Monday, May 2, 2011

"DOUBLE DEMAS" GIVEAWAY - PART TWO: THE WRITING CIRCLE: REVISITED REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

 GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE WRITING CIRCLE
NOW IN PAPERBACK
"Selected by Indie Booksellers for the 
July 2010 Indi Notables". 
BY CORINNE DEMAS

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A tale of love, betrayal, and literature: the story of six members of an elite writing circle who share much more than their works-in-progress.

When Nancy, whose most recently published work is a medical newsletter, is asked to join the writing group made up of the local literati, she accepts, warily. She’s not at all certain that her novel is good enough for the company she’ll be keeping. But Nancy soon finds herself as caught up in the group’s personal lives as she is with their writing.

They call themselves The Leopardi Circle. There’s Gillian, a beautiful, scheming, world-famous poet; Bernard, a pompous but lovable biographer; Virginia, a respected historian and the peacemaker of the group, who is also Bernard’s ex-wife; Chris, a divorced father and successful thriller writer; and Adam, the youngest of the group, an aspiring novelist who is infatuated with Gillian. Through their complicated relationships, these eccentric characters share their families (some have been married to and divorced from each other), their beds, and their histories (buried secrets have a way of coming to light).

Listen to Corinne reading a selection from The Writing Circle at WritersCast.com.

FROM AUTHOR CORINNE DEMAS:
Corinne Demas is a talented and accomplished writer – she’s written adult novels, short stories, children’s picture books and chapter books, a play and she writes poetry as well.  In addition, she teaches full time at Mt. Holyoke.

MY REVISITED REVIEW:
                 HARDBACK COVER...
Discovering Corinne Demas first through her fabulous memoir, ELEVEN STORIES HIGH, and then being charmed with her poetry and many children’s books, such as the delightful holiday tale about finding new friends in TWO CHRISTMAS MICE, Corinne Demas never fails to please her readers. THE WRITING CIRCLE, her newest novel, is no exception. Drawing from her own experience in writers’ groups, teaching her craft, and writing so many wonderful books, Corinne Demas gives readers a fascinating look at the literary world that “outsiders” are normally not privy to. THE WRITING CIRCLE leads readers through an interesting character study of a group of writers and from there expands to include their families and shows how their complex personal lives intertwine to produce complications, romance, mystery, and betrayal.

Set in western Massachusetts, Demas’s familiar home base, the narrative is told using a different point of view in each chapter, alternating between the various characters. I found this to be the perfect way to follow the story by looking at all sides of the issues and intricacies of the characters. The Leopardi Circle is the name of the writing group that meets to share parts of their current work, be it fiction, poetry, or non-fiction. The purpose being to gain constructive feedback that might improve each writer’s work.

The main character, Nancy Markopolis is the newest member of the group who is asked to join when one of their members dies. Nancy is tentative at first as she listens to the more experienced writers, but she soon overcomes that as she learns more about each member. Hers is a novel of fiction which is drawn from an early memory of her beloved father and is based on his early life and in a way, pays homage to him. Her personal life is in a good place right now and little does she suspect what this new association will do to tear her dreams to shreds.

Researching George Frederic Handel, is Bernard, an overweight, unrestrained biographer who actually introduces Nancy to the group. Bernard is so wrapped up in himself that he is rather oblivious to the complicated emotions and feelings of other around him. Bernard’s ex-wife, Virginia, is a novelist and the comforting maternal figure of the group. She is always there to offer sympathy and compassion to the group when friction occurs.

In the two single males, we find Adam, the youngest of the group, and one that Virginia has taken under her wing, who has been working on a new novel for so long as he tries to draw from his Master’s Degree in Fine Arts project. Adam is a melancholy and naive character suffering from unrequited love. Chris, the older of the two, is the author of successful thrillers that he writes on a regular basis. He restrains himself as he tries to maintain his relationship with his two young sons that are being played as pawns by his self-centered ex-wife in a custody battle.

