Wednesday, February 24, 2010

SHADOW TAG: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
SHADOW TAG

BY LOUISE ERDRICH

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Shadow Tag, the brilliant new novel by Louise Erdrich, is a stunning tour-de-force from the National Book Critics Circle Award–winning and New York Times–bestselling author of Love Medicine and Pulitzer-Prize-finalist The Plague of Doves. In the vein of the novels of such contemporaries as Zoe Heller and Susan Minot, Shadow Tag is an intense and heart-wrenching story of a troubled marriage and a family in disarray—and a radical departure from Erdrich’s previous acclaimed work.

When Irene America discovers that her husband, Gil, has been reading her diary, she begins a secret Blue Notebook, stashed securely in a safe-deposit box. There she records the truth about her life and her marriage, while turning her Red Diary—hidden where Gil will find it—into a manipulative farce. Alternating between these two records, complemented by unflinching third-person narration,
Shadow Tag is an eerily gripping read.

When the novel opens, Irene is resuming work on her doctoral thesis about George Catlin, the nineteenth-century painter whose Native American subjects often regarded his portraits with suspicious wonder. Gil, who gained notoriety as an artist through his emotionally revealing portraits of his wife—work that is adoring, sensual, and humiliating, even shocking—realizes that his fear of losing Irene may force him to create the defining work of his career.

Meanwhile, Irene and Gil fight to keep up appearances for their three children: fourteen-year-old genius Florian, who escapes his family's unraveling with joints and a stolen bottle of wine; Riel, their only daughter, an eleven-year-old feverishly planning to preserve her family, no matter what disaster strikes; and sweet kindergartener Stoney, who was born, his parents come to realize, at the beginning of the end.

As her home increasingly becomes a place of violence and secrets, and she drifts into alcoholism, Irene moves to end her marriage. But her attachment to Gil is filled with shadowy need and delicious ironies. In brilliantly controlled prose, Shadow Tag fearlessly explores the complex nature of love, the fluid boundaries of identity, and one family's struggle for survival and redemption.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Louise Erdrich is the author of thirteen novels as well as volumes of poetry, short stories, children's books, and a memoir of early motherhood. Her novel LOVE MEDICINE won the National Book Critics Circle Award. THE LAST REPORT ON THE MIRACLES AT LITTLE NO HORSE was a finalist for the National Book Award. Most recently, THE PLAGUE OF DOVES lives in Minnesota and is the owner ofwon the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Louise ErdrichBirchbark Books, an independent bookstore.

REVIEW:


Irene and Gil America seem to have a perfect life. It appears that they have their health, three wonderful children, and make a good living so want for nothing. Gil America is a very successful painter, whose fame comes very much from his portraits of his wife. Irene is a beautiful woman, who, as well as being a model for Gil and raising their three children also has just gone back to working on her doctoral thesis on George Catlin, an artist who did portraits of Native Americans. The addition of Native American religion and culture, adds interest as well as another element to the layers of complexity in this marriage. The children are Florian, their bright and eldest son; Riel, their only daughter, who is both resilient and practical; and Stoney, their youngest.

As the story begins, however, the reader quickly sees that this perfect life is falling apart. It seems that Irene finds out that Gil has been reading her diary, and is so upset at this invasion of her privacy that she starts writing another diary for Gill to read. This diary is filled with things she knows will torment and anger him as she wants him to be as upset as she is about the diary. What is Gill’s reason for reading Irene’s diary? Why does Irene plot to hurt Gil with a fake diary? How does all of this effect their children? The hostility continues to build, ending in an astonishing conclusion that will surprise readers with that twist that makes a book like this a hit!

This is a well-written book if you like realistic stories with reckless main characters, At the end of this gripping novel, readers will realize that in some respects, they are much like Gil. However, the difference is that readers, hopefully, have the ability to learn about respect for others and trust. How you come to read the diaries is the genius that makes SHADOW TAG sure to be a favorite and promote much dialogue.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KYLE AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS INTRIGUING

BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!



