around the lives of three women - fifteen year-old Penny, her beautiful but emotionally hardened mother Barbara, and Cora, a wealthy socialite who has fled her abusive husband - living in Minnesota in 1923. These characters spring to life on the very first pages and from there grow in depth and complexity. Cora is pregnant, a secret she hopes her brutal husband will never learn. She plans to raise her child alone on her grandfather's farm. Penny's relationship with her mother is troubled in ways far beyond those of a normal young teen and her parent. Barbara is having an affair with the married man they clean house for, and Penny's disgust and disillusionment push her into a terrible quarrel with her mother. Penny runs away to Cora's farm in answer to an ad Cora has placed for a hired girl, and in this encounter we glimpse how deeply their fates are intertwined.

Sharratt masterfully shows us how the world sees these three women, how they see each other, how they see themselves. She depicts what we think we already know - that people judge us, that they see us through the lens of their own need to conform. But then she deftly pulls us into the shoes of both judge and judged

There is nothing extraneous here. Even the secondary characters exemplify change and loss and possibility. The story cannot move forward without them. Irene, the bitter daughter of Barbara's employer, along with Cora's husband Adam remind us the dark side of passion is rage. Cora's interaction with the migrant workers who come to help with the harvest shows us the woman she was meant to be. We wonder if this woman is lost forever, and the author means us to. Cora is at once driven and crippled by her fear and hatred of her estranged husband. She wants to save herself, but in the end she cannot. She is too broken. But more importantly, she is us. And through these characters we learn once again that we can run from our lives, but not from ourselves. We must face who we are and chose who we will become.

This story leaves its mark, a mark that honors those who are saved, those who save them, and the price each must pay. For in the end, there is always a price. The Real Minerva does not let us forget that.

In search of the selkie within..........2004-11-29

What a pleasure to discover a "new" writer who truly belongs in the company of women writers such as Anita Shreve and others. Both Summit Avenue and The Real Minerva are haunting novels, calling out to and transfixing the reader with images and emotions so real that we are all with the main characters as they discover and experience blood, betrayal, strength, and sisterhood. We are all able to find the selkie within us, identifying with the shape-shifting of Cora, Penny, and Barbara, as they confront the circumstances that force their transformation for survival and safety, yet protect their inner strength and loyalty, not only to themselves but to other women in their lives.

This writing beckons to the reader to forge ahead, to follow the path of most resistance, and yet to hope there is no ending, only so that the story will go on. However, knowing it has to end, I am left waiting in anticipation for the next book, the next shape-shifter who goes beyond the limits of conventionality, who will shake us from our traditional viewpoints, expectations, and limitations. Here's to stretching, not remaining earthbound, for in truth "sometimes the Gods disguise themselves as mortals and walk among us, at least for a time, before they disappear."

Excellent Historical Novel.......2004-10-31

Mary Sharratt is the up and coming queen of early twentieth century mid-western American fiction. She weaves together a rich tapestry of painstakingly researched facts, mythology, folklore and feminism. While her first book explored the intricacies of lesbian relationships in the early 20th century, this one concerns friendship and the often times rocky relationship between mother and daughter. It is about a girl coming of age and accepting her mother's sexuality. A woman making it on her own after surviving abuse. Unresolved resentment. Lust. Incest. Violence. Murder. Infanticide. Colorful characters thrust into vivid by-gone era scenery. All the good things that make for an absolutely enthralling novel, and yet, it is also more than that. For those who are willing to look, it also contains insights and observations into the human condition. Excellent and highly recommended!

A Real Book, for Real Readers.......2004-10-27

The Real Minerva is just that--a real book. Not pretentious, not attempting to ride the trends, not obsessed with overblown language solely for the glory of its author. Not an unreadable creation for people who want to impress their peers by waving around a copy of the latest, hot-for-no-good-reason literary novel.

It is, instead, a story as unforgettable as any fairy tale we heard as children, peopled with characters who not only come immediately to life--they come to live with you. It is a lovely, satisfying story which reminds us that suspense--wanting to know what happens next and being unable to put down the book--doesn't depend upon noisy, gimics.

Mary Sharratt's voice is uniquely her own, yet her work resonates with the marvelously old-fashioned quality of good storytelling. There is not a wasted word here, and you'll find yourself rereading passages, not because you didn't understand, but because the language is so lovely, in such an understated way--like a perfect little black dress.

Don't miss this one!

An absorbing story.......2004-09-25

Having read Mary Sharratt's first book, Summit Avenue, I expected strong female characters--what amazed me was how different, how individual the heroines of The Real Minerva were. How unique this second novel is--it shows new aspects of life as a woman in the beginning of the 20th century, the hardships they face, the decisions they make. Cora, Penelope and Barbara are brave, complex characters, surrounded by a cast of well drawn secondary characters; Irene, Mr Hamilton, the town gossips, Dr Lovell, all are real, breathing people.

