All posts tagged: woman

Madeleine Ryan talks about her stunning debut, about a sharp autistic woman, how nature is very revealing, plus the collective expression of home, how we are mirrors to that doorway, and more in A ROOM CALLED EARTH

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By Leslie Lindsay  A charming and delightful read about a neuroatypical woman at a party, the man she meets, and her magical, slightly quirky view of the world.  ~WEEKEND READING|ALWAYS WITH A BOOK~ A ROOM CALLED EARTH (Penguin Original, August 18 2020) by debut author Madeleine Ryan is at once hilarious and heartwarming. The plot is fairly straightforward:  A young autistic woman in Melbourne, Australia attends a house party. She navigates the festivities, has brief exchanges with others, and meets an intriguing man in line for the bathroom. Just like this man, we are invited back to the narrator’s unique and magical home. This premise, however, belies what a gift this book is, for what appears to be an ordinary night out is, through the prism of her mind, extraordinary.  This is such a delightful and charming read, a glittering glimpse into the sparkling and strikingly intense and unique mind. Please join me in welcoming the lovely and talented Madeleine Ryan to the author interview series.  Leslie Lindsay: Madeleine, welcome! You trained as an actor …

A fairy tale? A hero’s journey? Something else? Laird Hunt talks about the motifs in his new book, abandoned homes, witches & so much more

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By Leslie Lindsay  Luminous tale of a grim journey about one woman in Colonial America whom is oozing evil but doesn’t realize it–a modern-day fairy tale in Laird Hunt’s new novel, IN THE HOUSE IN THE DARK OF THE WOODS.  It’s that time of year when we cast our gazes to the eerie and dreadful. So when this little book (don’t let the size fool you), came to my attention I knew I had to read it. IN THE HOUSE IN THE DARK OF THE WOODS (Little, Brown October 16, 2018) is a contemporary rendering of a historical literary horror; it reads like a classic but was written in 2018. Hunt takes readers on a harrowing journey to Colonial America where one woman goes missing…or does she leave her homestead? Perhaps she has been *asked* to leave or maybe kidnapped? It’s never really stated one way or another and multiple interpretations can be shed. Alone, barefoot, and possibly lost, the woman meets another woman at a little stone house in the woods and all changes. IN THE …

The Teacher is Talking: “Here Come the Girl Scouts!”

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By Leslie Lindsay You may remember them as the Pollyanna sort of group who sang cheesy campfire songs and wore brown uniforms to school.  And you would be right–the Daisys/Brownies/Girl Scouts are a postive group of girls who sing songs–but they also do a whole lot more.  In fact, 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the organization established by Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low.  As a former Brownie myself, I had some ideas–misconceptions, even–of the organization.  And when my friend/neighbor became a troop leader, I was encouraged to think about it even more.  You see, my oldest daughter is the exact age I was when I became a member of the Brownies.  I wanted her to have some of the same experiences.  Think back to 1912.  It was the height of the Victorian era in the U.S.  Little girls were meant to be seen and not heard.  They wore dresses and crept around quiet as mice, unless of course they were practicing the piano.  Their mother’s didn’t even have the right to vote.  And they certainly weren’t …