Katrina's Wings

by Patricia Hickman

A rich, reassuring, coming-of-age tale for the dreamer in us allFor every woman who has come into her own or is striving to find her way in the world, Katrina's Wings honors and explores the desire to break free from childhood constraints and soar into the future. A tale of redemption, love, and triumph set entirely in the Deep South, Patricia Hickman's novel offers an intimate, occasionally painful, and frequently humorous glimpse into the lives of two sisters who take different paths in life, yet wind up at the same Miracles show up in the most unexpected places. Praise for Patricia Hickman and Katrina's Wings from other best-selling "I was captivated by Katrina's Wings, an irresistible novel with unique charm and depth. This is Ms. Hickman's absolute best!" —Robin Lee Hatcher"The pain of growing up is dramatized skillfully by Hickman, and by the time Katrina reaches her goal, the reader has identified with her. A fine treatment of the growth of an artist-and of a human being!" —Gilbert Morris"Katrina's Wings takes the reader on a journey through the introspective places of the soul to a place where love is launched and faith begins." —Karen Kingsbury"Keep some tissues handy, and be prepared to laugh as well. Beautiful language, fascinating characters moving about the pages, and a richly woven story make this a delightful read!" —Lawana Blackwell

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

“Hickman gamely unpacks the lies families tell each other, the cost of family secrets to ourselves and others, the bonds between sisters and the walls between husbands and wives. Her sparkling talent is evident in this engrossing story.” ~ Publishers Weekly

Best-selling novelist Patricia Hickman has written 18 books for major publishers like Random House and Hachette Books.

A note from me, the author: Hey! My latest teen fiction title is TINY DANCER, a coming of age story for sophisticated readers of young adult fiction—maybe you!

I love good food, taking road trips, hiking, and biking, but most of all writing you new stories you'll fall in love with. You can visit me here at Goodreads, through my official FB author page, or my website at patriciahickman.com.

Reviews

[Amber Balash · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read this summer...there's a lot of depth to it and it was fascinating all the way through with a lot of unexpected plot twists. Reviews compare it to The Help and The Secret Lives of Bees. It does have similar tones to both of those great reads, but can certainly hold its own. I highly recommend it!

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great coming of age novel.
Other reviewers said it best:
"there's a lot of depth to it and it was fascinating all the way through with a lot of unexpected plot twists."
"Hickman allows us to feel Flannery's pain and watch her grow into a wise young woman. It doesn't descend into the melodramatic or paint a syrupy sweet picture of teenage life; Flannery is a very real character, dealing with real issues, such as death, divorce, step-parents, financial worries, discrimination, and the uncontrollable circumstances of life."

[Em Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jon saw this book was recommended on the Reformed Readers group and thought I'd like it. He was right. There were some really great themes of forgiveness, sacrifice and redemption in this book.

[Judy Ferrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The death of a child brings a neighborhood together.

After the accident one child's life falls apart. We watch as things change and she finds the path to happiness. Ms. Hickman has given us a book about family issues that brings years but also lessons. I enjoyed the learning. She writes extremely well and with a Alzheimer's unique flare. I would say this book will make many reading club lists.

[Steph Hebb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel. I enjoyed his well written each character was and how discriptive the author was discribing life in the south and the family dynamics of the Hurley's. Will definitely check out more by her.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful coming of age book. I loved the main character, she had a lot of sadness to deal with in her young life, loss, death, betrayal. It was all there. Excellent.

[Harold Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant surprise.

[LadyCalico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what does an oriental girl doing a ballet leap have to do with a story about a NC Irish step dancer? Nothing. This is a great book; it deserves a better cover. I am a sucker for coming of age books about hard life lessons moving a child into adulthood--this book has a twist in which the kid IS the adult and her parents are the ones who need the hard life lessons to grow up. Most authors go from one extreme to another--either parents are the Waltons and Cleavers or else drunken abusive monsters. This is one of the rare in-between books about a really human family of flawed and foolish but well-intentioned losers, trying hard to force their kids into their own loser mold but too proud and set in their stubborn loser ways to learn better until life smacks them upside the head--more than once. To paraphrase Lady Violet on Downton Abbey, people are never so righteous as when they are wrong. This is not fluff fiction with a simplistic soft plot but real heart and soul life the way real people live it...with all its ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies--heartbreaking at times but filled with enough human spirit and resilience to not be dismal.
Patricia Hickman is one of my favorite authors. I have got to read even more of her novels just to see if she has ever written a book that is short of wonderful.

