#leslie parry

[readingoals]

This book has been sitting, unread, on my shelf since whenever The Night Circus was doing numbers on tumblr. I think I picked it up cause it gave off similar circus-y vibes but, actually the circus aspect is a lot less prominent in Church of Marvels. Which isn't necessarily bad but definitely wasn't what I was expecting.

Here's the thing. I enjoyed it, as I was reading it. The start was a little slow but once the four characters started meeting and their stories started to intersect, it picked up. Parts were a little convoluted or confusing but the plot was interesting and I liked the characters well enough. But only while I was reading. It just didn't really hold me. I'd finish a chapter and not feel much inclination to read another. I put it down and didn't think of picking it up again for two days. And then when I did go back I was like oh this is good actually! Until the next time I stopped.

I don't want to spoil anything in case anyone is planning to read this soon but I will say there was an unexpected queer storyline which might have been the most interesting part. I'll put a bit about that under the cut for those who are curious and don't mind being spoiled but, from what I can tell, own voices reviews have been pretty favorable, so theres that. It is set in 1895 and the four main characters are working class minorities (3 women, and a dark skinned man) so they do go through Some Shit but for the most part it felt realistic to the setting, if a little amped up in some places to increase tension and drama.

But, yeah, I just. I can't tell if I liked it that much but I also can't pinpoint exactly what was wrong with it. I think partly it was my preconceived notions of what the book would be (aside from the circus thing i was expecting it to be YA which it very much isn't), but maybe it's partly just not written as well as it could have been. I'm giving it 3 stars, though I may drop it to 2 depending how I feel about it in the next few days.

For those curious and prepared to be spoiled:

one of the women is revealed to be trans as like the big twist in the last third of the book. It took me by surprise although, when I thought back, there were a lot of clues and hints so it might not have been as surprising to others. And I think it was done well, especially in period accurate explanations/discussions of passing (mentioning the type of corset she wore and how she knew where she'd be safest when out in the city and things like that)

There are some descriptions of how she was kicked out of home and how she got into sex work to survive, which included dealing with a lot of physical abuse. And she is sent to an asylum - it's where we meet her - which also includes some traumatic shit, but again that is historically accurate.

#booklr #church of marvels #leslie parry #brigid speaks #read in 2023 #book update

[hell-river]

I also read Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry, which is a historical fiction with one of the most heart breaking trans stories I’ve ever read and Parry somehow also made it a happy ending? This book made me stare at a wall for five real life minutes. It was one of the most well done multi-pov/multi-plot-becomes-one-plot books I’ve ever read. The vibes were incredible, the characters were incredible, and I really don’t know how it doesn’t have more of a following. Idk much about New York, but Parry’s descriptions of 1890s Coney Island and New York made it the absolutely perfect place to set this story.

#I would also heed the trigger warnings because this is also a story about motherhood and women’s bodily autonomy in that era #sometimes it was A Lot but I didn’t find it to be just there for shock value it was important to the story #it was just an incredible story I’m so glad I picked it up #my reading #bookblr #church of marvels #church of marvels by Leslie parry #books #reading #historical fiction #Coney Island #new York

[luckydiorxoxo]

Arrivals to the 2024 NAACP Image Awards II

#leslie jones #lil rel howery #teyonah parris #idris elba #sabrina elba #william stanford davis #naacp image awards #lisa ann walter #black hollywood #melanin #sterling k. brown #2024 naacp image awards

[roswell-rp-archive]

astrid beaufort-donnelley (emmy raver-lampman) is looking for their siblings !! (4 slots available)

Name of the Connection: UTP Preferred 

Faceclaim: UTP between 30 - 40 (2 older than Astrid, 2 younger). Keep in mind Astrid’s family is African-American.

 Description: Astrid has two older siblings and two younger siblings. She doesn’t talk to them anymore, but it’s possible they would find their way into Roswell regardless. She comes from a very rich family, so at the very least her two older siblings would have some control over their family’s companies (though I left that vague so you can choose what that means to your character). Astrid has had little to no contact with them for most of them except for holidays since they were children.

Player Contacted before application?: No, but you can contact me at @beau-astrid

#lakeith stanfield fc #leslie odom jr fc #teyonah parris fc #tika sumpter fc

[capsrecedinghairline]

By the time Bruce hits fourteen, Leslie has had enough. She storms into Wayne Manor and confronts Alfred while he’s placidly kneading dough in the kitchen.

