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Playing with Shadows: Stories
Fourteen stories tell of individuals caught between the values of the past and the values of the present
147 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1988
About the author
Gloria Whelan
78 books348 followersGloria Whelan is the best-selling author of many novels for young readers, including Homeless Bird, winner of the National Book Award; Fruitlands: Louisa May Alcott Made Perfect; Angel on the Square and its companion, The Impossible Journey; Once on This Island, winner of the Great Lakes Book Award; Farewell to the Island; and Return to the Island. She lives with her husband, Joseph, in the woods of northern Michigan.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 8, 2014
Excellent stories - read one at a time more than once.
1) Romantic language teacher summers in Greece - maitre'd at a Greek restaurant;considered staying.
2) former US Army explosive point man needs excitement; wife also needs possible exposure of theft.
3) Minister is exposed to a parishioner's drug addicted daughter offering sex - EVIL. Starts feeding "friend" alligator, then follows him into swamp.
4) Mexican children playing in park - perfect except for one. Teacher of fictional literature and doctoral student have child - perfection/inperfection.
5) 5th grade retired teacher had credit card stolen (by druggie). Lives through purchases - learns to spend some money on herself.
6) PLAYING W/SHADOWS: Julia has servant, Mona. Mona suffers very slight stroke. Strong Julia vs capable/kind. Relationship is defined.
7)Alaskan librarian oversees 20s-man - compares to her son.
8) Gail, author of childrens' books which are becoming morbid after her divorce; moves in with overly-protective dad; makes her way upstream to burned-out lodge and back - gains knowledge of her ability.
9)May is in nursing with very few possessions; is not told niece's dogs ruin her Renoir's garden and that her painting has been sold. Alcohol "opens the door".
10)Seniors on trip to Mexico - characters=no risk, and controller, +.
11)Priest is lonely and negative. Mental patient comes and helps - she cuts out current photos and pastes them on biblical scenes - bringing them into the present.
1) Romantic language teacher summers in Greece - maitre'd at a Greek restaurant;considered staying.
2) former US Army explosive point man needs excitement; wife also needs possible exposure of theft.
3) Minister is exposed to a parishioner's drug addicted daughter offering sex - EVIL. Starts feeding "friend" alligator, then follows him into swamp.
4) Mexican children playing in park - perfect except for one. Teacher of fictional literature and doctoral student have child - perfection/inperfection.
5) 5th grade retired teacher had credit card stolen (by druggie). Lives through purchases - learns to spend some money on herself.
6) PLAYING W/SHADOWS: Julia has servant, Mona. Mona suffers very slight stroke. Strong Julia vs capable/kind. Relationship is defined.
7)Alaskan librarian oversees 20s-man - compares to her son.
8) Gail, author of childrens' books which are becoming morbid after her divorce; moves in with overly-protective dad; makes her way upstream to burned-out lodge and back - gains knowledge of her ability.
9)May is in nursing with very few possessions; is not told niece's dogs ruin her Renoir's garden and that her painting has been sold. Alcohol "opens the door".
10)Seniors on trip to Mexico - characters=no risk, and controller, +.
11)Priest is lonely and negative. Mental patient comes and helps - she cuts out current photos and pastes them on biblical scenes - bringing them into the present.
Displaying 1 of 1 review