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.”
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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.
The review of this Book prepared by Anna Ellermeyer
