What do you think?
Rate this book
Pretending Normal
Pretending Normal, formerly Lies Imitating Life, was a past quarter finalist in Ray Bradbury's New Century New Writer Award contest. It was also a past semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest.
1976 Before-Sara Polokovich wants out of Norwood, Pennsylvania, population 4,582, where the undertaker and the butcher are the same person. All she has to do is earn a scholarship. Just two more years...but until then, she pours over classics to strengthen her comprehension skills, reviews for the SAT, and continues to request college brochures from every school in the northeast.
Sara's just buried her mother, her father drinks too much, and her kid sister won't leave her alone. Why can't her life be normal? Even half-normal? Why does Frank, (she refuses to think of him as her father anymore), spend all of his time in the garage with that damn '57 Chevy? And why does he have to hide bottles all over the house; in the red metal cupboard in the garage, behind the faded orange curtain in the kitchen, under the sink in the bathroom? Why can't anybody talk about what's happening?
As Sara struggles to free herself from a life of dysfunction and disease, she will learn the true depths of a parent's love and the ultimate sacrifice given-- and taken-- in the name of that love. Pretending Normal follows Sara Polokovich's coming of age as she discovers the truths about family with all of its flaws and weaknesses as the bond that holds one to another, in love, loyalty, even death.
1976 Before-Sara Polokovich wants out of Norwood, Pennsylvania, population 4,582, where the undertaker and the butcher are the same person. All she has to do is earn a scholarship. Just two more years...but until then, she pours over classics to strengthen her comprehension skills, reviews for the SAT, and continues to request college brochures from every school in the northeast.
Sara's just buried her mother, her father drinks too much, and her kid sister won't leave her alone. Why can't her life be normal? Even half-normal? Why does Frank, (she refuses to think of him as her father anymore), spend all of his time in the garage with that damn '57 Chevy? And why does he have to hide bottles all over the house; in the red metal cupboard in the garage, behind the faded orange curtain in the kitchen, under the sink in the bathroom? Why can't anybody talk about what's happening?
As Sara struggles to free herself from a life of dysfunction and disease, she will learn the true depths of a parent's love and the ultimate sacrifice given-- and taken-- in the name of that love. Pretending Normal follows Sara Polokovich's coming of age as she discovers the truths about family with all of its flaws and weaknesses as the bond that holds one to another, in love, loyalty, even death.
- GenresFiction
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2012
9 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Mary Campisi
80 books420 followersMary Campisi is the author of over 40 emotion-packed novels that center around hope, redemption, and second chances.
Mary should have known she'd become a writer when at age thirteen she began changing the ending to all the books she read. It took several years and a number of jobs, including registered nurse, receptionist in a swanky hair salon, accounts payable clerk, and practice manager in an OB/GYN office, for her to rediscover writing. Enter a mouse-less computer, a floppy disk, and a dream large enough to fill a zip drive. The rest of the story lives on in every book she writes.
When she's not working on her craft or following the lives of five adult children, Mary's digging in the dirt with her flowers and herbs, cooking, reading, walking her rescue lab, Henry, or, on the perfect day, riding off into the sunset with her very own hero/husband on his Ultra Limited aka Harley.
If you would like to be notified when Mary has a new release, please sign up at http://www.marycampisi.com/book/book-...
website: marycampisi.com
e-mail: mary@marycampisi.com
blog: marycampisi.com/blog/
twitter: twitter.com/MaryCampisi
facebook: facebook.com/marycampisibooks
Instagram: instagram.com/marycampisiauthor/
Mary should have known she'd become a writer when at age thirteen she began changing the ending to all the books she read. It took several years and a number of jobs, including registered nurse, receptionist in a swanky hair salon, accounts payable clerk, and practice manager in an OB/GYN office, for her to rediscover writing. Enter a mouse-less computer, a floppy disk, and a dream large enough to fill a zip drive. The rest of the story lives on in every book she writes.
When she's not working on her craft or following the lives of five adult children, Mary's digging in the dirt with her flowers and herbs, cooking, reading, walking her rescue lab, Henry, or, on the perfect day, riding off into the sunset with her very own hero/husband on his Ultra Limited aka Harley.
If you would like to be notified when Mary has a new release, please sign up at http://www.marycampisi.com/book/book-...
website: marycampisi.com
e-mail: mary@marycampisi.com
blog: marycampisi.com/blog/
twitter: twitter.com/MaryCampisi
facebook: facebook.com/marycampisibooks
Instagram: instagram.com/marycampisiauthor/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 24, 2020
Great author
Mary Campisi writes books that are so seamless to read. She always makes everything so real life which is what I enjoy most about her books
Mary Campisi writes books that are so seamless to read. She always makes everything so real life which is what I enjoy most about her books
February 15, 2015
I've read other books by the author which I've thoroughly enjoyed, but this one didn't resonate with my emotions (to the same degree) until towards the end of the book. Pretending Normal shares what it's like to grow up in a dysfunctional home but I just couldn't seem to get inside the characters' minds and hearts.
I'm sure this story would resonate with a lot of readers who know exactly what it's like to live with an alcoholic. I believe it just might help them to realize they are not alone, that life can be better and they should always look towards a future filled with promise despite the scars of the past.
I'm sure this story would resonate with a lot of readers who know exactly what it's like to live with an alcoholic. I believe it just might help them to realize they are not alone, that life can be better and they should always look towards a future filled with promise despite the scars of the past.
October 12, 2015
This book was ok. Pretty good, but only slightly memorable. The characters were good, the story was well written. After a couple days though, I've forgotten many of the details. Overall I would say this was decent.
September 16, 2012
I thought this was okay.
February 13, 2013
It made me cry. It was a very easy read that I could not put down. I don't remember a book in a long time doing this to me.
I guess its a reminder that we are all "pretending normal".
I guess its a reminder that we are all "pretending normal".
June 8, 2013
Quick read with interesting story line
August 19, 2013
Beautiful cover for a very touching story. Really enjoyed it!
October 29, 2013
Pretty good, easily read. Explores different facettes of difficult interpersonal relationships. Somewhat endearing epilogue.
July 8, 2014
3.5 stars Better than I expected. I liked the main character and the way the story unfolded.
December 16, 2017
Great female characters, strong, intelligent, supportive of each other. This was a refreshing read.
Read
August 7, 2015I have read several of this author's book. Enjoyed immensely. However, this one just did not grab my emotions like the others. Did not care for it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews