The Resurrection of Joan Ashby

by Cherise Wolas

I viewed the consumptive nature of love as a threat to serious women. But the wonderful man I just married believes as I do--work is paramount, absolutely no children--and now love seems to me quite marvelous.

These words are spoken to a rapturous audience by Joan Ashby, a brilliant and intense literary sensation acclaimed for her explosively dark and singular stories.

When Joan finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she is stunned by Martin's delight, his instant betrayal of their pact. She makes a fateful, selfless decision then, to embrace her unintentional family.

Challenged by raising two precocious sons, it is decades before she finally completes her masterpiece novel. Poised to reclaim the spotlight, to resume the intended life she gave up for love, a betrayal of Shakespearean proportion forces her to question every choice she has made.

Epic, propulsive, incredibly ambitious, and dazzlingly written, The Resurrection of Joan Ashby is a story about sacrifice and motherhood, the burdens of expectation and genius. Cherise Wolas's gorgeous debut introduces an indelible heroine candid about her struggles and unapologetic in her ambition.

Kirkus Reviews's Best Fiction of 2017
Kirkus Reviews's Best Debut Novels of 2017
Booklist's Top 10 First Novels: 2017
The New York Times Book Review's Editors' Choice
Indie Next Pick for September 2017
Kirkus Reviews's 13 Fiction Debuts & Breakthroughs That Live Up to the Hype
Bustle's 9 Fall Book Debuts By Women You're Going To Want To Read Immediately
Nantucket Magazine's 7 for September 2017
Kirkus Reviews's 9 Excellent Reads for Labor Day Weekend
Entertainment Weekly's Thirteen Books to Read in August
San Diego Magazine's Your Book Shelf: 5 Books to Read in August

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Adult Fiction, Adult, Books About Books

534 pages, Paperback

First published August 29, 2017

About the author

Cherise Wolas is the author of two highly acclaimed novels: The Resurrection of Joan Ashby and The Family Tabor.

The Resurrection of Joan Ashby is a 2019 International Dublin Literary Award nominee, a PEN Debut Fiction Prize semi-finalist, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice and Paperback Row selection, an American Bookseller Association Indie Next Great Read pick, a Kirkus Reviews Best Novel and Best Debut Novel of 2017 and named a Best Novel, Best Debut Novel, and top 10 novel of the year, by various other venues. Published now in France, the UK, and Poland, it’s being translated into a variety of other languages, including Hebrew, Turkish, and Chinese.

The Family Tabor is an ABA Indie Next Great Read in Hardcover, Paperback, and for Reading Groups. The NYT Book Review named it a Paperback Row selection. Out in the US, and the UK, it will be published in France in October 2021. It has been optioned by Legendary Entertainment Television for a multi-season premium cable television show.

Find her also on Instagram and Twitter: @cherisewolas

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joan Ashby was on the fast track to being the next great American novelist until she got pregnant. She spends the better part of the next three decades writing off and on in secret while taking care of her family. Can she overcome age, obligations, and a crushing betrayal to take back her destiny?

This isn't the kind of book I normally read but I'm a sucker when a publisher, Flatiron, in this case, offers me an ARC directly, I usually take it. For most of the book, I was glad I did.

Since people are thin-skinned about what constitutes a spoiler these days, go ahead and turn back now if you don't want to know anything about the book. I have lot of conflicting thoughts about this book and can't be bothered with spoiler tags.

The Resurrection of Joan Ashby is a very well written book. The writing reminded me of Donna Tartt quite a bit and I was glued to the book for long periods, savoring every word. Cherise Wolas knows her way around a sentence, that's for sure.

A lot of young writers will probably identify with Joan Ashby. She's a determined young author, disdaining love and motherhood in favorite of writing. At a young age, she had two award winning short story collections published and damn near everyone, Joan included, can't wait to read her first novel. However, soon after getting married, she gets pregnant and everything changes.

The Resurrection of Joan Ashby is the story of Joan's long road back, kicking, screaming, and clawing. She finds unexpected joy in motherhood but, at the same time, wonders what might have been. There are ups and downs in the ensuing decades, including a horrible betrayal at the hands of a loved one.

Excerpts from Joan's writings are scattered throughout the book, some providing parallelism, and foreshadowing in some cases. It also gives a window into a character who keeps part of herself hidden most of the time. Other excerpts feel like they may have been added to provide some padding. For what this book is, it's a little on the longish side.

For the first two thirds of the book, this one was a no-brainer for an easy 4.5, possibly even 5 stars. Sure, some of the characters are a little thin but the writing is great. However, the third act turned into Eat, Pray, Love. Granted, it was a very well-written Eat, Pray, Love but for my money, a rich person running away from their problems in India doesn't make them seem sympathetic. It makes them seem selfish and self-absorbed.

I actually contemplated not finishing the book once she went to India, thinking it cowardly and out of character, but upon further reflection, her entire adult life was fueled by cowardice and selfishness, keeping her writing life separate from her family life at all costs. I thought she was going to turn things around near the end but she kept being a craphead. It wasn't poor Martin's fault their lives turned out the way the did! She had every opportunity from the start to change things and she never did. While I found Joan an interesting character, any sympathy I may have had for her evaporated when she got on the plane to India.

After the monumental first 66%, the book went into a downhill slide it never recovered from. The ending was a fart in the wind. Nothing really got resolved other than Joan finishing her book.

As far as I know, this is Cherise Wolas' first novel and it shows. The book could have easily lost 75-100 pages and would have been better for it. That being said, she's a smooth pimp when it comes to whipping the English language around. Since I was thinking about slapping a 5 on this badboy for 2/3rds of the book and a 2 for the last third, I guess I'll go ahead and give this a 3. The ending doesn't live up to the promise of the beginning and it's long for what it is.

[Jaidee · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 "transformative, elegant, inspirational" stars !!

Tie -The Silver Award Read of 2022 (second favorite read)

Back in 2017, my partner and I had gone to see a local poet read at a very small bookshop. I remember that day so very vividly as my beloved was particularly loving and close that day. The little space was cramped and due to some mild claustrophobia I needed an aisle seat. On one side I had my love and on the other this book was facing me. My partner kept looking over at the book (this edition) and I kept asking him why he kept looking over even though I knew the book cover was exquisite. He said in a very surprised voice "You and Joan Ashby share the same eyes". Now it was my turn to look over and over and over to the point where I could not concentrate on the reading. I left feeling a bit haunted. Two weeks later, this book sat on my bedside table tied with a red bow gifted by my sweetheart. I am very stubborn and this book sat later to be joined by Fitch's Marina M and I would look at these two book covers over and over and over again as I read so many other books.

Well last year I became best friends with Marina M. and then I embarked on this most extraordinary reading journey starting July 2021 with Joan Ashby and I finished this most exquisite and satisfying book this morning. Now I have met another best friend that I want to introduce you to and you guessed right...her name is Ms. Joan Ashby to most of you but to me she is Ashby.

The book is perfect in every which way. The prose is easy, unadorned, gorgeous, insightful, flowing. The characterizations are immensely rich, congruent and complex. We are fully immersed in the lives of these most interesting and flawed characters. Throughout the book we are also peppered with another world....the world of fiction written by Ms. Joan Ashby and we are privy to the workings of her creative mind....just as we are privy to Ms. Wolas' through the world of Joan Ashby. This is a book that I slowly immersed myself in and read over many months and was not only a read of immense and I mean immense reading pleasure but I felt my own self transforming (in small ways) by the experiences of Ms. Joan Ashby. In this way the book was not only a way of deep aesthetic joy but also of spiritual and psychological growth.

I want to introduce you to my new friend Ashby and you settle down Marina M as I gave you full attention in my review last year.

Ashby is incredibly selfish but also incredibly principled.
Ashby is quite navel gazing but also immensely deep.
Ashby is unaware of her affluence but also very honest and giving in unusual ways.
Ashby is a reluctant mother to her sons but a willing mother to a supportive community.
Ashby denied her true nature for many years but in the end found bliss.
Ashby can be very unkind and unyielding but she can be equally hard on herself.
Ashby is immensely talented and Ashby knows that she is so.
Ashby is incredibly wise but often turns her back on this wisdom.

Ashby is my new best friend and we share a pair of eyes although she is much braver than me.

Ms. Wolas from the bottom of my heart I thank you for this literary creation.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, this book was sort of the road not taken. Like Joan, I never wanted children. Joan, a prodigy writer gets married and after making her husband promise they would never have children, she finds herself pregnant. And decides to keep the baby to make her husband happy.

The writing here is delicious, language to be savored and mulled over. It's an interesting style in that Joan's works are interspersed throughout the novel. In the beginning, I liked this technique because it showed Joan's style and you could appreciate her talent. But as I got more invested in Joan’s story, it started to irritate me. I saw the stories as detours away from Joan's life. And thus the roller coaster ride began. I loved the story about Joan and savored those parts, underlining away. Then I would get to one of her stories and start to skim. Others may feel differently and be able to appreciate the two halves to the book. For me, editing out some of Joan’s stories would have made for a much more concise, better flowing book.

This is a book about betrayal and forgiveness, about the ability to move on. It's also a book about parenting and how much to subjugate your own life to the process of raising children, especially when those kids are gifted. I found the conflicts between Martin and Joan concerning parenting differences especially apt.

I struggled with Daniel. I could sympathize with him in one sense, feeling like the only ungifted member of his family. But otherwise...no. So, at the end, I'm torn on how to rate this. I loved it, it bored me. It really needed a better editor to get a five star rating. As it is, I'm going with 3.5 stars, rounding up for the incredible language.

My thanks to netgalley and Flatiron Books for an advance copy of this book.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Resurrection of Joan Ashby by Cherise Wolas is a 2017 Flatiron publication.

Excellent prose, but lethargic and monotonous-

Joan Ashby became a literary darling in her early twenties, winning awards and spending long stints on the important bestseller lists. She is very focused, refusing to allow herself to succumb to any temptations that might steer her away from her destiny.

But, alas, the thing she swore she would avoid at all costs- the powerful elixir of love- was too strong to overcome.

Joan falls in love with Martin, agrees to marriage, but makes it clear that parenthood is not an option- until she falls pregnant. Her husband’s excitement and joy, convinces her to commit to motherhood, but as she fears, it takes a bitter toll on her creativity, a development which led to years of pent up resentments and frustrations.

To press upon the reader the extent of Joan’s writing talent, her short stories are featured in between her day to day narrative of married life, responsibilities, and child rearing, which highlights the two parts of Joan’s life, her personality, genius, conflicting emotions, and musings on how her life veered so far off course.

But, a gut punching betrayal will shake Joan out of her insular existence, forcing her to take a long, hard look at her life, and to find the courage shake things up, for better or worse.

Life is messy, we all make compromises, see shifts in our priorities, put dreams on hold, and have pieces of our individuality robbed from us in one way or another. Most of us adjust, but Joan never found contentment in her ‘unintended life’, and buried the part of her that struggled for control, the thing that she really loved most- but eventually, she finds a way to resurrect her true self.

Joan’s resentment towards motherhood, her feelings of entrapment are palpable, but this theme is repetitiously beaten into the ground, to the point where the insertion of Joan’s stories was a welcome change of direction. But, at other times these examples of Joan’s work, became a distraction, and only served to drag the story on for much longer than need be.

I am still unsure of my feelings about this book. I think I understand what the author was getting at, the point she was trying to make. On one hand, Joan’s journey is fascinating, but the story was just too bogged down with minutiae, is too wordy, and on occasion, is mind numbingly dull.

The author is obviously blessed with a wonderful literary mind, and the story has all the right elements, but I think we could have arrived at our destination in half the time it took for us to get there.

Overall, this is an ambitious novel, is thought provoking and has some merit, but the journey was simply too arduous.

3 stars

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Inspiration. Creation. Love. Motherhood. Children. Sibling Rivalry. Family. Repressing one’s inner self. Regret. Resentment. Promises broken. Dreams crushed. Writing. Commitment. Betrayal. These are some of the themes throughout this story.

At the somewhat still tender age of thirteen, Joan Ashby kept notebooks labeled “Favorite Words,” “Books I Am Reading,” “Quotes Never to Forget,” “Stories,” and “How to Do It.” Within the last one is a list of nine principles, which, include, beyond the standards regarding writing, “Avoid crushes and love,” “Do not entertain any offer of marriage,” “Never ever have children,” and “Never allow anyone to get in my way.”

At a young age, eight years after writing this list, Joan Ashby’s first short story collection, “Other Small Spaces” is published to acclaim, making the best seller list and winning the National Book Award. Four years later, she follows that up with another collection of short stories, “Fictional Family Life,” shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize, and once again a best seller.

This is the life she has chosen. She chooses this life every day; she lives to tell the stories that run through her, like blood through her veins, or air. Necessary for life.

And then, somewhere in between her books, she fell in love, although not entirely all-consuming. He had his space, she had hers. She wrote. After many desperate love letters, weekends at her place, weekends at his place, she acquiesced, they married, and that verbal contract of no children, ever, is suddenly null and void. A baby is on the way, but this newly married bliss is not tarnished, she convinces herself this pregnancy is a mere blip in the delight she’s feeling. Her husband, Martin, a neuro-ocular surgeon, is thoroughly delighted. They love the small town they’ve moved to in Rhome, Virginia, him from Baltimore, her from NYC.

”… the act of writing had never felt as exquisitely important, so much like prayer.”

And so, a child arrives. A son, Daniel. And because, as they say, “you can’t just have one,” after several years, they have another son, Eric.

This is the life that chooses her.

“The Resurrection of Joan Ashby” is told through Joan’s personal views, woven alongside sections of Joan Ashby’s written stories throughout the novel. This worked for me most of the time, but there were a few that didn’t work as well, one time that went on a bit too long, and another time it felt more like an interruption. However, these figured in more as the story continues, as the children grow older, as she begins to find a way to get back to her writing, to her real self, as roadblocks pop up at so many turns.

There are a few likeable characters in this debut novel, this story - these stories by Cherise Wolas, but there are at least equally as many who are questionably likeable, or capable of love. The story of Joan Ashby is frequently moving and the writing has a sense of strength and determination, a intense focus on the internal repercussions and struggles of her allowing this life, these choices, to pull her away from her writing. The sacrifices we make, chosen or not.

Writing is as much a product of one’s soul as giving birth to and raising a child or children, but trying to do both in a home where one parent is responsible for virtually all of the home related duties, and parenting responsibilities seems almost impossible. Both require a nurturing environment, a parent can tend to the children, but tending to oneself always seems to be pushed aside when others are scrambling to be heard. And suddenly it becomes a choice to be made another day.

”But weren’t people ultimately and irrevocably lost if they abandoned those dreams, ceased trying to create a rich alternative world for themselves and for other? Wasn’t the beauty of art found in the uncovering and discovering in being taken, or led, to the line, the step, the curve, the color, the note, the word? Wasn’t the ability to start anew, again and again, the very definition of human endeavor?”

The mistakes we make throughout our lives define us as well as the choices we make, a simple one word response to a child shapes so much of a destiny, the simple orbit changed into a damaging trajectory where words collide.

