Book y by marjorie celona

In the preface of her novel y, marjorie celona writes about that perfect letter. So begins the story of shannon, a newborn baby dumped at the doors of the ymca. She definitely had my sympathies, coming from such a difficult start in life, however i thought that she took her problems and became angry about them and lashed out at people who cared. Y is the debut novel of americancanadian writer marjorie celona. A graduate of the iowa writers workshop, marjorie has published work in the o. Jan 01, 20 marjorie celona is the author of y, which was chosen for the waterstones 11 debut list, shortlisted for the flahertydunnan first novel prize, and longlisted for the giller prize. Y, marjorie celona s debut novel, has been turning heads and generating headlines since its publication at the end of august. Y is a compelling look at one young girls fight to find the birthmother who abandoned her on the front step of the ymca on the day she was born, wrapped in a dirty grey sweatshirt with a swiss army knife tucked in as something to remember her by. Jan 10, 20 y, marjorie celonas heartfelt first novel, opens by defining its eponymous letter as the wishbone, the fork in the road, also the question we ask over and over. A novel by marjorie celona 20, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. A graduate of the iowa writers workshop, marjories work has appeared in the o. A compelling literary mystery about the dark corners in a small community, from marjorie celona, whose awardwinning debut novel y was praised by evie wyld as a beautiful, moving book that explores what it takes to belong. A young womans search for her birth parents becomes, through celonas brightly lit prose, an unforgettable story about the nature of time itself, the way our past is always alive in the present, shaping us into who we are. A novel by marjorie celona 20, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay.

Growing up in foster homes, shannon chooses to define life on her own terms, but she never stops wondering why she was abandoned. Kindle store buy a kindle free kindle reading apps kindle books french ebooks kindle unlimited buy a. So opens marjorie celona s highly acclaimed and exquisitely rendered debut about a wisebeyondheryears foster child. A novel is simultaneously jostling, sad, and hopeful. Y, marjorie celonas debut novel, has been turning heads and generating headlines since its publication at the end of august. Their debut novel, y, published in 2012, won the waterstones 11 literary prize and was a shortlisted nominee for the center for fictions flahertydunnan first novel prize, the amazon. Heather oneill, author of lullabies for little criminals marjorie celonas y is the best novel ive read this year. Marjorie celona is a brilliant writer at the start of a brilliant career. Marjorie celona s internationally acclaimed debut, longlisted for the giller prize, chronicles a wisebeyondheryears child abandoned as a newborn on the doorstep of the local ymca. Oct 5, 2012 canadas 2011 census is the first ever to include a tally of children who live in foster care in this country.

Marjorie celonas y is the best novel ive read this year. Oconnor fellow at colgate university and writerinresidence at hawthornden castle in scotland. We are born in a certain place, to certain people, but the choices we make later in life are our own. In y, shannon is abandoned as an infant on the doorstep of a local ymca. Its a skilful storytelling tactic, and the two stories race to a wellpaced peak at the end of the book. Aug 01, 2012 i really struggled with this book, marjorie celona had a great coming of age storyline however i did not enjoy shannons character. May contain limited notes, underlining or highlighting that does affect the text. A novel by marjorie celona and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A novel by marjorie celona the gilmore guide to books. This is a beautifully written book that i read compulsively, in a single sitting, all the way through to its haunting end. I was looking forward to reading it until i read on the back of the book. She is found moments later by a man who catches a mere glimpse of her troubled mother as she disappears. Colum mccann, national book awardwinning author of let the great world spin. Marjorie celona wraps powerful ideas about caretaking and morality around a tight, elegantly suspenseful story.

This book tells the story of the men and women of fighter command who worked. But her luck finally changes when shes sent to live with a kind single mom named miranda. Despite her confidence in the novel, celona never expected ys release to be met with such fanfare. Celonas book explores that question with grace, wit and insight. Called compulsively readable, exquisitely rendered, evocative, ambitious, psychologically deft, even audacious y. The books title, y, is an allusion to this site of orphanage and to the tormented mother, yula. About the author marjorie celona is the author of y, which was chosen for the waterstones 11 debut list, shortlisted for the flahertydunnan first novel prize. Through it we meet many flawed characters but most important is shannon, a young girl abandoned at birth, who understandably needs, desperately, to know more about herself and her history. In y, her stunning debut novel, marjorie celona has created a world so rich and so full that every line merely seems to conform something that has already happened. Comingofage, contemporary, debut, fiction in my head, late at night, i draft letters to my mother and my father. Shannon tells both her story, and the story of her parents and her birth.

Little girl lost and found vancouver sun, sept 7, 2012. Dark and bright, fresh and original, this novel grabs you and doesnt let go. Buy the paperback book y by marjorie celona at indigo. I will be looking for celonas second book, however. Swaddled in a dirty gray sweatshirt with nothing but a swiss army knife tucked between her feet, little shannon is discovered by a man who catches only a glimpse of her troubled mother as she disappears from view. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting, but may contain a neat previous owner name. Y marjorie celonas novel is the book of the fall national post, sept 4, 2012 y. It was nominated for the 2012 giller prize, enjoyed several weeks on the macleans bestseller list, and has garnered widespread acclaim and. Because half the book concerns yula and her family, we soon learn that. Y by marjorie celona is another one of those books that was recommended to me by rebecca at love at first book, who read it upon the recommendation of jennifer at the relentless reader.

