The Good Works of Ayela Linde: A Novel in Stories

by Charlotte Forbes

Written by an O. Henry Prize-winning author, a collection of linked stories follows the life of an early twentieth-century Mexican dressmaker's illegitimate daughter as seen through the eyes of her childhood friend, a housekeeper, a butcher, and others. 15,000 first printing.

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Pip · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually read this for a class on editing and publishing. So, the below is what I wrote by way of what I'd write for the back copy, were I given the chance. On the whole, I really liked the book -- it was engaging and full of vivid, vibrant images.

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‘“There is nothing beautiful in this world.”’ This is one of the first lessons we learn from haunting, achingly lovely Ayela Linde, the dark-haired girl who laughs the loudest and longest and is always just out of reach of everyone in the small town of Santa Rosalia – no one can quite grasp her, much less her thoughts. Is she like her grandmother, a woman of witchcraft? Perhaps she is like her father, here for a moment, gone the next. Perhaps she is unlike anyone at all. Through a series of short stories told from the perspectives of the various people of Santa Rosalia and beyond throughout the course of a lifetime, we are lead to discover just who the mysterious coquettish Ayela is, at the heart, as she grows and encounters marriage, motherhood, old age, losses and gains. Through her blooming prose, Charlotte Forbes takes us on a journey full of bright parasols the color of orange blossoms, bare shoulders and flowing dresses, dusty towns, and moonlit nights full of flamenco dancing and smoky stories told underneath the stars, in search of whether or not there is anything truly beautiful in the world, and the identity of the enigma that is Ayela Linde.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel in short stories. It sits somewhere in between Marquez and McCarthy in tone. I was both sickened and delighted.

[Deanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish Charlotte Forbes had more published work to read. I loved this book.

[Lily Forsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the life of the beautiful Ayela Linde, told through the perspectives of many individuals who crossed her path. This book is a fine example of the complexity of human beings and the power of perspective.

[plavizec · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Susan Emmet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Forbes' technique of linking a series of short stories into a novel of sorts although perhaps the multitude of narrative voices cancels out the "novel" claim.
Seeing Ayela through the ears and ears and hearts of those close to - and far from - her is a fine way into seeing all the parts of her character. Haughty, impetuous, loving, distant, focused, adrift, loyal and beautiful, Ayela is the "illegitimate" daughter of a traveling man and a distant, absorbing mother. She marries Frederick Linde, a Boston native, who gravitates toward warmer climes in search of meaning and art.
Not a best read, but certainly a worthy one.

[George Ilsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is beautiful but can't help but question the format. Felt like the author had a couple of short stories and then decided to write more and make it into some kind of a novel. First person narratives can frustrate the reader, because they usually hide the narrator, rather than expose. So as a reader, I was often wondering, who is this now? A third person approach, from this obviously talented writer, could have turned this novel into something spectacular.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This could have been a good book but completely missed out of really focusing on the main character in detail. Story was told in shortstories instead of chapters by the view of different people that came in contact w main character, who seemed interesting but really never told you enough about her or led you anywhere. Very disappointing.

[n · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book based in the border town of Texas, which I love. It's told in the style of "Yo," by Julia Alvarez. You learn about the life of a strong and mysterious woman from the perspective of everyone but herself. Fun and quick read.

[Stacie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not particularly enjoy this book but perhaps someone else will.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of linked short stories is set in a town on the U.S./Mexican border. The reader watches Ayela move through life, beginning in her wild teenage years and ending in her old age.