| Gordon and Doris Canary are the parents of Sonja and Marcy. When Sonja gets pregnant at the young age of fifteen, Doris and Sonja retreat to Vancouver. Doris and Gordon accept Sonja's child, Joan, as their own. Joan, however, is a special child. When she is first born, those who were present say that they hear her speak, “Oh no, not again.” These were the last words that “Callous Alice,” a bitter old woman who died in the very same room, ever spoke. Thus, Joan becomes known as “The Reincarnation Baby.”
Unfortunately, Joan's first words are her last. She cannot speak, but she can play the piano as only concert pianists can. She is something of “idiot savant.” While Joan develops her talents and applies them to a master project, her family goes through personal drama. Sonja becomes a social outcast who works at home. Marcy becomes promiscuous and has relations with a number of men. Gordon struggles with his homosexual desires, as does his wife, Doris. Both go through a series of affairs that they attempt to hide from each other and their children. Joan's project will ultimately seek to expose the family members' deepest secrets and insecurities. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book? - depressed Time/era of story - 1980's-1999 Romance/Romance Problems Yes Kind of romance: Internal struggle/realization? Yes Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Brain/Body disability? - mental illness Main Character Gender - Female Age: - a kid Ethnicity/Nationality Unusual characteristics: Main Adversary Identity: - Female Age: - a kid Profession/status: Eccentric/Smart/Dumb: Yes Eccentric: How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor Intelligence - Genius Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 () United States Yes Writing Style Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - vague references only - descript of kissing - licking - lesbians! - Boob talk! - Weiner talk! - two guys doing it Amount of dialog - significantly more descript than dialog |
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