Valerie and Hatchette Book Group are sponsoring a giveaway of 3 copies of The Girl She Used To Be by David Cristofano. It sounds like a fascinating read - sign up for the giveaway below.
About the Book, courtesy of the Publisher:
When Melody Grace McCartney was six years old, she and her parents witnessed an act of violence so brutal that it changed their lives forever. The federal government lured them into the Witness Protection Program with the promise of safety, and they went gratefully. But the program took Melody's name, her home, her innocence, and, ultimately, her family. She's been May Adams, Karen Smith, Anne Johnson, and countless others--everyone but the one person she longs to be: herself. So when the feds spirit her off to begin yet another new life in another town, she's stunned when a man confronts her and calls her by her real name.
About the Author:
David Cristofano has earned degrees in Government & Politics and Computer Science from the University of Maryland at College Park and has worked for different branches of the Federal Government for over a decade. His short works have been published by Like Water Burning and McSweeneys. He currently works in the Washington, D.C. area where he lives with his wife, son and daughter. The Girl She Used To Be is his first novel.
The Reading Group Guide:
From the first sentence of the story, the narrator asks you to take part in the action. Why do you suppose David Cristofano decided to tell this story in the first person from the point of view of a woman? Who would have more at stake in witness protection, a man, a woman or child?
Early in the novel, Melody appears conflicted in having feelings for both Sean and Jonathan. What is driving her need for affection? When does she realize she has made a decision? What solidifies this decision?
At various points in the novel, the reader is given a glimpse into the previous six identities Melody has had. Which identity acts as a turning point? What event occurred that changed the trajectory of her life?
The roles of good and evil are repeatedly swapped in Melody's life. Do both sides -- the Feds and the Mafia -- possess both good and evit, or are they really polar opposites of each other? How does Melody influence your view of each side?
Though romantically inexperienced, Melody longs to be noticed by both Sean and Jonathan, trying ways to capture their eyes. In what ways has she felt invisible to men for her whole life How has she overcompensated?
Due to her constant relocation, lack of parental guidance and inability to form lasting relationships, Melody has the body of a woman but the emotional and experiential psyche of a girl. How is this dangerous? What additional problems does this pose for her, given the life she must lead? How does it influence her interaction with all of the men in her life?
Melody's initial interplay with every authority figure -- Farquar, Sean, Donovan, Sanchez -- is semi-hostile. What makes Melody react this way? How does Jonathan's influence have her responding differently by the time she meets his family?
Melody and Sean share a few conversations that expose the failings of WITSEC for both the protectors and protected. From each of their points of view, how is the system not working? How does it work as intended? How is WITSEC more or less vital to the Justice Department today?
Jonathan tries to distinguish himself from his Mafia ties in several ways. How has he successfully achieved this? In what ways is hie a typical Mafioso?
Melody is scarred by the explicit violence she witnesses at age six. Repeatedly, she attempts to rid Jonathan of his reactionary viciousness to seemingly topical problems. Though later in the story she finds security in his violent behavior. What changes her mind? Would you react the same way? Why or why not?
Throughout the entire novel, the importance of identity is explored. How is the life Melody has led different from that of a foster child? Of a prisoner? Of an individual living under communist rule? How are they the same?
How do the tangible things in Melody's story -- the food, clothes, cars, hotels -- reflect her happiness, security, and satisfaction? Are these things metaphorical or incidental? Would her story be different if things were reversed? Why or why not?
Being in WITSEC for twenty years has had a negative impact on Melody. In what ways has it made her stronger?
What is the significance of the chapter titles? How do they differ? What is the special significance of the final chapter's title?
CONTEST DETAILS:
To enter please just share why you'd like to win this book.
Rules:
1. Please include your email address, so that I can contact you if you win. No email address, no entry.
2. You must be a follower to join the contest.
The contest is limited to US and Canada only. No P.O. boxes. The contest ends at noon on April 15, 2010.
Thank you so much to Valerie and Hatchette Book Group for sponsoring this giveaway!
I would love to win this book because I have heard very good things about it.
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BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com
I'm a follower. I'd like to win this book because it sounds like a book I would really enjoy reading.
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This sounds great. I've always been intrigued by the Witness Protection Program..
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I would really love to read this one! It sounds really interesting. The witness protection program has always intrieged me.
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I am a follower who would very much love to win this book. I have enjoyed the series "In Plain Sight" about the Witness Protection Program. This book tells more about what happens once you are really in. It is tough on a family to do this but especially so for the children who probably have no idea as to what is happening. This book would be a great read.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
The reading guide is awesome. This would be a great book for both my students and my reading group. I would like to win this book to explore some of the issues raised in the reading guide with both my students and the my reading group.
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enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
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The description has caught my attention. So many books have fairly common premises but this one doesn't and I like that about it.
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wakeupangel at gmail dot com
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I'd like to win this book because it sounds like a real page turner :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
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I would love to win this because I have never read anything dealing with witness protection (fiction or non-fiction). Thanks for the chance. bekki1820cb at gmail
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I am a follower
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dlsmith44@msn.com
i'd like to win this for my wife
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I would like to read this because I haven't read anything by this author before.
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I'm a follower!
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Please include me!
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dcf_beth at verizon dot net
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lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com
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I'm a follower.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win this book because I can't imagine having to give up your name, home and entire family and never see or hear from them again. I'd like to read what it was like for Melody and what she felt when a stranger called her by her real name.
readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com
I am a follower. The books sounds so interesting. I would love to win it!
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I would love to win this book just because it sounds like such an interesting storyline. I can't even imagine what growing up in the Witness Protection Program and changing your identity (and everything else) every few years whould do to you. Also makes me wonder if I've ever actually met someone who was in the WPP.
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librarygrinch at gmail dot com
This sounds like a fun read - please count me in.
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rtobias at gmail.com
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rafael.tobias @ gmail.com
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I'd like to win because: after reading the review, I think I'd really like this book. Thank you very much for the chance to win a copy!
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Jamie
jamiejaws AT gmail.com
I would like to share The Girl She Used To Be with my reading group.
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enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
This sound like a great read. Who doesn't like a little protection program in their stories :)
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candc320@gmail.com
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