One Fell Swoop: A Novel in Stories

I have been searching for a long time for that great novel, the one filled with wonderful sentences and characters that draw you in, make you want to read slowly, and re-read slowly to make the story last. I've been looking for a Grand Canyon of a book, a book that takes your breath away, a book that is the read of a lifetime, a book that you want to hike down into and stay awhile so that you can touch it and feel it and savor it. I finally found all of that in Virgina Boyd's first novel, One Fell Swoop. I found myself reading and re-reading, because I loved her writing so much. I carried her characters with me throughout the day, because of the way each of their stories haunted me. I am already reading it again. I look forward to hearing from Virginia Boyd again soon.

Our book club recently selected One Fell Swoop as our monthly read, as we are always on the lookout for the next great Southern writer. Ms. Boyd did not disappoint, and the discussion at our meeting was never more lively. Like many book clubs, we tend to start out strong with a hearty discussion of our monthly selection and the talk soon moves on to local events. Yet, One Fell Swoop held its own and held center stage throughout the meeting, quite an impressive happening for our group. Each of us either connected with one of Ms. Boyd's characters and championed their point of view or took a strong stand in the opposite direction. We were most impressed with the layered imagery and trials that each of her characters endured on their own individual paths to some type of personal redemption. We highly recommend One Fell Swoop as a book club selection to other clubs and will be looking forward to Virginia Boyd's next work.

If you have ever been part of a circle of close friends, neighbors, or relatives, you will love this book. The characters and events could have easily existed in the small town where I was raised. Virginia Boyd developed each character so real and deeply that I felt like they were talking directly to me and I was inside their heads. I smiled and cried and couldn't put down the book. I always enjoying discovering new talented authors and can't wait for the next book from Virginia Boyd.

I loved One Fell Swoop - it's my kind of book. What's not to love about considering the infinite variety of possibilities in life? The book starts with one couple's tragedy and explores it from all kinds of angles - through different characters, from the past and into the future, from the center and the periphery. A slice of one person's life is a slice of many other's lives, but the position in the pie and the size of the slice is different for all involved. There are many characters, all starring in their own stories. Each is respectfully represented with spot on dialogue, and we get to sample what it's like to be someone else, to care about different things, to understand why someone might react differently to the same stimulus. That's why I read, and that's why I recommend this book to anyone. It's funny, sad, touching and thought-provoking. Congratulations on your great first novel, Virginia Boyd!

I ADORED this book! If you have ever lived in a small town (anywhere) these stories and characters will speak to you like friends or people "you knew." I devoured the stories and am re-reading the novel now. The second read is even more rewarding than the first as I see the richness in the writing, the layers of the imagery, the elegant structure, and the humor! I laughed so hard in parts I cried! It is the perfect book because you can pick it up, put it down, and re-visit it often. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!