Book: Catching Heaven by Sands Hall

Catching Heaven in a novel set in the Southwest with three narrators: Lizzie and Maud (sisters) and Jake (a musician and friend of both Lizzie and Maud). There is a lot in this novel; it is worth reading. It could have been what I call a "zuzu" novel but it rises above cliches and facile characterization. It's a lovely piece of writing, evocative, with credible story lines and characters (for the most part).

In spite of the title, it is not saccharine. It is a wonderful melange of Shakespeare, country and western bars and music and cowboys, Native Americans, kids, the different ways of artistic expression not dependent on big cities, relationships (of course...what novel isn't?), families, friendships, living and dying.

Amy Tan says "Rich, warm and utterly satisfying...a wonderful debut from a first-rate storyteller." It is that....