Flying Sparks: Growing Up on the Edge of Las Vegas

A truely compelling story of survival and the reality of being a young girl alone and unprotected in an era we thought was a time of "innocence". Ms. Larson has unflinchingly shared her life experiences with honesty and without self-pity. Her courage is an inspiration. Her prose is as pure and honest as the desert. I could not put Flying Sparks down. I eagerly look forward to her next book.

This novel stopped me in my tracks. The keen memory of every detailed joy and horror recalled so vividly, related in an honest, curious and amazingly direct way...was absolutely compelling. I was transported directly into the emotional turmoil and yearning of the young Odette...experiencing first hand, her twelve-year old sensibility, curiousity and insecure,overpowering need for love...a need so strong it continually bounced her off the edge of darkness, while at the same instant, maintaining a core of integrity and innocence just strong enough to keep her from toppling over...into the abyss. I couldn't put it down, and when I did finish this incredible odyssey of pain, confusion and desolation, I felt the stirring of some powerful seeds...the beginnings of unconscious realizations...a small ladder up. I can't wait for these to sprout and manifest into Odette Larson's sequel novel..and other works of truth, survival and growth. The phoenix rising.Kudos to this wonderful, insightful author. Please continue to bring us more of these powerful works! Thank you!

Unputdownable! Like being on the back of a runaway horse, you hang on for dear life, unaware of what will happen to this young girl at the turn of the next page. I hurt for her, I was afraid for her, and found solice in knowing she survived, because she wrote this book and was smiling at us from the inside jacket leaf.This book will appeal to a wide audience, but will hit numerous empathetic chords in those who grew up in the 50's and 60's and experienced parenting that only knew violence as lesson. Especially for women, who will relate more than I can possibly reveal here. Read it and see what I mean!

Owning & operating my own business, I rarely find time to read a book in it's entirety. I must say once I started reading Flying Sparks, I could hardly put it down. I was able to complete the book in less than 24hours and am anxiously awaiting the sequel. Odette wrote with such vivid descriptions I could place myself along side her in her journeys. I related to the authors perception of knowing right from wrong and somehow always following the wrong path. It was a great pleasure to read an autobiography written from the heart.

Very compelling story that is written in an unusual style. A real page turner, you won't want to put it down.