About this item
Highlights
- Set in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains, Rachel Margaret Drews' debut novel, WILD WOMAN, tells the story of Charlene Louise Montgomery (Charlie), a Guns 'N' Roses-loving mountain girl who comes from generations of women to whom spousal abuse is just another part of life, "like fixin' supper.
- Author(s): Rachel M Drews
- 226 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Women
Description
About the Book
Set in a small mountain town, WILD WOMAN, tells the story of Charlie, a young woman who learns that violence isn't love and that she must find a way to be free and transform her purpose for living.
Book Synopsis
Set in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains, Rachel Margaret Drews' debut novel, WILD WOMAN, tells the story of Charlene Louise Montgomery (Charlie), a Guns 'N' Roses-loving mountain girl who comes from generations of women to whom spousal abuse is just another part of life, "like fixin' supper." After twenty-two years of living a life according to what "don't work," her moment of grace comes, empowering her to let go of the need to acquire her violent husband's attention and to transform her purpose for living.Her bad-boy brother (Danny) is the closest thing she has to a positive male role model, and he gets her high for the first time when she is just fifteen. A year later, she meets Jimmy Randall Jr., the son of the local tire shop owner, and is transfixed by a desire for him more powerful than any drug. Like all addictions, the downward spiral ensues, leaving a gorge between her dreams of a happy family life and her heavy fisted, shame-based trailer love.
After landing in the hospital for the fifth time in six years, Charlie has a mystical experience with a wild wolf-like woman creature who empowers her with the ability to choose a different path. In the despair of the damned of those addicted, she returns home to live with her Jesus-loving mama. But it is not through her mama's faith that she finds comfort and the courage to change. For Charlie, her transformation comes from discovering the Divine in simple circles of recovering women where she surrenders to the process of letting go and living the life of which she could never have dreamed.
Review Quotes
"Rachel's writing is vivid and beautiful. Her characters, I know them. How evocative and telling this novel will be."
--Janet Champ, award winning freelance writer and creative director, creating iconic ads for over 30 years
"Rachel Drews writes with clear, stark power of Hemingway...If every novel was written this well, I'd read every spare moment. I'll never forget this book." --Bill (William) Cusack, actor and producer
"Wild Woman wraps heartbreak and humanity in so much tenderness, with characters that feel like personal friends. Rachel writes with a voice that is both clever and deeply accessible. The story itself feels timeless, known, and yet you want to keep finding out what's going to happen next. This book felt like comfort food. Like a warm blanket, and hope, with lessons the reader can take for their own. Just wonderful." --Ingrid Clayton, PhD is a clinical psychologist and author of several books including her top ranked memoir, Believing Me: Healing From Narcissistic Abuse and Complex Trauma
"Rachel Drews' debut novel is a thoughtful and inspiring story for all! There's so much to cheer for in this book! Mostly, the mustard seed of willingness that Charlie has and takes us down the path of finding oneself through painful circumstances. I can't wait to read what Rachel writes next!" --Christina Beck, award winning writer, director and actress known for the cult films Suburbia, Boys Next Door and Dudes and her directorial debut, Perfection.
"Couldn't put it down! I loved the characters and the story. It is extremely well written and a really good read. It is touching, warm and addresses an important topic. Highly recommend it. Among the the best books I've read." --Dr. Charles Pollack, MD, Cardiology Specialist in Los Angeles, CA