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The Talking Stick: A Novel
Four women find humor, truth, and a better path forward by deconstructing memory and emotion.
Hunter is lost. Her husband left her for her best friend, she’s unemployed with no prospects, and the San Francisco flea market she’s wandering on a weekday is so foggy that she literally doesn’t know where she is. But after a helpful visit and a gift from a stranger, Hunter resolves to find her way. She begins a support group for women looking for new beginnings.
The Talking Stick is the adventure of Hunter and the three women who join her reclamation journey. Together, they reexamine their pasts, exploring their grief, addictions, parenting, and marriages. In doing so, they discover that some of their most-cherished memories are romanticized versions of the truth. Meanwhile, they unearth other memories – memories that challenge how they’ve been living for years. The Talking Stick is a fast-paced dramedy set in the Bay Area, told with the characteristic humor of Donna Levin, an author whom Kirkus called “A witty, modern voice” and the Los Angeles Times deemed “a novelist to keep high on your reading list.”
Donna Levin is the author of four acclaimed novels, Extraordinary Means , California Street , There's More Than One Way Home , and He Could Be Another Bill Gates . She has also written two books on the craft of Get That Novel Started and Get That Novel Written . Her work is included in Boston University’s Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, and in the California State Library’s collection of California novels. She lives in San Francisco.
Hunter is lost. Her husband left her for her best friend, she’s unemployed with no prospects, and the San Francisco flea market she’s wandering on a weekday is so foggy that she literally doesn’t know where she is. But after a helpful visit and a gift from a stranger, Hunter resolves to find her way. She begins a support group for women looking for new beginnings.
The Talking Stick is the adventure of Hunter and the three women who join her reclamation journey. Together, they reexamine their pasts, exploring their grief, addictions, parenting, and marriages. In doing so, they discover that some of their most-cherished memories are romanticized versions of the truth. Meanwhile, they unearth other memories – memories that challenge how they’ve been living for years. The Talking Stick is a fast-paced dramedy set in the Bay Area, told with the characteristic humor of Donna Levin, an author whom Kirkus called “A witty, modern voice” and the Los Angeles Times deemed “a novelist to keep high on your reading list.”
Donna Levin is the author of four acclaimed novels, Extraordinary Means , California Street , There's More Than One Way Home , and He Could Be Another Bill Gates . She has also written two books on the craft of Get That Novel Started and Get That Novel Written . Her work is included in Boston University’s Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, and in the California State Library’s collection of California novels. She lives in San Francisco.
408 pages, Hardcover
Published April 23, 2024
About the author
Donna Levin
10 books27 followersDonna Levin is an almost-San Francisco native, since she was born in Oakland. She’s the author of four previous novels, *Extraordinary Means*, *California Street*, *There’s More Than One Way Home*, and *He Could Be Another Bill Gates*, as well as two books on the craft of writing, *Get That Novel Started* and *Get That Novel Written*. Her papers are part of the Howard Gotlieb Research Center at Boston University, and the California State Library’s collection of California novels. On April 23, 2024, Skyhorse Publishing published her latest novel, The Talking Stick.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 10, 2024
Since the author has been my BFF for almost 50 years now (come Sept!), and she thanks me in the acknowledgments for letting her kvetch to me during the years of composition, it would be churlish for me to give it anything less than 5 stars! But in fact, I found the novel much like the woman herself - witty, erudite, contemplative, thought-provoking, sometimes confounding, etc., etc.
And it tickles me that I can ferret out a few places in the book that I either somewhat inspired or helped bring to fruition! And hey, I learned that the Carnelian Room ashtray I ... ummm - 'borrowed' some 45 years ago, might actually be worth a lotta $$$ now ... so there’s that too! :-)
And it tickles me that I can ferret out a few places in the book that I either somewhat inspired or helped bring to fruition! And hey, I learned that the Carnelian Room ashtray I ... ummm - 'borrowed' some 45 years ago, might actually be worth a lotta $$$ now ... so there’s that too! :-)
June 1, 2024
The Talking Stick is a book with a big heart, that makes you laugh, over and over again. Donna Levin’s writing captures life’s “ups and downs “ in the most engrossing and captivating way. From the first page, her excellent writing pulls you in, her smart but sarcastic sense of humor, keeps you reading until the final page. I really enjoyed reading this seemingly lighthearted yet poignant story, many women of a certain age, will certainly relate to. The ingenious idea of the “talking stick” adds immensely to the story. What an entertaining summer read. Highly recommended.
