The Jump-Off Creek

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Realistic, poetic and directionless

I love Molly Gloss!

Not the Romantic West

A Nontraditional Western Female Plot Entwined with a Stereot

Incredible and artistically portrayed

The Jump-Off Creek
Molly Gloss
Manufacturer: Mariner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0618565876

Book Description

A reading group favorite, The Jump-Off Creek is the unforgettable story of widowed homesteader Lydia Sanderson and her struggles to settle in the mountains of Oregon in the 1890s. "Every gritty line of the story rings true" (Seattle Times) as Molly Gloss delivers an authentic and moving portrait of the American West. "A powerful novel of struggle and loss" (Dallas Morning News), The Jump-Off Creek gives readers an intimate look at the hardships of frontier life and a courageous woman determined to survive.

Customer Reviews:

Realistic, poetic and directionless.......2005-10-23

I enjoyed this book. The character is compelling because her mission is, and those around her each have fully-developed personae and thus are fascinating to watch, but at the point where this story is ready to take off, it goes nowhere. Lydia, our strong female lead, rejects male attachment, but the author's point seems to be her soldiering on without needing something to fill that void. However, the other void, that of change or rise in her life, is not addressed, and the book ends up tapering out to a conclusion that reminds me of the null poetry of innumerable urban wordsmith slams I've attended. The point is the no point. But do we need another voice telling us that, when we already have death to stare us down at the end of a full life? I would read more from this author, and appreciated the strengths of this book, but find it drifting in the entropic grey area of all things that fence-sit.

I love Molly Gloss!.......2002-11-13

I loved "The Dazzle of Day" and now I love "The Jump-Off Creek". Molly Gloss is a wonderful writer. The images are evocative, the characters ring true, the plot is interesting and engrossing. My only criticism is the frequency with which she describes "smiles" (slow, deliberate, flat, purposefully, gently, etc.) -- it got a bit distracting. But that's a small criticism. Molly Gloss: write more, faster!

Not the Romantic West.......2002-03-25

A woman homesteads by herself in eastern Oregon. There are the standard dangers, problems, terrors and tragedies. This is saved from being trite by the stoic and undaunted character of the woman. Gloss also avoids the usual romantic happily-ever-after with the man next door.

Gloss has used journals and diaries of women in the West in hopes to draw out some of the nontraditional women's roles in the West, "I hope their strong, honest voices can be heard in this book." Showing that gender roles weren't fixed as many choose to believe, we see Lydia doing hard, manual labor, and Tim cooking and doing the wash. Lydia, the heroine of the book, abandons typical women's roles in the very beginning when she picks up and moves West alone to start a new life. "I'd rather have my own house, sorry as it is, than the wedding ring of a man who couldn't be roused from sleeping when his own child was slipping out of me unborn."

Gloss attempts to break down the Western stereotypes for men. Tim and Blue are like real men we could meet if we were on the frontier, not larger than life heroes that commonly dominate Western myths. Unlike heroes admired for their independence, Tim and Blue are dependant on others and each other on the frontier . They become almost like children in their dependence on others, "He turned and looked at her, ducking his chin." Things don't come easily for them and they struggle like any human being would have, "Tim put the gun down in the mud and went, shaking, across the bloody wallow on his knees." Even being a cowboy is rejected in this book, "He said he'd seen years when a good cowboy couldn't by himself a job, but a good cook could pretty much always find work."

Besides narrations from characters, Gloss utilizes Lydia's journal entries to make the story more real, personal, and familiar. This helps us recognize and remember Lydia's real identity, while the central narration builds the events of her daily life in a flowing form. Dreams of easy success are shot down in The Jump Off Creek. Giving a truer picture of the West, The Jump Off Creek is not a romanticized myth of adventure and easy success. Gloss establishes a view that shows the desperation of lives in a West where there is nothing new and glorious to see and experience every day. We see the miserable and wretched hard lives that one might have encountered. Fantasies of ease and comfort in the West are gone in this novel. It isn't a fairy tale like the traditional Western, where the good guy always wins, and the hero can handle any problem successfully. This book doesn't contain a lot of action, but instead it brings out the monotonous daily life of establishing a new home in the West and centers on the domestic side of the West. Gloss tells us of the every day grind and challenges of lives where sometimes people fail and hours of hard work are only the beginning of more hours of hard work.

