Paul, Dominique. The possibility of fireflies.PAUL, Dominique. The possibility of fireflies. Simon & Schuster Simon & Schuster U.S. publishing company. It was founded in 1924 by Richard L. Simon (1899–1960) and M. Lincoln Schuster (1897–1970), whose initial project, the original crossword-puzzle book, was a best-seller. . 223p. c2006. 1-4169-1310-8. $15.95. S Ellie is 14 years old as this narrative begins. Her older sister Gwen has pretty much gone wild. Nobody is looking after the girls because their father has left them and their mother is determined to live her own life, which involves drinking and going out with (or bringing home) strange men. Usually the mother is gone from the house, so Ellie has to create a web of lies and excuses to hide the desertion from her friends and their parents. Ellie is so vulnerable, she becomes unable to resist the attention of the older teenagers around her sister, and she gets a crush on Leo Leo, in astronomy Leo [Lat.,=the lion], northern constellation lying S of Ursa Major and on the ecliptic (apparent path of the sun through the heavens) between Cancer and Virgo; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac. , an older guy. She pushes herself on Leo, pleading with him to love her, to take her away from her mother. Fortunately, Leo has some compassion and some sense. Instead of exploiting her, he helps her think through her options and assists her in finding her father. Dominique Paul has created a monster mother, unable to love, manipulative. Gwen seems to be following in the same path, victim and victimizer victimizer Psychology A victim who, having been physically, sexually, emotionally abused, reverses the role and abuses others ; eventually she leaves home, willing to work as a stripper Stripper Slang for an individual homeowner who strips the equity out of his or her home through mortgage refinancing. Proceeds are generally not re-invested, but spent on consumer goods. Notes: Most people get rich by saving and investing wisely. to gain her independence--we have no real hope that Gwen will escape life on the streets. There are horrifying scenes, filled with obscenities and hatred, sleazy slea·zy adj. slea·zi·er, slea·zi·est 1. a. Shabby, dirty, and vulgar; tawdry: "sleazy storefronts with torn industrial carpeting and dirt on the walls" with threats of rape and degradation. For Ellie, though, we can hope. In the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of ugliness are the tiny lights of fireflies, which Ellie sees. With Leo's help, she escapes and finds a safe home with her father, who does love her. Teenage readers who think they have impossible parents will think again after they meet Ellie's mother, who truly is impossible. Claire Rosser, KLIATT S--Recommended for senior high school students. |
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