“You signed Bruce up for more martial arts lessons??” she shrieks. “He needs therapy! This isn’t what Martha and Thomas would want!”

Alfred Pennyworth delicately clears his throat, dusts flour from his palms, reaches into his pocket, and produces a somewhat worn neon sticky note. In Martha Wayne’s loopy cursive is written, If I die, give Bruce a knife and teach him to fight xoxo.

Leslie blinks dumbly at her dead friend’s instruction for a moment, but recovers enough to parry with, “Well what about…”

But she trails off when, still silent, Alfred hands her a yellowed Polaroid. Frozen on film for all time is Thomas Wayne, wearing exactly half a tuxedo, laying on his stomach on a bench in a tattoo parlor. He’s propped on one elbow and he flashes the cameraman a merry thumbs up as the tattoo artist inks “DO WHAT MARTHA SAYS” on his bare ass.

#this came to me wholesale while margarita drunk #batman #batfam #bruce wayne #alfred pennyworth #martha wayne #thomas wayne #pennywaynes #dc comics

[lands-of-fantasy]

Titular Women in Live-action Superhero Media

Cathy Lee Crosby as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman in Wonder Woman (1975)

Lynda Carter as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman in Wonder Woman (1975-79)

Helen Slater as Kara Zor-El / Linda Lee / Supergirl in Supergirl (1984)

Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-97)

Ashley Scott as Helena Kyle / Huntress, Dina Meyer as Barbara Gordon / Oracle, Rachel Skarsten as Dinah Redmond in Birds of Prey (2002-03)

Halle Berry as Patience Phillips / Catwoman in Catwoman (2004)

Jennifer Garner as Elektra Natchios in Elektra (2005)

Melissa Benoist as Kara Zor-El / Kara Danvers / Supergirl in Supergirl (2015-21)

Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter in Agent Carter (2015-16)

Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones in Jessica Jones (2015-19)

Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman in Wonder Woman (2017) and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Olivia Holt as Tandy Bowen in Cloak & Dagger (2018-19)*

Evangeline Lily as Hope van Dyne / The Wasp in Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018) and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Brie Larson as Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel in Captain Marvel (2019)

Sophie Turner as Jean Grey / Phoenix in X-Men: Dark Phoenix

Ruby Rose as Kate Kane / Batwoman in Batwoman Season 1 (2019-20)

Margot Robbie as Dr. Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Helena Bertinelli / The Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Dinah Lance / Black Canary, Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain in Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)

Margot Robbie as Dr. Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn in Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)

Brec Bassinger as Courtney Whitmore / Stargirl in Stargirl (2020-22)

Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch in WandaVision

Javicia Leslie as Ryan Wilder / Batwoman in Batwoman Season 2–3 (2021-22)

Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane in Superman & Lois (2021-)

Scarlett Johansson Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in Black Widow (2021)

Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop in Hawkeye (2021-?)**

Kaci Walfall as Naomi McDuffie in Naomi (2022)

Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel in Ms. Marvel (2022-?)

Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer Walters / She-Hulk in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022-?)

Letitia Wright as Shuri /Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Brie Larson as Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel, Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel in The Marvels (2023)

Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez in Echo (2024-?)*

________________

*While not directly reffered as such in their shows, "Dagger" and "Echo" are, respectively, Tandy's and Maya's codenames in the comics.

**This also goes for Kate and the "Hawkeye" codename, but in her case the show implies she will use it in the near future with the blessing of Clint Barton (the original Hawkeye, who also stars in the show).

#marvel #dc #wonder woman #supergirl #black widow #captain marvel #the wasp #lois lane #hope van dyne #birds of prey #agent carter #jessica jones #dc stargirl #batwoman #wanda maximoff #ms marvel #she hulk #jean grey #tandy bowen #shuri #cloak and dagger #harley quinn #the marvels #maya lopez #kate bishop #ryan wilder #elektra #catwoman #black panther #Naomi McDuffie

[fcsources]

Can you please suggest some fcs for someone who could play an older version of Halle Bailey, around the ages of 30’s or 40’s, please? Thank you so much! ♥️

𝙝𝙞 𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙚! of course!! ♡ my main things i'm looking for here are the proper skin tone and a similar face shape/eye distance. i hope you find an option you like!

