Lizzie's War: A Novel

by Tim Farrington

Overview

A family epic laced with authenticity, wit and unforgettable characters. Liz O'Reilly has a husband in Vietnam, 4 kids under the age of 12 (and one on the way), and a burgeoning crush on the family priest. An unconventional love story.

It's Summer 1967 and Mike O'Reilly's just shipped out to Vietnam. Liz O'Reilly is trying to keep it all together for their four kids – 6 year old Deb–Deb (who believes she is an otter), 8 year old Angus, Kathie, (who at age 9 helps to integrate the local Blue Bird troop with her best friend Temperance), and 11 year old Danny – the spitting image of Mike. While Mike is off fighting "his" war, Liz struggles with her own desires and yearnings – to pick up the theatre career she abandoned when Danny was born, to care for the four children she loves fiercely yet also occasionally resents, to leave the backdoor unlocked so she always has an escape route. While set during the conflict in Vietnam, Farrington's novel captures the other side of any war – that of the war at home and the careening emotions of the spouses and families left behind.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780060834487
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	05/02/2006
Series:	Plus Series
Edition description:	REPRINT
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Tim Farrington is the author of Lizzie's War, The Monk Downstairs,—a New York Times Notable Book—and The Monk Upstairs, as well as the critically acclaimed novels The California Book of the Dead and Blues for Hannah.

What People are Saying About This

Lolly Winston

“A touching love story....Lizzie is smart, funny, acerbic, and lovable. Her story shot straight to my heart.”

Lorna Landvik

“This is a work of deep humanity; its poetry and humor are added bonuses.”

Editorial Reviews

This is a work of deep humanity; its poetry and humor are added bonuses.” — —Lorna Landvik, author of Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons and Oh My Stars

“A touching love story....Lizzie is smart, funny, acerbic, and lovable. Her story shot straight to my heart.” — —Lolly Winston, author of Good Grief

“Farrington has woven such an idyllic family unit that nothing can undermine it....smooth writing, honest characters....” — Kirkus Reviews

“well-crafted... Farrington’s graceful prose moves the engaging narrative along at a brisk clip....” — Publishers Weekly

“Farrington is a natural-born storyteller...A memorable family story told with wry humor and fluent prose.” — Booklist

“Featuring scenes from the home front as well as Southeast Asia, Farrington’s family epic is compelling, honest, and poignant.” — Pages Magazine

“[A] memorable novel about love, commitment and family during wartime.” — The Oregonian (Portland)

“Farrington’s urgent, moving narrative turns the war novel on its head . . . a captivating study of tenderness and blame.” — The New Yorker

“Throughout Lizzie’s War, Farrington has an ear for the changing time signatures and keys of uncomfortable, revealing moments.” — New York Newsday

From the Publisher

Featuring scenes from the home front as well as Southeast Asia, Farrington’s family epic is compelling, honest, and poignant.

Pages Magazine

This is a work of deep humanity; its poetry and humor are added bonuses.

Lorna Landvik

A touching love story....Lizzie is smart, funny, acerbic, and lovable. Her story shot straight to my heart.

Lolly Winston

[A] memorable novel about love, commitment and family during wartime.

The Oregonian (Portland)

Farrington is a natural-born storyteller...A memorable family story told with wry humor and fluent prose.

Booklist

Throughout Lizzie’s War, Farrington has an ear for the changing time signatures and keys of uncomfortable, revealing moments.

New York Newsday

Farrington’s urgent, moving narrative turns the war novel on its head . . . a captivating study of tenderness and blame.

The New Yorker

Farrington is a natural-born storyteller...A memorable family story told with wry humor and fluent prose.

Booklist

Farrington’s urgent, moving narrative turns the war novel on its head . . . a captivating study of tenderness and blame.

The New Yorker

A touching love story....Lizzie is smart, funny, acerbic, and lovable. Her story shot straight to my heart.

--Lolly Winston

This is a work of deep humanity; its poetry and humor are added bonuses.

--Lorna Landvik