March 20, 2024
Richly entertaining new novel from Donna Levin
“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off” is the fitting Gloria Steinem quote that opens The Talking Stick. Levin’s latest is a briskly paced dramatic comedy featuring four women in upscale Marin County whose lives are in shambles. Newly single Hunter loses her job and can’t get another in her field after she’s defamed in a friend’s steamy memoir that the whole world seems to be reading. Her husband tries to sell her house from under her, changes his mind, then plans to move back in—with his girl friend. A wrong turn in the fog, a surprise meeting with a witchy woman and Hunter comes into possession of a mysterious Native American artifact, a talking stick passed down through generations. She founds a support group that attracts other lost souls—three women hopelessly stalled in their own dire straits. When they pass the talking stick around, they start remembering things—unpalatable memories that shed light on their own role in their troubles. As they strip psychically naked before each other and begin to see themselves with ruthless clarity, nothing goes as planned. Suspense builds from chapter to chapter. Levin is the master of the awkward social moment gone catastrophically wrong, and she has a sharp eye for dissecting the mores of the times. Each of the four women is unique, and I cared for them. For much of the book their stories are told in rotation, and it’s telling to me how eager I was to to dive back into each woman’s story when she returns.
“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off” is the fitting Gloria Steinem quote that opens The Talking Stick. Levin’s latest is a briskly paced dramatic comedy featuring four women in upscale Marin County whose lives are in shambles. Newly single Hunter loses her job and can’t get another in her field after she’s defamed in a friend’s steamy memoir that the whole world seems to be reading. Her husband tries to sell her house from under her, changes his mind, then plans to move back in—with his girl friend. A wrong turn in the fog, a surprise meeting with a witchy woman and Hunter comes into possession of a mysterious Native American artifact, a talking stick passed down through generations. She founds a support group that attracts other lost souls—three women hopelessly stalled in their own dire straits. When they pass the talking stick around, they start remembering things—unpalatable memories that shed light on their own role in their troubles. As they strip psychically naked before each other and begin to see themselves with ruthless clarity, nothing goes as planned. Suspense builds from chapter to chapter. Levin is the master of the awkward social moment gone catastrophically wrong, and she has a sharp eye for dissecting the mores of the times. Each of the four women is unique, and I cared for them. For much of the book their stories are told in rotation, and it’s telling to me how eager I was to to dive back into each woman’s story when she returns.
May 6, 2024
Disclaimer: Donna Levin and I have the same last name, but we are not related in any way that either of us can trace.
The Talking Stick is a richly textured new novel from an author who is an authority on all things Marin County.
In the beginning of the novel, Hunter Fitzgerald loses her job and her husband in the same week. The husband has been seduced by a “friend” and long-time drinking companion, Angelica Saint Ambrose.
Angelica has big ambitions. She wants to start a quasi-religious movement centered around her recovery from alcoholism and her relationship with Jesus. She has written a book titled Jesus Warned Me, an autobiography/self -help work which has taken off on the New York Best Seller List and has gotten movie offers. The problem is that much of what she writes is untrue and libelous. She used people’s real names and one of her victims is Hunter, who thanks to the things she has written, cannot get another job at a gym and is reduced to working at a Starbucks and selling memorabilia she has collected.
Hunter goes to Treasure Island to try to sell some of her collectables. Unfortunately, the flea market has been transformed into something else. In a chance encounter with a woman named Zelda, she receives a Navajo talking stick. This inspires her to start a movement of her own, one in which women help each other deal with issues of physical and mental health. She advertises on the internet and prints a flyer, but the stack of flyers gets blown away. She gives up on the idea until three women who have gotten ahold of the flyers show up at her door.