Finally, there is the poet, Gillian, a possible Pulitzer Prize candidate, who is the famous writer in the group, and whom everyone values for her work. However, some have had other relationships with Gillian while another yearns for more. Gillian’s condescending personality and inexhaustible egotism drives the group mad as well as steers the plot toward disaster.

THE WRITING CIRCLE draws the reader into the lives of the characters, and twists and turn just enough to make one suspect where things are heading only to be shocked by such a startling and stunning conclusion. Corinne Demas totally had me for the entire novel and then absolutely knocked me off my feet with the ending. DO NOT look at the last page, PLEASE, as the pleasurable build up to the climax of the book is a journey you will take, in my opinion, in one sitting, as you are so drawn in and you can’t put down THE WRITING CIRCLE!


MORE FROM CORINNE...For those of you who ever thought about writing, here is a wonderful article Corinne wrote about HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A WRITING GROUP.  Just click HERE to read it.

GIVEAWAY
IF YOU MISSED PART ONE TODAY, FOR THE
EVERYTHING I WAS GIVEAWAY, GO HERE
THANKS TO MEGAN AND ALL THE GOOD
FOLKS AT HYPERION BOOKS, I HAVE ONE
BRAND NEW PAPER BACK COPY OF 
THE WRITING CIRCLE TO GIVE AWAY
--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 WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE DESCRIPTION AND REVIEW OF "THE WRITING CIRCLE" AND WHY YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ANOTHER GIVEAWAY OF MINE YOU ARE CURRENTLY ENTERED IN. YOU CAN COMMENT ON EACH ONE YOU ENTERED BUT MUST DO IT SEPARATELY TO COUNT

+1 MORE ENTRY: VISIT MY EARLIER INTERVIEW WITH CORINNE DEMAS AND READ IT TO SEE THE "CONNECTION" I HAVE WITH HER. COMMENT ON SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU FOUND OUT IN THAT INTERVIEW BY GOING HERE
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, MAY 18

98 comments:

Harvee said...

I like that each chapter of the book is told from a different point of view. I thought your review was thorough and introduced some of the main characters.

harvee44 at yahoo.com

dogwood said...

Well, I love a good "don't look at the last page" warning! A book that keeps you drawn in and itching to get to the find out how it ends is always a good sign.

dogwoodlane at suddenlink dot net

dogwood said...

I entered Part One.

dogwoodlane at suddenlink dot net

dogwood said...

Wow, you two do have a lot in common (don't want to give away spoilers). I think it's interesting that her books are discussed by high school students as well as groups in senior centers. That's quite a range!

dogwoodlane at suddenlink dot net

Jolee said...

a character study of a group of writers? VERY interesting premise! joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

interesting from the interview how broadly she writes, esp.by age....and what you have in common! joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Cookies Animal Set joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered In stitches joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered 16 Lighthouse joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Little Einsteins joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Dirty Little SEcrets joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Summer Light joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Angelina Ballerina joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Potluck Cookbook joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Everything I was joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/65240814963527680

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

lag123 said...

Thanks for the review. I would like to see the story from each character's perspective, and how their lives entwine.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/lag32583/status/65370136974073856

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the 16 Lighthouse Road giveaway.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the COOKIE ANIMALS COOKBOOK SET GIVEAWAY

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lag123 said...

I entered the Dirty Little Secrets giveaway.

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lag123 said...

I entered the LITTLE EINSTEINS TRIPLE BOOK GIVEAWAY

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lag123 said...

I entered the I'd Know You Anywhere giveaway.

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lag123 said...

I entered the SUMMER LIGHT AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY

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lag123 said...

I entered the Innocent in Death giveaway.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the ANGELINA BALLERINA 4 BOOK SET GIVEAWAY

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lag123 said...

I entered the Potluck Cookbook giveaway.

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lag123 said...

I entered the CHANGING HABITS AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY

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lag123 said...

I entered the Everything I Was giveaway.

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lag123 said...

I entered the LIFE: THE ROYAL WEDDING GIVEAWAY.

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lag123 said...

