The Second Life of Mirielle West
1920s Los Angeles:
Socialite Mirielle West's days are crowded with shopping, luncheons, and
prepping for the myriad glittering parties she attends with her actor
husband, Charlie. She's been too busy to even notice the small patch of
pale skin on the back of her hand. Other than an occasional
over-indulgence in gin and champagne, which helps to numb the pain of
recent tragedy, Mirielle is the picture of health. But her doctor
insists on more tests, and Mirielle reluctantly agrees.
The
diagnosis--leprosy--is devastating and unthinkable. Changing her name to
shield Charlie and their two young children, Mirielle is exiled to
rural Louisiana for what she hopes will be a swift cure. But the
hospital at Carville turns out to be as much a prison as a place of
healing. Deaths far outnumber the discharges, and many patients have
languished for years. Some are badly afflicted, others relatively
unscathed. For all, the disease's stigma is just as insidious as its
physical progress.
At first, Mirielle keeps her distance from
other residents, unwilling to accept her new reality. Gradually she
begins to find both a community and a purpose at Carville, helping the
nurses and doctors while eagerly anticipating her return home. But even
that wish is tinged with uncertainty. How can she bridge the divide
between the woman, wife, and mother she was, and the stranger she has
become? And what price is she willing to pay to protect the ones she
loves?
Praise for Amanda Skenandore
“At its heart, this luminous book tells a Romeo and Juliet story. But
Skenandore’s book is so much more than a simple romance. This novel
examines the complex relationship between love and loss, culture and
conquest, annihilation and assimilation. . . As the tale winds its way
to the shocking and heartbreaking conclusion, the meticulous writing and
the perfect rhythm of the pace combine to create a true work of art.” –
Historical Novel Review
“Skenandore’s intensely emotional debut reveals the difficulties faced
by Native Americans who were torn from their culture to integrate into a
white society where they were not accepted . . . [Her] deeply
introspective and moving novel will appeal to readers of American
history, particularly those interested in the dynamics behind the
misguided efforts of white people to better the lives of Native
Americans by forcing them to adopt white cultural mores. – Publishers Weekly
” . . . By describing its costs in human terms, the author shapes
tension between whites and Native Americans into a touching story. The
title of Skenandore’s debut could refer to reality and dreams, or to
love and betrayal; all are present in this highly original novel.” – Booklist
“Sweeping, epic, heart-wrenching, and powerful, Skenandore’s debut
plunges readers into the world of the mission schools in the American
west. Skenandore has drawn on family history to create a realistic and
gripping account of a forbidden friendship. This thought-provoking novel
illuminates the plight of Native American children and the planned
destruction of a culture and a people. It’s a well-written, carefully
researched, compelling novel for anyone fascinated by this hidden piece
of our history.” – RT Book Reviews
“. . . a heartbreaking story about the destructive legacy of the forced
assimilation of Native American children. Historical fiction readers and
book discussion groups will find much to ponder here.” — Library Journal
“Gripping and beautifully written, Between Earth and Sky tugs at the
heart with its dynamic heroine and unique cast of characters. Though
this novel brings alive two historical American eras and settings, the
story is achingly modern, universal and important.” — Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of The It Girls
“A beautifully written debut, Between Earth and Sky is an eye-opening
reminder of the United States’s attempt to assimilate and oppress Native
Americans by stripping them of their identity and culture, and the
tragic aftermath that left them lost between two worlds. This novel is,
by turns, brilliant, heartbreaking, and haunting. I wish I had written
it!” — Ellen Marie Wiseman, author of The Life She was Given
“A masterfully written novel about the heart-wrenching clash of two American cultures . . . a fresh and astonishing debut.” — V.S. Alexander, author of The Magdalen Girls and The Taster
“A sweeping tale of courage, friendship, and love, Between Earth and Sky
held me spellbound. This engrossing novel transports the reader to
frontier America, amid the tensions between the White Man, the Natives,
and those who longed to bridge the gap in understanding and compassion.
Skenandore doesn’t miss a beat—her elegant prose sings, Alma and Harry’s
story mesmerizes, and the evocative setting feels all too real. I
adored this book!” — Heather Webb, author of Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of WWI
Amanda Skenandore
Amanda Skenandore is a historical fiction writer and registered nurse. Her debut novel, Between Earth and Sky, was the winner of the American Library Association's RUSA Reading List for Best Historical Fiction Novel of the Year. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit Amanda Skenandore online at AmandaSkenandore.com
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