Edgewise

by Jan Stites

Simone is a popular, but troubled white middle class teacher who cuts herself. She flees from the uneducated, severely depressed patients in her inner-city treatment program, but is forced to return because "Oakhell" is the only facility she can afford. There, she meets Satch, a working-class black woman who scoffs at Simone's denial and cheerful demeanor. In the weeks that follow, Simone and Satch are thrown together both inside and outside of the hospital. Their tumultuous friendship becomes crucial to both women's quests to uncover the truths that propel them toward self-destruction. Alternately heart-wrenching and funny, Edgewise is a timely story of love, abuse and the hope of redemption.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2008

About the author

Jan Stites is the author of the novel, Edgewise, which Wally Lamb called "courageous, heartfelt and unforgettable," numerous screenplays, and Reading the Sweet Oak, a novel her agent sold to Lake Union, Amazon's full-service publishing, mainstream novel imprint. RtSO will be published Sept. 29, 2015. Susan Mallery says, "A charming new voice in women's fiction, Stites writes from the heart about friendship, love, and what it means to find where you belong." Jan has worked at a multitude of jobs, including teaching screenwriting at San Francisco State University and U.C. Berkeley, teaching numerous subjects in villages in Mexico and Kenya, and teaching middle school in various locales. Jan has also worked as secretary, waitress, translator in Mexico for American doctors, and scuba diving travel writer. The affirmative action plan she wrote for a tugboat company is probably the piece of Jan's writing that comes closest to fantasy.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I wade through a lot of self-published duds and then hit this book, which is like a Jodi Picoult with that next level of depth Picoult never seems to reach. I would be fascinated to hear whether the black characters hold water if read by a black audience --- if so, the book is unusual in that respect as well. I feel very lucky to have caught the ebook when it was free (and I'll lend it to my friends if anyone's interested ---just email me).

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really liking this book - until I neared the ending. The story line kept me riveted but then it seemed as though the author was closing in on a deadline and suddenly had to finish writing. So many unanswered questions in my mind that I am hoping for a sequel.

[Connie Bredernitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

A five hour book, I read in three. The thoughts of the various people who each in their own ways, had to face their demons. Everyone should read.

[Mumblers Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books. Harrowing, hilarious and totally uplifting. Restored my faith in humanity.

[Tisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. For me, it was a read-too-far-into-the-night-book, the kind that keeps pulling you away from less interesting but mandatory things like work, cooking meals, helping with homework, Christmas shopping, etc. It's a story about a white, middle class woman who is deeply troubled--she cuts herself repeatedly to release the pain of deep wounds from childhood--but is determinedly cheerful. She has a breakdown in front of her students and is obliged (by a fairly unsympathetic administration/union agreement) to take a leave of absence to "get well". Having dropped her insurance in favor of making the mortgage payments on her condo, she is forced to go to a free clinic in the inner city to fight her demons and, hopefully, get her job back. It is a rough beginning for Simone, but her journey takes her to places she never would have gone otherwise. If you like a story that is about the love, grit and humor that it takes to survive and survive well, this is a book you should add to your "to read" list!

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this a higher rating but it is a very dark book. It deals with depression and mental health issues. I read one review that said the story is autobiographical, but I don't know if that is accurate.

The main character, a teacher, has a breakdown in class and is remanded to treatment that she can not afford.She ends up in a mental health program for the poor. The reader finds out that she has been engaged in self mutilation for years using razor blades to cut herself, hence the title. Along her journey to stable mental health she meets new friends and finds her old stereotypes and prejudices must be discarded. From this perspective it is journey of discovery and hope. However,spoiler alert, there is death and profound sadness along the way.

[Wendy Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simone Jouve had a perfect childhood with parents who loved her. She is a well-loved and respected teacher with her own condo. So why is she cutting herself? And what is she doing in a psychiatric treatment program?

Author Jan Stites takes us on the journey of a woman whose slow unfolding of long hidden fears, motivations and emotions takes place amid a cast of unforgettable characters: Satch-angry yet wisely perceptive, Marvin who uses his bears to express his heart, Viola, whose guilt has paralyzed her, and Regina who feels unlovable but whose heart is huge.

There are no fairytale answers and endings in “Edgewise”—it’s better than that. Instead, there is hope, understanding, and friendship. Better than happily ever after, “Edgewise” is real.

