Claire Ange
Praise forClaire AngeSeventeen-year-old Claire Molyneaux comes to terms with her mother's abuse and banishment, while discovering true independence in this unusual coming-of-age novel. Watching over her is a guardian angel of sorts, a self-described thought-emotion being that follows Claire s misadventures in the Big Easy...Equally compelling are the flesh and blood characters that Claire encounters...Kirkwood enriches a quirky cast with snappy dialogue and lively humor during a music-and booze-soaked Mardi Gras celebration, a fitting backdrop to Claire's coming of age.--Kirkus ReviewsOn the face of it Claire Ange is about an abused girl who rises above her circumstances. Underlying this basic premise is so much more: spiritual insight, the interconnectedness of history past, present and future, and the lives of strangers who intersect, become changed by their encounters, and through these connections move forward to new levels of being. A humorous tone permeates throughout, as Claire and her spirit-observer encounter an array of colorful characters as they make their respective journeys. This, and the rich tapestry for self-discovery for both, makes for an engrossing and memorable read... and a top recommendation for a vast readership: basically, anyone looking for a spiritually complex story of evolution and change.--Midwest Book ReviewThe cast of characters includes a gambling nun, a math professor- drag-queen, and Claire s best friend, a straight-A student who really wants to be a rapper. Everyone s story is explored, creating a more fulfilling tale. Kirkwood s prose is lush, and the descriptions of Mardi Gras are intoxicating.--San Francisco Book ReviewThe presence of two narrative voices side by side with different perspectives and insights...lends depth and complexity plus a solid spiritual overtone...that gently weaves the interconnected destinies of two entities to an ultimate link that is delightfully unexpected at novel's end.--California Book WatchMore onClaire AngeLarry Yoder,a book-buyer in Denver, has madeClaire Angea top-pick and has a hard time keeping it in stock. Larry also has a background as a sales-rep forHenry HoltandSt. Martin'swhere he was named Sales Rep of the Year by the MPBA (Mountains and Plains Booksellers Association). Here are his impressions after readingClaire Ange:"A book for anyone who loves reading. The style of writing alone is superb, very lyrical. There are two stories, which could be read alone, or in this instance, concurrently. Story number one is about a disembodied spirit trying to capture its personal history so that it can know itself and find fulfillment and freedom in this knowledge.The second story, and the primary story in some ways, is of a teen who seems to have it all going for her, and then loses the ground beneath her feet due to a psycho-alcoholic mother. Rather than having a story of despair, one finds a story of optimism and the teen finding reservoirs of energy, powers, ability, or even faith, to be herself, fully, and find dreams and paths to further dreams.It would be an error to see this book as a navel-gazing, stern reflection on the nature of life, for it is also full of delightful, humorous characters and events. This is a paramount selection that gives teen readers support in searching for more to life than vampires, sex, and drugs & rock n' roll. One will simply find a story of higher morals written morally. I highly recommend it for adult and older Y.A. s. I highly recommend it to high school teachers, parents, teens and adults everywhere".----Larry Yoder, Book-buyer, former Publisher's Rep,MacMillan GroupA Top Recommended ReadClaire Angeis a novel for the older teen (i.e. 16 and up) to adult readers; but that doesn't imply its readership should be limited by any means: it's a humorous yet complex story of courage and parallel lives immersed in New Orleans culture and steeped with spiritual and social undertones, making it a novel that would appeal to anyone who loves good storytelling--be they 16 or 85.The plot seems simple: Claire is a teen struggling to finish a prestigious, all-girls' high school while at odds with her mother, a wicked and selfish person who finds no good in her daughter and who eventually banishes Claire from the house in the absence of their father. Now homeless, Claire must find within her the resolve to finish her schooling, identify a future, and survive with virtually no income and only a few resources.These resources include not only a jocular and droll nun who encourages Claire's love of music but a lively, amusing sidekick best friend, Darva Jean (who defies her own mistrustful mother to help Claire stay off the streets and locate a new place to call home) and a secret admirer in the form of a benevolent and admiring spirit who watches over Claire and at times provides small pushes of assistance to help her meet her goals.Claire is filled with both promise and concurrent struggles and the spirit force that lovingly watches over her offers many insights into her progress and path even as it reflects on its own puzzling existence:"I believe it's best that I inform you that while our girl is making the best of things, courageously showing her more frolicsome side to her companion ... she is completely hiding her truest