A Nontraditional Western Female Plot Entwined with a Stereot.......2001-08-10

Mrs. Lydia Sanderson had married and her husband had moved into her room at her father's house so that she could continue to run her father's farm and help nurse her sick father. After both her father and her husband die, she sells all her husband's possessions and buys a relinquishment claim in the Blue Mountains of Oregon, leaving her binding life behind: "The truth is. . . I'd rather have my own house, sorry as it is, than the wedding ring of a dead man who couldn't be roused from sleeping when his own child was slipping out of me unborn" (81).

This novel is the story of about the first year and a half of her homestead. She is an incredibly laconic person and the converstations seem to drag on because more is understood or thought than is spoken. She is an incredibly positive woman who faces homesteadings challenges without self-doubt or equivocating whether it is evicting the squatters from her home, chasing a bear that is stalking her goats, or spitting cedar shakes for a new roof. However, she always tries to be proper. A neighbor rides up when she is nailing poles into the chinks of her log cabin, and she comments, "I smiled an presented myself as ladylike as liable to be with a hammer in my hand and nails in my teeth!" (102). Lydia Sanderson's character is awe-inspiringly solid and by the end, she is willing to teach the male hero how to put up hay.

Unfortunately, the more traditional male physical conflict story of two ranchers, Blue Odell and Tim Whiteaker take over the narrative. Wolfers begin to shoot cattle to provide meat for their poisoned bait, and they set leg-hold traps that wound a bear so that it begins to prey on domesticated animals. Blue and Tim avenge their losses, but the "evil wolfers" always retaliate with stronger measures. The conflict escalates from words, to loosing a picketed horse, to a fist fight, to a horse getting shot, and finally culminating in a rifle shoot-out.

The two plots are entwined because Mrs. Sanderson and Mr. Odell and Mr. Whiteaker are neighbors who help each other in times of need. The men's unthinking impulse to retaliate for injustices is in sharp contrast to Mrs. Sanderson's well-considered, steady progress in building herself a home and good neighbors.

It is unfortunate that a woman homesteading alone in order to establish her own freedom wasn't enough.

Incredible and artistically portrayed.......2001-03-08

An incredibly poignant novel that reads and feels as sharp and clear as a freezing cold running stream.

The author writes crisply, economically and precisely to reflect the times and circumstances of the lifestyle of Lydia Sanderson. Lydia is widowed and decides to purchase what remains of a forsaken homestead in the Blue Mountains. The challenges that she must face up to are great, being a woman, even greater, still. The work she must do is brutal, the weather a force to break men's souls, the physical labor more demanding than anything she knows. Yet she accepts this completely.

In brilliant detail the author portrays how this woman lived alone and prospered. It is a fascinating accounting of her lifestyle; the items she has in her possession, what she eats and how she transports herself and her animals. All of this is told conservatively as her journal recounts the challenges that unfold before her.

In contrast to her personal life, the reader is introduced to the folk that live nearest to her. These are strong and beautiful characters, tough and tender, strong and bending. In very difficult times, they came together and helped each other. Their spirit is reflected through the accounting of Lydia's story.

Average customer rating:
Jump Off Creek Inscribed 1ST Edition
Molly Gloss
Manufacturer: HOUGHTON MIFFLIN CO@
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PKXV7Y

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Jump Off Creek Signed
Molly Gloss
Manufacturer: HOUGHTON MIFFLIN CO@
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000U27O0C

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The Jump-off Creek
Molly Gloss
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Co./Mariner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K1PEHI

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Jump Off Creek Signed
Molly Gloss
Manufacturer: HOUGHTON MIFFLIN CO@
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SIEC9Y

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The Jump-off Creek
Molly Gloss
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K1N2AE

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Reader's Guide the Jump-Off Creek
Houghton Mifflin Company
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Notes | Education | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0395939704

Book Description

Ancient Evil threatens the Elves: The ancient tree created by long-lost Elven magic, is dying. When Wil Ohmsford is summoned to guard the Amberle on a perilous quest to gather a new seed for a new tree, he is faced with the Reaper, the most fearsome of all Demons. And Wil is without power to control them....

