Private Altars

by Katherine Mosby

Book Overview

Arriving in Winsville with a firm grasp of the classics, four steamer trunks of books, a bust of Quintilian, and shoes and gloves for different times of day, Vienna Daniels creates a stir in a town uncomfortable with difference. She's not crazy, she's just educated, Dr. Barstow pronounces to Vienna's husband, Willard, who is plainly disappointed with the patrician bride he managed to marry. When the marriage fails and Willard abandons her, Vienna...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679428968
• ISBN13: 9780679428961
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Random House
• Length: 322 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Plentiful in fresh metaphors, it's a treat!

I have shared this book with many of my friends, as a woman-to-woman gift. I bought it back in 1995 and have never lent out my own copy. I would not wish to lose it and the joy of re-reading it.

Private Altars

My favorite book of 1999 was one whose characters stayed with me long after I'd turned the last page. Southern Gothic in tone and set in the 1920s, Private Altars tells the story of a Yankee woman whose intelligence and independence are seen as ecentricities in the rural community she has moved to. Abandoned by her husband, she teaches her two children to make the most of their imaginations. They are observed by an outsider, a youngster who has recently moved to the area and is fascinated by the main character and her family. The rapport between the children reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird. The most striking element of this book is the author's amazing use of language, words and poetic turns of phrase that make you stop to reread them and days later, turn back and read them again.

Beautiful, haunting and well-worth sharing

I read this book for the first time a few years ago. I loaned it to a friend and never saw it again. I bought it again, read a few more times, loaned it to a friend, lost it again. I'm on my third copy. It still sings to my soul every time I open it up...so beautiful it makes my heart ache. I hope to hang on to this copy, but it's such a wonderful book to share, I might have to get another pretty soon.

Exceptionally well-written and imaginative story.

Mosby uses amazingly descriprive and lyrical language to tell the story of single mother Vienna Daniels and her children, Willa and Elliott. Set in the rural south in the early 20th century, Willa and Elliott have very little structure and routine and are raised on Vienna's strong morals, iron will, and incredible imagination. Particularly enchanting are Vienna's description of shadows pp. 140-142, Elliott's love of animals, the antics of the two children, and Mosby's description of the passionate and spiritual relationship between Vienna and Gray. Mosby demonstrates an unusual understanding of human nature and relationships. This book should not be passed up! If I had to recommend only one book this year, this would be it.