Caitlin Hicks's Blog: Book Reviews, page 21
April 14, 2015
3rd industry review for THEORY
This just in!
http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1...
“Playwright Hicks’s debut novel spans the latter half of 1963. For 12-year-old narrator Annie Shea, that period’s turbulent events—the election of a new pope, the Equal Pay Act, and J.F.K.’s assassination—reflect and shape the changes taking place in her body and soul. Initially she’s willing to lie to bolster her family’s reputation as good Catholics, but she gradually awakens to the hypocrisy in the church and in her family life, in which impressing a visiting priest is more important than tending to a screaming baby in a wet diaper, bragging about the number of children one has is more important than cherishing them, and nightly sexual abuse goes unpunished. When one of her twelve siblings is sent to a convent home for unwed mothers, Annie presses her family to live according to the dubious theory they espouse: that with each new life, there will always be more love to go around. Annie’s insistence on truth telling restores connections and strengthens her own resolve to continue to “say what I see—not just what they want me to see.” This worthy debut has a disarming humor.” (June)
April 13, 2015
“Absolutely huge”
As writers we’re the heartbeat of our culture; we see things that should not be seen, feel things that are forbidden to feel and say things that cannot be said. We act as a valve; our manifestations become a voice to express our not-quite-yet cultural experience. We get the conversation going where there was silence, and soon, everyone is speaking our new language or incorporating yesterday’s scandal into our lexicon.
Moshin Hamid in a recent article in the NY Times Do Money Woes Spur Creativity? summed it up the writer’s life: “When I am writing a novel . . .I sometimes feel that this is what I was created by the universe to do. And yet, much of the time, it does not bring happiness. My happiness is intermittent, fleeting. It is akin to the happiness of drug use, of sex. A drug addict, a sex addict thinks of the object of her addiction constantly. Euphoria is rare, brief, but luminous.”
I’ve been on this roller-coaster in the past six months since signing the contract with Light Messages Publishing. Yesterday, I’d been momentarily thrown off the promotion horse; taking a break, and on a brilliant spring day, in the silence of a spare moment in sunshine, I hesitated: why am I doing this? It’s not for money, that’s for sure.
Then yesterday, I got another taste of the drug:
Dear Caitlin,
A word from Foreword Reviews, the leading Indie Publisher Review Magazine.
“Happy Spring! I am delighted to share the news that A Theory of Expanded Love will be one of the 8 titles showcased in the Debut Fiction ForeSight editorial article planned for our Summer Issue. This issue will be out on May 18th with bonus distribution at BookExpo America, the annual American Library Association conference and the Beijing International Book Fair.”
This is absolutely HUGE. Huge. I mean big.
Do a happy dance. Right now. We are!
We’ll be looking at additional ad space in the magazine, too. But what matters most to you is the article coverage. While I certainly knew your title was wonderful, it’s so very gratifying that others are recognizing it, too.
Elizabeth”
“Funny and poignant, this unflinching take on growing up Catholic in a ramshackle oversized military family in 1963 Pasadena will have you laughing, gnashing your teeth and shouting “Huzzah!”
– JoAnne Bennison, journalist, writer & author
March 29, 2015
Win a weekend getaway at ART HOUSE
Share what KIRKUS REVIEWS called the ‘disarming voice‘ of Annie Shea with your book club, what early reviewers have called “exquisite, spell-binding, lyrical“, “simultaneously fascinating and heartbreaking”, “a gem of a read”. Enter your email address above for your free subscription to THEORY OF EXPANDED LOVE newsletter — and you could win up to five signed paperback copies of A THEORY OF EXPANDED LOVE for your reading group as well as a weekend for two at Art House in Roberts Creek. The weekend getaway prize is transferrable.
Art House B & B in Roberts Creek sits on a half acre attached to the home of world-class artist and displaying his unique artwork. Newly renovated by the artist, Art House B & B has its own private entrance and is comfortably furnished in a modern, minimalist style, offering comfort surrounded by garden and forest. Situated in one of the most beautiful communities on the west coast of Canada, just 3 hours north of Seattle. Meet the author, discuss the novel, or hike, backpack, kayak, swim, stroll the beach and dine at world-class local restaurants. Tourists have discovered the Sunshine Coast, but it still retains its rural charm and beauty.
www.arthousesuite.blogspot.ca for more info.
To see full KIRKUS review:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/search/...
“Deserves to be a best-seller”
“Caitlin Hicks’ book: A Theory of Expanded Love, is exactly that—an exploration of how expansive our love can be and in how it changes our lives. It’s a coming of age story that is just as relevant today as in one’s youth, and deserves to be a best seller for the young reader. In fact, I wish I could have read this book in my teens; it would have answered a lot of questions. Like the main character, Annie, I was a curious child with the desire to unearth secrets and understand the why of rules—rules that didn’t make sense to me. Furthermore, I broke the rules, got into trouble and discovered myself in the process, which Hicks explores so aptly in this large-family drama where conformity dominates and ensuing freedom unfolds.
The ending is fabulous—it turns everything around and makes the story profoundly meaningful, giving credence to the far-reaching scope of unfettered love.”
-Linda L. Nardelli, Integrated Counsellor, Writer and Artist
On GOODREADS:
March 22, 2015
My Kirkus Review
On February 11th, my editor at Light Messages Publishing Elizabeth emailed me:
“Hi Caitlin, Good News! From the fiction editor at Kirkus…
“I have the galleys and am planning to assign a review.”
“This is always huge for a new author. Congrats!!
Since 1933, Kirkus has been one of the most trusted and authoritative voices in the publishing industry. Virginia Kirkus (1893-1980), began reading book galleys from publishers and wrote brief, critical evaluations of their merit. Based on these reviews, bookshops and libraries ordered & promoted books. Now, 80 years later, Kirkus Reviews is distributed to more than 5,000 industry influencers, including bookstore buyers, librarians, publishers, agents, film executives and foreign publishers. It’s the first place publishers go – to test the waters for their books.
A month later, Elizabeth’s email made my day:
“A WONDERFUL review from Kirkus. Congratulations!!
“We will be using this pull quote to promote:
“Annie’s disarming voice evokes nostalgia for a bygone era and hope for humanity in a weary, modern world.” This is one of the most positive reviews we’ve had for one of our books. It’s incredibly hard for new authors with small presses. So I am over the moon. It’s a huge step. So excited for you!”
“DO NOT SHARE publicly until after March 17 when the clip goes live on Kirkus. They really don’t like it when authors scoop them.”
Then Light Messages tweeted: “Fantastic review frm Kirkus 4 Hicks’ debut novel A THEORY OF EXPANDED LOVE. Can’t share details til March 17. Squealing w glee”
Ah, Twitter. I re-tweeted the squeal. Someone heard me! 
“Disarming voice . . .”
“The astute observations of a little girl from a big Catholic family living in Pasadena in 1963.
“A middle child in a family of 13 kids, 12-year-old Annie is often a substitute parent for her younger siblings. When her father sends her older sister Clara to a shelter for unwed mothers to give birth in secret, Annie advocates for the unborn baby against her parents’ wishes and against the dogma of the Catholic Church. Annie questions her religion in her diary as she decides for herself the difference between right and wrong, and her prose distills the sweetness of childhood. The titular Theory of Expanded Love is her way of coping with having so many siblings: “You kind of love them in the background to everything,” she says, but the background noise of a family that size is deafening. Annie rushes to change her little brother’s diaper when her parents leave him alone to cry it out, but no one comes to Annie’s aid when an unseen pair of hands fondles her under the covers in her bedroom at night. If Annie can’t have a direct line to her parents, she hopes to at least have a direct line to God through her family’s friend Cardinal Stefanucci, who is in line to become the next pope. But is God really listening? In a conservative community where prayers go unanswered, sins go unpunished, and secrets never leave the confessional booth, God seems to help those who help themselves.
“Annie’s disarming voice evokes nostalgia for a bygone era and hope for humanity in a weary, modern world.” KIRKUS, March 17, 2015
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/search/...
Copyright © 2015 Caitlin Hicks, All rights reserved.
A THEORY OF EXPANDED LOVE will be published June 12, 2015.
