Tuesday, April 26, 2011

"Juno's Daughters" by Lise Saffran - A Tempest Rising



Details

Title: Juno's Daughters
Author: Lise Saffran
Publisher: Plume
Release Date : January 25th, 2011
Available to order here: Amazon / Barnes & Noble



Synopsis

Jenny Alexander has sought refuge from a troubled past on tiny, verdant San Juan Island, off the coast of Washington State. There — surrounded by the cold water of the Puget Sound — she does her best to raise her girls, innocent Frankie and thrill-seeking Lilly, in a tight-knit year-round community of eccentrics and dreamers.

When a professional actor from New York awakens both Jenny and Lilly to the "brave new world" of love, Jenny is thrust into a command performance that resonates in all their lives.


My Review

Set in the Pacific Northwestern San Juan Islands, author Lise Saffran's "Juno's Daughter" is an immensely enriching novel, full of amazing characters, and a wonderful story. When a troupe comes into town, trying to bring Shakespeare's play "The Tempest" to life, Jenny Alexander's curiosity is piqued. There is no doubt that Andre, the young and charismatic actor who is part of the troupe, is definitely playing a big role in Jenny's interest in this play. But while this single mother of two teenage daughter is re-discovering her own passion, her seventeen year old daughter Lilly is beginning to get invested in Andre as well.

Author Lise Saffran explores the dynamics between mothers and daughters, between two different generations of women, and their love for one another. Reading about Jenny coping with her daughters coming into their own, and allowing them to make their mistakes and learn from them was a bittersweet and heartwarming experience. On the other hand, watching the girls realize that their mother is more than just a parent, and a woman with a heart and desires, and learning to accept this fact, was another touching experience. Overall, this book was an amazing read, and although I'm not a mother yet, it made me look forward to motherhood, even the trials of it. For a first novel, author Lise Saffran has outdone herself!


My Rating : 4/5 Stars



Disclaimer: Although I received a copy of this book for review, I was not compensated monetarily, or in any other way, for my opinion. The opinions stated in this review are solely mine, and are not representative of views of the author, or publishing company, of this book.

7 comments:

  1. OOOoOo, I need to read things because I spent 3 of the best weeks of my life in the San Juan Islands, mostly in Friday Harbor. I love them! Any book set in that awesomeness needs to be read!

    You have your Blog Roll working so nicely now!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love books like this. The views and relationships we have with our moms or daughters are so amazing. This really sounds like a good book. Thanks for your review. When I was growing up I know it took a lot before I realized that my mom was a person not just my mom. You wake up as you get older....

    Mary

    P.S. Thanks for your review ~> I had to fix mine it was so horrible. That's what I get for being sick and trying to do that. =)
    Have a wonderful day.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like a lovely book about mothers and daughters. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That was a great review, I have this book on my book shelf, I just haven't had a chance to read it yet. I definitely will try to bump it up soon.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wooo...i really like the way it sounds! :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sounds like a lovely book, and am following your blog. (found you through Man of La Book!) Happy blogging - (bookspersonally)

    ReplyDelete

~Music I Love~

~Blog Awards~

~Blogs I Love~

Get your own free Blogoversary button!