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Miracle Girls
When Cee-Cee closes her eyes, she can suddenly see all the missing girls in the Mohawk Valley. It's part of the they are buried in wheat fields and stashed behind train tracks, or sprawled at the bottom of the canal. Could have been you , one dead girl says, smart-mouthed. But instead it was me! A live one tied up somewhere in a basement cocks her But, guess what—you're next! Cee-Cee tries to focus, but a terrible headache rises from the back of her neck, as if someone has struck her there. She should take her medicine, but Mrs. Patrick took away the pink bottles. In the thicket overhead, the branches are picked clean as bones, no longer swaying. Now she steps back until her heels butt up against the fat oak tree. In the woods, everything is silent. Even the trees stand still. It's 1973 in the Mohawk Valley, and children are disappearing. Cee-Cee Bianco is visited by the Virgin Mary, but her brothers see a much darker vision. When the youngest Bianco falls into a coma after witnessing a brutal crime in the woods and Cee-Cee performs a miracle, she is guarded by war-protesting Sisters whose order is not the benign sanctuary it seems. MB Caschetta is the author of Lucy on the West Coast (Alyson), which Ms. Magazine called "a spectacular collection." Her essays have appeared in the New York Times , the Chronicle of Higher Education , and Body & Soul . She lives in Massachusetts.
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2014
3 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
M.B. Caschetta
3 books14 followersMary Beth Caschetta is a recipient of the W.K. Rose Fellowship for Emerging Artists, the Sherwood Anderson Foundation Fiction Award for non-fiction writing, and the Seattle Review Prize for fiction. Miracle Girls is her first novel. Pretend I'm Your Friend is her second collection of stories. A Cheerleader's Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment is her new memoir in essays.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 15, 2015
It took me 15 yrs, so the stars are for finishing!
February 5, 2015
This book was really unexpected for me. I picked it up because I've seen the author's blog, but it's not the type of story I normally read. That said, the first couple of chapters were a little hard for me to get my bearings, but then I ended up reading the rest of the book in a single day. CeeCee is a fascinating character--a young girl who has visions--and the nuns were wonderful real people--not the caricatures you often see in popular culture. The story is quite sad and tragic, yet it's handled deftly and there's a lot of dark humor in here. The ending was perfect.
The writing is vivid and I found myself marking many passages. I'll leave you with one of my favorites, this lyrical interlude: "Night has frozen into a new shape, barely recognizable from what is was in the daylight. Now the ground is frozen. Now the trees scrape and twist like old women with their heads uncovered. It is a cold grief that separates the new night from the warm afternoon; the trees bend to mourn and whisper." (p. 75)
The writing is vivid and I found myself marking many passages. I'll leave you with one of my favorites, this lyrical interlude: "Night has frozen into a new shape, barely recognizable from what is was in the daylight. Now the ground is frozen. Now the trees scrape and twist like old women with their heads uncovered. It is a cold grief that separates the new night from the warm afternoon; the trees bend to mourn and whisper." (p. 75)
January 22, 2015
It is always hard to read a book by someone you know. I'm an honest reviewer and, if I know someone and I don't like their book, I will simply not put a review. I have no qualms about rating and reviewing Miracle Girls. It is beautifully written, compassionate and compelling. I started it on the train home last night and finished it this morning--I had to make myself put it down last night so I could get some sleep. I can highly recommend it.
June 15, 2015
I met M.B. in a writing group in Northampton, MA when she was already formulating Miracle Girls. So, yes, I may be a bit biased.
From the beginning, I was drawn in by Cee-Cee and her family and the massive amount of drama they endured. The writing let you imagine exactly the scene the characters were living without being over indulgent.
I did find it a bit difficult to keep track of who was who and what the disparate agendas were. By the end, the reader knows who the KEY figures are, but the peripheral figures remain undefined.
The ending is immensely powerful as it lets you take a breath and realize that is how the ending should be, while still wanting to know what happens after. The most satisfying way to end a story, IMHO.
DEFINITELY worth a read and I am eagerly anticipating another work by this talented author.
From the beginning, I was drawn in by Cee-Cee and her family and the massive amount of drama they endured. The writing let you imagine exactly the scene the characters were living without being over indulgent.
I did find it a bit difficult to keep track of who was who and what the disparate agendas were. By the end, the reader knows who the KEY figures are, but the peripheral figures remain undefined.
