Cover Image: A Parting Glass

A Parting Glass

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Member Reviews

This is such a powerful story with issues, such as domestic abuse!

I honestly wasn’t expecting much going into this story. I didn’t really know what it was about, but I honestly felt a bit disappointed in it. I could really appreciate where this was going, but I found some times very dull. However, I will say that the ending picked up and made me pump up my rating. It is told in a beautiful way and I would still recommend this book.

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This is a troubling story about Elizabeth, an 11 year old girl whose father is violent not only with her mother, but with Elizabeth and her three older siblings.

Elizabeth goes to a Catholic School where her teacher, Sister Mary Paul, hates Elizabeth and physically punishes her every chance she gets.

Poor Elizabeth fights the violence in her world with a very active imagination, escaping to her "sacred place" to hide from her father when needed.

This book really touched me, as I also grew up in a violent home. Although my father was never abusive to us kids, witnessing the physical abuse my mother experienced at his hands was terrifying!

Tess Banion portrayed very accurately what is like to be a child growing up too quickly in a chaotic home.

#APartingGlass #NetGalley

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What a refreshingly different read! The subject matter is very heavy as the author tackles domestic abuse head on, however it is written in such a gentle, childlike way that it could have been written by Enid Blyton. It's the story of a young girl, Elizabeth, the fourth of five children whose father is a drunken bully. It is not a sad story though. Elizabeth's spirit and energy are addictive and I could not wait to find out the ending. Poignant and dream like, what a way to tackle such a tough topic!

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A powerful story told in a hauntingly beautiful narrative. I quickly came to care for Elizabeth, and then the rest of her family, as they struggled, each dealing with the abuse in their own ways and being something different for each other. The omni-narrative allows you to see into the thoughts of many of the characters, which at times really serves the story and at others felt a touch jarring. While it wasn't jarring enough to make the story any less profound, it did pull some from Elizabeth, who to me came across as the main protagonist.

The world comes to life, making it easy to feel as if you are right there. It is the kind of story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. I look forward to reading more from this author.

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Parting glass is about an eleven year old girl named Elizabeth. She's adamant to leave her Catholic school at her upcoming age of twelve. Before she leaves, she has to change a couple of things with her life. This novel is absolutely amazing, the epitome of resilience and hope. It was captivating and suspenseful, and had a journey full of excitement.

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