Download Description

The magical Ellcrys tree is dying, loosening the spell that bars theDemons from enacting vengeance upon the land. Now Wil Ohmsford mustguard the Elven girl Amberle on a perilous quest as she carries one ofthe Ellcrys' seeds to a mysterious place where it can be quickened intoa powerful new force. But dark on their trail comes the Reaper, mostfearsome of all Demons, aiming to crush their mission at any cost.

Thus continues the enthralling Shannara epic, a spellbinding tale ofadventure, magic, and myth. The Elfstones of Shannara is thethird volume of the classic series that has become one of the mostpopular fantasy tales of all time.

Customer Reviews:

Review by Author of Everyday Miracles.......2007-08-23

An excellent book of mythology, delightfully presented by the author to bring to life characters, places and of a particular era. A gripping tale of the experience of ancient demons that threaten the existence of the elves; A horde of vengeful spells holds the reader spellbound from beginning to end.The magical elfstones and the potential destruction of the elves is frightenng. Great structure and style of this book, make this an interesting book to read. I look forward to reading his other books.

Everyday Miracles: Stories That Touch Your Heart

Awesome!!! One of the best fantasy books I've ever read.......2007-04-03

I am quickly becoming a huge fan of Terry Brooks. I have now finished two of his books, (Sword of Shannara being the other one) and I must say that i am very impressed. I would say that his books are just as addicting and well written as JK Rowlings Harry Potter series. I love the fact that at the end of each chapter it leaves with a cliff hanger and you have to keep reading.

The Elfstones of Shannara is an exhillerating fast paced book with plenty of action, romance, character development, drama, intrigue, suspense, etc etc etc that you will find on the market today. The story is absolutely beautiful, the writing is superb and the action and suspense are second to none. The characters are realistic and the content of the book is such that it's really suitable for just about any age. (a lot of violence which you expect and want from a book like this but absolutely no swearing or sex). Imagine that... a beautiful love story that doesn't have sex. Hmmmm

I can' wait to read Wishsong of Shannara next.

WONDERFUL. An emotional, gripping tale.......2007-02-22

The Sword of Shannara, the first Brooks book I read, took some time for me to get into it, as I found the first part to be too similar to LOTR for my liking. The Elfstones of Shannara, however, sucked me in right from the first page. It is very fast-paced, emotional and strangely poetic. I cared very deeply for the 2 main characters, the love they had for each other truly moved me to tears. This book greatly surpassed the original and it's a must-read. Memorable characters, epic battles, romance and a good storyline, this book has it all.

bibliokleptomaniac says:.......2007-02-01

MARVELOUS, simply MARVELOUS. Follow a young elf and her companion in a quest to save the world from being overrun with DEMONS! it is soooooo exciting! i had to read it all in one day, because it wouldn't let me sleep! i think that you will be swept away by it, whoever you are. you'll LOVE it, i promise.

Great Book.......2007-01-28

This is a very well writen fantasy book. The characters are all well shapped and the battles are described very vividly. This is one of my favortite fantasy books.

p.s. I'm not really a "kid" but don't feel like posting the email adress.

The Elfstones of Shannara (A Dell Rey Book)

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The Elfstones of Shannara (A Dell Rey Book)
Terry Brooks
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Not Free SF Reader

The Elfstone of Shannara
Terry Brooks
Manufacturer: Carlton Books Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Magic elf tree is dying.