--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON ANY LOUISE ERDRICH BOOK YOU MAY HAVE READ, OR WOULD LIKE TO READ, WHEN YOU GO TO THE HARPER COLLINS WEBSITE HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THIS BOOK FROM THE REVIEW OR DESCRIPTION ABOVE

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST,
MARCH 12!

GOOD LUCK

67 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I haven't read any of the author's work, but both Red Convertible and Shadow Tag look good. Please enter me! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Linda Kish said...

I'd like to read Love Medicine

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I like the storyline..and the two diaries..one a farce and one the bitter truth.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

rubynreba said...

I would like to read The Red Convertible.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

It makes me very curious to see what the astonishing conclusion is. Respect for others and trust are great topics.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I've read several books by this author, but I loved Plague of Doves. I'd like to read this one.

bibliophilebythesea AT gmail DOT com

Zia said...

I haven't read any of the author's work yet, but Tales of a Burning Love sounds interesting.

Zia
ziaria(at)gmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

Ooh, great giveaway! Besides this book, I'd also like to read Love Medicine.

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I learned that Erdrich has also published poetry and children's books.

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/bookmonstrosity/status/9603926025

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

Reading said...

Please count me in. The Red Convertible looks vrey good.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

Shadow Tag looks very interesting. I love family dramas.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

wheresmyrain said...

I have read many of her books, my favorite I think was "the master butchers singing club"

I love her writing, and would love to read this one

wheresmyrain at yahoo dot com

wheresmyrain said...

I think what really draws me into this one is the way the story is composed, of the double diary, i think thats genius

wheresmyrain at yahoo dot com

traveler said...

I have never read this author's books but I would like to read Love Medicine. Thanks for this giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Fascinating and unique book which would be enjoyable and thought provoking. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

Well, she's from my neck of the woods, so I've read a few of her works. I think I've always liked The Beet Queen or Love Medicine the most.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I find their last name, America, to be very interesting. I'm sure there is something in the story that will tie it altogether.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Teresa said...

I haven't read any of her books, but Love Medicine looks good.
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

Teresa said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/isaiahsmom21/status/9609872102
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

Teresa said...

I am interested the what she write in the diary meant for her husband to read
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

Jane said...

I read "Love Medicine" in college and enjoyed it very much.

janie1215 AT excite DOT com

Jane said...

I'm interested in seeing how different this book is from Louise's previous work.

janie1215 AT excite DOT com

Margie said...

I have never read any of this author's works. But since I am partial to mysteries, The Plague of Doves looks interesting.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

The premise of dark secrets beneath a normal looking family is interesting. The plot of the two diaries should provide some good conflicts.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

g.g. said...

I would like to read The Red Convertible as I haven't read any of her other work

anjamie4 AT gmail dot com

g.g. said...

I think the whole thing sounds interesting but the part about how we find out about the diaries or the twist has me puzzled

anjamie4 AT gmail dot com

Kelly said...

I haven't read any of her books, but I love the storyline for Shadow Tag. I visited the website and would like to read The Antelope Wife as well. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
kghobbs@gmail.com

Kelly said...

From the post, it is interesting about the switching diaries. I wonder if that makes Irene unreliable as a character. Will her two lives get mingled in a web of fact and fiction she can't untangle?
kghobbs@gmail.com

Kelly said...

I tweeted about this giveaway!
http://twitter.com/kghobbs/statuses/9632017198

kghobbs@gmail.com

Irene said...

I read LOVE MEDICINE, Louise Erdrich's first book. The title says it all. I loved it.





cyeates AT nycap DOT rr DOT com

Irene said...

A husband reading his wife's diary is anathema as far as I am concerned. Irene's second diary concept is very intriguing. Actually, the whole story line is fascinating...


cyeates AT nycap DOT rr DOT com

Irene said...

