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Clara Callan

Average rating: 4/5

Based on 21 ratings

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Clara Callan

by Richard Bruce Wright

Harper Perennial | December 31, 2003 | Trade Paperback

In a small town in Canada, Clara Callan reluctantly takes leave of her sister, Nora, who is bound for New York. It''s a time when the growing threat of fascism in Europe is a constant worry, and people escape from reality through radio and the movies. Meanwhile, the two sisters -- vastly different in personality, yet inextricably linked by a shared past -- try to find their places within the complex web of social expectations for young women in the 1930s.

While Nora embarks on a glamorous career as a radio-soap opera star, Clara, a strong and independent-minded woman, struggles to observe the traditional boundaries of a small and tight-knit community without relinquishing her dreams of love, freedom, and adventure. However, things aren''t as simple as they appear -- Nora''s letters eventually reveal life in the big city is less exotic than it seems, and the tranquil solitude of Clara''s life is shattered by a series of unforeseeable events. These twists of fate require all of Clara''s courage and strength, and finally put the seemingly unbreakable bond between the sisters to the test.

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Reviews

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 4/5

    Great Read

    eDub

    10 months ago

    What can I say – Richard Wright can seriously write. I found myself completely immersed into this book from the first chapter. Characters and settings – small town Ontario, New York City, Toronto, Italy - are vividly brought to life to the point that you can feel the cold winter days in Ontario. Told through letters and diary entries this is an engaging read which takes you into the lives of two sisters – Nora (a radio actress) and Clara (a teacher) – from the years 1934 to 1938. I enjoyed reading about the relationship between the sisters and found it amusing how their roles reversed as the story went on. I also enjoyed the historical setting and felt that the author did a good job painting a picture of the world on the brink of war without knowing it. Although, at times I just wanted to knock some sense into Clara I highly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to people who like historical fiction and Canadiana.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 3/5

    Good!

    SM

    12 months ago

    I liked this book and I liked that it the book was composed of the main character's journal entries. The book was very thought provoking and though the story was not always riveting, it was always interesting.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 4/5

    Fascinating Tale of Women in the 1930's

    Deborah BC

    2 years ago

    This was a wonderful read! This story is about two sisters, both of whom are single during the 1930's. One sister - Nora moves to a seemingly exciting life in New York, where she finds work reading drama for radio. Meanwhile, her sister remains in small town Ontario , working as a school teacher.

    The story is told by Clara and Nora writing letters to one another, as well as Clara writing in her diary. A few other characters also write letters, most notably a lesbian woman named Evelyn who works in New York with Nora.

    This is a wonderful novel that exposes the challenges of living as a woman in the 1930's - in particular, single women.


    I highly recommend this most readable and informative book.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?
    N Smith

    Rating: 5/5

    A wonderful read!!

    N Smith

    9 years ago

    This was one of those books that I just couldn't put down. It was wonderfully written, enchanting, and entertaining.

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From the Publisher

In a small town in Canada, Clara Callan reluctantly takes leave of her sister, Nora, who is bound for New York. It''s a time when the growing threat of fascism in Europe is a constant worry, and people escape from reality through radio and the movies. Meanwhile, the two sisters -- vastly different in personality, yet inextricably linked by a shared past -- try to find their places within the complex web of social expectations for young women in the 1930s.

While Nora embarks on a glamorous career as a radio-soap opera star, Clara, a strong and independent-minded woman, struggles to observe the traditional boundaries of a small and tight-knit community without relinquishing her dreams of love, freedom, and adventure. However, things aren''t as simple as they appear -- Nora''s letters eventually reveal life in the big city is less exotic than it seems, and the tranquil solitude of Clara''s life is shattered by a series of unforeseeable events. These twists of fate require all of Clara''s courage and strength, and finally put the seemingly unbreakable bond between the sisters to the test.

About the Author

Canadian writer, Richard B. Wright is the author of several novels. His titles include The Age of Longing, In the Middle of Life and Clara Callan. Clara Callan won both the Governor General's Literary Award for fiction and the Giller Award in 2001. He resides in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

Trade Paperback

415 Pages, 5.35 x 8.13 x 1.04 in

December 31, 2003

Harper Perennial

English


0060506075
9780060506070

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