The three women are Dannika a woman in her early twenties who has been stuck in limbo between youth and adulthood since she lost her mother to cancer three years before, Alicia, a gynecologist and single mother whose teenaged daughter is going through crisis, and Penelope, a 73 year-old hypochondriac who was addicted to valium. Three different generations. The talking stick facilitates their communication and seems to provoke memories that help them gain insight into their problems.
Meanwhile Angelica’s movement has taken off and is attracting hundreds, if not thousands of followers. She is capitalizing on it with grants, donations and fees and even building a retreat in Moscowite Corner.
It reminded me of the meme with the two desks. A very long line for the one that says, “Comforting lies,” and a very short one for the one that says, “Uncomfortable truths.”
The Talking Stick is a thoroughly enjoyable read with a lot of humor and insights into modern life.
The Talking Stick is a richly textured new novel from an author who is an authority on all things Marin County.
In the beginning of the novel, Hunter Fitzgerald loses her job and her husband in the same week. The husband has been seduced by a “friend” and long-time drinking companion, Angelica Saint Ambrose.
Angelica has big ambitions. She wants to start a quasi-religious movement centered around her recovery from alcoholism and her relationship with Jesus. She has written a book titled Jesus Warned Me, an autobiography/self -help work which has taken off on the New York Best Seller List and has gotten movie offers. The problem is that much of what she writes is untrue and libelous. She used people’s real names and one of her victims is Hunter, who thanks to the things she has written, cannot get another job at a gym and is reduced to working at a Starbucks and selling memorabilia she has collected.
Hunter goes to Treasure Island to try to sell some of her collectables. Unfortunately, the flea market has been transformed into something else. In a chance encounter with a woman named Zelda, she receives a Navajo talking stick. This inspires her to start a movement of her own, one in which women help each other deal with issues of physical and mental health. She advertises on the internet and prints a flyer, but the stack of flyers gets blown away. She gives up on the idea until three women who have gotten ahold of the flyers show up at her door.
The three women are Dannika a woman in her early twenties who has been stuck in limbo between youth and adulthood since she lost her mother to cancer three years before, Alicia, a gynecologist and single mother whose teenaged daughter is going through crisis, and Penelope, a 73 year-old hypochondriac who was addicted to valium. Three different generations. The talking stick facilitates their communication and seems to provoke memories that help them gain insight into their problems.
Meanwhile Angelica’s movement has taken off and is attracting hundreds, if not thousands of followers. She is capitalizing on it with grants, donations and fees and even building a retreat in Moscowite Corner.
It reminded me of the meme with the two desks. A very long line for the one that says, “Comforting lies,” and a very short one for the one that says, “Uncomfortable truths.”
The Talking Stick is a thoroughly enjoyable read with a lot of humor and insights into modern life.
July 18, 2024
The witty observations seamlessly scattered through “The Talking Stick” will catch you by surprise, sometimes in delighted recognition. Such as: “the less concrete help people have to offer, the more advice they have to give”, and a character’s self-justification about her choice of profession: “To say that she’d been passionate about her job was an overstatement, but at least a gym was a positive force in the world—more or less.”
As her astute eye effortlessly reveals the interior and exterior of her characters, so, too, does Levin clinch setting details; for example, her observations of the Bay Area that slip the eye of outsiders who fantasize about how picture perfect it is and don’t know things like the presence of constant wind: “Hunter unfolded her napkin. It blew away.” And the scene continues without any further reference to the little annoyances of life in the area.
Levin shows her gift of nailing a physical detail that is both fun to read and reflects the point of view of the character: “Everything in her mother’s kitchen is yellow: the walls, the appliances, the window treatments, the linoleum. It’s like living in the center of a lemon meringue pie.” And “It’s Passover, when Debbie cooks for extended family: three aunts, two uncles, six cousins. Alicia likes some of them.” Bang, we get the picture.
Levin is a natural at cutting to the chase, giving us a novel that is both character and plot driven, with setting and character descriptions smoothly woven in (where is that spot on Mt Tam?!).
How refreshing to have women’s friendships at the forefront, and their being so supportive and no-shit, as well as the inclusion of lesbian and gay characters in a straight novel, which was an added treat. The peripheral characters are equally engaging; Levin nails the teenager, Summer, and evokes a lot of empathy in me for Alicia in particular, who is her own worst enemy with a compelling complicated psychology.