The Real Minerva has a rich, compelling plot that keeps you reading. Sharratt has managed to write suspense on every page, with careful word choice and precise use of metaphor. She depicts so many fascinating characters, scenes and events without using one word more than necessary, something few authors manage to do. And she has fun with subtle literary allusions and entertaining coincidences.

Overall an excellent book, heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time, and great fun to read. I can't wait for Sharratt's next novel.

"His flag": An exercise in patriotism : "real pictures" by real people

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"His flag": An exercise in patriotism : "real pictures" by real people
Minerva L Guthapfel
Manufacturer: M.G. Lee
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0008CO6FK

In the Supreme Court of the State of Idaho: November term, 1897 ; brief of respondent, Minerva M. Woolley, on appeal from the District Court of the Fifth ... District, Bear Lake County, State of Idaho

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In the Supreme Court of the State of Idaho: November term, 1897 ; brief of respondent, Minerva M. Woolley, on appeal from the District Court of the Fifth ... District, Bear Lake County, State of Idaho
John McMillan
Manufacturer: Statesman printing company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Law | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0008CBIU6

Notizen zur Konstruktion von Realzeit-Software (Minerva-Fachserie Technik)

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Notizen zur Konstruktion von Realzeit-Software (Minerva-Fachserie Technik)
Volkmar Haase
Manufacturer: Minerva-Publikation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

German | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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All German Books | German | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 3597100422

Real Capela da Universidade: Alguns apontamentos e notas para sua historia (Universitatis conimbrigensis historiae fontes et subsidia. Serie Minerva)

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Real Capela da Universidade: Alguns apontamentos e notas para sua historia (Universitatis conimbrigensis historiae fontes et subsidia. Serie Minerva)
Antonio de Vasconcelos
Manufacturer: Livraria Minerva
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Portuguese | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 9725940520

Download Description

Heiress Porsche Rothchild didn't expect to be an undercover bodyguard to Jeremy Reins--a high-maintainance Hollywood bad boy. Is he faking the threats on his life to get attention? She'll find out one way or another.

Customer Reviews:

fine Gotham Roses thriller .......2005-11-05

The Gotham Roses recruited wealthy party animal and habitual boutique shopper Porsche Rothschild as an It Girl, a group of spoiled debutants with no meaning to their lives until they become trained to fight crime. Her first assignment is to protect Hollywood superstar Jeremy Reins and his girlfriend; also without leaving the duo unprotected uncover the identity of who threatens to harm Jeremy.

In Los Angeles, Porsche assumes Jeremy is pulling a hoax to gain publicity. She writes off his claims of stalking as self promotion and wants off the baby-sitting assignment that is beneath her besides interfering with her shopping sprees. She changes her mind when she almost eats a bullet. In between hitting the designer stores, Porsche protects her charge, begins to dig into who wants to kill the idol, and even makes time with Jeremy's manager who she likes a lot.

The latest Gotham Roses thriller is a fun tale starring a spoiled little rich girl turned crime fighter. Fans will enjoy watching Porsche who seems like almost a spit personality between the haughty shopper and the persistent sleuth with a self deprecating sense of humor. She makes the story line whether she fights bad guys or bad store clerks in this latest lampooning of crime busters.

Harriet Klausner

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Lethally Blonde
Nancy Bartholomew
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OWGASA

Silhouette Bombshell Series, No. 65 thru 72: Iron Dove; Lethally Blonde; Exit Strategy; Her Best Defense; Double Dare; Ms. Longshot; The Cardinal Rule; Silent Reckoning

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Silhouette Bombshell Series, No. 65 thru 72: Iron Dove; Lethally Blonde; Exit Strategy; Her Best Defense; Double Dare; Ms. Longshot; The Cardinal Rule; Silent Reckoning
Judith; Bartholomew, Nancy; Donovan, Kate; Merritt, Jackie; Myles, Lori; Hinze, Vicki; Kurtz, Sylvie; Demody, Cate; Webb, Debra Leon
Manufacturer: Harlequin Enterprises, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000VPNXAS

Amazon.com

In this sequel to Dawn, Lilith Iyapo has given birth to what looks like a normal human boy named Akin. But Akin actually has five parents: a male and female human, a male and female Oankali, and a sexless Ooloi. The Oankali and Ooloi are part of an alien race that rescued humanity from a devastating nuclear war, but the price they exact is a high one--the aliens are compelled to genetically merge their species with other races, drastically altering both in the process. On a rehabilitated Earth, this "new" race is emerging through human/Oankali/Ooloi mating, but there are also "pure" humans who choose to resist the aliens and the salvation they offer. These resisters are sterilized by the Ooloi so that they cannot reproduce the genetic defect that drives humanity to destroy itself, but otherwise they are left alone (unless they become violent). When the resisters kidnap young Akin, the Oankali choose to leave the child with his captors, for he--the most &quothuman" of the Oankali children--will decide whether the resisters should be given back their fertility and freedom, even though they will only destroy themselves again. This is the second volume in Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis series, a powerful tale of alien existence.

Book Description

In this sequel to Dawn, Lilith Iyapo has given birth to what looks like a normal human boy named Akin. But Akin actually has five parents: a male and female human, a male and female Oankali, and a sexless Ooloi. The Oankali and Ooloi are part of an alien race that rescued humanity from a devastating nuclear war, but the price they exact is a high one--the aliens are compelled to genetically merge their species with other races, drastically altering both in the process. On a rehabilitated Earth, this "new" race is emerging through human/Oankali/Ooloi mating, but there are also "pure" humans who choose to resist the aliens and the salvation they offer.These resisters are sterilized by the Ooloi so that they cannot reproduce the genetic defect that drives humanity to destroy itself, but otherwise they are left alone (unless they become violent). When the resisters kidnap young Akin, the Oankali choose to leave the child with his captors, for he--the most quothuman" of the Oankali children--will decide whether the resisters should be given back their fertility and freedom, even though they will only destroy themselves again. This is the second volume in Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis series, a powerful tale of alien existence.

Customer Reviews:

science fiction exploration of identity.......2007-02-13

Now I know why the three volume Xenogenesis series was collected in a single volume titled Lilith's Brood. Adulthood Rites is the second entry of three in Xenogenesis and the focus has shifted from Lilith Iyapo to her part human / part Oankali son, Akin. In Dawn we were introduced to an Earth that had all but been destroyed by humanity before the remnants of humanity were rescued by the alien race Oankali. The Oankali survive and adapt by finding new species and civilizations to "Trade" with. In the rescue of humanity, the Oankali will Trade with humans and help humanity repopulate the newly restored Earth. But at a cost. Humanity will no longer be what it once was because a Trade involves both parties giving up something and receiving something in return. Humanity will get another step on the evolutionary scale but will be far more and less than what they once were. Lilith Iyapo was chosen by the Oankali to seed the first colony and awake the remnant from their slumber and teach them to accept the Oankali. In many ways she failed with that first group she was given, but by the end of Dawn Lilith was to found her first community while those who would not accept what had occurred were isolated and left sterile. Breeding could only happen with the permission of the Oankali. At the very end Dawn we learn that Lilith was pregnant.

When Adulthood Rites opens, the story is focused on Akin, one of Lilith's hybrid children and her first son. Because he is part Oankali, Akin is aware in the womb and if he were fully human one would consider him unnaturally precocious. As it stands he is not fully human, though as an infant he looks human enough (except for his tongue). The focus of Adulthood Rites remains squarely on Akin with brief flashes of events surrounding Lilith, but only to a point. I would suggest that 95% of the story follows Akin as he grows and as he is kidnapped by raiders who seek to have children the only way they can, which is by theft. This theft, or kidnapping, of Akin is the event that drives how the rest of the story will play as it shapes Akin into something different than he might otherwise have been had he been left to bond with his siblings.

A major theme of Butler's work here seems to be of the nature of identity. What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be different? What does it mean to have an identity in a particular culture and embrace that of another? Or be embraced by another? Butler's fiction, in particular the Xenogenesis trilogy, addresses these issues in such a way that it fits a science fiction story with aliens and tentacles, but it is really a story that addresses what can go on in our society as well. There is a depth here once one looks beyond the surface of an interesting story. Make no mistake, Adulthood Rites is an interesting story.

With all of that said about what the novel is about and what it is talking about, I do need to confess that like Dawn, I found Adulthood Rites to be less engaging and gripping than some of Butler's other fiction. In particular Kindred and the two Parable novels seem to me to be stronger works of fiction than Xenogenesis. What does that mean for the casual reader? Not much. Adulthood Rites would only be considered a "lesser" work of fiction when it is being compared to Butler's own work. Otherwise, I would suggest that Adulthood Rites (and Dawn before it) is a creative look at science fiction and how actually meeting an alien race could and would change humanity irrevocably. To be blunt, Butler tells a damn good story and keeps taking that damn good story in directions that were not necessarily apparent when the story began. She keeps it interesting and she keeps it authentic (as authentic as aliens changing the genetics of humans could be, but it feels real, and that's important).

Bottom Line: Octavia Butler need to be read by more people. She was a top shelf talent with a powerful creative voice and Adulthood Rites is a good novel that suffers only, only in comparison to her own work. In comparison to others, she stands tall.

