Blog Archives
Family and Belonging
Cinnamon Girl follows a fifteen-year-old girl who, after her grandmother’s death, heads off on an adventure, looking for romance, only to discover a world more dangerous than she imagined. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve always been fascinated by the politics of the late 1960s and the 1970s. I did live through that era but like Eli I was young and didn’t understand a lot of what was going on. The set up has a basis in my life. I did grow up in an environment of arts and music, and for one year of my life I lived in Webster Groves, Missouri, with my older brother and his wife and kids. Like Eli’s dad, my brother was against the war in Vietnam, but there the similarities stop.
Eli’s story is not your typical coming-of-age tale of a young girl; rather, she encounters a world filled with anger and strife as the country goes through a period of drastic changes and revolution. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
When Eli encounters some members of the Black Panthers she gets an inside look at racism and is exposed to her own unconscious bias. But because her step-grandmother was a free spirit and open-minded, Eli is able to understand the unfairness of the situation. I know it’s a cliché these days, but those hippie ideals of “peace, love, and brotherhood” do come to matter to her.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
This is a story about family and belonging. Eli is constantly searching for and creating family wherever she goes. But none of them are permanent. It isn’t till the end that she finds the home she’s been looking for.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
We have just released a second edition of my memoir, The Hummingbird Kiss: My Life as an Addict in the 1970s. The audiobook version of that will be released in February of 2024. And in January we are re-releasing my later memoir, My Mother’s Requiem.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
When her beloved step-grandmother, a semi-retired opera singer, dies of cancer in 1970, 15-year-old Eli Burnes runs away with a draft-dodger, thinking she’s on the road to adventure and romance. What she finds instead is a world of underground Weathermen, Black Power revolutionaries, snitches and shoot-first police. Eventually Eli is rescued by her father, who turns out both more responsible and more revolutionary than she’d imagined. But when he gets in trouble with the law, she finds herself on the road again, searching for the allies who will help her learn how to save herself.
Cinnamon Girl
Trish MacEnulty’s Cinnamon Girl is a compelling foray into the historical fiction genre set in the 1970s. It’s a novel that masterfully captures the essence of a tumultuous era, making it an intriguing read for those fascinated by this significant period in American history.
MacEnulty’s prose is a particular standout in Cinnamon Girl. It’s rich, evocative, and a perfect vehicle for transporting readers back in time. The balance of poetic and gritty language in the book is impressive, skillfully reflecting the emotional and social conflicts of the era. This stylistic choice enhances the immersive experience, making the setting and characters come alive in a vivid and authentic way.
The protagonist, Eli Burnes, embodies the rebellious spirit that defined much of the youth culture of the 70s. Her journey, set against the backdrop of post-Vietnam War America, is both compelling and heart-wrenching. MacEnulty’s portrayal of Eli’s struggle for identity and belonging amidst societal upheaval is deeply impactful, striking a chord with readers who may find parallels in their own search for self amidst chaos. One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its unflinching approach to controversial topics. MacEnulty doesn’t shy away from the realities of drugs, politics, sex, family dynamics, and betrayal, making Cinnamon Girl a bold and honest portrayal of the era. This candid approach adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative, making it not just a story about a girl growing up but a reflection of a society in flux.
Cinnamon Girl transcends the typical boundaries of coming-of-age fiction, offering a thought-provoking, immersive experience. It’s a novel that resonates long after the final page, making it a must-read for those who appreciate historical narratives that don’t just recount events but delve into the emotional undercurrents of an era. MacEnulty has created a memorable work that is as educational as it is entertaining, making it a highly recommended book for readers who enjoy a deep, meaningful exploration of history through the lens of personal growth and societal change.
Pages: 311 | ASIN : B0CHC8N4BS
The Great Storm
Saltwater and Driftwood is a thrilling historical novel that recounts the day that mother nature brought an island to the floor of Gulf. What inspired you to write this story?
I’ve always had a deep fascination with The Great Storm, living in the Houston area, we are constantly experiencing mother nature in some form. But I always kept coming back to this storm, wondering what it must have been like, how they must have felt that day and the days afterward. How the storm itself reshaped an Island, restructured the financial landscape of a state, and brought about the most ambitious engineering marvel that still exists to this day: The Galveston Seawall.
Clara is an intriguing character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
I wanted to bring a sense of helplessness to her idyllic world, a kind of helplessness that anyone who has been through a hurricane, or a tornado, or flood has felt. That overwhelming fear of not knowing what might happen next, how bad things may become. I wanted to show her strength and her sensitivity, her bond with her sister, and her desire to marry for love instead of security. I think that her fire is what makes her who she is, and ultimately helps her to survive and thrive even after the worst natural disaster on US soil.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
How, in the face of tragedy, people continue to band together, regardless of status, money, or power, to help each other in these times of need. We see it again and again in Texas, especially when storms collide with the coast. Other states come to help, ordinary people become heroes to others, bringing out boats and rescuing neighbors. No matter what we have faced in the past, what loss we endure, we overcome and rise up. We always will.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am, in fact, taking a break. Working on a few things at the moment, but nothing steadfast. When I am, I will let you know!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
The year is 1900, Galveston flourishes in the Gilded Age. It hails as the pride of Texas exports.
On the morning of September 8th, 1900, the hopes and dreams of Galvestonians will come to a tragic halt. In a time before storms were named, The Great Storm of Galveston, Texas has all but become a legend.
Through the eyes of Clara and the Gladys family, the past comes alive with love and hope, sorrow and tragedy. A historical novel that encompasses the scope of the storm, and the people affected by it.
A chilling re-telling of the day when mother nature would bring an island to the floor of the Gulf waters. A triumph of human spirit, and a testament to the great people who rose up amidst tragedy to rebuild against all odds.
Saltwater and Driftwood
Saltwater and Driftwood by Anna Walner is an engrossing and unforgettable historical fiction novel. We follow a young girl named Andrea as she is cleaning out her grandmother Clara’s items and stumbles upon her journal she has written as a teen. As Andrea reads Clara’s journal, we learn of the tragedy she endured and surviving The Great Galveston Hurricane.
Author Anna Walner has written a powerful and gripping tale of the terrible event that happened to Clara and her family. The author expertly jumps from Andrea’s perspective and then to Clara’s perspective without confusing the reader. I enjoyed that the author built up Clara’s story allowing us to connect with her and to understand her life before the hurricane hit.
Once the reader is deeply invested in Clara’s character, tragedy strikes, making it hard to put the book down. I was taken on an emotional journey alongside Clara and the losses she faced due to this unforeseen natural disaster. The author does a great job of allowing the reader to feel what Clara is feeling. You feel hopeless because there is nothing Clara can do, and you also feel sympathy and heartache for her as she grieves over the loss of her town and people.
Walner paints a vivid picture of the scenes down to the smell of the saltwater and describes the emotions the townspeople felt in the aftermath of the hurricane, making this a terrifyingly real read. However, this story is not all melancholy, as there are joyful moments that Clara experiences when she falls in love.
Saltwater and Driftwood is a brilliantly written historical novel that will appeal to history buffs and those who enjoy romance and triumph over natural disasters. I highly recommend this book as you will not want to put it down until the end.
Pages: 236 | ISBN : 1088032591
LITERARY TITAN 