Sunday, April 18, 2010

HOW CLARISSA BURDEN LEARNED TO FLY: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
HOW CLARISSA BURDEN
LEARNED TO FLY

BY CONNIE MAY FOWLER

ABOUT THE BOOK:

How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly is the transcendent story of a young woman who, in a twenty-four hour period, journeys through startling moments of self-discovery that lead her to a courageous and life-altering decision.

Set amidst the lush pine forests and rich savannas of Florida’s Northern Panhandle, HOW CLARISSA BURDEN LEARNED TO FLY tells the story of one woman whose existence until now has seemed fairly normal: she is 30-something, married, and goes about her daily routine as a writer. However, it is soon discovered that ghosts, an indifferent husband, and a seemingly terminal case of writer’s block are burdening Clarissa’s life. She awakes on the summer solstice and, prodded by her own discontent and one ghost’s righteous need for truth, commences upon a twenty-four hour journey of self-discovery. Her harrowing, funny, and startling adventures lead Clarissa to a momentous decision: She must find a way to do the unthinkable. Her life and the well-being of a remarkable family of blithe spirits hang in the balance. Connie May Fowler demonstrates her keen abilities as a storyteller in this remarkably original novel about an unexpected mid-life awakening. This is an empowering story that will resonate and be discussed for years to come.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Connie May Fowler is an essayist, screenwriter, and novelist. She is the author of five novels, most recently The Problem with Murmur Lee, and a memoir, When Katie Wakes. In 1996, she published Before Women Had Wings, which became a paperback bestseller and was made into a successful Oprah Winfrey Presents movie. She founded the Connie May Fowler Women With Wings Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding women and children in need.

Audio and Video



MY REVIEW:

Connie May Fowler’s HOW CLARISSA BURDEN LEARNED TO FLY is about Clarissa, who is a very troubled, 35-year-old woman whose pursuit of self-discovery and independence takes place in a single day-that being the summer solstice of 2006. She is unhappy in her marriage and as an author, unable to fulfill her book writing responsibilities because she spends so much time dreaming of ways to get rid of her husband. Just as she grew up with no father and was abused by her mother, Clarissa has continued to let everyone walk all over her. Her husband, who is an “artist” living off of Clarissa’s money, treats her with disdain while he flaunts his young, fairly naked models around with no thought of how it makes her feel.

Set in the northern savannas and hot, humid forests of Florida, the reader watches Clarissa’s journey toward her own personal freedom simmer in the heat. She has to learn to fight for what is right using her personal strength of character. Clarissa’s journey is told by many as, you see, she lives in a haunted house with the likes of dwarfs, a grounded angel, and inner voices who are what force her into action. These characters she encounters during this 24-hour period all help to remind her that she is a worthwhile person.

And so when she awoke on that summer morning, having been prompted by her own discontent as well as one ghost's moral search for truth, she begins her twenty-four hour initiative. Her disturbing, funny and astonishing adventures lead Clarissa to a crucial decision. She realizes that she must find a way to perform an unimaginable undertaking. Her life and the well being of an extraordinary group of serene souls depends on the outcome. What she experiences later not only motivates her to write again, but influences her to change her life, as she truly learns to finally fly free.


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO HENRY AND THE GOOD FOLKS
AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE FIVE COPIES OF THIS
WONDERFUL BOOK TO GIVEAWAY!

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BONUS ENTRIES: WATCH FOR BONUS ENTRIES WITH MY AUTHOR POST TOMORROW!

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, MAY 1


GOOD LUCK!

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am a email subscriber.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I like how the review describes how she is forced to confront her unhappiness and it is up to her to change her own life. I think it would be a great book to read.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Margie said...

The premise of a woman's one day journey to discovery sounds interesting. Maybe we all can learn to become better people.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Facebook fan
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Margie said...

Email subscriber
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Margie said...

Blog follower via GFC
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Colleen Turner said...

I follow via email.

Colleen Turner said...

Good morning!
I have been wanting to read this one! I wasn't able to go to this author's launch party in Tampa, where I live,because it was a Saturday and I couldn't find anyone to watch my son, so I missed out on meeting the author! From reading the synopsis and review, I had not heard before that this book took place in Northern Florida (I have read it took place in Florida but they weren't as specific as to where in Florida). I am from Tallahassee, so it makes me want to read it even more! All I can think of is the book taking place a stone throw from my house in Wakulla, so I really want to read it!
Thanks,
Colleen Turner
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a fan on facebook!
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I follow via google connect.
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

This unique book sounds appealing and special. What tranforms this woman is amazing. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

wheresmyrain said...

know it sounds sort of silly but I love where this book takes place, I myself cant stand the weather but love books that take place in hot climates, looks like a deep, personal read

wheresmyrain@yahoo.com

doreen lamoureux said...

This book is very interesting. I think there is a point in our lives when we feel this earge to change. Most of us ignore but I think that you are not really living if you do.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Facebook fan

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

This sounds good because a young woman comes into her own and out from behind her husband.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

holdenj said...

I'm a google friend connect follower.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I think her "burdens" are interesting (ghosts too?) and relatable. It looks like an interesting story with a quick timeline.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

bison61 said...

I thought it was interesting that she spends so much time dreaming of ways to get rid of her husband.

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Pam said...

I'm very intrigued by her "courageous and life-altering decision". I always find it interesting how seemingly normal and happy people turn out to be tormented and burdened. I like that it sounds as though she's going to do something about it though rather than sit by and let it happen.

melacan at hotmail dot com

Pam said...

follow through my google reader feed

melacan at hotmail dot com

Teresa said...

I follow via GFC
mstlee2000 @hotmail.com

Teresa said...

I thinks its interesting that a ghost is what helped her along in her journey
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I've read a couple story with Ghost and I absoulutely loved them. Love to read this one too.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I also follow you on Network blog

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow you on GFC

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a subscriber

chirth7@yahoo.com

dag888888 said...

Google follower!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

I like this story because it is just like TV's "24" but 24 hours in the life of Clarissa and how she finds inspiration again.

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

Sarah E said...

I find it interesting that the novel takes place in a 24 hour time period. The main character's journey of self-discovery sounds like it will be an entertaining one.

Please enter me in this giveaway!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/saemmerson/status/12744957818

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I follow via e-mail.

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I follow via Google Reader/GFC.

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Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I follow you on Twitter (@saemmerson).

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I'm a Facebook fan (Sarah Emmerson).

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I follow via Facebook's Networked Blogs (Sarah Emmerson).

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

MRWriter said...

I am most interested in the supernatural elements in the story.

AlexDean03@yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

I follow you as MRWriter on google connect.

AlexDean03@yahoo.com

Colleen Turner said...

BONUS ENTRY! I am an official fan on your FB page.
candc320@gmail.com

doreen lamoureux said...

I entered the THE LITTLE GIANT
OF ABERDEEN COUNTY giveaway.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

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