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Three Part Invention
a
novel
by Judith Laura
Open Sea Press / September 2009 /
trade paperback / 6"x9" / 382 pages /
List price $14.95 / ISBN
9780578029948/ Distributed by Ingram
Paper used in this book printed in the US is
Sustainable Forestry Initiative Certified
(SFC®),
Paper used in this book printed in the UK is
Forest Stewardship Council Mixed Credit FSC C084699
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bottom of page for paper bookseller links
Now also available in virtually all e-book formats
including
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Three generations of mothers and daughters take center stage, with 20th
century events as backdrop, in this novel of depth and humor spotlighting the
power of music—from classical to jazz to rock and international folk—and the tug
between ethnic loyalty and global consciousness.
Alice, a classical pianist and daughter of Eastern-European Jewish immigrants,
marries violinist Izzy shortly before World War II. After their daughter Beth is
born they move from New York City to the fictional town of Delaware City, New
Jersey, where Izzy works in a furniture store. As she raises Beth, Alice
exhibits prejudices too common in her generation against people racially and
ethnically different from herself. Yet, in her own way, she is open to a variety of experiences. Alice’s world includes a
psychic aunt, a piano teacher of Native American and Irish descent, an adult
piano student in a wheelchair who reads palms, and her close friend Sophie, who
has a daughter Beth’s age.
Beth grows up in Delaware City caught between her mother’s value system, her own
ideas—and her quest for social acceptance. Beth's resentment over being made to
study piano deepens the rift between her and her mother. In her teens, Beth is
introduced to rhythm & blues by African American high school girls. Beth’s love
of this music soon extends to rock, and then jazz—all of which her mother
dislikes. At college in Ohio, Beth becomes involved in the early civil rights
movement with her closest friends Melissa, a budding reporter and sexual
explorer; Valerie, Beth’s intellectual mentor, whose family is evasive about
their Native American ancestry and who ponders her possible lesbianism; and
Julius, a Black civil rights activist who challenges Beth’s beliefs and
self-image.
Alexis, Beth's daughter, is born in Denver. As a pre-schooler, she finds herself
in an uncertain world, often confused because her learning disabilities reduce
her communication skills. Yet she finds she can do remarkable things with music.
Tension develops between Alexis and her mother as Beth struggles to overcome
profound changes in her life.
These three distinct voices give us an unforgettable picture of the complexities
of the mother-daughter relationship and of how women in three generations
approach war, love, sex, death, career, friendship—and each other.
This is the second edition of
Three Part Invention. The first edition was published in 2002 in a
5.5x8.5 format, with a different cover and higher price. Though it was taken
out-of-print a number of years ago, you may still encounter it at some online
booksellers. The easiest way to quickly find the newer, 6x9 edition is to search
by isbn number 9780578029948 or use the bookseller links below.
Scroll down for video book
trailer.
From Reviewers
"Judith Laura's Three Part Invention is a compelling story
of mothers and daughters, the conflicts in their relationship, and their efforts to help
one another. Three Part Invention is highly recommended as a moving and emotional
novel...."
~
Midwest Book Review
"I was engrossed in the characters and wanted to
continue reading....Judith Laura is quite good about getting into the heads of three very
different women, at different times in their lives and gives us a good sense of the time
they live through....I would not hesitate to recommend this book."
~Naomi Graetz, author of
Silence is Deadly
"By the time I was a third of the way through, I
found myself admiring the way Laura is able to use distinctive "voices" for each
character, including the two who are first presented to the reader as children, and how
world events have peripheral effects rather than directly driving the action. Half way
through, and I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. . . . I
knew it was a good book because when it ended I wanted more."
~The Beltane Papers
"This is a beautiful story, well written and sure to
please."
~Readers Favorite
"A beautiful narrative about three generations of women --
fellow musicians will love it in particular."
~E L Song, Bookreporter.com
"Fabulous book....This novel is engrossing. I
highly recommend it. "
~Marie Logan, Amazon.com's
Listmania!
"A good story...well written"
~Matrifocus
"....Judith Laura's novel, Three Part Invention, runs the gamut of
emotions; a child's confusion challenges the world of religion and prejudice; a
mother's pain and self-doubt lead to depression....As a non-Jewish reader, I was
fascinated by the details of Jewish life...But Beth grows up and now it's
college life, music, racial integration, coffee shops, the Committee for Human
Rights (and the question of whether it's a Communist front) that fill the pages.
Looking at prejudice from many different directions, and history from the
vantage point of someone living through it; listening to traditions and music,
and growing accustomed to the different voices of this novel's protagonists;
feeling the winds of change blow through the pages; Three Part Invention
tells Ali's story in three parts, building her from her family up, and leaving
the reader on the stage as the future begins."
~S. Deeth (Sheila Deeth), Vine Voice Reviewer,
Amazon.com
About the
Author
Judith Laura is also author of
multiple-awarded novel,
Beyond All Desiring, and three
other books. Her fiction, poetry, and articles have appeared in
numerous journals and
anthologies. She has worked as a reporter and magazine editor. She grew up in Ewing, NJ, graduated from Ohio University, and now lives near
Washington, DC.
Here are links to some of the internet booksellers
carrying the 2009 Open Sea Press edition: |
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