Aja Naomi King ( 1985, actress )

Anita Marshall ( 1991, model )

Ashleigh Murray ( 1988, actress )

Ebonee Noel ( 1990, actress )

Gabrielle Union ( 1972, actress )

Javicia Leslie ( 1987, actress )

Kiki Layne ( 1991, actress )

Liya Kebede ( 1978, model )

Michaela Coel ( 1987, actress )

Naomie Harris ( 1976, actress )

Renee Elise Goldsberry ( 1971, actress )

Sonequa Martin-Green ( 1985, actress )

Tabria Majors ( 1990, model, plus-size )

Teyonah Parris ( 1987, actress )

Wakeema Hollis ( 1984, actress )

#halle bailey fc #faceclaim suggestions #faceclaims #black fc #black female fc #rphelper #poc fc #indie resource #rp helper #rph #answered: fc help #answered: anonymous #answered #answered: age bent #five nights at freddi's: mascot post

[msclaritea]

Kevin Costner & Morgan Freeman ‘The Gray House’ SAG-AFTRA Agreement – Deadline

Kevin Costner & Morgan Freeman-Produced Civil War Spy Series ‘The Gray House’ Lands SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement

By Peter White

Kevin Spacey Found Not Guilty Of Sex Crimes In UK Trial; Oscar Winner "Humbled"

July 24, 2023 1:52pm

Kevin Costner, Morgan FreemanCourtesy/Nigel Parry

The Gray House, a Civil War spy drama series that is being produced by Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman, is the latest high-profile project to land an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA.

The project managed to secure an interim agreement – by which the producers agree to the terms of the guild’s last counter-offer to the AMPTP – despite having international distribution through Paramount Global.

SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreements: List Of Movies And Series Granted Waivers

SAG Begins Granting Waivers To Indie Productions But Plenty Of Questions Remain, Not Least Whether Actors Will Show Up

The actors guild has now handed out over 60 interim agreements to movies and series since the walkout earlier this month. Apple TV+’s Tehran became the most high-profile series to land one, after films such as The Watchers, which has involvement from Warner Bros. Discovery’s New Line, were also added to the list as well as Glenn Close’s The Summer Book and A24 films Mother Mary and I Dream Of Unicorns.

11 Fresh Nike Summer Shoes for Women to Shop This Season

Paramount Global Content Distribution, which is run by Dan Cohen, is set to distribute six-part series The Gray House, which does not currently have a U.S. network or streamer attached.

The Gray House tells the story of the three women General Ulysses S. Grant credited as helping the North win the Civil War. It focuses on the unsung women who turned the tide of the American Civil War in favor of the North. A Richmond Socialite and her daughter, a formerly enslaved African-American, and a courtesan build the first successful female spy ring, operating right under the noses of the Confederate High Command. They risk life and liberty to help win the war and preserve American Democracy.

The series is based on an original script by Leslie Greif and Darrell Fetty, and Oscar-nominated John Sayles. Oscar-nominated Roland Joffe is directing.

The series has been filming in Eastern Europe.

Costner is exec producing via his Territory Pictures banner with Rod Lake and Howard Kaplan producing. Freeman is producing alongside his producing partner Lori McCreary via their Revelations Entertainment shingle and Greif is producing via his Big Dreams Entertainment alongside Alex Kerr.

Who gets an interim agreement is a complicated question, particularly as some of these projects seem to have ties to AMPTP companies such as Paramount Global.

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland told Deadline, “It goes to reflect the complexity and the business relationships and structures in this industry.”  

He added, “If there are AMPTP connections to the project, then [waivers] won’t be [granted]. That’s the big-picture answer. Everyone needs to be investigated and evaluated individually because obviously the question of ‘Are there AMPTP fingerprints or connections to the project?’ is a very specific question. That means it takes a few days to a week depending on volume, maybe a little more for us to evaluate whether a project can receive an interim agreement.”

These people keep proving me right. I knew Fran Drescher could not be trusted and neither can her little minion Crabtree-Ireland. Some of these productions knew they could get away with this by filming in Europe and by the way, per Insider Hollywood, including many publications like Deadline and Variety lamenting back in 22 about 'a precious American Western being shot in New Zealand' what the fuck do I look like anticipating from two already wealthy actors and their European flavored Civil War drama? Screw Costner and Freeman for this.

I really feel a deep dread for the Hollywood workers striking. They might have been set up with AMPTP ringers on the SAG-AFTRA board.

