Hmm, this is a hard one. I've been trying to catch up on books I missed while in grad school and haven't been reading much that's been published in 2008. One I liked was "From Dead to Worse" by Charlaine Harris. It's a fun and fast read. I also enjoyed the latest Lynn Flewelling book "Shadows Return". A good YA book is "Hero" by Perry Moore. Technically it came out last year, but I only just got to it earlier this year. I've been reading a lot of good things about "Tigerheart". It received a good review in the latest issue of Locus.
I've recently subscribed to your podcast, and have been catching up on episodes.
I stopped in mid-laundry sorting when I listened to your recommendation of 'Away' by Amy Bloom, because I've heard a very similar story before.
I work in theatre myself (stage managing), and this past August I got to be part of a workshop for new operas that are in development. One of them tells the story of Lillian Alling, who came arrived in New York from Russia, and ended up walking back to Russia via Canada and the panhandle.
The opera though, is based on fact, or as much fact as the librettist could find (Google Lillian Alling!). I haven't read Bloom's book, but from the sound of it, I think I know where she got the inspiration. The Lillian Alling story is said to have taken place in the 1920s.
We workshopped 3 different operas that week, and I don't have my papers with me so I might be wrong, but I think that one will be premiered by Vancouver Opera in 2010 or so.
Rycrafty-
Yup, Amy Bloom's story was definitely based in truth... there were newspaper headlines about the Woman Who Walked to Russia. And the main character in Bloom's book is named Lillian Leyb.
Thanks for finding us and for listening!
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