[Kathryn Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was selected from a phone box full of books on a street in London with 1 minitue to choose a book, so the blub and premise was more than enough to select this book.

Not the usual book I read, and I was surprised by the route the book took as I wasn't expecting it to be quite 'this' story but of the girls as adults looking back as children.

I liked the way the story changed from Katrina's first person perspective to a narrative perspective for her sister. I liked the honest, open, daily protrayal of true, gritty life - an insight for me into life in southern america at this time.

And overall, such a heart-warming, happy story, even though it is full of heartache and sadness along the way, there is a real sense of hope and joy which shines through.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and will be downloading more from Patricia Hickman. It was well written and the story was nicely developed. I was hooked from the beginning.

Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, she threw in twists and turns. I laughed and cried. Great story!

I grabbed this book when it was free at the recommendation of another great author. However, had I paid for it, I would be just as happy! A few minor editorial issues, but not many!

To defend the cover, she dyes her hair in the story. However, a head of beautiful, red curls would have been much more eye catching. Maybe the red clashed with the yellow? ;)

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I will admit that I like a lot more dialogue between the characters and less of the main characters thinking, and it was slow at first. But after several chapters I got hooked. I loved the main character, Flannery, and getting inside her brain made it interesting. There was a lot going on in this book, and several things really took me by surprise.

Flannery and her sister, Siobhan were young dancers, and her stepmother had huge plans for them but not all of our plans come out the way we expect. This was a endearing coming-of-age story that kept me interested until the end.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the sunflower garden! You will have to read the book to find out about the treasure it holds. Families are messy and even the ones that seem put together just right have their share of secrets and scandals. The Curry family has a load of secrets. What I liked best about this book was how it rang true. It was not trite or contrived. The characters became real to me. I laughed and cried and cared about what happened to them. The author kept me on my toes wondering what would happen on the next page. Wonderful book.

[Michele Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Tiny Dancers two years ago and the characters have stayed with me. Patricia Hickman's writing transports the reader in time. From the moment I met the High Stepping Curry Sisters on stage, I was hooked. Hickman delivers thought provoking content with humor and heart. Share this with book with your friends and family. An absorbing read.

[Judy Winje · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not romantic but real love

The characters in this novel have less than perfect relationships and must learn to offer mercy to one another. Through all the ups and downs of life, faith in an ever present Father in Heaven keeps the characters afloat. It is a subtle part of the story but the part that makes me love what trusting God with the details can do.

[Susan Fendley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author really captured the essence of Southern hill folks. Her use of authentic dialect and details about the flowers, foods, and clothing of the main characters made me feel like I was reading about some of my relatives. If you are from Arkansas, you will enjoy the references to places you know.

[Nancy DeValve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters. They were complicated as real people are, not cardboard figures. Katrina grows up in a less than happy house. Sometimes it seems that Katrina is the only normal one and had insights beyond her years, so I guess it felt a little unrealistic sometimes. Overall it was a good read.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book randomly caught my eye on the library bookshelf...you can see why by the title! :) It was a great read! I love it when the protagonist of a novel rises above her "birthright" and is optimistic, despite her challenges. Truly inspiring.

[Allison Kohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth book in the Baker family saga, Banner of Love, tells how Alice’s little sister, Linda, gets involved in the American Civil War. Linda falls in love with a man on the “wrong side” and discovers all the issues she is dealing with grow dim beside real love and true freedom.

[Katrina aka Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

really, really good!

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the historical setting and how our protagonist was able to mature despite her huge heart bearing so much grief.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story of love, loss, redemption and hope.

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a few attempts at reading this book n finally did. It's a sad story in many ways n told through the eyes of Flannery where a season ended and another began in her young life.

[Alison]

kindle 286

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story

[Kathalina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the southern story...a poor family growing up in times where tradition is expected not understanding not everyone wants a traditional life

[Deborah aka Reading Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5