Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
I want to read the book!
All characters reduced
The First and the Last - cover

The First and the Last

Sona Schmidt-Harris

Publisher: Europa Edizioni

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

If she could only jump from a plane, and fall through that color—fall through the cloud crevasse in which she imagined her mother temporarily dwelt—a fuchsia-lit portal growing whiter as her mother raced to her grandmother’s love within a wormhole to paradise.Mid 1990s: Mormon-raised sisters Cassandra and Sarah Anderson from Holladay, Utah, find a second, exciting, and difficult home in New York City. Anorexic and withering, Sarah fights for life while Cassandra, a feisty and scrappy artist, fights to stay in its center. In part because of a seizure disorder, Cassandra is the lucky and not-so-lucky recipient of visionary experiences, often channeled into her successful exhibitions.Theodore Ascott, a tragic and sensitive heir, falls in love with Cassandra but can find no home in the refuge of art as she does. The deaths of four people and the absence of one cast a long shadow over all.With echoes of Angels in America, The First and the Last examines origins and the interplay of lives inextricably changing one another forever.Sona Schmidt-Harris is a published poet and fiction writer. As an award-winning journalist, she particularly enjoyed writing profiles of individuals. Travel writing is also in her blood. Her publication debut was in Short and Long and Even a Song, the esteemed literary journal of San Miguel Elementary School in Walnut Creek, California. In addition to Northern California, Sona lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, and as a five-year resident of New York City, she was witness to the events of 9/11 and refers to her Manhattan years as “the best of times; the worst of times.” She currently calls Lisbon, Portugal, home.After earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology and English Literature, Sona’s parents were happy when she did something practical by obtaining a paralegal certificate, which she used to earn the bulk of her living.Life with her willful wire fox terrier and husband in Lisbon keeps her on her toes. She continues to be awed by the mystery and grace of the Portuguese.
Available since: 05/28/2025.

Other books that might interest you

  • The Secret Agent - cover

    The Secret Agent

    Joseph Conrad

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    "The Secret Agent" is a novel written by Joseph Conrad, first published in 1907. The story is set in London in the late 19th century and revolves around the activities of a group of anarchists and a plot to strike a blow against the oppressive government. The central character, Mr. Verloc, is a secret agent tasked with infiltrating the anarchist circles, but his personal motivations and the complexities of the political landscape lead to tragic consequences.
    Show book
  • Peter's Triump: Overcoming Obstacles with a Hop and a Stammer - English Version - cover

    Peter's Triump: Overcoming...

    Rocjane

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    On a quiet farm, a young rabbit named Peter is born with a speech disability. His struggles to communicate make him an outcast among his fellow rabbits. He is left feeling lonely and misunderstood. With the steadfast support of his owner, Mrs. Thompson, Peter overcomes his limitations through practice and determination. When Peter enters a prestigious rabbit show, his bravery and resilience shine. As he stutters and stammers through the judges’ questions, Peter’s confidence grows. To everyone’s surprise, he is awarded “Best of Show”! This experience ignites a fire within him. Peter’s victory transforms his life. He realizes his disability does not define him. He embraces his uniqueness and inspires others facing similar challenges. Peter’s captivating presence and charm attract countless friends, and his story spreads far and wide. He continues to compete, achieving remarkable success and proving that greatness transcends the boundaries of speech. Peter’s remarkable journey leaves a lasting impact, reminding us all to never let our disabilities define us and to believe in ourselves no matter the obstacles we face.
    Show book
  • Dancing With Dan - cover

    Dancing With Dan

    D. E. Bartley

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Lily Johnson is the baby of her family, causing her two big brothers and Pops to be overprotective. All she wants to do is stretch her wings and live her own life in Alabama without answering to anyone. When she finds a cottage up for sale in the middle of nowhere she jumps at the chance to buy it. But with the peace and quiet comes the isolation, and she soon learns there is a reason the cottage is empty. When she starts to feel unsafe there is only one person she calls on - her brothers best friend and local police officer, Dan Watkins. 
 
Dan looks to his best friend's sister as family, but when he sees her in danger and scared, a new feeling overcomes him as he is determined to protect the beautiful Lily. No one will put her in harms way and gets away with it. 
 
As the two are forced to spend more time together, they realise there may be more to their relationship than they originally thought. But can the two keep their feelings hidden from those who will judge them? Can Dan protect his Lily when she needs him the most? Will her family accept their new relationship? Or will it be over before they have the chance to enjoy their new found love for one another?
    Show book
  • A Story Can Be Told About Pain - cover

    A Story Can Be Told About Pain

    Lisa Martin

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    When an accident upends their lives, fourteen-year-old Shiloh and her mother Ruth must leave their idyllic home to make a new life in the city. They find housing—through an evangelical church operating out of a strip mall—that backs onto the grounds of the abandoned Pacific Hospital for the Mind. Their lives begin to intersect with their new neighbors—Raymond, a handyman whose painful past is coming to a head; Dave, the disillusioned pastor looking for a new wife; and Madeleine, a ninety-year-old former nurse who worked at the hospital and continues to make pilgrimages to the graves of the patients she once cared for. As Shiloh becomes involved with an undercurrent of teenagers who frequent the grounds of the ruined asylum, her rebellion and grief push her towards choices she can never take back. 
 
 
 
With evocative, lyrical prose reminiscent of Emily Ruskovich and Marilynne Robinson, A Story Can Be Told About Pain is a profound meditation on care, grief, and survival, reveling in the beauty of language, finding solace in grief, and boldly confronting truth in order to heal.
    Show book
  • The Prince of Pads - cover

    The Prince of Pads

    Ellis M Lee

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Immerse Yourself in the Epic Fantasy Adventure of "The Prince of Pads" by Ellis M. Lee 
Embark on an unforgettable journey to the enchanting planet of Triax with "The Prince of Pads," a mesmerizing audiobook by Ellis M. Lee, brilliantly narrated by Peter Coates. Set in a Renaissance-like era, this captivating tale follows two young royals as they navigate the trials of coming of age amid the sinister presence of the demigod Turbar. 
Why You'll Love "The Prince of Pads":Epic Fantasy Setting: Explore Triax, a stunning Earth-sized planet in the outer reaches of a spiral galaxy, home to humans, fairies, and dwarves.Compelling Characters: Follow the Sons of Mada, guided by "the Code of Life," as they battle the tyrannical rule of Turbar.Universal Themes: Experience a story rich with themes of courage, friendship, and the triumph of good over evil. 
What You'll Discover Inside:Rich World-Building: Delve into a world where clever talking creatures and breathtaking heroics abound.Engaging Plot: Be captivated by a charming storyline filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.Masterful Narration: Enjoy Peter Coates' expert narration, bringing the rich tapestry of Triax to life and immersing you in this epic adventure. 
Begin Your Adventure Today 
Join countless listeners who have been transported to a realm where courage and determination reign supreme. Let "The Prince of Pads" by Ellis M. Lee, narrated by the talented Peter Coates, take you on a spellbinding adventure that will resonate long after the final chapter. Don't miss out on this unforgettable audiobook experience that will leave you yearning for more.
    Show book
  • The Mysterious Affair at Styles - cover

    The Mysterious Affair at Styles

    Agatha Christie

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Tragedy strikes at the estate at Styles. The old woman dies from what appears to be strychnine poisoning. The funny little Belgian, Hercule Poirot is called in to investigate, though he appears to disregard every bit of damaging evidence. Has the great detective lost his touch?
    Show book