[Mike Karpa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my all-time favorites. It's moving, funny and compelling. The characters' journeys are all too real and their victories hard won and well earned. It's hard to write about psychiatric treatment and pull it off, but Stites does it. If you list what it's about, you could get some topics with a capital T, but what it is really about is the power of friendships in helping people learn to live with a difficult past or a challenging present. Satch and Simone's bond is one I will never forget. Its harrowing, hilarious and supremely satisfying.

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about a woman who deals with the emotional pain in her life by cutting herself. When she can no longer hide her issues at work, she loses her job as a teacher, and enrolls in an outpatient hospital/therapy group. Although the cutting was difficult to read about, its not why I gave the book only three stars. I just didn't feel like the characters in the story had hope - it was a downer for me.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first "Kindle read," meaning I've never downloaded anything from writers who have just published on Amazon. But the plot was intriguing and I'm always interested in how writers handle the issue of mental health. It was well-written and fast-paced and I found myself surprised at the unraveling mysteries throughout. It also handled the sensitive issue of rape well, I thought, especially the conflicted feelings the victim had thereafter.

[Jrfelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading this great book a few weeks ago. A friend told me about it and, although I don't usual read books of this kind, I found it fascinating. I could not put it down. Stites' writing style is direct and down to earth. Her book is structured so that you just have to know what is going to happen next. It provides a beautiful insight into the human mind. I highly recommend it.

[Sarah Vezeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised how quickly I was pulled in to the story.
I rate it 3.5 - 3.75 since I found myself wanting to get back to the story. I did not like the subject matter and found it a little depressing/disturbing, but I did like how the friendships evolved. Odd to say but I feel like it was a nice summer read!

[Cheryl Amazeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Excellent

For all of us with damaged hearts and the men who hang in there while we heal as best we can. To the day when we all stop blaming ourselves and take responsibility for our own happiness.

[Harvey woodard · Rating 4 out of 5]

One flew over the cuckoo's nest meets Postcards from the edge

One flew over the cuckoo's nest meets Postcards from the edge

loved this book. character development is brilliant, dark humor well placed and timing great. A real cast of unlikely hero's.

[Josephine Laskey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because it was on the book club list. It turned out to be an okay book. A teacher has a break down and goes to therapy. I chronicled her self-discovery process. The writing didn't blow me away, the story was not bad.

[Amanda Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

I just got done reading a great book. I hate reading a fantastic and trying to find another that lives up to the same expectations. This book did it for me. Sensitive ad very real. Beautiful.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unsatisfying and Underdeveloped

Quick read. I got into the characters quickly, but there was still something missing. All the characters weren't fully developed. Then, the ending ...

[Lyn Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helps to pass the time

Trite psycho-babble fills this book. Unsatisfying end for what has been a simplistic read. Weighty issued dealt with very lightly. If you have been abused or victimized, do not read this. It will trivialize your experience.

[Bothenjs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

As a former psychologist this is a pretty good book. Plausible story, interesting side stories. Giving it a 4 because by standards was not a 5. But for the layman a good book

[Michelle Damiani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps a bit simplistic, but completely compelling account of a woman trying to come to terms with the forces behind her "cutting".

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the friendship and the loyalty. ery cool that Wally Lamb was a part of this.

[Sue Stopka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, made me think maybe we all are somewhat dysfunctional, but there is help, for people who want it.

[Shari Leis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sane or insane?

A look into "mental illness". Or is it? A real page turner. Didn't put it down until it was finished.

[Lori Dundon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read and worthwhile

this book resonates with me and puts a good perspective on mental illness. I am glad I found it here.

[rhonda Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

makes the reader see and feel the characters emotions. lots of looking at your past to see who you are now

[Laura Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I loved this book about how friendship starts with people not liking each other .then builds relationship .I do recommend this book ,good writing ..

[Lynnie Greenham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this sounded good and it was just ok.

[Kriss Hakala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends

Friends

Great book about life, love, anger, and beautiful women inside and out. One of my favorites. Sad to see it end.

[Judyspadoni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. kept my attention. Had some messages to offer. Having said that, would not point it out for someone else to read

[Erica Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Had me on the edge of my seat. Deeply engaging. Well written. Didn't want it to end. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.