Glimmer

By Annie Waters

Book Overview

Not since Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar has there been such a remarkable story about a young woman's descent into madness. -- Kaye GibbonsA wonderfully crafted tale....Glimmer illustrates how our obsession and longing may escalate into paranoia without those closest to us being even mildly aware of our condition...Annie Waters depicts her heroine's descent into madness with such believability that the reader may even wonder if the novel is a fictionalized version of a real-life experience. -- Washington PostYou'll tear through this lonely but fast-paced novel (which reminds us of Catcher in the Rye), laughing at Sage's often sarcastic voice and crying as she describes her fatherless life. -- Seventeen

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425164845
• ISBN13: 9780425164846
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Berkley Pub Group
• Length: 207 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.3" x 0.8" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

2nd time around

I started on Glimmer when it first came out, but just couldn't get into the story. I came across the book again, and decided to give it a second try, I don't regret the decision. Sage, the main characther is hiding out in her dorm room, because she fears she is being stalked by a guy she met at a restaurant earlier that night. While hiding out in her room, she thinks about her life, being biracial, and her missing in action father. The ending of the book was surprising, the only thing I did not like about Glimmer was all the flashbacks Sage had with her family.

A book that takes you to the very soul of one woman

Compared to this book,, every other book I've read seems really superficial. I've never read a book that took such a naked and close look at a young woman whose led a troubled life. You wonder if this is really a work of fiction, the author writes it so well. I'm kind of young to read a book like this but since it was in our libraries young adult section, I checked it out. And I thought it was amazing. The story took you into the soul of the woman and her family. Annie Waters is a fabulous writer. I truly praise her for this wonderful work of art.

A Great Story

Needless to say this was a great story. While it seemed to me that the author wanted to finish the story, by rushing things at the end; I still am very amazed at such a good solid read. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Shows the troubles of this young woman excellently!

This book definitly shows, in great detail, the story of this woman, and what has happened in her family to make her lock herself in her dorm room and slowly go crazy. It was written in a way to make you think it was the authors true life story.

A thought-provoking narrative -- loved it!

In Glimmer, Annie Waters tells us the frighteningly realistic story of a young woman just starting college who refuses to define herself -- racially, socially, sexually, and even personally. Sage is a chameleon, adapting to whatever demands are placed on her, both by "society" and her family, while at the same time, accepting no personal standards or definition. This dissociation eventually leads to her mental breakdown. Annie Waters skillfully illustrates the fine line where societal standards meet an individual's perception of him or herself without taking sides or moralizing.