#WGA #sag aftra #ALSO FUCK A24 #Mattel #Daniel Kaaluya

[forfoxessake]

JUNE (2023) - movies

Lady Chatterley’s Lover (2022)   Directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre

Emma Corrin -  Jack O’Connell

 It's been a while since I read this and I get the impression that they made some different choices in regard to a few characters (the nanny/maid) that I didn't dislike. It's not a groundbreaking film, it feels more romantic than the book sets out to be but overall they do a good job. Emma Corrin's is so thin that it honestly bothered me a little.

Ammonite (2020)   Directed by Francis Lee

Kate Winslet -  Saoirse Ronan

There have been better lesbian films in recent years, and this is so small and quiet that it pales in comparison. But something, in the end, made it stand out. There's a scene where we are led to believe they will get a happy ending when suddenly the mood shifts and we see Kate Winslet's character for who she is, Mary is not only misunderstood because she is gay in a time where women had no autonomy, she is a person who has never felt seen - by the society and by the people who she loves. And that's a painful note to end at.

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)  Directed by Martin McDonagh

Colin Farrell -  Brendan Gleeson -  Brendan Gleeson -  Kerry Condon

I was asking myself why was everyone so obsessed with this movie about two old dudes, a donkey, and a tiny island. It did not prepare me for how WILD this is.

Willow (1988)  Directed by Ron Howard

Warwick Davis -  Val Kilmer

I named my first dog when I was 4 after this movie - It was actually Billy Willow after much insistence from my mother. But 30 years later I barely remember what this was about and I thought it was time to revisit this after the release of the follow-up series. It's better than I expected but still very much a movie from its time. The old woman fighting hardcore scene is still very unique and a badass thing to have in a fantasy film.

Hannah Gadsby: Douglas (2020)  Directed by Madeleine Parry

Hannah is genuinely funny but never more so when she is going on about art grievances. Best use of a college art degree ever.

Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)  Directed by Halina Reijn

Amandla Stenberg - Lee Pace -  Maria Bakalova -  Rachel Sennott -  Pete Davidson

The sort of movie we all need sometimes, dumb teenagers being extra dumb together alone on a spooky evening. Extra points for a super cool ending.

Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)  Directed by Cooper Raiff

  Cooper Raiff - Dakota Johnson -  Leslie Mann

A cute quiet movie, exactly that moment in time when you feel like you don't know where you are or where you are going, and want to find the answers to life in someone else, but that is not the way to fix anything, and this movie does a great service is showing us that we are just afraid.

Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022)  Directed by Alek Keshishian

 Being open about your fears and health issues, be they mental or physical, it's in my opinion, the bravest thing a famous person can do.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)  Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

I never really got the overall fascination with studio ghibli until I saw this. Kiki's is the perfect movie, it makes you feel warm inside and look at yourself and your adventures in a whole new way. I get it now.

Shotgun Wedding (2022) -  Directed by Jason Moore

Jennifer Lopez -  Josh Duhamel -  Jennifer Coolidge -  Lenny Kravitz

Sometimes all you need is a silly action-packed fun movie where nothing makes sense but you love every minute of it anyway.

#june #list #movies #films #tv series #music #Bodies Bodies Bodies #Cha Cha Real Smooth #Hannah Gadsby: Douglas #willow #Ammonite #lady chatterley's lover #selena gomez #The Banshees of Inisherin #Kiki’s Delivery Service #studio ghibli #Lenny Kravitz #Jennifer Lopez #Shotgun Wedding (2022) #Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me #Ammonite (2020) #Lady Chatterley’s Lover (2022) #100 movies #movies seen in 2023

[brothertonyvolturi22]

