The Education of Ellie

This was a surprise for any reader who was expecting a romance. This is more a memorier of a two year period in childhood with immensely emotional events occurring. The reader see the events through the eyes of the children experiencing them. The story is smooth and readily flows from preent day and back 30 years and more - this author has a talent for writing. I would have enjoyed a more in depth exploration seeing the events through the eyes of the children (ages 8 through 14) as felt by them as adults (ages 47 & 45). I found the scenes with and about Ellie's mother especially touching. I don't want to give any plot away but it's not a story I'll soon forget. I especially liked that none of the loose ends were tied up by the last page - I thought it very true to life. The author has 19 titles in print.

Writing is gut-wrenching enough without choosing difficult topics like people abuse. But that's just what Jackie Calhoun and her taste for truth has done. In "The Education of Ellie," Ms. Calhoun has shown how the path of abusive behavior ultimately ends at the beginning of a new life or no life at all. She opted for a new life, a decision that highlights Ms. Calhoun's desire to show how lesbian lives have the same satisfying options as anyone else. Ms. Calhoun also cleverly used past and present tense to flow into and out of Ellie's past as a growing teenager, and present as a sexual adult. I'm also happy to report that Ms. Calhoun doesn't dramatize her sex scenes with a lot of excessive imagery that tends to vulgarize sexual encounters. Ms. Calhoun knows when to close the door. Also, except for the occasional confusion that arises when using the word "she" much of the time in identifying who's speaking, Ms. Calhoun's use of dialogue still keeps the story moving. In summary, "The Education of Ellie" seems to keep asking if Ellie and Helen are meant to be together? In seeing each other through a series of terrifying incidences, there's no doubt in my mind that Ellie and Helen have earned the chance to be a couple. Once again, Ms. Calhoun has used her accomplished writing skills to observe and report the truth of her characters' actions, the truth of abusive behavior.

I have found all of Ms. Calhoun's books very readable, realistic, and entertaining. The Education of Ellie is told from the protagonist's view as both child and adult, so we see how her experiences as a girl influence her as a woman. The characters and settings feel like real, down-to-earth people, developed with the sense of place Ms. Calhoun portrays so lovingly. I felt the fear that Ellie feels about her best friend's father; I felt the excitement of first real love; I felt the fresh air, and the scent of pine at their lakeside home; I felt the sadness of their loss too. This is a story that everybody can relate to in one way or another. It doesn't matter if you're gay or straight, and it would be shallow to state that it's "just about romance". Thanks again for another great story from Wisconsin!

I have read most of Calhoun's books and thought the Education of Ellie is her best to date. While one of the themes of the book - dealing with child abuse - is dark and disturbing at times, it is a more realistic reflection of what happens in our society to some unfortunate children, and this book offers a child's and an adult's view of living in or near abuse. I thought Calhoun captured the differences between the two children and their families quite well - the safety and joy one child felt and the fear and anger the other felt - and the curiousity that each had for what was unknown to them that helped drive their friendship. Calhoun's weaving of past memories and present life gave the characters more depth and interest.