So guess who gets to go on a quest? Yep, your young elf boy. After all, apparently most people don't want to have the demon realm invade their own and do very very bad things. Most people also don't have druids manipulating them, magic powers that don't work very well, magic swords, annoying elf girls, or any of the rest of that sort of thing.

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The Elfstones of Shannara
Terry Brooks
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Elfstones of Shannara

Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HHZOH0

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The Elfstones of Shannara
Terry Brooks
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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The Elfstones of Shannara (Orbit Books)
Terry Brooks
Manufacturer: Orbit
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

The Elfstones of Shannara (Sword of Shannara)

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The Elfstones of Shannara (Sword of Shannara)
Terry Brooks
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

The Shannara Trilogy: The Sword of Shannara + The Elfstones of Shannara + The Wishsong of Shannara

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The Shannara Trilogy: The Sword of Shannara + The Elfstones of Shannara + The Wishsong of Shannara
Terry Brooks
Manufacturer: Del Rey - Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

The Elfstones of Shannara: Sword of Shannara, Book 2 (Unabridged)

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The Elfstones of Shannara: Sword of Shannara, Book 2 (Unabridged)
Terry Brooks
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download

Customer Reviews:

extremely satisfied.......2007-07-27

my item arrived in brand new condition and i was very happy with my purchase

Needs more punch, not punches.......2007-04-02

The gray-skinned, muscle-bound Doomsday was custom-designed to kill Superman. Their climactic battle, which spanned several issues of the Superman comic, ended with both landing fatal blows. Superman died but, as we all knew he would, got better.

And, since Superman was resurrected after the battle, it's only fair that Doomsday was, too. Of course, with both fatalities reversed, any real impact of the storyline was negated, but that's one of those issues comic-book publishers rarely think through.

Anyway, that brings us to "The Doomsday Wars," which is Doomsday's third appearance (after dying twice). This time, the bony behometh is rescued from oblivion by the alien genius Brainiac, who poured his superior intellect into Doomsday's body to create an unstoppable killing and thinking machine. Of course, Superman will stop him, right?

Ah, but boyhood sweetheart Lana Lang has just delivered a premature baby, and Superman must fly the infant to a distant hospital in hopes of saving its life. Granted, his flight path takes him right over Doomsday's swath of destruction, where the broken bodies of the JLA litter his path, but Superman has decided that saving one infant's life is more important than saving hundreds of civilians in the monster's way, so he's not stopping. Or rather, he doesn't want to stop, but Doomsday/Brainiac has other plans.

The story boils down to a big slugfest, with JLA heroes sadly ineffective and Superman mostly distracted. And somehow it all hinges on a bunch of cows that died on Pa Kent's farm when Superman was an unpowered teen.

The art by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund is good, but Jurgens' story needs more punch.

by Tom Knapp, Rambles.(n e t) editor

Good for characterization, but not much for fighting........2007-01-01

I think all the low ratings of this come from those expecting an action-packed comic, as suggested by the name "Doomsday Wars." In fact, it's somewhat of an inaccurate name, as Doomsday shows up for what seems like a brief visit, and half of his villainy is actually the infamous Braniac. That, and the true storyline (not a subplot by any means) is about Superman's impossible quest to save everyone and always be the hero.

The situation at hand is really a device to show why this guy is often referred to as a "boyscout" : with the failure to protect Cat Grant's child and his father's herd in his mind, he ignores a signal for help from the Justice League to take Lana Lang's dying child to a more capable hospital. Of course, the reason why the JLA needed help is exactly why getting to that hospital will be a rough ride: Doomsday.

What ensues is a terribly tense situation of trying to shield a dying, premature baby while in flight and being relentlessly attacked by Doomsday; Superman doesn't fight much because he simply can't.

The result is a teency-bit predictable end of being able to save the day in both ways, and great characterization of our boyscout. Action may be exciting, but the modern Superman is less about aggression than about protecting the helpless - exactly his mission in this novel.

Besides story, like in any good TPB, there are those snippets of great artwork that are difficult to look away from.