Remembering the honor of the ones that passed in 2022 Sonya eddy Barbara walters

Pope Benedict XVI Pele

Kirstie alley Stephen ' twitch' boss

Georgia holt grant Wahl

Queen Elizabeth II takeoff

Bob Saget Angela Lansbury

Sidney Poitier Olivia Newton - John

Robbie Coltrane Thierry Mugler

Andre` Leon Talley ray Liotta

Aaron Carter Leslie Jordan

Anne Heche Fred ward

Coolio Mike hodges

Jamie Lopez Dan reeves

Jay weaver grichka and Igor bogdanoff

Joan Copeland Kim mi-soo

Michael Lang Peter bogdanovich

Calvin Simon Marilyn Bergman

Ross browner Dwayne Hickman

James mtnme or mtwme. Maria Ewing

Chris Dickerson Melanie ham

Fred parris Deon lendore

Meat loaf. Steve schapiro

Charles Mcgee Yvette mimieux

Lusia Harris Gaspard Ulliel

Hardy Kruger Louie Anderson

Elza soares Clark gillies

Don Wilson Kathryn Kates

Thich nhat hanh bobbe long 'beegie ' Adair

Jean ramirez Ronnie spector

Dallas Frazier wavy navy pooh

Jon Lind adalia rose Williams

Clint arlis Jordan cashmyer

Rosa Lee Hawkins Breck Denny Jr.

Morgan Stevens Diego verdaguer

Peter Robbins rachik vachik mangassarian

Paul Carter Harrison dick Halligan

Betty Davis Emilio Delgado

Lee MacMillan Sam Bruce

Loretta Lynn Naomi Judd

Andy fletcher Bob Lanier

Kevin Samuels kailia posey

Niece waidhofer jaylon Ferguson

Gleycy correia James Caan

Tony Dow Ryan fellows

Luke Bell. Robert lupone

Don Anthony st. Claire Jesse Powell

Gavin Escobar PnB Rock

Robert Cormier Mikaben

And more rip

[hayfieldcovehq]

XAVIER BENNETT IS LOOKING FOR HIS OLDER SISTER AND EX-GIRLFRIEND.

XAVIER BENNETT, OUR KOFI SIRIBOE IS LOOKING FOR HIS OLDER SISTER. THEY SHOULD LOOK LIKE RUTINA WESLEY, DANIELLE BROOKS, AJA NAOMI KING, ASHLEY BLAINE FEATHERSON, KELLY ROWLAND, TEYONAH PARRIS, YAYA DACOSTA  AND SHOULD BE AGED 35-40. YOU DO NOT NEED TO CONTACT THE PLAYER PRIOR TO APPLYING, BUT WILL FIND THEM @XAVIERREESE.

XAVIER BENNETT, OUR KOFI SIRIBOE IS LOOKING FOR HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND. THEY SHOULD LOOK LIKE NAFESSA WILLIAMS, GEFFRI MAYA, JAVICIA LESLIE, QUINTA BRUNSON, SIERRA MCCLAIN, SAMANTHA LOGAN, RYAN DESTINY, BARRETT DOSS, ALISHIA WAINWRIGHT, HAILEY STENFIELD, ANNA KENDRICK AND SHOULD BE AGED 28-31. YOU DO NOT NEED TO CONTACT THE PLAYER PRIOR TO APPLYING, BUT WILL FIND THEM @XAVIERREESE.

#hayfieldcove.update #hayfieldcove.admin #small town rp #town rp #oc rp #beach rp #new rp

[hiddenwashington]

anonymous said : For the Pomona sprout question, sorry I didn’t even think to include that! I was thinking like mid 30s-40s ish! Thank you so much for your help!

no worries at all! for pomona, you might consider: nathalie emmanuel, rachel weisz, teyonah parris, sonam kapoor, rose leslie, lupita nyong'o, jamie chung, or morena baccarin! but if you don't vibe with those and want more suggestions, just let us know.

#harry potter rp #hp rp #appless rp #mumu rp #multifandom rp #anonymous #answered #admin ollie

[semper-legens]

192. Church of Marvels, by Leslie Parry

Owned?: Yes Page count: 308 My summary: New York, 1895. A sister runs from her twin into the chaos of New York. A nightsoil man finds an abandoned baby in amongst the refuse. A young woman finds herself locked in an asylum, away from her husband. Their fates twist together, entwined in a nest of fate and circumstance. Through this long night, will they find a happy ending? My rating: 5/5   My commentary:

I love this book. I first picked it up in the library a few years ago, and immediately after finishing it I knew this one was a keeper, so I tracked down a copy for myself. It has everything I love - not just historical fiction, but historical fiction that’s about the misfits of society. People far from the mainstream, who for one reason or another have been cast out of quote-unquote normal society, who are just now finding each other and the unlikely connections between them. It hits every beat for me, and I love it to pieces.