Available on Amazon, KOBO, CHAPTERS/Indigo, BARNES & NOBLE and wherever books are sold.
CONTACT: betty@lightmessages.com (919) 886-5498
Light Messages Publishing, 5216 Tahoe Drive, Durham, NC 27713 USA
March 14, 2015
An interview with Caitlin Hicks on Liz Broomfield’s blog
An interview with Caitlin Hicks
New post on Liz Broomfield Books – by Liz Dexter
Welcome to another interview in my series on creativity in non-fiction writing which I kicked off a month or so ago. Today we meet Caitlin Hicks, who writers for the theatre, having started out in journalism and has recently blended non-fiction and fiction in her new project, which started with a true story and expanded outwards from there. Let’s say hello to Caitlin and hear her opinions on creativity, non-fiction and fiction. Over to you, Caitlin … (cut and paste url below)
http://lizbroomfieldbooks.com/2014/12...
Light Messages is publishing A THEORY OF EXPANDED LOVE. 12, June 2015 www.lightmessages.com
Available on Amazon.com, KOBO, ibooks and wherever books are sold.
March 8, 2015
A THEORY OF EXPANDED LOVE “hard to put down”
“Caitlin Hicks’ premiere novel is exquisite, spellbinding and lyrical. The story is compelling, with Hicks masterfully putting the reader right into the scene. It was hard to put down. The themes in A Theory of Expanded Love are universal and the story is captivating. I laughed out loud. I cried. My heart was warmed. My life was changed.
“The main character, Annie Shea, is endearing in many ways, not just because of her teenage angst. More importantly, in a most exquisite way, Hicks takes us through Annie’s journey which is the same one that many of us take when we are coming of age or transitioning through any important milestone in life. Annie’s quest for the Truth, grappling with secrets, and persistence in claiming her voice and using it remind us of common struggles that we face as humans. We then get to experience Annie surmounting these challenges when her focus rises beyond herself to come to terms with her inner demons and to serve others. In this, we are reminded about the importance of loyalty, compassion and commitment to those who are most important to us.
“I recommend A Theory of Expanded Love without hesitation or reservation. It’s an inspiring must-read and I’m excited to see where this takes Caitlin Hicks.”
-Dr. Lolly de Jonge
“The novel is simultaneously fascinating and heartbreaking.
“My heart took a beautiful journey with Annie who tells her story of growing up in a large Catholic family. Annie repeatedly reveals the hypocrisies surrounding religion, faith, love, and human actions in her raw and honest story-telling. Annie is curious, hilarious, tender, and Naval Brass strong as she forges ahead to reconcile a confusing world – often contrasted by strict military and religious rules against the natural laws of the human heart. Annie’s story is familiar and we are reminded of important life lessons – and that love triumphs in the end!”
– Julia Chester, Assistant Professor, Psychological Sciences
2 readers weigh in on A THEORY OF EXPANDED LOVE
“The novel is simultaneously fascinating and heartbreaking.
“My heart took a beautiful journey with Annie who tells her story of growing up in a large Catholic family. Annie repeatedly reveals the hypocrisies surrounding religion, faith, love, and human actions in her raw and honest story-telling. Annie is curious, hilarious, tender, and Naval Brass strong as she forges ahead to reconcile a confusing world – often contrasted by strict military and religious rules against the natural laws of the human heart. Annie’s story is familiar and we are reminded of important life lessons – and that love triumphs in the end!”
– Julia Chester, Assistant Professor, Psychological Sciences
“Caitlin Hicks’ premiere novel is exquisite, spellbinding and lyrical. The story is compelling, with Hicks masterfully putting the reader right into the scene. It was hard to put down. The themes in A Theory of Expanded Love are universal and the story is captivating. I laughed out loud. I cried. My heart was warmed. My life was changed.
“The main character, Annie Shea, is endearing in many ways, not just because of her teenage angst. More importantly, in a most exquisite way, Hicks takes us through Annie’s journey which is the same one that many of us take when we are coming of age or transitioning through any important milestone in life. Annie’s quest for the Truth, grappling with secrets, and persistence in claiming her voice and using it remind us of common struggles that we face as humans. We then get to experience Annie surmounting these challenges when her focus rises beyond herself to come to terms with her inner demons and to serve others. In this, we are reminded about the importance of loyalty, compassion and commitment to those who are most important to us.