anguish and sorrow deep inside of her lovely being."As Claire embarks on a journey of survival and self-discovery that will ultimately point the way to her future life, so the ethereal observing spirit unravels the meaning of its own existence and why it is still on Earth as an observer inexplicably connected to Claire instead of embarking further on its own journey.The presence of two narrative voices side by side with different perspectives and insights--one told in the third person, the other in the second person--lends depth and complexity plus a solid spiritual overtone toClaire Angethat gently weaves the interconnected destinies of two entities to an ultimate link that is delightfully unexpected at novel's end.On the face of itClaire Angeis about an abused girl who rises above her circumstances. Underlying this basic premise is so much more: spiritual insight, the interconnectedness of history past, present and future, and the lives of strangers who intersect, become changed by their encounters, and through these connections move forward to new levels of being. A humorous tone permeates throughout, as Claire and her spirit-observer encounter an array of colorful characters as they make their respective journeys. This, and the rich tapestry for self-discovery for both, makes for an engrossing and memorable read.Having two related narratives (one observing, one experiencing) enhances a rich story steeped in mystery and discovery; all presented against the rich backdrop of Mardi Gras season in New Orleans and makingClaire Angea top recommendation for a vast readership: basically, anyone looking for a spiritually complex story of evolution and change.--Diane Donovan,Senior Editor,Midwest Book ReviewAUTHOR INTERVIEWExcerpt fromThe Importance of Being Humorous:Young Adult fiction comes of ageAn interview with author,M.A. Kirkwood,by Penelope BaringFirstly, the humor here is so prevalent, yet you also have a spiritual dimension in your work tell me about the special connection you have with spirit and humor.I have always maintained that the two are almost inseparable. When we laugh, we release toxins in soul, spirit and body. As you know, there have been medical studies on this, as far as the body. But evolved individuals have known about the soul and spirit part for centuries. A good comedy writer also knows a thing or two about loss and sorrow. I think of writers like Mark Twain who suffered great loss. But to know pain is to open the window to sheer joy. It's a fascinating phenomenon to me.And there s a strong empathy I pick up on. Apparently, you have a particular interest in the older teen. Why this age group?Because there doesn't seem to be many stories that address them. When you look at the huge amount of teen reads today the Young Adult books most are targeted at the 12 to 14 year-old range. And, if they are good reads like The Book Thief, then older people will read them, too. The late adolescent is in the threshold years, those twilight years before adulthood. It's the age where a spirit of, say, a 17 or 18 year old, can be transformed when met with an unexpected poignancy in a work of art. Be it a novel, film, or a piece of music. Actually, I aim to bring about this kind of transcending experience--no matter the reader's age-- in the two novels I've produced thus far, but I can t always be so sure. Perhaps, the humor is there as a sort-of, back-up plan: if they don t get the spiritual stuff, then maybe they had a few laughs. Just in case.I can't imagine one not getting the message: the spiritual and comedic elements work so well here. In addition, what strikes me is the way you show these teens, both Simon and now, Claire, as they attempt to deal with the seemingly incomprehensible machinations of adult surroundings. How did you come to this particular theme?I'm not altogether sure, except to say that it's an important one. The late teen is grappling with the crazy world of impending adult things, and the idea is to nurture their spirits with material that respects their inner selves. And their integrity-- that they re more than a consumer-group.YetClaire Angeis set in contemporary New Orleans. And althoughSimon Lazarusstarts out in New England, he winds up in that city as well. Here, we have New Orleans during theMardi Gras season. The city is so pervasive inClaire Ange, it could almost be described as a separate character. Can you tell me how you came about this idea for the setting?I promised myself that after Simon Lazarus, my next work would take place in California where I have spent a good chunk of my adult life. But then Hurricane Katrina happened. That changed everything. I had two deaths in my family... In between those events, the home I grew up in and where my mother still lived, was flooded with over five feet of water due to one of the levee breaks at Lake Pontchartrain. You could say I was particularly looking at these questions of the the after-life, ...I then decided to plunk it all in New Orleans as a send-up to the city I grew up in and in the way I remember it. I deliberately left the Katrina disaster out of the mix. And readers will have to guess the year, but you can be sure it s the twenty-first century.Read the full interview. ----Excerpt by permission,Anthroposophy.org, Copyright, 2012