The ending is immensely powerful as it lets you take a breath and realize that is how the ending should be, while still wanting to know what happens after. The most satisfying way to end a story, IMHO.
DEFINITELY worth a read and I am eagerly anticipating another work by this talented author.
January 19, 2015
I saw this author do a reading at our local independent book store. She is talented and personable. I'm not sure how to rate the book. I struggled through the quirkiness of the first half and almost quit in the 3rd part. The final 1/4 finally came together for me.
If I see a book discussion I will join in to see if anyone else felt the same. (Also had a few typos which is a pet peeve of mine in a published book.)
If I see a book discussion I will join in to see if anyone else felt the same. (Also had a few typos which is a pet peeve of mine in a published book.)
June 12, 2014
I received this book before it was even published. Lucky for you guys it will be on bookshelves come November 2014.
I lucked out that I followed the author’s blog about how much this story was rejected by publicists. I find it amazing that it was even rejected so many times.
The first few pages of this book is hard to read. I felt like the author was skipping parts and I would have to re-read the last few sentences to make sense. The book finally smoothed out which lead to me falling in love with the words the author produced.
The characters are not like some that I am used to. They are broken and lost. They are living and real. They will tell a story; their story. We just have to sit and listen or in my case read.
Cee-Cee is one odd ball of a character and her rest of the family is just as interesting. Cee-Cee is unique because of her visions and her need to pray. You will love her and understand her.
I dare you to read this once it is out.
I lucked out that I followed the author’s blog about how much this story was rejected by publicists. I find it amazing that it was even rejected so many times.
The first few pages of this book is hard to read. I felt like the author was skipping parts and I would have to re-read the last few sentences to make sense. The book finally smoothed out which lead to me falling in love with the words the author produced.
The characters are not like some that I am used to. They are broken and lost. They are living and real. They will tell a story; their story. We just have to sit and listen or in my case read.
Cee-Cee is one odd ball of a character and her rest of the family is just as interesting. Cee-Cee is unique because of her visions and her need to pray. You will love her and understand her.
I dare you to read this once it is out.
January 4, 2015
I was skeptical about reading this book, but it was a contender for Goodreads top books, so I decided to give it a try. I have to say that I was surprised by the book, in terms of the overall message. Not being Catholic, nor exactly Christian (more Buddhist, philosophically) I was worried that the story would come off as being preachy but in the end it handled the situation of abuse and the LGBT community wonderfully and with a positive message of approval. Something often lacking from those who are strictly involved with their religious beliefs (conservatives.) I highly recommend 'Miracle Girls' for anyone who is looking for a little mystery and hope.
November 26, 2017
Miracle Girls is a perfect mix of magical realism, darkness, and spirituality. At first it was difficult to understand what was going on, but once I got through a few chapters, I began to unwind this darkly beautiful story. Just a heads up: parts of the story are pretty disturbing. But I couldn't put this book down and highly recommend it.
March 1, 2015
For me, this book lacked character development and plot. I felt that the storyline was even throughout with no real climax and a lackluster ending. The concept of the book was quite unique - I just don't think it was well executed.
July 6, 2015
Beautiful and brave, MIracle Girls explores religious and spiritual experiences a lot of literary fiction shies away from. With dynamic characters, a compelling plot, and strong setting, it doesn't offer any easy or formulaic answers but still somehow manages to inspire.
November 1, 2014
Love this author and this book. Yup, she's a friend, but hey, she wrote a great book that you would really enjoy - edgy and full of heart. Miracle Girls is getting great reviews.
April 7, 2015
This novel is powerful enough to restore one's
faith in people, if not society or religion:
a moving first effort with a wonderful heroine.
faith in people, if not society or religion:
a moving first effort with a wonderful heroine.
November 2, 2018
A truly original, beautifully written novel -- heartbreaking, haunting, and ultimately hopeful. The entire Bianco family and particularly Cee-Cee are unforgettable.
May 9, 2021
Excellent story. I appreciate that it's unusual. Not a fan of the writing style, though. I dislike present-tense narration. The pacing seemed off, or something.
January 21, 2016
I won this book on Goodreads.com as part of a giveaway they hosted.