“I recommend A Theory of Expanded Love without hesitation or reservation. It’s an inspiring must-read and I’m excited to see where this takes Caitlin Hicks.”
-Lolly de Jonge CEO of the Alberta Association of Midwives
Lolly & Julia weigh in on A THEORY OF EXPANDED LOVE
“Caitlin Hicks’ premiere novel is exquisite, spellbinding and lyrical. The story is compelling, with Hicks masterfully putting the reader right into the scene. It was hard to put down. The themes in A Theory of Expanded Love are universal and the story is captivating. I laughed out loud. I cried. My heart was warmed. My life was changed.
“The main character, Annie Shea, is endearing and relatable in many ways, not just because of her teenage angst. More importantly, in a most exquisite way, Hicks takes us through Annie’s journey which is the same one that many of us take when we are coming of age or transitioning through any important milestone in life. Annie’s quest for the Truth, grappling with secrets, and persistence in claiming her voice and using it remind us of common struggles that we face as humans. We then get to experience Annie surmounting these challenges when her focus rises beyond herself to come to terms with her inner demons and to serve others. In this, we are reminded about the importance of loyalty, compassion and commitment to those who are most important to us.
“I recommend A Theory of Expanded Love without hesitation or reservation. It’s an inspiring must-read and I’m excited to see where this takes Caitlin Hicks.”
-Lolly de Jonge CEO of the Alberta Association of Midwives
“The novel is simultaneously fascinating and heartbreaking.
“My heart took a beautiful journey with Annie who tells her story of growing up in a large Catholic family. Annie repeatedly reveals the hypocrisies surrounding religion, faith, love, and human actions in her raw and honest story-telling. Annie is curious, hilarious, tender, and Naval Brass strong as she forges ahead to reconcile a confusing world – often contrasted by strict military and religious rules against the natural laws of the human heart. Annie’s story is familiar and we are reminded of important life lessons – and that love triumphs in the end!”
– Julia Chester, Assistant Professor, Psychological Sciences
March 6, 2015
Kidney swap? You never know.
It could have been a week before my father died, when my husband and I arrived in Paris and drove south for early site research to prepare for his invitation to the 2006 Winter Olympics (www.paintingsbelowzero.blogspot.com).
As we traveled to Turin, my father was admitted to hospital in Ventura, California. Emails and phone calls from my sister reached me in each city as we journeyed, as she tried to keep me updated about our father’s life-threatening condition, and I connected deeply with her during that time. Finally my husband and I turned back towards the west, from the small Italian town of Fenestrelle, a journey that took more than 36 hours on buses, trains and airplanes. When we arrived in Los Angeles, I learned that my father had survived the night.
The complex feelings of fear (of never seeing my father alive again) of nostalgia, of love and dread and confusion I had held under my skin as we shook and rattled in trains, buses, taxis and planes instantly transformed to relief and a flood of joy when I saw my brother Christopher who had arrived at the hotel, offering to drive us up to Ventura.
My relationship with him had, in the past few years had been uneven. We were all raised up together in a military-Catholic-Goldwater-Nixon-Ford-Reagan Republican family. Chris followed in our father’s outspoken right-wing footsteps and at the time, seemed to have a bottomless sense of the unfairness of life. (Clinton was President). He complained about ‘uppity women’, too much government, immigrants and Liberals. You can probably tell that I’m an uppity woman and to me, ‘liberal’ is not a dirty word. So we didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye. When I overheard conversations with him and others in the family who shared the views we had been raised with, I covered my ears and slunk away, feeling the alien.
There were other incidents. I sent a story I had written to his daughter to celebrate the birth of his grandson. Somehow, Christopher intercepted my story. It’s a gutsy piece of theatre I call “Gertie”, a woman in a wheelchair with only one good arm gives birth (after 3 abortions) and realizes when she sees her child with normal arms and legs that she is in fact, whole. Lots of opportunity in that piece, for people who are so inclined, to take offense. “When he said, “Don’t you ever send your ‘art’ to my home again!” I could feel my blood pressure rise. He made me angry. I don’t even know if his daughter ever saw the story. It was easy to hate him then.