You have several connections with her. I would love to read her poetry book "The Donkey's Postpone Gratification."

lag110 at mchsi dot com

mamabunny13 said...

With the narrative being told using a different point of view in each chapter lets you get to know the characters better.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

tweet http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/65404595807059968
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Unknown said...

I would love to read about a writing circle and each individual. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Steve Capell said...

I like books with twists and turns and well defined characters and after reading this review this one sounds like it meets that criteria very well. I also read the link on the writers circle and I would agree with the one statement that the most important thing any writing group can have is trust among its members. When your sharing what you have written with others that would take trust. Thanks for the opportunity.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered In stitches
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered 16 lighthouse road
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Dirty Little Secrets
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Summer Light
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Angelina Ballerina
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mamabunny13 said...

I enteted innocent in death
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mamabunny13 said...

I entered Changing Habits
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mamabunny13 said...

I entered Everything I Was
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Carol N Wong said...

What first struck me is the part about Nancy not thinking that she will be right for the circle. I recently joined a discussion group on the History of Medicine and Science and felt the same way. I am also very interested in the characters who by your description seem to be very fleshed out.

Lastly, I love books that keep me reading and have a
unexpected ending.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

My Twitter name is Carolee888 and I tweeted.

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2011/05/double-demas-giveaway-part-two-writing.html Giveaway of " The Writing Circle'

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'In Stitches'


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
Shiver of Fear' and "Face of Danger'.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'Dirty Secrets' and 'Face of Danger'.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'Summer Light' (audio).


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'Innocent in Death'.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'Changing Habits'.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for 'The Royal Wedding'.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'It Ain't All About the Cooking'.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'Everything that I Was".


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Colleen Turner said...

I remember when you had a giveaway for the hardback version of this book :). I remember thinking it sounded wonderful then and the same is true now. Who doesn't love a story about writers and the intricacies of their lives behind the "curtain"?
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Little Einsteins books giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Dirty Little Secrets giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Everything I Was giveaway.
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Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbucks #1.
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Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbucks #5.
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Colleen Turner said...

Very cool interview and really neat that you all have a lot in common! From your maiden name to both being teachers...like parallel lives (in a way) :).
candc320@gmail.com

debbie said...

I would like to see what the members share beyound just being authors.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered innocent in death.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered everything I was.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered the potluck cookbook.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I think it would be interesting to delve into the world of writers via this book. I also love a good fiction book and you seemed to like it, so that just adds to the attraction.

christauf4(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

Just tweeted about this giveaway!
http://twitter.com/#!/christauf4/status/66918410012991488

christauf4(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

I entered your Dirty Little Secrets giveaway!

christauf4(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

I entered your Life: The Royal Wedding giveaway!

christauf4(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

I entered The Potluck Book giveaway!

christauf4(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

+5 for FB Fan

christauf4(at)gmail.com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Here, Home, Hope giveaway
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mamabunny13 said...

I entered potluck giveaway
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mamabunny13 said...

I entered guilt by association
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Linda Kish said...

I think it sounds like it will make an interesting book that each chapter is told from the point of view of a different character.

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Linda Kish said...

Entered DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS

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Linda Kish said...

Entered ANGELINA BALLERINA 4 BOOK SET

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Linda Kish said...

Entered CHANGING HABITS AUDIO BOOK

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Linda Kish said...

Entered LIFE: THE ROYAL WEDDING

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Linda Kish said...

Entered EVERYTHING I WAS

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

There certainly does seem to be a connection between the two of you. Quite a coincidence. I think that's cool.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

sounds like a good one :)

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thanks a bunch

mamabunny13 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mamabunny13 said...

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Nancy said...

I like the idea of a story told from different character perspectives, too. Can't imagine looking at the last page...unless I just couldn't finish a really bad novel.

nanze55(at)hotmail(dot)com

Harvee said...

I'm also entered in your giveaway of Please Look After Mom.

harvee44@yahoo.com

mamabunny13 said...

May Bonus entry
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mamabunny13 said...

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I entered Please Look After Mom

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