Still, for this reader at least, y is more of a promise of what is to come than a complete success i read it in one day, quite enjoyed it, but feel no desire to return for a second read to see what i missed. Marjorie celonas internationally acclaimed debut, longlisted for the giller prize, chronicles a wisebeyondheryears child abandoned as a newborn on the doorstep of the local ymca. It was nominated for the 2012 giller prize, enjoyed several weeks on the macleans bestseller list, and has garnered widespread acclaim and applause from the critics. Y, by marjorie celona marjorie celona s debut is an engrossing novel about a young woman who was abandoned by her mother as a. Marjorie celonas y is a foundlings tale of abandonment, fate and family. Marjorie celona received her mfa from the iowa writers workshop, where she was an iowa arts fellow and recipient of the john c. Paperback edition, courtesy of goodreads first reads and penguin canada verdict. Y, marjorie celona s heartfelt first novel, opens by defining its eponymous letter as the wishbone, the fork in the road, also the question we ask over and over. Marjorie celona s debut novel is about a wisebeyondheryears foster child abandoned as a newborn on the doorstep of the local ymca. The alternation between shannons current life and the time leading up to her birth works well, and i wasnt sure it would when i first started reading the book.

Colum mccann, national book awardwinning author of let the great world spin y is everything im hoping for when i open a book suspenseful, compelling, psychologically deft, and beautifully written, with characters so alive they seem to be in the room. How a woman becomes a lake, book by marjorie celona. A copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. But when the narration is handed to a teenager the subtle, painful observations of childhood become annoying overstated attention grabs that dissipate the complicated themes celona so boldly tackled at the outset of y. Spine creases, wear to binding and pages from reading. Y is the story of shannon who is abandoned outside a ymca hours after her birth by her mother, yula. Even so, shannon remains haunted by a burning question. Released in august 2012 y follows a young womans plight in the foster care system from birth to 18years of age.

The story opens with a man sitting outside the ymca in victoria, bc, waiting for it. Sep 17, 2012 still, for this reader at least, y is more of a promise of what is to come than a complete success i read it in one day, quite enjoyed it, but feel no desire to return for a second read to see what i missed. Despite her confidence in the novel, celona never expected y s release to be met with such fanfare. Taken into the fostercare system, she endures years of abuse. Celona weaves in their history, leaving readers guessing as much as shannon is guessing. Possible ex library copy, thatll have the markings and stickers associated from the library.

Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. How a woman becomes a lake is the story of a woman who goes missing in a fictional pacific northwest fishing town called whale bay on new years day of 1986. Y is an evocative look into what makes a family, and what makes a home, and how they are undeniably helixed together. Y book by marjorie celona official publisher page simon. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. Jan 08, 20 y is filled with heartbreaking loss and flawed heroes yet celonas writing is filled with grace and compassion. The most grounding aspect of the book is shannons eventual. Jun 25, 20 y is a novel about the interplay of chance and choice in our lives. Marjorie celona s debut weaves the twin stories of a foster childs search for home and the raw account of her mothers decision to abandon her newborn. So opens marjorie celona s highly acclaimed and exquisitely rendered debut about a wisebeyondheryears foster child abandoned as a newborn on the doorstep of the local ymca. Y a stunning debut for marjorie celona the globe and mail. Hi, im beth from abebooks, and today im here to recommend y, by marjorie celona. Celona brings these experiences to us brilliantly in the first part of the book. In y, her stunning debut novel, marjorie celona has created a world so rich and so full that every line merely seems to.

Marjorie celonas debut weaves the twin stories of a foster childs search for home and the raw account of her mothers decision to abandon her newborn. Marjorie celonas second novel, how a woman becomes a lake, is out now from penguin random house canada, little, brown, uk, and malpaso ediciones spain. Accessories such as cd, codes, toys, may not be included. For fans of white oleander and the brief wondrous life of oscar wao, an exquisitely rendered debut. Marjorie celona s debut, y, is a heartbreaking and compassionate story of sacrifice and love, which introduces readers to unforgettable characters and a brilliant new literary voice. A raucous and engaging opening in marjorie celona s debut novel, y, gives way to moments of ordinary imagery and characterisation that, ultimately, suggests better things are to come. Since then, y has earned a place on the giller prize longlist, as well as a spot on macleans bestseller list. A gorgeous, moving debut marjorie celona writes with acute sensitivity to how a child sees her world and renders a character readers will love in all her glorious selfdoubt the boston globe. Marjorie celona writes with acute sensitivity to how a child sees her world and renders a character readers. Y by marjorie celona published by free press publication date. Alix ohlin, author of dual citizens a thriller with stunning writing and real honesty about grief.

So begins the story of shannon, a newborn baby dumped at the doors of the ymca, swaddled in a dirty grey sweatshirt with nothing but a swiss army knife. The story is told from the heroines first person pov but in between we witness her bitter conception and life of. The child launches a desperate search to understand why her. Marjorie celona born january 7, 1981 is an americancanadian writer. Jan 18, 20 marjorie celonas uniquely titled debut novel, y, portrays the harsh reality of an abandoned child horrifically abused by foster parents. Shortly after being born on vancouver island, shannon is abandoned in front of a ymca and discovered by vaughn, an exercise fiend who has arrived at the ymca before its opened. Buy the paperback book how a woman becomes a lake by marjorie celona at indigo. Marjorie celonaaecs internationally acclaimed debut, longlisted for the giller prize, chronicles a wisebeyondheryears child abandoned as a newborn on the doorstep of the local ymca. Jan 22, 20 hi, im beth from abebooks, and today im here to recommend y, by marjorie celona. The story opens with a man sitting outside the ymca in victoria, bc, waiting for it to open. Swaddled in a dirty gray sweatshirt with nothing but a swiss. A much heralded debut novel by marjorie celona toronto star, sept 8, 2012.