A very fun read, Donna Levin, thank you!
As her astute eye effortlessly reveals the interior and exterior of her characters, so, too, does Levin clinch setting details; for example, her observations of the Bay Area that slip the eye of outsiders who fantasize about how picture perfect it is and don’t know things like the presence of constant wind: “Hunter unfolded her napkin. It blew away.” And the scene continues without any further reference to the little annoyances of life in the area.
Levin shows her gift of nailing a physical detail that is both fun to read and reflects the point of view of the character: “Everything in her mother’s kitchen is yellow: the walls, the appliances, the window treatments, the linoleum. It’s like living in the center of a lemon meringue pie.” And “It’s Passover, when Debbie cooks for extended family: three aunts, two uncles, six cousins. Alicia likes some of them.” Bang, we get the picture.
Levin is a natural at cutting to the chase, giving us a novel that is both character and plot driven, with setting and character descriptions smoothly woven in (where is that spot on Mt Tam?!).
How refreshing to have women’s friendships at the forefront, and their being so supportive and no-shit, as well as the inclusion of lesbian and gay characters in a straight novel, which was an added treat. The peripheral characters are equally engaging; Levin nails the teenager, Summer, and evokes a lot of empathy in me for Alicia in particular, who is her own worst enemy with a compelling complicated psychology.
A very fun read, Donna Levin, thank you!
June 5, 2024
An immensely satisfying read, tapping into a range of emotions from despair to triumph, and succeeding on so many levels: the mystical power of the talking stick itself, a feathered Navajo device bequeathed in mysterious circumstances to main character Hunter at a time of great need; Hunter’s subsequent involvement with three other women of diverse ages, characters and backgrounds who we grow to know and love and root for; and the mysterious way in which the talking stick, when held by each individual, opens the memory gates in unlooked for ways. In counterpoint is the destructive backdrop of the charismatic, manipulative Angelica, Hunter’s erstwhile best friend, who appears to be stealing her entire life and who we long to see meet her just desserts. Thankfully, Donna Levin doesn't fail us!
September 4, 2024
A Joyful and at times humorous read that had me laughing out loud.
After Hunter loses her cheating husband to her so-called friend, Angelica. Hunter decides to start a support group and places flyers around her neighborhood.
I enjoyed reading how Danika, Alicia, and Penelope stumbled on the flyer and how we were introduced to the characters.
I felt like I was sitting in on their meetings, learning of their history, struggles, and challenges. All were unique and over time their friendship grew and by the end of the book they had become a sisterhood.
The storyline kept me engaged and many women will relate to one of the women's stories.
Well written with a few surprises. A book I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
After Hunter loses her cheating husband to her so-called friend, Angelica. Hunter decides to start a support group and places flyers around her neighborhood.
I enjoyed reading how Danika, Alicia, and Penelope stumbled on the flyer and how we were introduced to the characters.
I felt like I was sitting in on their meetings, learning of their history, struggles, and challenges. All were unique and over time their friendship grew and by the end of the book they had become a sisterhood.
The storyline kept me engaged and many women will relate to one of the women's stories.
Well written with a few surprises. A book I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
March 23, 2025
This is a fun read with an engaging mix of relatable characters, friendship, and a touch of magical realism! The story does a great job of exploring the dynamics of different women’s lives and how their bonds help them uncover personal truths. The concept of a talking stick adds a unique twist, creating a magical layer to what might otherwise be a more grounded narrative.
Although I enjoyed the storyline, I found myself becoming less interested toward the end of the book. Maybe it was because I had a strong predication of the ending and the journey was not as exciting as I had hoped. Despite that, it was a breezy and enjoyable read overall—perfect for a relaxing escape, like a beach read.
Overall rating 3.5/5 stars
Although I enjoyed the storyline, I found myself becoming less interested toward the end of the book. Maybe it was because I had a strong predication of the ending and the journey was not as exciting as I had hoped. Despite that, it was a breezy and enjoyable read overall—perfect for a relaxing escape, like a beach read.
