On Hold Change Baby by June Spence Family Drama HC Book 2004

This listing is for a hardcover book, entitled Change Baby. The book was written by June Spence. The inside of the book lists a copyright of 2004. The publisher is Riverhead Books. The book is hardcover, and has 230 pages. This book is a novel. The original price of the book was 23.95. The book itself is in excellent condition, and does not look like it has been read, or even opened much. There is some wear to the dust jacket; although I would still stay it is in very good condition. There are some marks on the dust cover. The dust cover has a matte finish that tends to mark up easily. There is some minor bending along the top and bottom edges, and in the corner. Here are some reviews of the book:Review: In this impressive first novel, a young woman discovers skeletons long hidden in the family closet. Avie Goss was born 24 years ago, just before her mother's menopause and long after her two "more suitably timed siblings." She trusted that once she left her hometown of Regina, N.C., "the future would cough up its gems," but she's now a recovering alcoholic in a dysfunctional relationship with a married man. When her 73-year-old mother, Mabry, is injured in a house fire, Avie returns home to care for her. She seeks out Mabry's cousin and oldest friend, Zephra, curious about the rift between them, and is told that the two women aren't really kin. From this first revelation, more secrets unfold, including the true nature of the bonds between Zephra, Mabry and her dead husband, and even between Avie and her siblings. Spence's prose is deft, forceful and quirky ("my thoughts darted in every direction, small, excitable fishes"), but never overbearing, and her alternating narrators (Avie, Zephra and Mabry) have delightful voices. And when sparks fly between the agnostic Avie and a young pastor, Spence handily provides comic relief and the pleasures of young love. Despite an ending in which loose ends are tied up a little too tidily, Spence, who garnered much praise for her 1999 collection, MissingWomen and Others, delivers a true winner.Review: Recently widowed and now in frail health herself, Mabry Goss summons her youngest daughter back home. Avie's reentry into the two-bit town of Regina confirms what fellow North Carolinian Thomas Wolfe once wrote: you can't go home again. By moving to Ohio, Avie thought she had escaped the stifling religious traditions and moral expectations of small-town southern life. As she cares for her ailing mother, Avie discovers some disturbing truths about her parents, their marriage, her elder siblings, and even her own identity; but the truth, as they say, can set you free, and Avie has been shackled by her family's dysfunction long enough. Like many southern writers, Spence is inspired by two prevailing images of the region's culture. One extols the virtues of simple living and homespun wisdom; the other exposes a devious hypocrisy hiding behind a zealous piety. In her flawlessly executed debut novel, Spence avoids being trapped by these stereotypes, combining a compelling family dynamic with just a hint of mystery.Review: Change Baby is alot about finding yourself and where you fit in your family, especially when the family leads you to believe one thing about yourself and you find that life isn't really all that you thought it was. Avie Goss returns to home to take care of mother, mostly because her older sister says it is her responsibility because she just can't do it. No matter, Avie is just looking for a reason to get away from her current situation and taking care of mother seems as good of reason as any to return home. Avie immerses herself in the care of her mother and in the process finds that her family is not all that she was lead to believe and as the mysteries of her family unfolds so does Avie as she finally finds her place. It has been a while since I have read a book that I was so engrossed in from cover to cover that I actually resented having to put it down for real life stuff.These reviews really make this book seem absolutely fascinating. Please email if you would like more photos. Smoke and pet free home. Buyer to pay insured, priority or insured, media mail shipping, and I only charge for actual shipping costs. I am unable to accept returns, so please don't bid if you are not sure you want the item. Thank you.