The Borders of Life

G.A. Kathryns is a pseudonym for Gael Baudino. Anyone who liked this book should look for more under that name, as she has written no others under this one. I picked this book up several years ago, and have just finished it for a second time. The characters are all well developed, and the plot has enough mystery and depth to carry you through to the end. I personally found the ending to tie everything up nicely, though I agree that the run on sentences were a bit much. I think she was trying to emulate a style there.

I was stunned by this fantasy. Why in the world did I find this book in a remainders bin? It is excellently written, well plotted, and totally absorbing. It should have many more readers than it apparently had! I've put G.A. Kathryns on my 'authors to watch for' list. This is an extraordinary fantasy well outside the standard fantasy-type plots. The book might almost be classified as mystical realism.This is the story of a woman, Alma Montague, who comes 'home' to Lee Corners to retire and live out her life in peace. She left town when she was a young woman, and never returned until her retirement. Part of the intriguing aspect of the novel is the question of what is 'real' Vs what might or might not be the imaginings of the heroine. Spend some time with this book, I found it to be a lovely elegy and a bit of comfort in grieving about a friend.

I am enjoying this book immensely, it combines elements of mystery and the metaphysical seamlessly in a story of a small southern town and it's inhabitants. It's a joy to find such a well written and intelligent "fantasy".