Overall rating 3.5/5 stars
May 17, 2024
Read for the WNBA Great Group Reads selection committee, so it wasn't something I chose on my own. How great, then, that I loved it.
It's the entertaining story of four quirky women who come together practically accidentally when all rather desperately needing a support group. Their journey is every bit as rich and productive as the 12-step program that salvages MC Hunter's ex's life--in fact, just as healing, more organic and authentic, and less dependent on one-size-fits-all concepts. The writing is crisp and funny and every member of Hunter's group grows in such interesting ways. It defies stereotypes and the story of Hunter's ex-friend Angelica is delightfully absurd.
It's the entertaining story of four quirky women who come together practically accidentally when all rather desperately needing a support group. Their journey is every bit as rich and productive as the 12-step program that salvages MC Hunter's ex's life--in fact, just as healing, more organic and authentic, and less dependent on one-size-fits-all concepts. The writing is crisp and funny and every member of Hunter's group grows in such interesting ways. It defies stereotypes and the story of Hunter's ex-friend Angelica is delightfully absurd.
June 13, 2024
When I read books that are set in San Francisco, Marin County or elsewhere in the Bay Area, I often have difficulty recognizing my home of 45 years (including several years in Marin). That is not the case with Donna Levin's novels, including The Talking Stick. Levin captures the feeling of Marin County and the characters are relatable and believable. This book (as well as each of her other novels) helps me remember why I moved here and what I love so much about living here. A very enjoyable and hard to put down read.
April 11, 2024
I absolutely loved the characters in The Talking Stick. Hunter, Penelope, Dannika, and Alicia are like a lot of women I know, love, and can relate to. They are funny, a little down on their luck and ready to get it together with some help from each other and the talking stick. It's an interesting thing about that talking stick - when held it brings back memories even ones the characters thought were hidden in the shadows.
May 28, 2024
This is a beautiful book. On the surface, it is a fast paced, entertaining story about a support group in Marin. But at its heart, the novel is actually a meditation on the nature of reality, friendship, and the human psyche. Ms. Levin is a master of storytelling and the dialogues are delightful yet thought provoking. She writes with clarity, grace, and a deep compassion for humanity. What an accomplishment. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a masterpiece to evolve their mind.
June 10, 2024
The Talking Stick was a fun and engrossing read about women bonding and supporting each other through both life's challenges and good times. The main characters, although very different from one another, formed special bonds which were affirming and shined a light on friendship. It is a book I was able to quickly get into and thoroughly enjoyed. Loved that it takes place in a area that I am very familiar with.
June 11, 2024
This was the first book by Donna Levin that I've read and I've since bought a couple of her earlier books because I enjoyed this one so much. The Talking Stick is an engrossing and entertaining read with interesting, complex characters. I also enjoyed all the SF Bay Area location descriptions and references. Can't wait to get started on Donna's other novels, and I hope she's working on another one that we can look forward to!
August 27, 2024
Engaging from the start - four women, a bit lost in their current situations and needing a fresh start find friendship and community with each other seemingly by chance when they show up to a new support group. Each woman has a distinctly different character, unveiled through memories brought to light by the "talking stick". This story is relatable for women of all ages and the author's smart but sarcastic sense of humor keeps it light-hearted and entertaining.
September 2, 2024
Really enjoyed this book. Levin's style of writing is crisp and clear with a contemporary voice. I am a fan of female authors telling women's stories and this definitely fit the bill. Great summer read!
October 12, 2024
A great story! Funny and insightful .I enjoyed getting to know all the different characters. It made me feel grateful for all the relationships with different types of people I have in my own life. I highly recommend.
November 24, 2024
Touching, funny, lovely book@
Like all of Donna's books, I could not put this down. Each of her characters has her own personality & their interactions with each other & the people in their lives are very real. Great read!
Like all of Donna's books, I could not put this down. Each of her characters has her own personality & their interactions with each other & the people in their lives are very real. Great read!
August 8, 2024
A very silly, IMHO, rendition of the four disparate women in trouble come together and find themselves genre. I only stuck with it because the Bay Area (SF) is my second home.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews