Gabriella Burnham

When Linda’s husband, Dennis, accepts a year-long teaching assignment at the University of Sao Paolo, she’s happy to do. She’s been caring for her dying father, ignoring her writing career and at loose ends. Most of the story is told as if she is talking to her husband. Her first challenge in Brazil is what to do with Marta, the black woman who has been assigned as their maid. A maid won’t solve her loneliness problem though. On a chance encounter she becomes friends with Cilia who is mysterious…so different than Linda. It develops into a short-term romance which includes a few days at the beach. And then there is the wealthy wife of the university provost, with whom Linda feels obligated to associate. And in this story, debut author Burnham gives us a lot to think about as we ponder the purpose of our lives.… (altro)

The story is easy to read, told in the form of a retrospective from a wife to her husband. In Brazil, where he has a teaching position for a year, this succinct tale takes place and mainly explores the delicate balance of love and friendship. Who knew linear storytelling would become such a rarity these days that it's fresh?! Linda explores her feelings and interests in a world completely different from her own. She takes up with a selfish eccentric, Celia, who lends more than a little spice to the story. She eventually comes to value of her commitment to her husband and generosity of spirit. This is an author to watch.… (altro)

Beautifully poetic title (it's a reference to a song), incredible cover design, and both perfectly represent the inside contents of this book. The prose is so lush and descriptive, I can't count the number of quotes I copied down. There's a pervasive sense of intimacy and loneliness to it.. Overall, I enjoyed "It is Wood, It is Stone" very much. I was hooked pretty much as soon as I started, and read it over a few a few sittings.

The less than stellar parts of this book are few. I felt that chapter 24 was a (temporary) departure from the main narrative in a way that wasn't properly built up to. It was beautifully written as well, and I enjoyed it, but as Marta is aloof toward Linda for most of the book, it's rather sudden when she relays such a personal story.

Also, my feelings about the way things end are mixed. I feel like it implies some less than good stereotypes about bi women, i.e., that they can't have lasting relationships with other women and will eventually settle down with a man. Celia was in love with Rafael the entire time, and Linda returns to her husband (it's revealed that this book was written with her addressing him as "you" because it's something she wrote to and for him, part confessional and part love letter). It's not that I feel like this story would have worked better if it went differently, but for me personally it left me feeling a little disappointed.

Another small thing: it states outright what Celia's purpose was in the story, what she "meant" to Linda, which could have been left as subtext.

Anyway, my experience with this book wasn't affected disproportionately. I thought it was lovely, and will probably reread it in the future.

*read via NetGalley… (altro)