-Joe Sherry

The Passing of a Star.......2006-06-15

Octavia Butler recently died in Seattle. Her passing is a great loss to literature in general and science fiction in particular. She once said that she didn't really write `Science Fiction' as such because she did know much about science. In fact her books do tackle some of the big themes of SciFi, but are not in the `hard science' genre. Her themes were race, sexuality, and the nature of `reality.'

Ms Butler was dyslexic, [...], above average in height, African American, and a genius. She lived as a hermit in the middle of a major city and created a body of work which stands with the very best. She won both Hugo and Nebula Awards several times and the MacArthur Foundation `Genius' Award in 1995. I think she is one of the few SciFi writers to have received this recognition.

I am posting this review on each of the Xenogenesis Trilogy (Dawn, Adulthood Rites, and Imago) sites as well as the volume where they are collected; `Lilith's Brood.' All are excellent and recommended.

In this series Ms Butler took on sexuality and the nature of `humanity' in a startling new way. She gradually takes the reader from the perspective of a `human,' specifically an Earthling who encounters an alien race to the perspective of the `alien,' specifically the descendent of interbreeding between humans and aliens who is now the `human' and sees Earthlings as the aliens.

Ms Butler skills are so great that this change in perspective goes so slowly that the reader is largely unaware until it has been accomplished. While some will dither about which of Ms Butler's novels are her `greatest,' few will argue that this series is superb. I have read nearly all of Ms Butler's works and enjoyed them all. I think she was one of the finest writers of speculative fiction in recent history and will miss her work.

Wonderful........2003-01-30

This book and the other two in this trilogy are my favorite books. I've read them repeatedly.

Best of the Xenogenesis Series by a Very Narrow Margin.......2002-05-23

Better than "Dawn," the first of the series, and slightly better than the finale, "Imago." All 3 are OUTSTANDING. Save money by buying "Lilith's Brood," which contains all 3. See "Lilith's Brood" for more about each book.

Integral to the 3 part story.......2001-06-21

Butler uses her skills as a Science fiction writer to make all of us think about what defines our humanity. It's a test that has no correct answers except to survive. Only a leap of faith and fear aids Butlers characters through their Adulthood Rites.

Adulthood Rites: Xenogenesis (Butler, Octavia//Xenogenesis)

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Adulthood Rites: Xenogenesis (Butler, Octavia//Xenogenesis)
Octavia E. Butler
Manufacturer: Warner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Fledgling

ASIN: 0446514225

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Adulthood Rites: Xenogenesis II
Octavia Butler
Manufacturer: Orion Publishing Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0575042389

Octavia Butler: Xenogenesis Series, 1-3 Dawn, Adulthood Rites & Imago (XENOGENESIS SERIES, 1-3)

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Octavia Butler: Xenogenesis Series, 1-3 Dawn, Adulthood Rites & Imago (XENOGENESIS SERIES, 1-3)
OCTAVIA BUTLER
Manufacturer: ASPECT
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VA2WX2

Product Description

Lilith Lyapo is in the remote Andes, mourning the death of her husband and son, when nuclear war destroys the world. Centuries later, she revives, held captive aboard a starship.

Xenogenesis: Dawn, Adulthood Rites, Imago

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Xenogenesis: Dawn, Adulthood Rites, Imago
Octavia E. Butler
Manufacturer: Guild America Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NOEOAU

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ADULTHOOD RITES (XENOGENESIS, NO 2)
OCTAVIA E. BUTLER
Manufacturer: Aspect
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000P9T1GU

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Book Description

Organized in Biblical sequence and written with simplicity. Ideal for use as a handy-reference book.

Customer Reviews:

1 of the best if not the best!.......2000-10-25

I just started studing The Bible 5 yrs ago and out of the like 25 prophecy books I've read this is #1. User-friendly, to the point, I will definattly get copies for friends. Mr. Duck if u read this please release this book in other languages. :)

Great book, easy to understand.......1999-12-02

I really got alot out of this book and i couldn't put it down. It's so interesting when you actually see prophecy being fulfilled and also seeing things that are happening now that definitely point to the 2nd Coming of Christ. I used this book along with my bible so that I could fully study and understand.

Great Book!.......1999-09-15

Superb piece of work by Mr. Duck. Reads easily, yet has plenty of depth and detail. This book has been passed around both my wife's and my families. I don't expect to ever see my copy again.

My only complaint was the book itself--the pages kept falling out. Suggest use better glue in subsequent printings.

Excellent work.......1998-10-31

This is an excellent insight on end-times. Well written and easy to understand, this book is a perfect accompanyment to Mr. Ducks more recent work, Revelation : God's Word for the Bibically-Inept

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