FICTION

Little Night

by Luanne Rice
Pamela Dorman: Viking. Jun. 2012. c.336p. ISBN 9780670023561. $26.95. F
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In 1993, Clare Burke attacked her sister Anne's abusive husband, Frederik, and went to prison for assault. Once close, the sisters grew estranged after Anne lied in court about what precipitated the attack. Clare, however, never stopped missing and worrying about Anne and her two children, Gillis and Margarita (Grit), who continued to live with a man they often feared. Now working as a birder and blogger in New York City, Clare is stunned to receive a letter from Grit asking to stay with her for a few days. Days turn into months as the aunt and niece get to know each other and try to live in the present while understanding the past.
VERDICT Best-selling author Rice's 30th book is an outstanding read that both chills and warms the soul. Her descriptions of abuse are startling and unnerving, while her vibrant verbal paintings of birds and nature are calming and uplifting. This hard-to-put-down story about how family ties can be undone and sometimes retied is compelling and will undoubtedly resonate with fans of contemporary women's fiction. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, 12/5/11.]
Reviewed by Samantha J. Gust, Niagara Univ. Lib., NY , Apr 15, 2012
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