The Wonder Book of the Air

by Cynthia Shearer

Book Overview

In electrifying prose and with a rare generosity of feeling, this dramatic and piercing debut novel tells the story of the fractured lives of three generations of one Southern family. "Magnificent . .... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679758364
• ISBN13: 9780679758365
• Release Date: May 1997
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 322 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

simply delightful

I have not read a book as good as this for quite a long while. While Shearer's craft is exquisite and the way she interweaves the stories together is amazing, it is essential to bear in mind that the book's intention is not to tell you _A_ story, but rather, allow you to participate as a family friend by directly showing you their thoughts. And that is what makes the book delightful. Like a box of chocolates, it is best consumed one at a time, and you needn't start in any particular odrder. As much as all the stories come together to make up one whole, they are, in their own part, lovely tales on their own.

a wonderful find

I found this book in my local used book store. I loved it so much, I ordered the author's newest book, Celestial Jukebox. Remniscent of Faulkner's Cubist-like style of examining an event from all points of view, Ms. Shearer also adds her own touch to documenting the downfall of this family. It was absolute brilliance!

an astonishing novel

"The Wonder Book of the Air" is one of the finest novels I've ever read. With so many diverse characters, each with his or her own distinctive persepctive on the world, the novel has a remarkable breadth and depth. Shearer is a masterful stylist; beyond that, however, she possesses real wisdom and a Keatsian negative capability.

A book that begs to be read aloud.

Cynthia Shearer does a masterful job of weaving together the stories and perceptions of three generations of the Durrance family, friends and relatives. The narrative voice switches from chapter to chapter, but each voice is so distinct and so well-drawn, that the reader will have no difficulty with the changing voices.This is an outstanding book, one I have read twice and look forward to reading again.