≡ Read Gratis We Shall Not All Sleep A Novel Estep Nagy 9781632868411 Books

We Shall Not All Sleep A Novel Estep Nagy 9781632868411 Books

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We Shall Not All Sleep A Novel Estep Nagy 9781632868411 Books

This book takes place over three days in July, 1964 on a private island in Maine. Two families that have long co-habited the summer retreat come together once again to honor beloved traditions, and this time, to tackle a series of crises that threaten jobs, reputations, marriages and a boy’s survival. These families have endured and thrived since Colonial times, but now must use all of their wit and guile and love to navigate the trials of the weekend.

Once the groundwork is established, through a series of flashbacks, the plot moves forward quickly and takes on the feel of a thriller, as our sympathy for the characters grows alongside the brisk onslaught of action.

Yet Nagy has written more than a fast-moving family story. He has placed the families directly in the path of some of America’s darker historical events. No, not the Civil War, nor Vietnam. Instead Nagy chooses events that are lesser known and more foreign – a Red Scare in NY and a CIA mole hunt. The families’ responses to these Stasi-like predicaments are creative and admirable, but the implications are devastating. We watch an American family take on Old World techniques to survive. We are back where we started, way back.

Once you realize that Nagy’s families are not typical WASPs, you start to see the story take on, as Nagy says, “a pre-Socratic depth.” The July celebrations on Seven Island do not include July 4th. Instead they celebrate older traditions like pastoral feasts, initiation rites, communal living and deliberate Dionysian disorder. I was left with the sense that Nagy was providing his readers a guide to restoring meaning in the vacuum left by an America that has fallen short of its civic ideals.

Finally, Nagy loves words and chooses them well. You need to savor this gift by reading slowly, because Nagy has a pithy style. If a paragraph did not make you pause to either appreciate the word choice or contemplate its layered meaning, you missed something beautiful.


Tags : We Shall Not All Sleep: A Novel [Estep Nagy] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <b>“An utterly compelling novel from a brilliant new voice.” --M.L. Stedman, author of The Light Between Oceans </i></b> Seven Island has two houses. One for Hillsingers and one for Quicks.</i> 1964. The Hillsingers and the Quicks have shared the small Maine island of Seven for generations. But though technically family--Jim Hillsinger and Billy Quick married Park Avenue sisters Lila and Hannah Blackwell--they do not mix. Now,Estep Nagy,We Shall Not All Sleep: A Novel,Bloomsbury USA,1632868415,Coming Of Age,Family Life,Domestic fiction,FICTION Family Life,Intergenerational relations,Intergenerational relations;Fiction.,Maine,Upper class families,Upper class families;Fiction.,WASPs (Persons),WASPs (Persons);Fiction.,100301 Bloomsbury US Adult HC,AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY FICTION,American Contemporary Fiction - Individual Authors +,FICTION Coming of Age,FICTION Family Life General,FICTION Historical General,Family Life General,Fiction,Fiction-Coming of Age,FictionComing of Age,FictionFamily Life - General,GENERAL,General Adult,United States

We Shall Not All Sleep A Novel Estep Nagy 9781632868411 Books Reviews

A literary triumph. Compelling and masterful insight into American social and political life of an era gone but not forgotten, and relevant now perhaps more than ever.
An engaging and quick summer read
Well written and enjoyable novel. What may have been a slow start turned into a book with such atmosphere that I find myself missing it and hoping for another.
A finely crafted family epic. Very interesting characters, and a surprising link to a fraught period in American history.
A beautifully crafted, lyrical writing style defines this debut novel. The storyline is mysterious and tension filled, and kept my interest completely. I read it in one day while on vacation. Looking forward to more from this author.
This was such an interesting read - I had the pleasure of attending an event where the author spoke and there are so many layers and nuances that I went back and re-read it to make sure I was able to appreciate it all. Clearly Nagy is a gifted writer, he loves words and chooses them beautifully. This is not a book if you want a quick fast read that you'll forget the next day. The characters lingered with me long after I finished the book and not everything wraps up with a tidy bow. It asks more of the reader to imagine their next adventures and I for one am hoping there is a sequel to this book as I really want to know what happens to the family, especially Catta!
Loved this book! The story and characters were complex and multifaceted, and the descriptions of the island in Maine were so beautiful and evocative. . .I read it in 3 days but keep thinking about it -and imagine I will continue to think about the place, the characters, and the choices they make for a long time. Excited to see more from this author!
This book takes place over three days in July, 1964 on a private island in Maine. Two families that have long co-habited the summer retreat come together once again to honor beloved traditions, and this time, to tackle a series of crises that threaten jobs, reputations, marriages and a boy’s survival. These families have endured and thrived since Colonial times, but now must use all of their wit and guile and love to navigate the trials of the weekend.

Once the groundwork is established, through a series of flashbacks, the plot moves forward quickly and takes on the feel of a thriller, as our sympathy for the characters grows alongside the brisk onslaught of action.

Yet Nagy has written more than a fast-moving family story. He has placed the families directly in the path of some of America’s darker historical events. No, not the Civil War, nor Vietnam. Instead Nagy chooses events that are lesser known and more foreign – a Red Scare in NY and a CIA mole hunt. The families’ responses to these Stasi-like predicaments are creative and admirable, but the implications are devastating. We watch an American family take on Old World techniques to survive. We are back where we started, way back.

Once you realize that Nagy’s families are not typical WASPs, you start to see the story take on, as Nagy says, “a pre-Socratic depth.” The July celebrations on Seven Island do not include July 4th. Instead they celebrate older traditions like pastoral feasts, initiation rites, communal living and deliberate Dionysian disorder. I was left with the sense that Nagy was providing his readers a guide to restoring meaning in the vacuum left by an America that has fallen short of its civic ideals.

Finally, Nagy loves words and chooses them well. You need to savor this gift by reading slowly, because Nagy has a pithy style. If a paragraph did not make you pause to either appreciate the word choice or contemplate its layered meaning, you missed something beautiful.