SLANT Of The WILD WIND.

By Claire Garden

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Unknown Binding
• ISBN: B001NIP1FC
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Unknown
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Leaving the Beaten Path

Growing up, I've often felt that my life is channeled along a set direction: I had to get through each grade to get to the next, after high school, I would go to college, after college I'd settle down with a job and a family. I don't think that the majority of people see very many alternatives to this track through life. One thing that I really appreciated about "Child of Wild Wind" was that this book explored a different way of life in a personal way. It went beyond the stereotypes to see why people make choices to live a radically different lifestyle. I enjoyed the characters and as they carried me through the story, I began to see that I could leave the beaten path, that I have more choices for my life that I had been aware of.

CHILD OF THE WILD WIND

The following review was accidentally posted under my name by a friend using the same computer I did. I'm leaving it here with this comment because I don't disagree with what she said. Just wanted anyone who cared to know that I wasn't a grandmother--HCD: I was eager to read CHILD OF THE WILD WIND as soon as I could hold a paper copy in my hand. I had three main reasons: 1) I wanted to find out how my friend, a woman in her 60s decided how to structure words and sentences to create a novel for young adults; 2) I have experienced life in an "intentional community", but I have never before read a fictional account of that style of life; 3) I have an 11 year old grandson to whom I will give this book when I am finished with it. 1) Claire has managed to keep my attention from beginning to end -- even though I, too, am a woman in my 60s. She began with the world falling apart for Josh and ended with a world of possibilities opening into his future. Much of the story is told as conversation between the characters. They talk about their feelings, but they also talk about the concrete, physical aspects of living in primitive conditions and building a community from "scratch". 2) The account of the joys and tribulation of life in an intentional community accorded with my own experience. I recognized my friend, Ant, and his gentle ways. I also recognized the havoc caused when children are raised without limits. It seemed to me that making this a fictional rather than an historical account freed the writer in her construction. She could bring in actual experiences from several different communities, create composite characters, and give a realistic flavor of community life without the restraints of protecting the privacy of living people. 3) I want my grandson to read this book. It will introduce him to issues in life that he either is or will be facing -- and help him think through the consequences of various choices he might make. It will also give him visions of ways of living and thinking that are not present in his daily world of school, friends, divorced parents, TV, and video games. I am uncertain whether other adults in his life might want to "censor" certain parts of the book -- if they should become aware of them. However, I notice that his life is full of "uncensored" information that I wish he did not receive. He knows Claire, who has read him one of her stories, so that might encourage him to read her book. However, he is so engrossed in the "virtual reality" of the video screen, that reading still seems like a chore to him. I'm glad Claire Garden has written this book and found a publisher. I look forward to seeing more of her work in print.

A different kind of story, interesting for adults and teens

Child of the Wild Wind really held my attention. Lots of good issues addressed without being didactic. Characters I could relate to easily. I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. It's clear Claire knows what she is writing about. Very interesting to read about life in an intentional community. I'm sending a copy to my daughter-in-law who's a high school special ed teacher.