Tweet...


http://twitter.com/saratoga99



cyeates AT nycap DOT rr DOT com

Sue said...

I haven't read any, but I'd love to read The Red Convertible. Thank you for the giveaway.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

bison61 said...

I have not read any books by this author but The Beet Queen does sound good

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

enyl said...

I would like to read the following novels: Plauge of Doves; Tracks;The Master Butcher's Singing Club;Last Report On The MIracles At Little No Horse and The Crown of Columbus.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

I like the idea of switching the diary;although,I don't approve of filling it with information that will hurt or anger anyone.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

Sandee61 said...

I've never read any of Louise's books either, and would like to so please add me to your giveaway list. This books sounds good. Thank you!

Sandee61

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Wickdogg said...

I read The Red Convertible and would love to read this one

wickdogg AT gmaildot com

Wickdogg said...

I love books that have a twist or surprise at the end

wickdogg AT gmaildot com

Debbie said...

I like a book where there is turmoil in the lives of the characters. Sounds good to me!
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Debbie said...

I knew I recognized this author! Her children's books are incredible! We own them and frequently give them as gifts. I highly recommend them.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Please enter me in the giveaway.

I would also like to read, Love Medicine.

Rebecca Orr said...

The Painted Drum and The Bingo Palace also look so good. I would love to read the others as well. Thanks for the chance.
bekki1820cb at gmail

Glenn said...

Sounds like a very interesting plotline. Thanks for the giveaway.

glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com

Misusedinnocence said...

I found the idea interesting. I wonder what I would write in a diary I knew someone was spying on.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I haven't had the opportunity to read any of her books yet, but this one appeals to me the most.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Carol W. said...

I'd definitely like to read The Plague of Doves. Somehow I missed it when it came out years ago.


wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol W. said...

I am interested in the ways in which the three children play a role in the plot.


wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

Lost Without a Clue said...

In the review its states that at the end we will come to realize how much in common we have we Gil. But in a way we have something in common with his wife. The act of manipulation to receive the effect we want.

marimasiel@aim.com

Benita said...

I haven't read any of her books, but I'd like to read Love Medicine.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

What I find interesting is the storyline. It is amazing how many stories start with the perfect family unraveling. Yet they are always so well written and so interesting. So many scenarios exist. I'd love to read this one.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

ossmcalc said...

I have not read any of her books, but I think that it would be interesting to read THE GAME OF SILENCE.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

Usually a diary is considered something very personal and off-limits. I would like to know why her husband felt the need to even look at it. Maybe he could not find the answer to whatever question he was trying to answer any other way. There has to be more to the story.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/10107931729

thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Unknown said...

I would go with Love Medicine as another book I'd read.

ashleymaymott(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

This book sounds absolutely fabulous! I love the way you state the voice goes back and forth between the two books.

ashleymaymott(at)aol(dot)com

Debbie F said...

I would like to read Love Medicine - I haven't read anything by her yet

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

Shadow Tag sounds like an interesting book. I too am in a marriage with 3 kids. My marriage has had some rough times - it would be interesting to see how this story turns out

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Sarah E said...

Erdrich is a new author for me. I would like to read Love Medicine and Shadow Tag.

Please enter me in this giveaway!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I think it's interesting that the main character in this novel keeps two separate diaries, one through which she manipulates her husband! How deceptive!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/saemmerson/status/10370829331

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

CherylS22 said...

I haven't read any of her books, but I would love to read "Love Medicine".

Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

From reading the description of the book, I think it's going to take a lot of concentration to keep the 2 diaries separate in the reader's mind.

megalon22 at yahoo dot com

Nancye said...

I would like to read: "The Red Convertible" by Louise Erdrich. It sounds really interesting.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/10393471043

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I learned that the main character has 2 diaries. One she keeps in a Safety Deposit box so her husband can't read it. The other is written with false information to deceive her husband. (I guess he should mind his own business!! ;0

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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