When news filtered through that his other daughter was using drugs, I felt an awakening of compassion. I had a son, younger, but vulnerable. I was so glad he wasn’t on the streets, fighting for his life like Christopher’s daughter was. I did research, tried to find a place she could detox. Sent brochures, cds, links to articles. Just to let him know I saw him suffering. I was still miles and miles away, and there wasn’t much I could do.
But now, at the airport, as my father lay dying, I was so glad to see Christopher! My brother! The one who was Swamp Fox in the dusty back yard, as we ran around in summer, fighting The Red Coats. My handsome older brother who attracted the prettiest girls in high school.
The one who enlisted in the Navy and served in Vietnam – the one we were really glad to see when he made it home alive. Now he was here, flesh and blood before me, volunteering to drive me up the coast and take me back into the fold of our family. Surprised but joyful, I hugged him, overcome with love for him and an overwhelming sense of connectedness with him and every single person in my family.
My father had already slipped into unconsciousness and we were left to make decisions for his well-being — how to care for him, or should we let him go? These questions are trying at the best of times.
But it was the beginning of my relationship with Christopher. A few days later, my father died, having given me this gift, somehow, through his death. The gift of Christopher. I got my brother back.
The transformation that Christopher went through as a parent of a child with a drug addiction has changed him profoundly. His daughter is recovered. Chris is humble and generous and has a realistic attitude about himself and his own ‘stuff’. He’s got a sense of humor, an acceptance of life, his life without a functioning kidney. He is a person who counts his blessings. And he has tremendous bravery and goodwill in the face of his challenge.
Here he is (above) with his daughter Keelin at a New York Life Insurance awards dinner.
In the last few years, Christopher’s kidneys faltered then failed. Now, in order to stay alive, he sits for hours while his blood is drained from his body – and cleansed – the job his kidneys did for him all his life. Although there are many children in the family in which we both grew up, most are ineligible to donate. One of my brothers has already given his kidney to one of my sisters, whose kidneys also failed more than ten years ago. Others are the wrong blood type, or have medical conditions that prevent them from being a match.Recently, after a brother and sister were both tested and rejected as suitable donors, I reached out on a blog (www.mybrotherneedsakidney.blogspot.ca) and shared on Facebook. And within a couple of weeks I heard from someone.
My name is Kayla. I’m 27 and from Redlands, California. (Kayla with her brother, above)
My boyfriend (life partner), Shannon- (43 years old, above) went into Chronic Kidney Failure November 2013. He needs a transplant but his blood type is “O negative” and he has no family members other than his aging mother (an avid smoker) who can’t donate. My blood type is A+. As off-color as this may sound, I’m willing to trade my kidney in exchange for a compatible kidney for Shannon.
I know this is a long shot, but I saw your blog and I thought..
Maybe. You never know.
* * * * *
If you are interested in being part of this amazing life-altering event, and you are Type O and in good health, and you want to consider donating your kidney to Shannon, please contact me by email at caitlin (at) caitlinhicks dot com We can put you in contact with a kidney donor team to begin the testing process.
My sister’s life was transformed completely when she received my brother Tim’s kidney. If we can find a compatible Type “O” donor, two people and their families could have their lives back.
See www.mybrotherneedsakidney.blogspot.com for more information on Chris & kidney info.
Kidney swap? You never know. Expanded love.
It could have been a week before my father died, when my husband and I arrived in Paris and drove south for early site research to prepare for his invitation to the 2006 Winter Olympics (www.paintingsbelowzero.blogspot.com).
As we traveled to Turin, my father was admitted to hospital in Ventura, California. Emails and phone calls from my sister reached me in each city as we journeyed, as she tried to keep me updated about our father’s life-threatening condition, and I connected deeply with her during that time. Finally my husband and I turned back towards the west, from the small Italian town of Fenestrelle, a journey that took more than 36 hours on buses, trains and airplanes. When we arrived in Los Angeles, I learned that my father had survived the night.