The first of our cast of outcasts is Sylvan, an orphan with an uncertain background who works as a nightsoil man, moonlighting as a fighter. He’s the one who finds the baby, and spends most of his time in the novel trying to track down her mother. Sylvan’s a person of colour (he doesn’t know who his parents are, so his exact lineage is unknown) and as such is often treated as lesser by people. What I like about Sylvan is that he’s unfailingly kind - for all the trauma his life has given him, he’s still trying to do right by this kid, and is angry when he thinks others have mistreated or abandoned her. It’s initially pointed out to him that he could just leave the kid on the front door of an orphanage and call it a night, she’d be taken care of and he wouldn’t have to worry. But he knows what it’s like to grow up without knowing who you are and where you come from, without these strong ties in your life. So he decides to be this kid’s family, hard as that might be.

The next POV characters are Odile and Belle, twin daughters of a circus performer on Coney Island. Belle disappeared after the death of their mother, and Odile is tracking her down. Odile had some problem with her spine when she was younger, and is constantly comparing herself to her more graceful, better put-together sister. Of course, the fact that she has the strength to track Belle down on little to no information and reunite them doesn’t seem to occur to her. Odile’s life has been full of tragedy recently, and she blames herself for the fire that cost them their theatre, and the lives of her mother and friends. Despite this, she shows a lot of guile in piecing together the mystery of where her sister is, and seeing her quest through to the end. Belle, meanwhile, only narrates the first and last chapters of the book (the rest alternates between the other three narrators) but in a lot of ways, she’s the only character with a larger perspective on what’s going on. She’s intentionally a very mysterious person, revealed to us only in glimpses of other people’s perspectives, and the prevailing enigma of what she is doing and why she is in the places she finds herself proves an engaging throughline.

Then there’s Alphie. Poor, dear Alphie. She’s had a hard life - kicked out of her family home in her early teenage years, surviving on the streets with sex work and painting people’s faces to cover injuries from visiting brothels, then caught in a strange marriage with a man she deeply loves, and his disapproving and overbearing mother, to waking up in an asylum after a deal gone awry. It’s hard to talk about Alphie without spoiling the twist in her tale, so skip the rest of this paragraph if you don’t want to know. See, Alphie’s a trans woman; all through her story there’s hints at this, though it’s hard to see the bigger picture without context. She bought a baby from a woman who runs an establishment for unwed young mothers to satisfy her mother-in-law’s want for a baby, and faked a pregnancy. But her mother-in-law was home, because her good-for-nothing husband failed in his one job, and she discovered Alphie’s secret. Alphie’s story of survival and self-realisation is harrowing, for sure - even by this book’s standard, poor girl goes through a lot. But when she comes out the other end stronger, without her terrible husband and able to make her own future, it’s so satisfying. Alphie’s also an example of how to write a historical trans woman - she doesn’t have the language to self-identify as trans, but it’s very clear through the narrative that that’s what’s going on. She experiences dysphoria while presenting as male, and euphoria when presenting as female. She’s so sure of who she is and who she wants to be, even when others (maliciously or not) misgender her. I love her so much.

But yeah, this is a dark book. I haven’t even gotten into the half of it! These characters go through a lot, but I think this darkness makes the light brighter. They find each other, they get out of their terrible situations and into new lives for themselves. It’s tragic, but beautiful. And the mystery part of the story is very well-done, with each story twining around and interweaving with each other, raising new questions and answering them. It kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end, I’ll tell you that much.

Next up, back to some childrens’ fiction I enjoyed as a kid, as we take a glimpse into a world where children are scarce.

#Church of Marvels #Leslie Parry #bookblr #book blog #book blogger #5

[solitaryfossil]

Book Review

Leslie Parry: Church of Marvels.★★★★ Historical Fiction, Mystery. Published 2015

My review: Three storylines come together in this well-written (but not perfect - so what?) novel set in seedy NYC, 1895. Lots to like, and this was a nice way to pass some hours. Good job. The final weaving of the different characters’ stories/conclusion was satisfying. Recommended to HF fans.

#book review #books #reading #reading list #leslie parry #church of marvels #historical fiction

[books-in-media]

Jennifer Morrison, (Facebook, July 17, 2015)

—Church of Marvels, Leslie Parry (2015)

#jennifer morrison #Church of Marvels #Leslie Parry #books #celebrities #books read by celebrities #instagram

[readcommendations]

#booklr #bookish #bookworm #bibliophile #book photography #book photos #bookstagram #instabooks #book lover #book addict #church of marvels #leslie parry