Once Upon a Day : A Novel

From Lisa Tucker, the critically acclaimed author of The Song Reader , comes a wise, humorous, and deeply compassionate novel about the risks and rewards of loving when a single day can change our lives. Nineteen years ago, a famous man disappeared from Los Angeles, taking his two children, Dorothea and Jimmy, to a rocky, desolate corner of New Mexico where he raised them in complete isolation in a utopian "Sanctuary." The children grew up with books and encyclopedias, records and a grand piano, but no television, computer, radio, or even a newspaper. Now Dorothea, at twenty-three, is leaving this place in search of her missing brother -- and venturing into the wide world for the first time. Dorothea's search will turn into an odyssey of discovery, leading to the truth of her family's past and the terrifying day that changed her father forever. But Dorothea's journey will also introduce her to an unusual cast of characters, including a homeless girl from Missouri who becomes a jazz singer and a social worker whose mistake in judgment changes her best friend's life. And she will meet Stephen, a doctor turned cabdriver who, after suffering his own losses, has lost his ability to believe in a meaningful world. Together, they have a chance to make a discovery of a different kind: that though a heart can be broken by the tragic events of a day, a day can also bring a new chance at love and a deeper understanding of life's infinite possibilities. Beautifully written, with a spellbinding story, Once Upon a Day is "a lyrically poignant reminder of the necessity of hope" ( Publishers Weekly , starred review). From Publishers Weekly Starred Review. Tucker's outstanding novel (after Shout Down the Moon ) is as structurally dextrous as it is emotionally satisfying, boasting a chorus of extraordinary voices and assured parallel plot lines separated by four decades. In the present day, 23-year-old Dorothea has left her overprotective father's secluded 35-acre New Mexico estate, called the Sanctuary, where she and her brother, Jimmy, had been sheltered from current news and all modern-day innovations. Searching for her runaway brother in St. Louis, Dorothea meets a recently widowed doctor-turned-cabbie, who introduces her to the vibrant outside world he's been trying to escape. A parallel tale set in the 1970s follows the budding romance between a successful film director and the waif who becomes his muse, his wife and the object of his obsessive control. The tour de force resolution that ties both stories together is a lyrically poignant reminder of the necessity of hope. An exceptionally empathetic storyteller, Tucker has created a haunting, gripping novel that brims with graceful writing and fragile characters. This should be catnip for book clubs, whether they devour it as a page-turner about parenting and family or discuss its subtle meditations on fate and coincidence, wealth and poverty, freedom and safety, fairy tales and American dreams. Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist In what may well be her breakout book, after Shout Down the Moon (2004), the gifted Tucker tells a compelling love story with uncommon empathy and grace. Stephen Spaulding loses his family in a freak accident and with them any hope that his actions can make a difference. He gives up his medical practice and begins driving a cab. That's how he meets 23-year-old Dorothea, who seems to be dressed like a throwback to the 1950s, complete with saddle shoes. She's looking for her brother, who has run away from their New Mexico ranch. Stephen helps Dorothea track down the brother and, at the same time, learn why her father fled Hollywood, changing his children's names and keeping them completely isolated from the outside world. The plotline of the Hollywood story is, appropriately enough, over the top, but that detracts from the genuinely moving love story that develops between the wounded Stephen and the heartbreakingly naive Dorothea. Here's hoping the talented Tucker will rein in the melodrama the next time out. Joanne Wilkinson Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved Formats : EPUB,ORIGINAL_EPUB

dorothea's Father, Like All Good Parents, Wanted To Keep His Children Safe. But Unlike Other Parents, Charles O'brien Believed The Only Way To Do So Was To Leave Everything Behind, Including His Very Successful Life. In A Rocky, Desolate Corner Of New Mexico, On A Thirty-five Acre Estate He Called The Sanctuary, Charles Raised The Children In Complete Isolation, With Books And Encyclopedias, Records And A Grand Piano, But No Television, Computer, Radio, Or Even A Newspaper. Now, Dorothea, At Twenty-three, Is Leaving This Place For The First Time, In Search Of Her Missing Brother - And Venturing Into The World.

dorothea's Search Will Turn Into An Odyssey Of Discovery, Leading To The Truth Of Her Family's Past And The Terrifying Day That Changed Her Father Forever. But Dorothea's Journey Will Also Introduce Her To An Unusual Cast Of Characters, Including A Homeless Girl From Missouri Who Becomes A Jazz Singer And A Doctor Turned Cabdriver Who Has Suffered His Own Losses. Together, They Have A Chance To Make A Discovery Of A Different Kind: That Though A Heart Can Be Broken By The Tragic Events Of A Day, A Day Can Also Bring A New Chance At Love And A Deeper Understanding Of Life's Infinite Possibilities.