The complex feelings of fear (of never seeing my father alive again) of nostalgia, of love and dread and confusion I had held under my skin as we shook and rattled in trains, buses, taxis and planes instantly transformed to relief and a flood of joy when I saw my brother Christopher who had arrived at the hotel, offering to drive us up to Ventura.
My relationship with him had, in the past few years had been uneven. We were all raised up together in a military-Catholic-Goldwater-Nixon-Ford-Reagan Republican family. Chris followed in our father’s outspoken right-wing footsteps and at the time, seemed to have a bottomless sense of the unfairness of life. (Clinton was President). There were other incidents. I sent a story I had written to his daughter when she gave birth to his grandson, and he was deeply offended by it. When he said, “Don’t you ever send your ‘art’ to my home again!” I could feel my blood pressure rise. He made me angry. It was easy to hate him then.
When news filtered through that his other daughter was using drugs, I felt an awakening of compassion. I had a son, younger, but vulnerable. I was so glad he wasn’t on the streets, fighting for his life like Christopher’s daughter was. I did research, tried to find a place she could detox. Sent brochures, cds, links to articles. Just to let him know I saw him suffering. I was still miles and miles away, and there wasn’t much I could do.
But now, at the airport, as my father lay dying, I was so glad to see Christopher! My brother! The one who was Swamp Fox in the dusty back yard, as we ran around in summer, fighting The Red Coats. My handsome older brother who attracted the prettiest girls in high school.
The one who enlisted in the Navy and served in Vietnam – the one we were really glad to see when he made it home alive. Now he was here, flesh and blood before me, volunteering to drive me up the coast and take me back into the fold of our family. Surprised but joyful, I hugged him, overcome with love for him and an overwhelming sense of connectedness with him and every single person in my family.
It was a tense and uneven time for everyone, as my father had already slipped into unconsciousness and we were left to make decisions for his well-being — how to care for him, or should we let him go? These questions are trying at the best of times.
But it was the beginning of my relationship with Christopher. My father died a few days later, having given me this gift, somehow, through his death. The gift of Christopher. I got my brother back.
The transformation that Christopher went through as a parent of a child with a drug addiction has changed him profoundly. His daughter is recovered. Chris is humble and generous and has a realistic attitude about himself and his own ‘stuff’. He’s got a sense of humor, an acceptance of life, his life without a functioning kidney. He is a person who counts his blessings. And he has tremendous bravery and goodwill in the face of his challenge.
Here he is (above) with his daughter Keelin at a New York Life Insurance awards dinner.
In the last few years, Christopher’s kidneys faltered then failed. Now, in order to stay alive, he sits for hours while his blood is drained from his body – and cleansed – the job his kidneys did for him all his life. Although there are many children in the family in which we both grew up, most are ineligible to donate. One of my brothers has already given his kidney to one of my sisters, whose kidneys also failed more than ten years ago. Others are the wrong blood type, or have medical conditions that prevent them from being a match.Recently, after a brother and sister were both tested and rejected as suitable donors, I reached out on a blog (www.mybrotherneedsakidney.blogspot.ca) and shared on Facebook. And within a couple of weeks I heard from someone.
My name is Kayla. I’m 27 and from Redlands, California. (Kayla with her brother, above)
My boyfriend (life partner), Shannon- (43 years old, above) went into Chronic Kidney Failure November 2013. He needs a transplant but his blood type is “O negative” and he has no family members other than his aging mother (an avid smoker) who can’t donate. My blood type is A+. As off-color as this may sound, I’m willing to trade my kidney in exchange for a compatible kidney for Shannon.
I know this is a long shot, but I saw your blog and I thought..
Maybe. You never know.
* * * * *
If you are interested in being part of this amazing life-altering event, and you are Type O and in good health, and you want to consider donating your kidney to Shannon, please contact me by email at caitlin (at) caitlinhicks dot com We can put you in contact with a kidney donor team to begin the testing process.
My sister’s life was transformed completely when she received my brother Tim’s kidney. If we can find a compatible Type “O” donor, two people and their families could have their lives back.
See www.mybrotherneedsakidney.blogspot.com for more information on Chris & kidney info.
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