Asta in the Wings

by Jan Elizabeth Watson

Asta in the Wings is a poignant and often darkly funny story narrated by Asta Hewitt, a resourceful seven-year-old growing up in an isolated house in Bond Brook, Maine. Shut off from the outside world and restricted to the company of a delusional mother and a bookish older brother, Asta is content to be part of a society of three, constructing fanciful, theatrical worlds of their own. When circumstances push her into a strange outside world--with...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0980243610
• ISBN13: 9780980243611
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Tin House Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.0" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful read

This was a fantastic read. The story is written perfectly from the child's perspective, sharing observations and thoughts which are not simple to put into words. The portrayal of growing up in Maine (having done this myself) was right on the mark. It reminded me of how well Katherine Peterson let us know her characters in "Bridge to Terabithia". This novel is delightful and flows along so smoothly, you will find yourself finished and wishing there was even more. At least you get to read it again! I'm giving this one as a Christmas gift for a few people, both to adults and early teenage relatives.

Compelling narrative

Asta in the Wings is narrated by Asta, a seven year old girl who is imaginative beyond words. She and her brother Orion are in a difficult predicament; essentially held captive by their widowed mother who loves them very much but is very disturbed. When she fails to come home from work one night, Asta and her brother escape to go look for her, turning their world upside down. A lovely, compelling book, the heroine Asta is reminiscent of Susie in Lovely Bones but the book has the Victorian sensibilty of A.S. Byatt. A wonderful first effort-look forward to more from this author. I could not put it down.

Fascinating, imaginative story

Once I got involved, I couldn't put this book down. The author's imagination was so keen it was difficult to believe that this was not autobiographical. I have already recommended it to several friends.