publishers Weekly

tucker's Complexly Structured Novel Could Be A Tight Wire Act For A Reader Because The Story Has Multiple Narrators And Follows Two Compelling Story Lines Separated By Almost Two Decades. Fortunately, Bean Is A Dexterous Performer Who Is More Than Up To The Challenge. She Does An Admirable Job, Not Only Reading Chapters In Alternating Character Voices But Also Enlivening Dialogue Within Those Chapters With Subtle, Compelling And Entertaining Voices For Each Character. She Adapts A Higher, Airy Lightness To Portray Dorothea, Who Is Thrust Out Into The Modern World To Discover Family Secrets After Having Been Sheltered From The Outside World For Decades By Her Overprotective Father. Bean Portrays Dorothea's Emotionally Damaged Brother, Jimmy, With A Scratchy, Raw Rasp And Her Cab-driving Protector, Stephen, With The Laid-back Ease Of A Lower Register. (the Only Voice That Seems Off Is Dorothea's Father, Who Sounds Like A Robotic Hannibal Lechter.) Tucker's Tale Is A Twisty One Filled With Surprising Revelations And Multiple Emotional Payoffs, And Bean Maneuvers The Terrain With Ease. Simultaneous Release With The Atria Hardcover (reviews, Nov. 28). (apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Dorothea's father, like all good parents, wanted to keep his children safe. But unlike other parents, Charles O'Brien believed the only way to do so was to leave everything behind, including his very successful life. In a rocky, desolate corner of New Mexico, on a thirty-five acre estate he called the "Sanctuary", Charles raised the children in complete isolation, with books and encyclopedias, records and a good piano, but no television, computer, radio, or even a newspaper. Now, Dorothea, a twenty-three, is leaving this place for the first time, in search of her missing brother - and venturing into the world. Dorothea's search will turn into an odyssey of discovery, leading to the truth of her family's past and the terrifying day that changed her father forever. But Dorothea's journey will also introduce her to an unusual cast of characters, including a homeless girl from Missouri who becomes a jazz singer and a doctor turned cabdriver who has suffered his own losses. Together, they have a chance to make a discovery of a different kind: that though a heart can be broken by the tragic events of a day, a day can also bring a new chance at love and a deeper understanding of life's infinite possibilities Dorothea's father, like all good parents, wanted to keep his children safe. But unlike other parents, Charles O'Brien believed the only way to do so was to leave everything behind, including his very successful life. In a rocky, desolate corner of New Mexico, on a 35 acre estate he called the "Sanctuary," Charles raised the children in complete isolation, with books and encyclopedias, records and a grand piano, but no television, computer, radio, or even a newspaper. Now, Dorothea, at 23, is leaving this place for the first time, in search of her missing brother - and venturing into the world. Dorothea's search will turn into an odyssey of discovery, leading to the truth of her family's past and the terrifying day that changed her father forever. But Dorothea's journey will also introduce her to an unusual cast of characters, including a homeless girl from Missouri who becomes a jazz singer and a doctor turned cabdriver who has suffered his own losses. Together, they have a chance to make a discovery of a different kind: that though a heart can be broken by the tragic events of a day, a day can also bring a new chance at love and a deeper understanding of life's infinite possibilities Nineteen years ago, a famous filmmaker disappeared from Los Angeles, taking his two children, Dorothea and Jimmy, to a desolate corner of New Mexico. There he raised them in complete isolation without television, computer, radio -- not even a newspaper. Now, at twenty-three, Dorothea leaves in search of her missing brother -- and ventures into the outside world for the first time. Her search becomes an odyssey of discovery when Dorothea meets Stephen Spaulding, a cab driver dealing with his own mysterious history. With him as her guide, Dorothea uncovers the truth of her family's past and the terrifying day that changed her father forever. Together, they have a chance to discover that although a heart can be broken by the tragic events of a day, a day can also bring a new chance at love and a deeper understanding of life's infinite possibilities. Nineteen years ago, a famous filmmaker disappeared from Los Angeles, taking his two children to a desolate corner of New Mexico. There he raised them in complete isolation, no television, computer, radio, or newspaper. Now, Dorothea, the man's twenty-three year old daughter, is leaving for the first time to search for her missing brother. In the outside world Dorothea meets Stephen Spaulding, a cab driver dealing with his own mysterious history. With him as her guide she uncovers the truth about her family's past and the events that drove her father to flee L.A Nineteen Years Ago A Famous Filmmaker Disappeared From La Taking His Two Children With Him And Raising Them In Complete Isolation, Until The Age Of Twenty-three, Dorothea Leaves In Search Of Uncovering Past Family Secrets. Lisa Tucker.