And the Whippoorwill Sang by Micki Peluso (Self-Published, 2012, 308pp.)
“...The whippoorwill had two songs, one happy, lilting song for spring, followed by a guttural tune of deep sadness as autumn approached and the bird was replaced by the winter wren.”Much like the whippoorwill’s song, Peluso’s memoir conveys tales from a life that has known both joy and sorrow. It alternates between two timelines: in the first one, we sit with Peluso at her dying child’s bedside in 1981; in the second, we visit past memories and happier times. Starting in her late teens, Peluso recounts her married years with her high school sweetheart, Butch, as they move from one home to another, welcoming and raising six children along the way. Although times are frequently tough (and at times downright tragic), the tone of the work is mostly light-hearted. The reader will find themselves chuckling at the antics of Peluso’s kids, as well as her domestic misadventures involving disobedient dogs, a house plagued by paranormal activity, and cross-country road-trips taken with her family of eight. The story comes full circle when Peluso reveals the tragedy that marks the memoir’s beginning. By turns saddening and laugh-out-loud funny, And the Whippoorwill Sang is definitely one to check out.
Oh, my! I'm reading Micki's book now. I can't wait to post a review. She's an outstanding, talented writer.
ReplyDeleteThe most emotionally touching stories don't spontaneously gush forth like a garden fountain but seem impelled by the vitality of a life that faced and heroically overcame the plagues, misadventures and tragedies that almost by design seem to rise up soley to test our mettle. Parents losing a child and somehow managing to go on stands as one bar of measurement.
ReplyDelete"And the Whippoorwill Sang" touches the heart because it is framed with love and joy and family fellowship and with shared moments of levity which at times catapult some readers to out-loud laughter.
Micki Peluso is a wonderful storyteller. Don't miss this memoir or you'll have moments of sincere regret.
I read micki's book years ago and was, at that time, struck by her remarkable recollection of detail, but beyond that is her resiliency as a woman and author. I have learned much from Micki over the years. We hit it off because of some shared experiences. So many of our lives are crushed by the loss of a child. Some parents Make it back, others can't, don't or won't. Micki 's strength oozes from her pages, exactly the kind of person to be able to extract the oft-times speck of good from all that is or seems bad. So that by book's end we feel good (better) but for micki's skillful guidance in a solidly told story.
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I have read Micki's book and it is moving, inspiring, and riveting. Although it is about a sad subject, the loss of her daughter, it is also quite humorous with all the great stories about her family life. I really loved reading this book and can not recommend it enough!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your review. Peluso's book evoked so many emotions. It was well-written and hard to put down. What a touching story about family and love!
ReplyDeleteI have found that Micki has a truly insightful and deep perception into the trials that test a mother's heart. Her story is both tender and powerful about her daughter and it is well worth the read. I encourage anyone who has experienced a sudden tragedy to read this and emerse yourself in her flood of feelings and thoughts. Rev. Ricardo Ibarra
ReplyDeleteMicki has a way with words and rhythm. It's not easy to turn our own experiences into art. Most attempts at this come out flawed. This is certainly not the case. Everybody should read this book, for those who do not write will thoroughly enjoy it while experiencing the whole range of emotions Micki so wisely deploys, while writers may learn much from her extraordinary technique.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Books that Sow and Silver Love for your kind comments. I've read both of your books and feel the same way about them.
ReplyDeleteMicki Peluso is a talented and natural writer, luring the reader into the antics and sorrow her family has endured.
ReplyDeleteI have read Micki's book and her writing is indeed extremely poignant. Her words tug at the heartstrings and on the other hand, have you bending double with laughter at some of her antics. GREAT read!
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