Recommended

Published: 29 Aug 2017

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Flatiron Books!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why This Book
The publisher of The Resurrection of Joan Ashby, written in 2017 by Cherise Wolas, emailed me late last year to see if I'd be interested in reading the novel. I accepted the challenge and put it on my TBR, agreeing to read within the next few months. As I was cleaning out my TBR, I noticed this was still sitting in my queue, hence it became one of my first reads in 2018.

Plot, Characters & Setting
Joan Ashby as a young girl wanted to be a writer. She wrote all the time, publishing her first book by 23 to rave reviews. She even had a list of things to do, which included never to fall in love or have a family. Writing was all she ever wanted until she met a man, fell in love, married and had a child. Then a second. Even though she and her husband had agreed - no children! The book chronicles her life from about 23 to 53, covering the growth and maturity of herself and her two children, including the ups and downs of her relationship with the husband. Set in various cities between the US and India, Joan raises her family, writes and travels, all trying to find herself and be the best woman she can be. She meets many influential women who help organize her life and path, deals with devastating actions from each of her family members, and learns how to deal with something always stepping in the way of her success. It's literary fiction -- a true novel that will make you think about personal choices, giving up things for others and understanding when it's okay to be selfish.

Approach & Style
I read a physical copy of this ~550 page book over the course of 4 days, a majority of it on two 2-hour train rides near NYC where I live. There are ~50 chapters, each between 10 and 15 pages long, telling the story in third person POV. This is not your typical novel in that it only follows around the main characters; instead, it is two different books within one novel. Approximately 2/3 of the novel, ~ 350 pages, are the story of Joan Ashby's life, but the other ~200 pages are short stories or sections of various novels that the author Joan Ashby has written throughout her career; these stories provide deeper layers into her thoughts and relationships, as she often tells the story of her own life through other characters. To be honest, while some of the stories were helpful, having ~200 pages of this book dedicated to that style was way too much. I found myself skimming those sections all too often, understanding I might have missed a few key points of the overall novel, but happier to focus on one drama at a time!

Strengths
The story is simple, yet full of complexity and intensity. Joan's approach to life, her internal thoughts and what she actually says and does, vary distinctly and vastly. This is the greatest strength of the novel -- a woman readers will identify with, but also get angry with. Choices are presented in a light and casual manner, yet all the ramifications are immense.

Her sons are painted with a beautiful set of images and words. They are real, but they feel so far away. You want to hug them one moment, then cover their heads with a pillow case and smother them the next. BTW... it's an expression -- I'm not advocating this as a method to handle people you don't particularly like at any given moment. And for the sake of irony, I'm writing this as if I were thinking exactly like Joan. It is my life/review to do what I will. LOL

On a more serious note, it's spectacular when it's spectacular, which is at least 50% of the book. The story pulls you in. The characters are diverse and basic, yet charming and frustrating. It's a fine balance, and Wolas impeccably draws a wide array of issues and reactions that keep you thinking and page-turning to guess what Joan may say or do next. Just reading about Joan's daily routine was vivid and exciting, even when it was merely running errands around town.

Concerns
As mentioned earlier, the stories within the story were just too plentiful. A few were touching and provided some much needed balance to the overall narrative of Joan's life story. Some went on for twenty pages and truly felt like a roadblock to a successful read of the book. Perhaps as a separate collection of shorts, I might have enjoyed them more. Instead, I found myself eager to get back to the main plot, feeling a bit overwhelmed, and in need of a red pen to edit!

I struggled a bit in the beginning with Joan's attitude towards a few things in her life. She eagerly tells us how and why she treats her two sons differently, but everything else about her is balanced and fair. She chose to keep the pregnancies, despite not wanting children. She never seemed like someone who would treat them differently, but it was a key aspect of the novel, so I suspended a bit of disbelief and kept on moving... in the end, it's important to the overall perspective of her behavior, but I think it needed another round of analysis on why Joan behaved the way she did in certain circumstances. Too little left out in some areas, too much included in others.

Summary & Next Steps
Undoubtedly, Wolas is an amazing writer. Some of the passages were lyrical, intense and magnificent. I could never write like she does, I vividly recall thinking at a few moments. If Wolas can produce a novel like that, without all the additional superfluous or extraneous, I'll be the first in line to buy it. But if it's another like this, I would TBR it, but not rush for it. I would like to meet her -- she seems quite brilliant, but in need of a push in more defined direction. I'm not saying I'd be the one to push her... just curious to see how she thinks in person on the fly, as opposed to a cultivated piece of writing. All-in-all, I'm glad I read this book and I really enjoyed large portions of it. If you can accept the things I noted as concerns, you'll find some wonderful beauty in her writing style and choice of focus and perspective.

About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I’m Jay, an author who lives in NYC. My debut novel, Watching Glass Shatter, can be purchased on Amazon. I write A LOT. I read A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll find the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge – words and humor. You can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.

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[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can now find this review and more at Novel Notions.

I honestly need more than five stars to give.

“She was no longer writing about tragedies that blew apart peoples lives, but about something else entirely: how dreams could keep hope alive and fresh.”

Getting this book was kind of a big deal for me. Okay, it was a really big deal. This was the first physical ARC I ever received. I’ll be honest: being asked to review this book made me feel kind of special, which was a large part of the reason I accepted it. When the book was delivered, I was tentatively excited, but I wasn’t going to hold my breath that it was going to be any good. And I wasn’t going to lie and say that it was amazing if it wasn’t, though I would’ve tried to soften the blow the best I could, because I hate to hurt anyone’s feelings, even if the author never read my review. But it turns out that I needn’t have worried.

I can’t believe this is a debut novel. The plot was great; it was subtle and vast and beautiful. The characters, especially Ashby herself, were tangibly real. But the prose is what set the book apart for me. The writing is absolutely stunning. There’s a blurb on the front comparing Wolas to J.D. Salinger, Carson McCullers, Truman Capote, and Joan Didion, and I never at any point in the book felt like that comparison was unmerited, something slapped on the cover to increase sales. It took me almost a month to read this book, but not because of its length or a lack of interest on my part. I was savoring.

Some books are like popcorn, light and addictive and demands to be finished in one sitting. Some books are like a steak, juicy and filling and satisfying of some deeper hunger that only red meat can appease. Others are like some exotic dish that confuses your tongue but leaves it craving more, even if you can never quite understand the flavors. Some are ice cream, and while a spoonful or two may satisfy your sweet tooth, you can’t help but eat the entire carton and live with the regret when your stomach rebels. But Wolas’s book was none of those things. Ashby’s tale is an expensive box of rich, smooth chocolate truffles, meant to be savored with tiny bites and closed eyes as the chocolate melts on your tongue, a decadence meant to be stretched as long as possible.

Joan Ashby is a rare author, a genius of a girl who has always been a woman. She had wild success at a young age, but life changed dramatically for her after she met Martin, and she disappeared from the literary scene. Wolas’s book is about Ashby’s efforts to make the most of a life she never wanted, and her journey back to the life she thought she had lost. What would you do if you had to sacrifice the life you loved to fulfill the dream of another, even if that dream of theirs is a betrayal? And if you made that sacrifice, and even managed to love your new life a little, how could you justify the regret, and the guilt that stemmed from that regret? Would you hide your soul, and damn the consequences?

I can’t keep anything hidden. I’m an open book to any and everyone in my life, as you've probably gathered know from my reviews. I can be an oversharer, without a doubt. So while I can understand the need to keep some part of yourself private, I can’t understand the actual practice of that level of secrecy. I feel like a lot of trauma could be avoided by discussion. But I have lived a rare life, one straight out of a storybook, so I know a big part of my mindset about secrets comes from a place of intentional naïvety. But I still hold to the belief that honesty and transparency strengthen relationships tremendously. That being said, do I understand Ashby’s desperation for privacy? I do indeed. Even when I didn’t agree with Ashby’s decisions, I understood them, which I think is an incredibly difficult understanding for a writer to cultivate among her readers.

Something else I thought was wonderful was the fact that I kept forgetting that this was a novel and not a memoir of an actual author. As I said before, Joan Ashby was tangibly real. And Ashby’s writing was so convincing that I desperately wanted to go buy her short story collections. I wanted to read the works she buried, the works lost to her, the words she had yet to pen. If they actually existed, I would have bought them in a heartbeat. I want to read more of Ashby’s words, even though Ashby isn’t real. And even more than that, this novel made me want to write, to struggle and strive until I craft something exquisite from the same 26 letters Wolas and her creation wielded in such marvelous ways.

“But weren’t people ultimately and irrevocably lost if they abandoned those dreams, ceased trying to create a rich alternative world, for themselves and for others? Wasn’t the beauty of art found in the uncovering and discovering, in being taken, or led, to the line, the step, the curve, the color, the note, the word? Wasn’t the ability to start anew, again and again, the very definition of human endeavor?”

Without a doubt, this book is brilliant. Sometimes, brilliance can be intimidating, can make dreams fade and wither beneath its glow. Because what’s the point of trying to create if you know your creation will never shine that brightly? No one wants to hang their first finger-painting next to Van Gogh’s Starry Night, right? But sometimes, brilliance inspires, lends resolve, convinces shaky feet to take first steps. And that’s what Wolas did here, at least for me. This is a book I will cherish and reread, one I foresee being tattered when I give it to my niece as she heads off to college. It’s a book that matters.

I would like to thank Flatiron Books for sending me this unsolicited ARC. Though I’m grateful, the opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when you life does not turn out the way you expected?

Joan Ashby is a writer. She writes dark stories which are a big hit. She plans to keep on writing but then finds herself pregnant. She and Martin have made a pact - they will not have children. But once she finds that she is pregnant and he is excited about it, she decides to embrace Motherhood.

She gives birth to two sons while putting her writing on the back burner. Over the course of their upbringing, she returns to writing in secret. She believes that her new work will be a big hit but then the unexpected happens - she is betrayed. She is left with the thought of what to do about this betrayal. How does she cope? What is her next step?

She goes on a journey in an attempt for rediscovery of her self. She never intended to fall in love, be a wife or a Mother and she has done all of the above. How does she get back to herself? Back to basics so to speak? Thus beings the next phase of her life.

To be honest, this was a hard one for me. I had a really hard time getting into this book. I would read a little and then begin another book, finish it and come back to this book. I did this several times. Sometimes I enjoy when there is a book within a book - or in this case: Joan's stories inside this book. But in this case, the stories made this book drag a little for me. I imagine the Author wanted to showcase Joan's work as an Author. It definitely makes sense, but for some reason, it did not work for me. As I mentioned I had a hard time getting into this book, until around the betrayal part. For me this book was a struggle that turned out to be okay at best.

I received a copy of this book from Flatiron books in exchange for an honest review.

See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

E-book -
Hardcopy….534 page
Audiobook….read by Gabra Zackman
….19 hours and 40 minutes
I own all three of these formats and have had them since 2017….
Shame on me for taking so long to read this pulsing ingenious debut.

THANK YOU JAIDEE….for your spunky- fun- engaging review. 👀…. you inspired me to jump on the bandwagon as fast as possible.
“The Resurrection of Joan Ashby”, far and beyond exceeded my expectations.

“WHAT HAPPENED TO ME HAS HAPPENED TO A THOUSAND WOMEN”

“I viewed the consumptive nature of love as a threat to serious women. But the wonderful man I just married believes as I do— work is paramount, absolutely no children—and now love seems to me quite marvelous”.

“The above words were spoken to a rapturous audience by Joan Ashby, a brilliant and intense literary sensation acclaimed for her
explosively dark and singular stories”.

When Joanne finds herself pregnant, her husband is thrilled. It feels like an instant betrayal to Joan— yet she makes a selfless decision to embrace her unintentional family.
She’s challenged by raising two precocious sons. It takes her decades to finally complete her masterpiece novel.

This is a story about motherhood, sacrifice, the burdens of expectations, > exploring and dealing with conflicting issues….
…as in ‘not’ easy to simply compartmentalize.

This book really is ‘an experience’….
It’s dazzling and stunning — with gorgeous language—(a book within a story - within more stories)…..with messages about choices, acceptance of ‘what is now’…..while ‘hoping’ for more…
….ongoing awareness into ‘self’ throughout. (dark and light ‘selves’)
It’s incredibly intimate:
Joan, the other compelling characters, even the ethereal images of India …..it’s all exquisite and magnificent.

We are so pulled into Joan Ashby’s life — that when a scene describes her physically naked (while packing clothes for India)….
I paused….laughed out-loud [maybe from the puré exhaustion of so much substantial depth in this book]….
that I said to myself: “what? hasn’t she been ‘naked’ this ‘entire’ time?”….
Yes….Joan was a little naked — the ‘entire’ time….
…. vulnerable, exposed, strong, weak….human…..ALL OF IT….
…..a woman — a writer - a mother - a wife > with so many authentic real struggles — how to do what when? How to adjust - and re-adjust?

Joan Ashby’s inner critical voice — was so very relatable ….

Such a wonderful book …..complex in the best of ways….
I was ‘spent’ by the end…..
Oh…..but that ending…..was perfect!

[Julie Ehlers]

Bloated and overwritten, The Resurrection of Joan Ashby is a work of immense ambition. Of course, in theory I have no problem with immense ambition, but it needs to seem effortless or the book is not going to work. If the labor and the effort are visible, that labor and effort translate into the reading experience. That's just how it is; I don't make the rules. Perhaps a really fascinating story or characters could have redeemed this book for me, but the characters were absurd (not in a good way) and their problems unbelievably contrived. For every moment when a plot twist or insight impressed me, there were at least two when I rolled my eyes at the book's ridiculousness. People are saying The Resurrection of Joan Ashby doesn't seem like a first novel, but to me it's got "first novel" written all over it: clearly in love with its own voice and unwilling to jettison anything for the sake of a more readable story. Sure, I could have continued on for the other 272 pages, but today I skimmed ahead and realized things weren't going to improve. Unlike Joan, I'm no martyr, so I'm laying down this cross well before the promised resurrection. God bless anyone who takes it up in my stead.

I won this ARC via a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thank you to the publisher.

[Suzzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is captivating from the beginning. The characters have depth and were well written. The story was so engrossing. I really enjoyed this read and am so glad I got the ARC. I will be keeping this one for my bookshelf!

[Britany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a slow burn of a novel.

I'm still finding myself at a loss for words when it comes to describing what the author achieved when she sat down and took on this beast. Where to begin with this review?

Joan Ashby is a brilliant author and she has one rule for the rest of her life-- no children. Then she finds herself married, unexpectedly pregnant and living it up in the burbs. After Daniel comes Eric and Joan loses herself in raising her family and supporting her husband's career. Her writing stalls and literally sits in a box at the bottom of a coat closet while she struggles to determine how to put herself first. Can she do it?

This book. This BOOK-- told in a mixture of styles- different fonts, different formats, and we also get little vignettes of the short stories Joan is writing (a story within a story!!). The writing and language was pure perfection. The book slowly took us through Joan's life and we see her lose herself and then claim her life again. The book I kept thinking about while reading this one was A Little Life - although not quite as heartbreaking. This book was such a feat and one that I believe Cherise pulled off-- AND it's a debut! I thin the end ran a bit too long for my liking and felt a little thin compared to the bulk of the rest of the book. Looking forward to more writing by Ms Wolas.

Thank You to Flatiron Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joan Ashby, a talented writer, who at a young age vows not to let a husband or children get in the way of her art, ends up married, then pregnant. Joan falls in love with her first baby, not so much with second. Her first son has the gift of writing, but stops when he discovers at age 11 his mother is a brilliant writer and he compares himself to her and feels like a failure. He feels she has crushed his dreams. His father is a brilliant neuro-ocular surgeon traveling the world restoring people’s vision. His younger brother drops out of school at age 14 to design his own software program used throughout the world in hotels and is worth billions. The family dynamics and sibling rivalry conspire against him to make him feel small.

Joan ever intuitive when it comes to her children is able to sense when things are well and when things are awry. She understands her children far better than her husband. She understands their strengths and weaknesses. She gets swept up in motherhood and in helping her children build on their strengths and supporting them through difficult times.

Joan hides her writing. She keeps it a secret, not wanting to have to share what she is writing about with her husband. She feels like a prisoner in motherhood, only able to eek out stolen hours to write her newest novel that gets hidden in a box for two years before she is ready to have it published, because life (her family and their needs) get in the way. In the meantime, her book is published in its entirety, except for a gender change by her son, under a pseudonym and in two parts.

There are three parts to this novel. The first and third are told by a third person narrator, but the focus is mostly on Joan. The second section is recordings made by Joan’s son, Daniel, that he will eventually send to Joan as explanation for his actions. Interspersed within these pages are short stories written by Joan as well as the beginnings of another novel Joan is working on during part three. In addition, there are writing samples from Joan’s writing students.

Joan is so hurt by Daniel’s actions, publishing her novel without her knowing about it, that she flees to India, a country she has always wanted to visit and the place where Eric had retreated after sobering up and selling his company. In India, Joan is able to rediscover herself, realize her present day wants and needs, as well as forge a closer relationship with her younger son.

The writing is amazing. Each short story seems publishable on it’s own. The story of Paloma that Joan is writing in the third part was particularly intriguing to me. However, I felt like all of these stories within the actual novel detracted from what constituted this novel. It seemed like I was constantly readjusting to new stories within the original and back out again. For me, it was too much bulk. The writing is great though, and I never wanted to skim. I just wish the author had constructed this novel differently. I felt way too happy to be finished reading this book.

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

For discussion questions, please see: http://www.book-chatter.com/?p=2273.

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I stared it earlier and had to take a break when I sprained my thumb, because the book is heavy! But that should not be seen as a reflection of my interest.

The Resurrection of Joan Ashby takes a deep look into the internal life of a female author. Her fiction parallels and adds depth to the story of her life.

Joan Ashby published two books of short stories with great acclaim, and then disappeared! It turns out that in her shifting of her energies to a domestic situation (marriage and then two boys), she was unable to write. But the author gives us insight into her thoughts and sacrifices and struggle in a way I'm not sure we usually get to see.

How many women give up their dreams, and convince themselves their new lives are enough? We all change. But what if the dreams could be followed after all? I think that's what this book really looks at.

In the ARC I have, the various pieces of fiction along with some other differences (letters, audio recordings) are represented by different fonts. This made my head ache a bit, to my surprise, but I don't know if this was handled differently in the final version or not.

The complexity of the novel was impressive for a debut, but in the beginning and middle I felt it really added a lot to the story. Near the end, when Joan's novel is read alongside her current situation, I felt less convinced that a separate story needed to be included since there were so many parallels. In many ways her story had become the important one.

[Maya Panika · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel has been the subject of such extraordinarily high praise, I opened it with a deal of anticipation and high hopes and, though some of it is worthy of its seemingly universal approbation, I was far from blown away and ultimately, very disappointed.
It’s the story of a woman who planned her life meticulously from an early age but whose plans all went awry. Poor Joan. She only ever wanted to be a writer; she was a writer, a very well regarded writer, a best selling author who won accolades and prizes, but her early promise was snuffed out when her life was stolen from her by a selfish husband and his sperms. But was it, really? Because, though I started out really enjoying this book, I grew increasingly irritated by Joan’s endless speechless moaning, her martyred air of putting up with life and putting her family first. Her continual sighing and yearning for this life she wanted and could never have - and why? There was no reason at all for any of this. Every time she gave up her writing or put a finished manuscript away because Some Thing had happened that meant she ‘couldn't go on’ (the poor, drooping thing), I was reminded of JK Rowling, a single mother living on benefits and scribbling in a cafe to stay warm, and I wanted to slap Joan hard. Nothing happened in her life that made writing insurmountable. She could have gone on with her work at any time. When she became such a sulk because her husband dared to ask about her work, because it was hers and hers alone and not for him, I wanted to scream, get over yourself you silly, self-indulgent cow. Joan Ashby’s husband had a great job, she had a lovely house, she had security - luxury even. She did not have to work for a living, she had plenty of time to write, but could not write because she is such an ‘Artiste’ and the conditions of her life had to be perfectly perfect in every way so she could do her Terribly Important Work. Many, if not most, writers would kill to have such conditions in which to work, but not Pouty McPouty Joan A. Such a silly woman. Her ‘plight’ enraged me.
The first half of the book just went round and around on these same themes, these ever decreasing cycles, until I thought I was going to have to give up reading this book altogether because Joan was really getting on my nerves.
I hoped the second section - in which her child does A Very Naughty and Unforgivable Thing - would be better, when Something is finally happening that isn’t all about Joan. But the child really does go on, at such great length, such marvellously phrased passages for a personal diary. I couldn’t understand why he did as he did, why he felt he was no writer; the chapters of his diaries were every bit as well written as his mother’s work. I rather felt, they were in much the same style, an identical style even. They read to me as if they could have been written by the same person, even…
There’s a deal of her *writing* here, lengthy digressions when we spin off into Joan’s old published material, the work that won her such accolades before she was ‘forced’ (the poor dear) by motherhood, to give to all up. Some of these asides were interesting, some were not (I admit I skipped through most of the lengthy tedium of Paloma Rosen). All were unwelcome distractions from the main tale and I do think the thing as a whole would have been much better without them. This novel is much too long. I felt a good 30 to 50% of it cut completely away would have radically improved it. It needed more tension and less belly-aching. I know I’m greatly in the minority with my opinions about this book but it really didn’t do anything at all for me, other than irritate and annoy, which is probably not what the author intended.
I got briefly excited when Joan dares to suspect (in passing, it’s a single sentence) that her husband sabotaged her desires to remain childless by interfering with her birth control. At last, I thought, something interesting - but alas, nothing more was said on that front; twas but a passing thought that went nowhere and we returned to the passive-aggressive, soul-chewing business-as-usual of Joan Ashby’s sighing resentment and endless prevarication (I feared the lady did protest far too much about her inability to write).
The final, Indian chapters were the most disappointing. The story seemed, at last, to be going somewhere, but then, this part of the lengthy tale was the worst of all, with its cliché characters and cut and paste spirituality and endless great slabs of her new, unreadable novel and, like far too much of this book, it all turned out to be a whole lot of nothing.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan Ashby is a celebrated author at the peak of her career. She’s been open about avoiding love and motherhood and wanting to give all to her creativity. But then love finds her heart but she makes it very clear to her soon-to-be husband that there will be no children in their future. When Joan finds herself pregnant and her husband is ecstatic at the news, Joan decides to devote herself to her family with all intentions of resuming her career at some point. However, the future holds a betrayal that is a very grievous one.

This author is so very talented. I can’t say that I agreed with her character’s assessment of motherhood and her reluctance to embrace it over her career. I’ve always thought that being a mother was the highest honor a woman could have. But then again, I’ve never been a celebrity or in the limelight due to any particular talent of mine so I may have felt differently in her shoes. Despite our differences, the author gave me a clear understanding of where Joan was coming from and I was immediately pulled into her world. This is a fascinating portrayal of a woman who selflessly chooses motherhood and pays a heavy price. The betrayal that I don’t want to give a hint of a spoiler about was truly a shocking one.

As an added bonus in this book, it includes short stories written by Joan which are as entertaining as the main story. Her stories before motherhood are quite dark. Some of them have a connection with Joan’s story, some not as much, but all are engrossing.

I couldn’t be more impressed with this debut novel and am looking forward to more of this author’s work. This is an intelligent look at not only motherhood but all aspects of being a woman. Each of the characters in this book will stay with me for a long time to come.

Most highly recommended.

I won this book in a contest given by the publisher and am under no obligation to give a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Resurrection of Joan Ashby” is clearly my favorite novel of 2017. The themes of the novel are astounding: betrayal, regret, resentment, love, commitment, self-actualization, parenting, marriage, art, and repression…the list goes on.

Joan Ashby is an accomplished author who gained solid success in her early adulthood. From an early age, all Joan wanted to do is write. She made a commitment to herself to never marry, never have children, avoid love, and write every day and not to waste time. She wins awards for her short story writing in her early twenties. What she did not see coming is falling in love and being married by age twenty-five. Next came an unplanned pregnancy and her life direction went awry.

The story is told through Joan’s eyes. The reader learns of her conflicted feelings in her marriage, parenthood, and creativity. Joan put her career on hold to be the mother she felt her child deserved. She put on hold her career to be the wife her husband demanded. She struggles with both marriage and parenthood commitment. Through her thoughts, she communicates what every mother, whether working or not thinks; she resonates with all working mothers.

Author Cherise Wolas weaves in Joan’s published stories, as well as ones she’s creating and not yet published. The reader is treated to stories within stories. Thoughts occur to Joan throughout the day and she writes them down and reader gets to see how Joan does her magic.

Beyond having children, there are two other plot twists that derail Joan’s career and can’t be told without spoilers. The final one had me crushed. It came out of nowhere.

This is a story of Joan’s journey. It’s a story of art and the creation of art. It’s a story of life and passion. I simply adored this novel. I enjoyed the stories Joan worked on while she was living her life. I can see that some readers may find the stories distracting, but I loved them. I highly recommend this novel.

[Jessica Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the more uneven reads for me in recent memory. There were parts I absolutely loved and parts I really hated.

It starts strong. Joan Ashby is a renowned, award-winning young writer with her whole life ahead of her. She knows she doesn't want children, that her writing will be her singular purpose. But when she finds herself unexpectedly pregnant shortly after getting married, she is forced to put her writing on hold.

Joan and her husband wind up having two children, both boys, and the first half of the book is very compelling. Joan struggles with motherhood, with the loss of her identity and the sacrifices she is expected to make. It's a deep, often uncomfortable character study that reminded me a lot of We Need to Talk About Kevin.

And then part two of the novel rolls around and this complex character study devolves into a disappointingly trite second act of Joan literally traveling to India to find herself. While in India, Joan has serendipitous encounters with native Indians who shower her with conscientious care and platitudinous inspirational quips that just so happen to speak to her exact situation. Ugh.

Also, throughout the novel there are dozens of excerpts from Joan's books, clearly intended to provide additional insight into Joan herself. This is one of my most hated literary devices because all it does it take me out of the story I'm there for, but these excerpts were especially painful because Joan is supposed to be this amazing writer and her writing is SO BAD. I don't get it because the actual book itself (The Resurrection of Joan Ashby) is incredibly well written despite my issues with the plot. And yet Joan's writing is insufferable to the point where I was just skipping the entire excerpts by the end.

It's always disappointing to read a book that has the potential to be great but just doesn't deliver. If I were rating only part one, my rating would be much higher. The themes that Wolas explores—motherhood, the loss of identity and self-actualization, the burdens of expectation—are profound and compelling. But my frustrations with this novel ultimately outweighed the good.

[Janelle Janson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Flatiron Books for this advance reader's copy - all opinions are my own.

THE RESURRECTION OF JOAN ASHBY by Cherise Wolas -
This book... THIS BOOK. I can't even describe how amazing this debut novel is, YES DEBUT. This is how literary fiction should be done. It's stunning and gorgeous and lyrical and beautiful - the writing is exquisite! I love Joan Ashby's short stories - I wish there were more of them. They provide a glimpse of how the outside world perceives her. Even though this is a long, dense novel, the writing is so beautiful that I flew through the pages and devoured the story. I savored EACH and EVERY word.

Joan Ashby is an author who never wanted to get married or have children - deciding to devote her entire life to her craft, writing. However, she falls in love, gets married, and finds herself pregnant, and as a consequence, reluctantly decides to start a family. The story covers the decades she raises her children while trying to keep her identity. The character depictions and descriptions of the settings are incredibly vivid. Joan feels so real you think you know her. You think you're going to walk into a bookstore and see her books. This is one of my top ten FAVORITE books of all time! I highly highly recommend to anyone who loves SUPERB literary fiction or generally just loves to read!

Release date is August 29, 2017

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a pretty good book in here somewhere, buried deep beneath endless pages of unnecessary detail. Reading this was like when you ask someone to tell you about paleo, and two hours go by and you're just like, "Why are you still talking?" Could easily chop about 200 pages out of this.
This book has other problems, especially the "betrayal" by the main character's husband: they agreed not to have kids, then when she accidentally gets pregnant he says, "I'm so happy." That is literally the entire extent of their discussion, and she spends the rest of the book in mommy martyr land, quietly resenting him and their kids. The whole book rests on this conflict, so, I don't know, maybe she could have said something like, "oh let's talk about this because I was about to call planned parenthood over here, so..." Nope, she just puts her dreams aside for the next 30 years and then it becomes just another story of a white lady going to India to find herself. The main character's fiction within the story was actually very good, but overall this was insanely tedious.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An immersive experience from start to finish. Truly exceptional.

[Sherri613 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without exaggeration, I am speechless. I can't remember reading a book where I thought I was experiencing a writer who could be one of the greats of our time - it is that good.

The writing is sheer magic, it shines with brilliance, intelligence -- completely original, long complex sentences that leave you understanding life a little better, wishing you had had that insight yourself, and carrying you deeper and deeper into the complex lives of these characters. Wolas does not hold back - she's fierce, confident, especially for a first time novelist - I have to wonder: where has she been? And when can I read more???? Really, if I said more, you might not believe me! Read it and see for yourself - a new literary - can I say genius?- has arrived and her name is Cherise Wolas. Bravo!

[Sue Dix · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an ARC. I fell in love with this book from the very first word. If you love books about the process of writing and the inner workings of an author, you'll love this book. Joan Ashby is a wonderful, three dimensional character that I would love to meet in real life. Cherise Wolas is my new favorite author.

[Bkwmlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up

I’m having a hard time writing this review because I know that nothing I say will be able to do justice to how great this book truly is. I don’t feel it’s an exaggeration to say that this book was a “masterpiece,” a uniquely exquisite work that I am overjoyed to have been given the opportunity to experience and savor. From the very first chapter, up until the very end, and even now, having finished the book, one thought that has consistently entered my mind is the fact that this is Cherise Wolas’ debut novel. I am absolutely blown away by how much this book does NOT read like a first novel by an inexperienced writer, as the writing was very polished and engaging, the prose was beautifully rendered, the story was extremely well-written, the characters were well-developed and very very realistic. I also loved the stories within the story – the excerpts from the main character Joan Ashby’s short story collections and novels, all of them so different and unique. I can’t help but wonder whether, like her character Joan, perhaps Wolas also started writing at a young age, continually perfecting her craft over the years, leading to this spectacular debut novel that reads nothing like a debut. Whatever the case, one thing’s for sure – Wolas is an immensely talented writer!

Plot-wise, I don’t want to give away too much, though to be honest there really isn’t a whole lot to give away in the first place, since there isn’t really much “action” that takes place given that this is primarily a character-drive story. The main character Joan Ashby is an extraordinarily talented writer, a voracious reader, magnificent storyteller since youth who, in her early twenties, becomes a literary sensation after publishing 2 short story collections that instantly hit bestseller lists and rake up various awards. Having led a solitary life up to that point, Joan unexpectedly falls in love with Martin Manning, an eye doctor who later becomes famous in his own right, and Joan agrees to marry him under the condition that they enter a pact never to have children. However, things don’t go according to plan and not long into their marriage, at the height of her fame as a writer, Joan finds out that she is pregnant – when she sees how happy her husband is at the prospect of becoming a father, Joan makes a decision that alters the course of her life forever: she decides to give up her successful career and dedicate herself to becoming a full-time mother. She eventually raises 2 sons, Daniel and Eric, and it is not until decades later, when both her sons are grown, that she gets the chance to reignite her career, but then a devastating betrayal shatters her hopes and dreams, causing her to rethink all the past choices she made. Even though the story is told from the third person point of view, we get to know Joan Ashby intimately, as we are given the chance to dive deep into her mind as a writer and as a mother, get to understand her innermost thoughts, the motivations behind her actions as she contemplates certain decisions she has to make, etc. We also witness her inner struggle with keeping the “writer” part of herself alive while still devoting herself to a family she did not want but decides to embrace wholeheartedly.

With Joan Ashby, Wolas created a character so vividly real and complex that I truly felt like I was reading a memoir of a real-life writer rather than a fictional story. In fact, I was so invested in Joan’s life and journey that, by the time I got to the end of the book, I was a bit saddened at having to say goodbye, as despite her many flaws, I had grown to like Joan and wanted to continue the journey with her -- it was as though a close writer friend I had grown up with suddenly decided to move away, taking with her the fascinating, unfinished stories that she never got the chance to finish telling me. I wanted to continue reading those stories she had written, to read them in their entirety, to get to know the characters more intimately, to know how the stories end – I especially loved the story about Paloma Rosen and to be honest, I felt a little disappointed that I didn’t get to read the rest of that story.

Speaking of the excerpts of Joan Ashby’s stories, that brings me to the one “complaint” of sorts that I had with this book – minor in the scheme of things for sure, but it still made me struggle with the rating, ultimately settling with 4.5 stars rather than 5. I obviously loved the “stories within the main story” written by the main character Joan, however the part that I didn’t really like was how the stories interrupted Joan’s life story itself. It was a little distracting to me to be reading about Joan’s life for a good number of pages, then all of a sudden there is a long excerpt (at times several pages worth) from one of the stories she wrote, then it picks back up again with her life story. Perhaps because I was so engaged in Joan’s own story that I wanted to know what happened next with her and her family without having to be sidetracked by different stories – especially with those stories having such great merit on their own. Maybe having a more structured format with those stories (technically excerpts of the stories) at the beginning or end of the chapters would have been better so that the flow of the main story would’ve felt less interrupted? I guess it also didn’t help that I was reading an ARC version of the book and for some reason, there was no physical differentiation between the main story and Joan’s stories until the last third of the book or so when Joan’s stories were italicized so I knew where they started and ended. Regardless of this minor issue with the book’s format though, I still loved the stories as I said earlier and felt that they really gave me insight into Wolas’ range as a writer (since Joan is a fictional character so Wolas technically wrote those stories) – they were indeed fascinating stories, way different from the tone of the book itself in some places!

I don’t usually round up when I rate books but I made an exception in this case because to be honest, this book was well-deserving of 5 stars! This was a gem of a book, one that I highly recommend and am actually contemplating buying a physical copy myself once it publishes on August 29th. Oh and if Ms. Wolas ever decides to publish Joan’s collection of stories and/or novels in their entirety someday, I will absolutely be one of the first in line to buy them (especially the Paloma Rosen one, which I desperately want to read)!

Received advance reader copy from Flatiron Books via NetGalley

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accomplished author (ok, literary genius) is persuaded to start a family after publicly avowing to never have children. What ensues is a poignant endurance of the balance between mother and artist, if such a balance is indeed possible. The Resurrection of Joan Ashby layers this question in a beautifully constructed debut novel that has easily come to be one of my favorites of 2017.

From the start there is no doubt that Ashby is a prodigy, something Cherise Wolas proves with ease. The book is peppered with excerpts of Ashby's stories - stories I wanted to continue reading! There is no doubt that the true genius is Cherise Wolas. Faced with setbacks and unique betrayal, Ashby's journey will have you on the edge of your seat. Wolas has written a novel that both ruminates and entertains, likely appealing to many readers for diverse reasons. It has already been compared to Fates and Furies, a book I also loved, and I don't disagree. Ashby's journey is one I will not soon regret: her accomplishments, her voice, and yes - her resurrection.

This debut (I still can't believe this is a debut!) is a stunning accomplishment, not to be missed!

Thank you Flatiron Books for providing me a copy and the opportunity to review!

[Lolly K Dandeneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Via my blog: https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com/
'What if she could travel across the sky for the rest of her days, never landing, too far up to be touched by what has transpired in her life, set up perfectly in her little corner of space, with her face pressed up against the window?'

Mothers are creators in their own right, birthing children, supplying a nurturing environment. Some women want to create something other. What does it mean for a writer, the possibility of having children and a husband to tend to, life tackling from every direction and sucking dry every free moment? To be a mother is to sacrifice freedom sometimes vital in the blossoming of one’s work. So it is with Joan Ashby, hot on the heels of success, an unexpected and unwelcome pregnancy forces upon her the struggle- does she extinguish this unborn life or does she embrace her pregnancy. The choice she makes alters the course of her career, her entire universe. Just how much can a woman be diluted? Joan boxes up her glorious words to raise her family with no idea how her hidden writer’s life will set the stage for family betrayal.

Exploring the burden of genius there is also the envy, the insecurities birthed of those living in the shadow of a sibling’s gifted ease. Intelligence, for someone knowing only what they lack, can look like enchantment. The horror of being witness to endless possibility, wealth- a magical life that you can never attain, and try as you might through sweat, blood and tears- there is a ‘ceiling’ you will never surpass, while around you others are shooting stars. For Daniel, in this nest of brilliance he is a naked bird, winged but without flight. What happens when the one thing that was yours was only illusion? Who do you blame? Your mother, of course.

Just when Joan is ready to have a second life of sorts, to make a great return with her literary genius, it is stolen from her. Though her children are grown, it’s not going to be an easy transition from motherhood to writer. Each of her son’s are collapsing, even when they are making grand strides. Joan’s stories are sprinkled throughout the entire novel, at times it’s wonderful but it does make for a much longer read. What hits home is how much is put upon Joan, how her husband isn’t quite as involved as he comes and goes, spreading his brilliance the world over and here she is, left carrying the children on her shoulders, watching the danger slowly making it’s way to her youngest- somehow a woman always the one left to clean the messes, buzzing with all that talent inside her mind but stuck helping others realize their future. It’s an old story, a woman full of promise, about to show the world just what she is made of, gets pregnant and to the back of a dark closet goes her dreams. What happens when one of her children pokes and prods her past? Joan destroys without even knowing it- how could she know? Why is it so poisonous for a mother to have an identity?

As much as I enjoyed Joan, I actually felt more for her damaged son Daniel, nurtured on her breast with stories but also the beginning of a stopping point in her own writing. Daniel, who takes everything he learns about his mother and has to chose between jealousy and ruin, or inspiration and creation. I could spend hours talking about this novel, and it’s certainly one for serious readers. Let’s not leave Eric, the youngest son, out. Eric has a brain that is boundless but timing, maturity, and the heart- all things that must be accounted for, are brushed away to his detriment. Eric seems to reject his mother as soon as he is born, and Daniel seems so much a part of her. Who could predict the turn of events? I just keep thinking ‘Want to hear God laugh?’ ‘Make a plan.’ If you’re not religious, ‘Want to hear the universe laugh…’ well you know.

Some people may got lost in the stories within, find them a distraction. For the majority of Ashby’s work, I felt the tales within lent much to Daniel and his dissection of his mother. Sometimes it was too much, and I am a lover of wordy, lengthy literature. Wolas is one to watch, because I had moments of euphoria, if it were edible I’d be in a food coma. However, there were moments too I felt some of the book could be extracted and it would still be beautiful.

Would that we could watch our life, remain untouched by all the accidents (happy and otherwise)- we cannot, not mothers anyway. We carry the blame, even if your home is full of progressive thinking, the world isn’t- not really. Somehow when children fall apart, the world looks to the mother. If you can’t handle lengthy books, it may not be for you but it explores more than just motherhood and I think anyone can enjoy it. I’m interested in what Cherise Wolas write next, because she is a hell of a writer. In fact, I felt some of Ashby’s stories would make novels I would devour. Yes, pick this one up!

Publication Date: August 29, 2017

Flatiron Books

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweeping exploration of the way womanhood is inextricably linked with the philosophy of motherhood. Joan Ashby is beautifully defined both by her choices, and the life that chooses her. With sweepingly poetic prose, and an unconventional format that is a breath of fresh air, I loved every part of this book and would recommend it to any reader, young or old. I feel that it's in the class of books that can be reread over the years, and you'll always find new meaning to appreciate each time you sit back down with it.

*This review is based on an ARC from BookBrowse. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

[Rhiannon Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant!
This novel has moved into my #1 favorite book spot, pushing out the 3 that were tied for first for years (The Handmaid's Tale, The Red Tent, and The Poisonwood Bible).
My full review to come soon!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was nine years old my best friend asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told her I wanted to be an author. In a few years, I was writing stories and then poetry. I tried to get published for a while, then didn't try but kept writing. Then the poems dried up.

What happened? Life. Marriage, jobs because we needed money, a child.

"If I told you the whole story it would never end...What's happened to me has happened to a thousand woman."--Ferderico Garcia Lorca, Dona Rosita la Soltera: The Language of Flowers
This quote appears at the beginning of The Resurrection of Joan Ashby, along with a quote from Olive Schreiner advising "live for that one thing" which is your aim in life. I recognized the story. I am one of the thousands who did not 'live for one thing.' But I do not regret my decision to put love first.

Joan Ashby, the heroine of Cherise Wolas' novel, was sidetracked away from her 'one thing,' that which she was born to be, which she had single-mindedly worked for and achieved before she allowed her life to be claimed by others and their needs.

This is the story of how Joan allowed love to determine who she was, and how love betrayed her, and the journey that brought her back to herself.

Within pages, I was mesmerized by Wolas' writing. The beginning of the novel recalled to mind an old movie, like Citizen Kane, with clips of news stories giving one an idea of the person they are going to explore. The novel begins with an article in Literature Magazine entitled "(Re)Introducing Joan Ashby" in which we learn that Joan was a prize-winning writer in her early twenties, a genius, but that it has been three decades since she last published. Next, we read several of Ashby's stories and excerpts from an interview with Joan.

"Love was more than simply inconvenient; it's consumptive nature always a threat to serious women." Joan Ashby
When Joan meets Martin Manning she tells him right away that her writing will always come first and that she has no need to be a mother. Martin is smitten and appears to support her wholeheartedly. But when two months after their marriage Joan finds she is pregnant, Martin tells her, "I've never been so happy."

Martin makes her happy. Does Joan grant him this baby, which obviously will lead to another child? Or should she hold fast to her commitment and dedication to her art, have an abortion, even if it means losing her newly wed husband?

The decisions Joan makes over the next thirty years put her husband and children's needs before her own artistic life. She does love them, but they take everything she has and offer back little.

She feels a kinship with quiet Daniel and his love of books and story telling, but who opts for an unsuitable career. Eric is brilliant, testing the limits, achieving early success which he cannot handle. She is drained by their need, while longing to return to the one thing she wanted and needed above all else: the solitude of the creative life.

After a horrible betrayal, Joan packs up and leaves her life behind to find out who she is and what it is she wants. In India, practicing yoga, Joan contemplates her marriage and her children, and the role of motherhood in all its manifestations, slowly growing into an understanding of how she wants to spend the rest of her life. The 500+ page book, for me, slows in this last third as Joan goes on an internal journey, including sections of the novel she is writing.

Joan's passivity and inability to carve out what she needed is a great part of her failed life. She is not completely a likable character when she accuses her husband of selfishness, for she did not stand up for herself and give him a chance to accommodate her needs. Their lack of communication indicates a flawed marriage. And Joan's need for secrecy about her writing life, novels and stories written in hours when she was alone, ends up harmful.

The Resurrection of Joan Ashby is an outstanding debut. I adored the nontraditional story telling which incorporated Joan's stories. The theme of the female artist's struggle to combine love and work will appeal to many women. I will be thinking about this book for a long time, and expect I will return to read portions as I grapple with my understanding of Joan.

I thank the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

[Casey Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Thank you, Flatiron Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

Joan Ashby’s story is an interesting one, and one that the author feels must be told along side with pieces of the fictional writer’s actual work. At first I found this a potentially annoying conceit but came to understand how much Ashby’s writing really informed who she is as a person/character, and why these pieces were so important in how they shaped other characters.

Wolas’s writing, in creating Joan Ashby and creating Ashby’s work is absolutely stunning. The kind of purposeful, clear, intelligent writing that will make other writers both inspired and envious in equal turns.

Writing style aside, the story itself is a deeply interesting one as the both Ashby and the reader have to not only unpack some interesting ideas about identity in general, but what it looks like to be a female, a female writer, and a mother.

As a married person who is childless by choice because of the kind of selflessness that motherhood seems to require I appreciated the honesty of Joan’s experiences, and felt my heart break a little more each time she felt her own creative needs slipping away a little further. But as the book moves across the years of Joan’s life, it becomes apparent that her heart is a writer’s heart, and that there is not only permission, but grace, in continuing to create, in doing what you love.

Potential spoilers, so stop here and wait to enjoy the book if you want to remain entirely spoiler free.

There were only two things that didn’t work for me personally as a reader:

The section in which we see Daniel’s point of view as the main focus of the story. Closer to the end of the book I understood why this particular section, presented in this style, was helpful for Ashby’s story arc, but after becoming so invested in Joan and how she was processing things, it was jarring to move away from her.

The other thing was Kartar’s presence in Daniel’s story, and then in Ashby’s. Instead of feeling like some special connection in the universe between mother and son, it felt like an Indian version of the “magical negro,” with Kartar doing nothing but randomly providing kind and unsolicited insight into Daniel’s life, and then welcoming Ashby and serving as her guide of sorts years later in his home setting. This felt like an unnecessary addition to an otherwise uniquely remarkable story.

Overall, this was a stunning, well-crafted read, that had me rooting for Joan Ashby, reveling over the intentional choices any person makes, but especially a woman, and itching to pick up my own pen.