From School Library Journal
YA Female adolescence isn't always characterized by the discovery of boys, rock music or clothes fads. Sometimes the journey from childhood to maturity involves learning that an idol has clay feet. In The Finishing School , Justin Stokes is a grown woman remembering the fateful summer she turned 14, when she changed from child to adult. After the death of her father and grandparents, Justin, her mother and brother move north into the sterile household (spotless rugs covered by plastic runners) of Aunt Mona and her daughter Becky. There Justin meets Ursula DeVane, a former actress in her mid-40s, who treats Justin like an adult, sharing her past history and future dreams and nuturing her in the feeling that Justin is different and special. But Ursula isn't perfect, and the tragic denouement of that summer is almost as inevitable as the infiltration of trailer camps on the DeVane property 30 years later. Godwin is a superb writerher characters breathe, her prose flows seamlessly and she has captured the inner heart of 14-year-old Justin. She is a special girl and this, a special book. Diana Hirsch, PGCMLS, Md.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"Stunning . . . Irresistible."
—Time
"GODWIN PROVES HERSELF ONE OF AMERICA'S FOREMOST WRITERS IN THE FINISHING SCHOOL. . . . A profound novel with characters close to the heart."
—The Philadelphia Inquirer
"COMPELLING, WELL CRAFTED . . . A psychological detective story with dramatic revelations of character and event."
—Chicago Tribune
"FINELY NUANCED, COMPASSIONATE . . . The Finishing School is a wise contribution to the literature of growing up."
—The New York Times Book Review
"ALLURING . . . GENTLE, IRONIC, INTENSE, AND EMOTIONAL FICTION."
—People
Review
"Stunning . . . Irresistible."
--Time
"GODWIN PROVES HERSELF ONE OF AMERICA'S FOREMOST WRITERS IN THE FINISHING SCHOOL. . . . A profound novel with characters close to the heart."
--The Philadelphia Inquirer
"COMPELLING, WELL CRAFTED . . . A psychological detective story with dramatic revelations of character and event."
--Chicago Tribune
"FINELY NUANCED, COMPASSIONATE . . . The Finishing School is a wise contribution to the literature of growing up."
--The New York Times Book Review
"ALLURING . . . GENTLE, IRONIC, INTENSE, AND EMOTIONAL FICTION."
--People
Book Description
Justin Stokes would never forget the summer she turned fourteen, nor the woman who transformed her bleak adolescent life into a wondrous place of brilliant color. In the little pondside hut she called her "finishing school," eccentric, free-spirited Ursula DeVane opened up a world full of magical possibilities for Justin, teaching her valuable lessons of love and loyalty, encouraging her to change, to learn, to grow. But the lessons of the finishing school have their dark side as well, as Justin learns how deep friendship can be shattered by shocking, unforgivable betrayal.
From the Inside Flap
Justin Stokes would never forget the summer she turned fourteen, nor the woman who transformed her bleak adolescent life into a wondrous place of brilliant color. In the little pondside hut also known as the “finishing school,” eccentric, free-spirited Ursula DeVane opened up a world full of magical possibilities for Justin, teaching her valuable lessons of love and loyalty, and encouraging her to change, to learn, to grow. But the lessons of the finishing school have their dark side as well, as Justin learns how deep friendship can be shattered by shocking, unforgivable betrayal.
From the Back Cover
"Stunning . . . Irresistible."
--Time "GODWIN PROVES HERSELF ONE OF AMERICA'S FOREMOST WRITERS IN THE FINISHING SCHOOL. . . . A profound novel with characters close to the heart."
--The Philadelphia Inquirer"COMPELLING, WELL CRAFTED . . . A psychological detective story with dramatic revelations of character and event."
--Chicago Tribune"FINELY NUANCED, COMPASSIONATE . . . The Finishing School is a wise contribution to the literature of growing up."
--The New York Times Book Review"ALLURING . . . GENTLE, IRONIC, INTENSE, AND EMOTIONAL FICTION."
--People
About the Author
Gail Godwin has received a Guggenheim Fellowship and the 1981 Award in Literature from the National Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. Three of her critically acclaimed novels, The Odd Woman, Violet Clay, and A Mother and Two Daughters, were nominated for the National Book Award. Her other highly praised books include Evensong, The Good Husband, A Southern Family, The Perfectionists, and Father Melancholy's Daughter.
The Finishing School (Ballantine Books) FROM THE PUBLISHER
Justin Stokes would never forget the summer she turned fourteen, nor the woman who transformed her bleak adolescent life into a wondrous place of brilliant color. In the little pondside hut she called her "finishing school," eccentric, free-spirited Ursula DeVane opened up a world full of magical possibilities for Justin, teaching her valuable lessons of love and loyalty, encouraging her to change, to learn, to grow. But the lessons of the finishing school have their dark side as well, as Justin learns how deep friendship can be shattered by shocking, unforgivable betrayal.
FROM THE CRITICS
School Library Journal
YA Female adolescence isn't always characterized by the discovery of boys, rock music or clothes fads. Sometimes the journey from childhood to maturity involves learning that an idol has clay feet. In The Finishing School , Justin Stokes is a grown woman remembering the fateful summer she turned 14, when she changed from child to adult. After the death of her father and grandparents, Justin, her mother and brother move north into the sterile household (spotless rugs covered by plastic runners) of Aunt Mona and her daughter Becky. There Justin meets Ursula DeVane, a former actress in her mid-40s, who treats Justin like an adult, sharing her past history and future dreams and nuturing her in the feeling that Justin is different and special. But Ursula isn't perfect, and the tragic denouement of that summer is almost as inevitable as the infiltration of trailer camps on the DeVane property 30 years later. Godwin is a superb writerher characters breathe, her prose flows seamlessly and she has captured the inner heart of 14-year-old Justin. She is a special girl and this, a special book. Diana Hirsch, PGCMLS, Md.
Art & Photography
Book Info
