The Lion in the Room Next Door

by Merilyn Simonds

Book Overview

Episodes from a woman's life are reflected in this acclaimed collection of interrelated short stories from a sensational new talent. Richly layered . . . stories so solid they seem sculpted, yet so... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399145915
• ISBN13: 9780399145919
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Putnam Publishing Group
• Length: 255 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Poetic Prose

I picked up this book at a used book sale because the cover looked intriguing and I like to read all sorts of different books. The first chapter confused me slightly and I wasn't sure I'd like the book. The second story helped me understand why the first chapter was confusing and I came to the conclusion that Merilyn Simonds is a master storyteller. This book is through the eyes of on woman from childhood through adulthood. Just as your earliest childhood memories are confusing, so are hers. I realized when I was a child I took solace and comfort in certain perceptions and beliefs, that were not real. I have VIVID memories and emotional pulls to things, places and people that no longer intrigue me or anyone else. In short, this book is incredible. Her writing is precise, clear and thought provoking. Almost psycholoically stimulating in ways you never thought a book could be. This book quickly became a top ten favorite for me.

New book of vignettes makes the everyday extraordinary.

Merilyn Simonds brings hope to those of us who have been instructed by our teachers and mentors to write about what we know best. In a series of personal vignettes, Simonds carefully recreates moments and situations from her past, turning them into art. A real page turner, this book has to be begun from the beginning every time it is picked up (I'm making it last!). The writer lets readers into the most private corners of her being ... and we recognize something of ourselves there.