Less action than you might expect, but certainly not to the extent of Peace on Earth Superman. Well worth seeking, even if a used copy.

Another fine Doomsday stories.......2006-03-22

I've read three storylines with Doomsday in it; the original Death of Superman, Superman Hunter/Prey, and now this. Although I didn't like the first one I enjoyed the Supes' rematch with Doomsday and the Doomsday Wars is also highly enjoyable. The other storylines mixed into the story only manage to make it more interesting and emotional. Very good. Too bad it's out of stock at the moment.

best superman book i've read.......2002-02-06

i picked up this book to get some background on "the big boyscout"as batman refers to him,vs doomsday.i was very shocked how strong the story was.superman knows first hand how dangerous this foe can be.he is torn between doing what he should do and saving an old friends child.the story kept me at the edge of my seat.i have read it over 3 times.some say that this book is too soft,i say it is full of action and makes you think.you will not be disapointed.

Action Comics #684 : Superman in "Doomsday Is Near" (DC Comics)

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Action Comics #684 : Superman in "Doomsday Is Near" (DC Comics)
Roger Stern
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Avengers #315: Doomsday Plus One (Marvel Comic Book 1990)

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Avengers #315: Doomsday Plus One (Marvel Comic Book 1990)
John Byrne
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Classic X-Men #2 : The Doomsday Scenario

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Classic X-Men #2 : The Doomsday Scenario
Chris Claremont
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

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Doomsday Wars 3 Volumes :Superman
Dan Jurgens
Manufacturer: DC COMICS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VFJF8M

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Doomsday Wars Book 1 :Superman
Dan Jurgens
Manufacturer: DC COMICS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UDNSOM

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Doomsday Wars Book 2 :Superman
Dan Jurgens
Manufacturer: DC COMICS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UDJMY2

Superman #74 : Countdown to Doomsday (DC Comics)

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Superman #74 : Countdown to Doomsday (DC Comics)
Dan Jurgens
Manufacturer: DC Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Superman #75 : Doomsday! (The Death of Superman - DC Comics)

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Superman #75 : Doomsday! (The Death of Superman - DC Comics)
Dan Jurgens
Manufacturer: DC Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

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ASIN: B000SNLMVA

Superman The Man of Steel #18 : Doomsday Part 1 (DC Comics)

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Superman The Man of Steel #18 : Doomsday Part 1 (DC Comics)
Louise Simonson
Manufacturer: DC Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

Key writings in feminist spirituality drawing on the great diversity of women's experience.

Customer Reviews:

Comprehensive Overview.......2004-05-10

This book, edited by Judith Plaskow and Carol Christ, is an overview of current trends in Feminist Spirituality. This volume attempts to cover many different forms of feminist spirituality including Judaism, Christianity, Pagan, and Native American. It also examines various trends and special areas that are of a concern in feminist theology. Being as comprehensive as it is, I was disappointed that there was no mention of Islam within the book. For me, that was the difference between 4 stars and 5 stars.

Every woman should read this :).......2002-01-25

I read this for class. The professor was um, psycho, but I learned a LOT from this book. It opened my eyes to the Goddess in all of us. I learned much more about our heritages and highly recommend this read.

For all womyn, regardless of religion.......2000-08-22

The absolute best aspect of this book is the fact that it is so broad in its coverage of Feminist Spirituality. Not only does it contain contributions from some of the most widely known feminists of our age: Audre Lorde, Carol Christ, and so on, but Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism, Goddess Spirituality etc. are fully explored from the feminist perspective. I was raised Catholic and am now Pagan and this is the book that I gave to my mother (who considers herself a feminist) to help her understand where I am at spiritually and how we are not necessarily so far apart in our faiths. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Womyn's Spirituality.

Weaving the Visions: New Patterns in Feminist Spirituality.

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Weaving the Visions: New Patterns in Feminist Spirituality.

Manufacturer: 0
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ICUI98

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Weaving the Visions: New Patterns in Feminist Spirituality.
Judith Plaskow
Manufacturer: See notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000V0HT9E

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