I was a bit lost during the first 50 or so pages of this story, not really sure what was going on, how the characters were being built, or what the actual story may be about. With that said, because it is a relatively short story and I was already about a quarter of the way through, I continued reading. Luckily the story seems to tie the ends together and is something that is intriguing and compelling. While all of the mechanics of the story were not perfect and at times I still struggled with a "what is going on" and had to reread a bit, I did enjoy the concept. The last handful of pages had a few oddball moments that seemed disjointed again, but all in all, I consider this a story that gets you thinking about possibilities and things that go on behind the scene.
My review will not detail the ins and outs of the story as that would spoil the purpose of sitting down and reading a book. If the description of the book the author has provided sounds interesting to you, by all means give this one a try. Don't give up too soon into the book though, it takes a while for things to start making sense.
I was a bit lost during the first 50 or so pages of this story, not really sure what was going on, how the characters were being built, or what the actual story may be about. With that said, because it is a relatively short story and I was already about a quarter of the way through, I continued reading. Luckily the story seems to tie the ends together and is something that is intriguing and compelling. While all of the mechanics of the story were not perfect and at times I still struggled with a "what is going on" and had to reread a bit, I did enjoy the concept. The last handful of pages had a few oddball moments that seemed disjointed again, but all in all, I consider this a story that gets you thinking about possibilities and things that go on behind the scene.
My review will not detail the ins and outs of the story as that would spoil the purpose of sitting down and reading a book. If the description of the book the author has provided sounds interesting to you, by all means give this one a try. Don't give up too soon into the book though, it takes a while for things to start making sense.
November 18, 2014
From her rating, I see MB is a shameless self-promoter!
A very engaging story about a very engaging 10- year-old. Not a Catholic, but I was very appreciative of comments by Garry Wills about the mystery he found embraced in his religion. Some of that comes through in this story and especially in Cee Cee's character.
The writing and dialogue are sometimes disjointed (for lack of a better word) but not particularly demanding; and it really heightens the sense of a 10- year-old's experience of her world. It definitely adds to the story.
I should give a 4 1/2, were I able.
A very engaging story about a very engaging 10- year-old. Not a Catholic, but I was very appreciative of comments by Garry Wills about the mystery he found embraced in his religion. Some of that comes through in this story and especially in Cee Cee's character.
The writing and dialogue are sometimes disjointed (for lack of a better word) but not particularly demanding; and it really heightens the sense of a 10- year-old's experience of her world. It definitely adds to the story.
I should give a 4 1/2, were I able.
April 10, 2015
I picked up this book since I live in Central NY and a lot of the places the author mentions I am familiar with. However, I was conflicted over how to rate this book. I struggled through the first half or so and the only thing that kept me going was that I was familiar with the settings in the book. The last third of the book finally brought everything together. Overall I wasn't really thrilled with the book.
November 4, 2015
2.5***
I picked up this book from my library's recommended reading shelf hoping to be at least momentarily charmed into believing that miracles still can occur in our modern world. While I found Cee Cee the nine-year old main subject and potential visionary to be a fascinating mix of wisdom and naivete, I found it hard to follow this plot and was ultimately slightly more discouraged with humanity today than when I began the book!
I picked up this book from my library's recommended reading shelf hoping to be at least momentarily charmed into believing that miracles still can occur in our modern world. While I found Cee Cee the nine-year old main subject and potential visionary to be a fascinating mix of wisdom and naivete, I found it hard to follow this plot and was ultimately slightly more discouraged with humanity today than when I began the book!
December 20, 2015
I received this book as an ARC. Throughout the first third of the book, I had no idea what was going on. Then I started to get into it and enjoy it, and then the last couple chapters, I went back to not really knowing what was going on. Caschetta had some beautiful passages in her book and she's very talented, but I just don't think this particular book made a whole lot of sense.
May 19, 2015
The start really drew me in, and I loved the way that faith worked its way through this narrative in so many different forms - religious faith, secular humanist faith, faith in self... I wanted more from the "supporting" characters, many of whom had tantalizing details or aspects present but weren't, for me, fully fleshed out. Otherwise, though, a real joy to read.
June 7, 2015
Not a case of show/don't tell. I felt like this story was going on in the author's head and they forgot to write facts, details, connecting sentences or thoughts. Or am I too simple? Hard to hold interest, too many questions.
August 1, 2016
I liked the premise of this book. The general storyline was interesting, but I often found the writing style confusing. Especially when CeeCee had visions, I often had to flip back and reread thinking I missed something.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews