Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
52nd out of 93 books
—
48 voters
Angel
by
Mary E. Kingsley (Goodreads Author)
Thirteen year old Angel Bishop is fed up with all the unanswered questions about her life, like why did her daddy run off when she was just a baby? And why has her Aunt Patsy, the only family member she feels she can talk to, been locked up in a place for crazy people all these years? It seems to Angel like her family fell apart right after she was born, which makes her wo...more
Paperback, 310 pages
Published
November 15th 2011
by Little Falls Press
(first published November 14th 2011)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,806)
Two of my favorite things about this book are the nostalgic references and southern flavor. It brings me back to younger days of Cheerwine, transistor radios, and first kisses. My teenage years were spent in East Tennessee (the setting for the story) so it enabled me to sink into sweet reminiscence as I turned each page.
The narration, told in first person from Angel’s point of view, is fresh and engaging. She is witty and honest and a believable character. Actually, all the characters are credi...more
The narration, told in first person from Angel’s point of view, is fresh and engaging. She is witty and honest and a believable character. Actually, all the characters are credi...more
Angel is a teenager who lives with her mother Ruth and grandmother Naomi. When Angel was still a baby, her father, Cal left and never came back. Curiously, Naomi is her paternal grandmother. Ruth and Naomi basically just tolerate each other and they all are living in Naomi's house. Angel is convinced that Ruth and Naomi have been keeping secrets from her but can't get anyone to talk. One summer night, Cal phones and tells Naomi, who answered the phone, that he will be coming home for Thanksgivin...more
Angel is a coming of age story set in the 1970's. She lives with her mother, paternal grandmother, and hasn't seen her father since she was a baby. In her mind her father is romanticized because of her ignorance. Things start unraveling and coming to light when he calls out of the blue and announces he is coming home. Suddenly everyone is acting a little strange and Angel sets out to find out why.
While the book description focuses on the father part of Angel's story I felt like the book was muc...more
While the book description focuses on the father part of Angel's story I felt like the book was muc...more
Angel is a 13 year old girl living in a small Tennessee village with her mother and grandmother Naomi. Her father left for places unknown and for reasons not explained when she was about 1 year old. Naomi is a radical Christian, constantly quoting scripture to Angel to show her the error of her ways. Mama seems to be afraid of Naomi and does what she is told. Angel only wants her dream of a daddy's return and a home of their own.
Then one day an unexpected call comes from her daddy saying he is...more
Then one day an unexpected call comes from her daddy saying he is...more
A good read with a climatic ending. I think the relationship with the Aunt needed to be explored more with regards to Angel's relationship with her. Angel growing up in a household of her mother and paternal grandmother confused me at first given the secrecy of the family dynamic and how is got there but as the story unraveled things became more clear. I was more appalled at how the grandmother completely idolizes her son even though I think she knew that things were not right. The way she treat...more
I won this book and if Mary's book is as well written as her blog entries, I can't wait to read it!
I found this book rather interesting. Since it was told from the perspective of a teenager, I was a little bit concerned that I would dislike it as much as "Catcher in the Rye", but fortunately, Angel is much smarter and not annoying like Holden Caufield! Angel is easy to relate to, while her story is somewhat unique and you look forward to having her mystery unraveled.
I didn't think there was anything especially outstanding about this book, but there was nothing bad about it, either. It had interesting characters and an interesting (if predictable) plot. Despite some less-than-cheerful topics, it was an enjoyable read.
The story opens with Angel Collins as the main character. She is a young girl growing up in a small town in Kentucky. She is being raised by her mother and paternal grandmother. Angel's father left the family setting when Angel was just a baby. The story builds on her wondering why he left and why no one will tell her the truth about his departure.
I kept reading the book wanting to find out the truth about Angel's father. Of course, the facts come out at the very end of the book. I was disappoi...more
I kept reading the book wanting to find out the truth about Angel's father. Of course, the facts come out at the very end of the book. I was disappoi...more
I devoured this book in one setting and am now anxiously awaiting this author's next work.
Set in the early 1970s in rural East Tennessee the story is told in the voice of 13 year old Angel, who is convinced that not only is she bound for hell because her precociousness goes against the grain of her Bible-thumping grandmother, but also that she is responsible for her father leaving when she was a baby.
In turns funny, heart wrenching and witty, Kingsley pulls you into Angel's world and doesn't l...more
Set in the early 1970s in rural East Tennessee the story is told in the voice of 13 year old Angel, who is convinced that not only is she bound for hell because her precociousness goes against the grain of her Bible-thumping grandmother, but also that she is responsible for her father leaving when she was a baby.
In turns funny, heart wrenching and witty, Kingsley pulls you into Angel's world and doesn't l...more
This was just the most adorable book! Angel is a thirteen year old girl who is beginning to wonder what her life is about and how she became who she is. Her father mysteriously left when she was born and she lives with her church crazy grandma and her withdrawn mother. It seems her only friends in the world are her crazy Aunt Patsy, her self-absorbed best friend Sophie, and a couple of perverted boys from down the street.
Out of the blue one day, Angel's father calls and says that he's coming ho...more
Out of the blue one day, Angel's father calls and says that he's coming ho...more
Angel is a well-written coming of age novel about a thirteen year old girl living in east Tennessee who is seeking to know more about her father. Her references to music, literature, polyester pants sets, Cheerwine and Goo Goo Clusters, take us back to the mid-seventies, a time when we could walk down to the bakery for a honeybun or build forts by the creek. Kingsley uses nice metaphors and hyperboles and Angel’s questions about Jesus and the Bible are insightful and hilarious. I think Kingsley'...more
It took me well over a year to get into this book. I just kept putting it down after five minutes because I was so bored. I finally forced myself to read it while on vacation. I realized the book suffered from a slow start and an inability of the author to write a beginning that drew a reader in. Once I knew that, I hung on and enjoyed the book. I especially liked the second half of the book and the relationships between the female members of the family. The ending was fitting. I am not sure I w...more
I got this book for free from Amazon and since it was free I thought I would give it a try. I really enjoyed this book even more than I thought I would. The main character, Angel, is a teenager who despite the challenges she faces at home is such a good person. I couldn't help but think that I hope my own daughters would be able to find the kind of friend that Angel is. She doesn't think of herself as a leader but she is and truly desires to choose to do the right thing. I think the name Angel f...more
*Spoiler Alert*
Let me start by saying that I really do appreciate the author's efforts. Obviously, I found the premise of the book to be very interesting. If I hadn't I would never have downloaded it to my Kindle. With that being said, I find myself struggling to know what to say.
Against my better judgment I finished this book. I hate not finishing stories, even when I don't find them compelling. I find myself hoping that they will improve or teach me something valuable. Because I finished it, I...more
Let me start by saying that I really do appreciate the author's efforts. Obviously, I found the premise of the book to be very interesting. If I hadn't I would never have downloaded it to my Kindle. With that being said, I find myself struggling to know what to say.
Against my better judgment I finished this book. I hate not finishing stories, even when I don't find them compelling. I find myself hoping that they will improve or teach me something valuable. Because I finished it, I...more
“...he’s held my heart in his hands for all of my thirteen years. Trouble is he won’t take care of it or give it back to me either.” -pg. 1
“Seems like everybody wants this thing or that thing, or they want it some way they can’t have it, when really all they want is that quiet in their hearts that says everything is okay.” -pg. 134
There are many secrets in Angel Bishop's family. All Angel's ever wanted was to meet her father. To finally be a family. He's been out of the picture since she was a b...more
“Seems like everybody wants this thing or that thing, or they want it some way they can’t have it, when really all they want is that quiet in their hearts that says everything is okay.” -pg. 134
There are many secrets in Angel Bishop's family. All Angel's ever wanted was to meet her father. To finally be a family. He's been out of the picture since she was a b...more
This was a great story, told from the point of view of a 13-year-old in the early 1970s. She lives with her mother and grandmother, has an institutionalized aunt, and her father left when she was a baby. When he calls to say he's coming home, Angel and her family prepare to see him again.
My only real complaint was that the formatting for the Kindle version was sometimes off. Missing quotation marks, strange paragraph breaks. It was distracting at times and I felt it took my attention away from t...more
My only real complaint was that the formatting for the Kindle version was sometimes off. Missing quotation marks, strange paragraph breaks. It was distracting at times and I felt it took my attention away from t...more
I liked the book and am really glad I won it. It keep my interest and the characters were interesting and believable. I thought I knew how the book was going to play out at about page 117 however it did not quite turn out the way I imagined. This kept my interest to the end. The interactions between family members, and the secrets they keep from Angel leads to some angst for a girl coming into her teens...but as she learns, even her friend families have trials and twists and no family lives up t...more
Excellent book - tells the story of Angel, a 13 year old girl, who lives with her mom and grandmother. Her father left home when she was a baby and when the book opens he has called to say he is coming home. The books explores her relationship with her mom and grandmother and her best friend. Angel lives in a small town so there are other family members and town people who are involved in her story. It was a slice of life book that I really enjoyed.
The storyline and dialogue were all well written and the characters seemed very real. Some of it reads a little like YA, but since it's basically told by a 13yo girl, you have to expect that. I figured out fairly early what the deal was with her father, but still found myself not putting the book down so I could find out how this drama would play out.
The ending was a little far fetched but otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and will look for more from this author.
The ending was a little far fetched but otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and will look for more from this author.
I devoured this book in half a day. The story itself does not seem that uncommon, but Mary E. Kingsley's voice is amazing and the characters are fleshed out so well I feel as though I've known them all my life. It's been half my life-time ago that I was a young teenager, but Angel took me right back. I identified with Angel and her skeptical navigation of the murky world of adults. I ached for her to get answers. I rooted for her. I was proud of her.
Apr 28, 2013
Trisha
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
love-triangle-challenge
although I did find myself enjoying the story, I was a litte lost on the "when" of the story. I don't know if I missed the part where they gave me the year - but the blowdryers being "modern" just threw me for a loop as well as the candy "googoo clusters" and other references.
It also took me a little time to get into the story. It was a little dreamlike because most of the story is told through flashbacks or memories or stories that have been told to Angel by her family.
I didn't find this to be...more
It also took me a little time to get into the story. It was a little dreamlike because most of the story is told through flashbacks or memories or stories that have been told to Angel by her family.
I didn't find this to be...more
I feel guilty that I got this book as a free download for my Kindle. After reading it, I would've happily paid for it. ANGEL by Mary E. Kingsley turned out to be quite a surprise. This debut novel, by an author that I hope to read more from in the future, takes place in the early 1970's in Eastern Tennessee and is told through the eyes of thirteen year old Angel Bishop. Angel has questions and no one will give the answers. Angel's father, Cal, left town supposedly for work when she was a baby an...more
This was a very easy read. Angel made you fall in love with her and wish nothing but the best for her.
At times I felt the story would never reach its "plot" (and even after finishing the book, I am still not sure if there ever was a "plot") but it came together nicely.
I really appreciated the realness of all the different emotions within the family, and admired Mary Kingsleys sense of humor and ease of explaining how "religion" is truly NOT a relationship with God.
Very well written.
I haved pas...more
At times I felt the story would never reach its "plot" (and even after finishing the book, I am still not sure if there ever was a "plot") but it came together nicely.
I really appreciated the realness of all the different emotions within the family, and admired Mary Kingsleys sense of humor and ease of explaining how "religion" is truly NOT a relationship with God.
Very well written.
I haved pas...more
Aug 21, 2012
Monica
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
free-kindle-reads,
favorites
This was one of the very first books I ever downloaded into my Kindle. I must have had this in there for like two years before I ever read it. This is the story of Angel and her crazy and odd family. Her family has been M.I.A. since she was a baby, with no one ever saying why.
What plays out is a series of buried secrets that most want to keep that way. But Angel is determined to find out the truth, even if it knocks her and the rest of her family to its core.
It’s a wonderful yet gritty story o...more
What plays out is a series of buried secrets that most want to keep that way. But Angel is determined to find out the truth, even if it knocks her and the rest of her family to its core.
It’s a wonderful yet gritty story o...more
Easy and interesting read. Angel is a character that you love and feel for. It is hard being a young 12/13 year old. This book brought back those awkward times and Angel has even more than the average girl's problems. It is a "young read" and I think I would recommend it to my daughter. It has some implied sexual ideas so I would say a mom should read it first. I enjoyed Kingsley's writing.
I truly enjoyed this book! I loved the character of Angel and felt for her. I loved her views on God, church, Catholics, Jews and Jesus. Her frustration with her family for hiding what turned out to be a huge thing from her is very well portrayed. This was a quick read, but a good one. I left the book feeling like things were resolved. There weren't any loose ends left.
Mary E Kingley's novel belongs in the pantheon of contemporary southern writers along with
Lee Smith, Reynolds Price,and Clyde Edgerton just to name a few. With a finely honed central character, lots of details and a great sense of humor, she recreates the world of west Tennessee during the 1970s. It is also not without suspense and profound revelations.
Lee Smith, Reynolds Price,and Clyde Edgerton just to name a few. With a finely honed central character, lots of details and a great sense of humor, she recreates the world of west Tennessee during the 1970s. It is also not without suspense and profound revelations.
I started this at the end of last year. I put it down, pick it up only to put it back down. I found it a great effort to read it, which tells me I need to move on.
The book was written well..well enough. It just wasn't interesting. The book was taking way too long to develop. Nothing was happening expect the main character was whining about how people around her were keeping secrets about her dad and she was determined to find them out before he was supposed to visit her.
I can only assume this bo...more
The book was written well..well enough. It just wasn't interesting. The book was taking way too long to develop. Nothing was happening expect the main character was whining about how people around her were keeping secrets about her dad and she was determined to find them out before he was supposed to visit her.
I can only assume this bo...more
I really enjoyed this book. It tells the story of 14 year old Angel, a southern girl who has always dreamed of meeting her father finally gets the opporotunity. The story tells of the few months leading up to their first meeting. Angel finds out what it means to grow up, discover secrets, and make a few secrets of her own.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Mary E. Kingsley was born and raised in northeastern Tennessee, surrounded by the hills of southern Appalachia. She now lives in Washington DC with her husband, two cats and a dog. When not writing she enjoys spending time with friends and family, yoga, gardening, occasional painting, paper making, and photography. Angel is her first novel.
More about Mary E. Kingsley...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“So God, how come it is that you love us all so much but you’d send us to the eternal fires if we don’t act right? If I had children, I don’t think I could ever watch them burn no matter how bad they were and I’m not even God.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
Jan 28, 2012 07:04pm