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MinnesotaReader
Posted November 11, 2009
A must-read, engaging novel!!
On a hot August day in 1977, a murder-suicide upset life in the small town of Riley, North Carolina. Regina Clayton has shot and killed her husband after finding him in the arms of his mistress. She then takes her own life, as well. The account of this event is told through a collection of interconnected short stories. In each chapter, a different townsperson tells a piece of the story from their viewpoint, using their own voice. The time frame for these stories range from before the murder-suicide to 30 years after.
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Ms. Boyd has exquisitely created a beautifully-written, engaging story. She did a brilliant job crafting a compelling cast of intriguing characters who completely captivated me. Each had a story to tell and their different perspectives were enthralling. As I read, I found I could relate to many of them in different ways. In addition, she successfully evoked the mood of a small southern town in the throes of a difficult situation. I truly loved this wonderful story and I highly recommend it! -
Anonymous
Posted November 26, 2007
Wonderful new author
Anyone can relate to this tale of a small town tragedy and how it affects the lives of different town citizens. We hear from children to adults and their individual interpretationa of the event and how they are impacted. We see in them bits of people we all know. Virginia's characters are real. The reader will laugh out loud with these people. A truly enjoyable story.
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Anonymous
Posted October 24, 2007
A gifted new writer
I was captivated by this book from the very beginning, which is laugh-out-loud funny. Throughout the book the characterizations are excellent, evoking wonderful images and memories. There is a wide range of viewpoints tied together by the central theme of the book. Imagery and dialogue are exceptional. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story well- told.
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Anonymous
Posted November 2, 2007
Discover a new gifted writer.
If you have ever been part of a circle of close friends, neighbors, or relatives, you will enjoy this book. The characters and events could have easily existed in the small town where I was raised. Virginia Boyd developed each character so real and deeply that I felt like they were talking directly to me and I was inside their heads. I smiled and cried and couldn¿t put down the book. I always enjoy discovering new talented authors and can¿t wait for the next book from this gifted writer.
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Anonymous
Posted October 18, 2007
Compelling literary fiction--strong use of voice and poetic language as well as memorable characters.
When I finished reading ONE FELL SWOOP, I found myself immediatley re-reading some of the characters, especially Regina and the stories her mother told her. The use of the nightinggale, the stiching, the fantasy world Regina's mother creates touched me more than any of the many other intriguing characters. The novel speaks to me as a Southerner who often struggles with being from the South, as a reader of good fiction, as an admirer of anyone who loves writing and has the 'guts' to stick with it, as a lover of Faulkner's 'The Sound and The Fury' as well as 'As I Lay Dying.' These characters will stay with me, and I will read this novel again--a sign of how much I love this beautifully written work. The wonderfully developed characters, the levels of meaning, the poetic language which I found so touching will bring me back to it again and again.
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