If Nights Could Talk: A Family Memoir

by Marsha Recknagel

Book Overview

If Nights Could Talk is a rich gothic story of a Southern family, a tale of wealth and emotional need that spans generations. Marsha Recknagel's memoir begins with the surprise appearance of her 16-year-old nephew, Jamie, who arrives on her doorstep and into her ordered, childless life. Fleeing a chaotic home run by Marsha's unstable younger brother and his wife, Jamie is an ominous creature-and the center of an ongoing family tug-of-war. For Marsha,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312268092
• ISBN13: 9780312268091
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

If Nights Could Talk:A Family Memoir

I found the book captivating. I know the courage Marsha must have to write these Memoirs. I am so proud to have known the little girl and now the adult woman. Her sister Gail should be praised for rescuing Jamie.I could not close the book until the last page.I ran the full spectrum of emotions-- loved the book. The telling of the story carries you forward with the need to know more. I hated for the story to end. I am so proud of you Marsha......And Gail, she knows why.

Moving, intense

I had the wonderful pleasure of having Marsha for my creative writing instructor several semesters ago when she first sent this book off for publishing. I have been in great anticipation of it since then and it did not let me down! Having known Marsha personally and some of her story, her word was every bit as moving and powerful in her written accounts and packs even more of a punch at her readings of this book. A tearjerker for sure, it will inspire you to read to the last page when at last you sigh and have to put it down, ready to rest.

A Warm, Gripping Memoir

This up-lifting story begins with a derelict kid on the writer's doorstep and takes us backwards and forwards in narrative time, letting us get to know the characters and what ails them the way you get to know a neighbor's history, a little at a time and out of order. The memories are funny and tragic in their recounting, making the place where we depart company, which isn't completely safe, nonetheless gracefully triumphant.Recknagel's use of metaphor/simile is awesome.

Wonderful and Well Written

After seeing an article about this book in 'O' magazine, I had to read it. As a high school Literature teacher, I found Marsha Recknagel's memoir to be captivating, moving, and extremely well written. Recknagel has captured a part of her life on these pages, sharing it with others. Perhaps because it is a story that needed to be told. How evil a supposed loved one can be is frightening, especially to a young boy. The author's nephew is a brave yet damaged boy, who withstands the trials of Hell, and brings his aunt out of the wreckage with him. I bought this book three days ago, and could not put it down until I was finished. I highly recommend this true tale be read by one and all.

Powerful and awesome, but sad

I read this book recently. I could not put it down. It's a book that really makes you think about how awful things or people can really be in this world, but that sometimes even one person can make a world of difference. Marsha Recknagel is her nephew's saviour, but in turn, he is hers as well. I don't, and could never, know this story from the characters perspective's in this memoir, but I do feel as though every person has felt the ways Jamie(the nephew) and Marsha feel. Her story is real, full of feeling and personal truths. My heart is ten times bigger after reading this book. I strongly recommend it!