Beyond All Desiring, a recently released novel of literary fiction by Judith Laura, is being praised by authors and reviewers.
Rachel Pollack, winner of the World Fantasy Award for her novel, Godmother Night, calls Beyond All Desiring, "a good book, with strong characters driving it." Barbara Ardinger, author of the novel, Quicksilver Moon, comments. "I enjoyed the book enormously." And an Internet Book List reviewer calls it, "a terrific read."
The central character of Beyond All Desiring is Sara, a woman in her 80s as the novel begins. When Sara’s niece, Janice, is notified that her sharp-witted aunt hasn’t been seen for several days, Janice’s panicky drive to find out what’s happened begins our journey of discovering that Sara has led a life very different from what her relatives and friends assume.
Historical events of the 20th century form a backdrop to Sara’s often tumultuous personal life, which we follow from Trenton, NJ, to Washington, DC, (with jaunts to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and West Virginia). As Sara visits an art museum exhibit about Buddhism, we learn of her two marriages, the first to an abusive man and the second to a kinder man who was involved in top secret projects and who develops a bizarre illness. We discover her long but secret love relationship with a woman. And we learn of hidden booklets which hold the key to yet another secret.
Stylistically innovative, Beyond All Desiring is realistic, magical, and erotic. It gives us a rare look into the heart of a woman who was "different" in a time of conformity, and who explored many ways of loving and living.
This is Judith Laura's fourth book and second novel. Her fiction, poetry, and articles have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. She has worked as a reporter and magazine editor. She grew up in Ewing, NJ, graduated from Ohio University, and now lives near Washington, DC.
For more complete reviews and to read excerpts, go to http://www.judithlaura.com/beyond.html
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