Edgewise

Edgewise is a great read, with lots of humor that pops in at unexpected moments, and it really captures the feel of urban California life, but what I liked best about it was that it moved me. It's great to be entertained, but books that can not only do that but also make you feel something for the characters don't come along every day. I'm hoping for a sequel so I can see more of these great characters!

Jan Stites has written a truly compelling account of a woman who confronts her inner demons. Simone is in the midst of an emotional meltdown and finds herself in unfamiliar territory with people whom she had always considered "others". As she grapples with her own issues she discovers her shared humanity with these others. The characters become so alive that reading this book is almost like watching a movie. It's so real, so moving, so heartfelt that the story pulls you along like a rip tide. Stites' thoughtful yet vernacular language engages your mind as well as your heart. I highly recommend this very powerful book.

Loved this book. Seemed slow at first, but before you knew it, you were hooked.

Very gritty. Stayed with you after you put the book down. Made the reader looks at his or her own emotions and reactions to pay trauma.

This book was filed with rich characters. You had to pull away the layers to find the heartbreak beneath. I became very vested in the character's stories.

Good read. Definitely would recommend.

A page-turner that unspools revelation after revelation about the inner pain that drives outer self-destruction. Simone and Satch (two of the main characters) have a place in my heart. Stites' marvelous dialogue, larded with edgy humor, pops the characters off the page. Tight turns in the writing juxtapose stream-of-sardonic-consciousness with the platitudes and lies behind which many of us hide. Anyone of any age struggling with the mysteries of determined, eyes-wide-shut self-sabotage should read this book.

Great book ! The novel should be a required summer read for all high school students. The author does a masterful job at bringing to the readers attention a host of societal issues facing our nation, especailly racial issues, mental health, family abuse, and under-funded programs.

Edgewise by Jan Stites is a story of perseverance and courage; but most of all, it is a story of survival. Athough the setting and events were unfamiliar, I felt a strong connection with the very human story of family and friendship. Stites gives a gripping and insightful portrayal of the struggle to move beyond suffering. Despite the difficulties encountered by the characters, Edgewise is an uplifting story because through the stuggle comes hope and promise. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a good read.
Marilyn Bair Gaithersburg, MD

Jan Stites' Edgewise is a stark and realistic tale that unfolds in an inner city setting. Simone and Satch are women whose paths cross while in treatment for their life-and-death mental and physical demons. Their dialogue reveals racial and cultural backgrounds unlikely to be bridged by true friendship. Yet, the two learn understanding and empathy that point to a more hopeful future. Brilliantly written with touches of humor as well as understanding of the dark recesses of the mind. I highly recommend this excellent first novel by a gifted writer!

Anna Dabney
Oakland, California

This novel explores the quiet agony of Simone, a self-destructive, middle-class, suburban teacher who ends up in a tough, inner-city psychiatric hospital. Although the book contains gritty details about Simone's desire to hurt herself through "cutting," it is also filled with humor, healing and an unforgettable cast of characters. It is the first book I've read that deals with this psychiatric condition. "Edgewise" is my book club's current selection and I look forward to discussing the many issues that this book raises.

Jan Stites has a powerful style of writing, I haven't been able to read a book in years without falling asleep after reading a paragraph but I had a hard time putting Edgewise down, and I read it in two days. Edgewise was so very gripping. The characters in Edgewise came alive for me, and I wanted to help them through their painful emotional journeys. I recommend Edgewise to anyone who wants to enter the worlds of mental illness and its complexities.
--Kathy Sawyer, Oakland, CA

Stites shows an astonishing grasp of the basic human spirit in her touching, often humorous, novel EDGEWISE, a story of two self-destructive women, a white suburban school teacher and a poor black woman, who form an unlikely bond in an inner-city mental hospital. EDGEWISE would create lively discussions in book groups and in clinical settings. I highly recommend it. Madelon Phillips

This book captures your attention from the first page. It is a riviting story depicting a women's struggle to overcome the impact of adversity. It also does a great job of depicting the cultural and racial differences among the patients in recovery and the multiple emotional layers of the healing process.

The review I read on Edgewise compelled me to chose this book for our book club. I was not disappointed! It is easy to care about Simone and get to know all of the characters well. This book is a must read and one that will stick with you. Jan Stites came to our book club and she is fascinating! I can't say enough good things about Edgewise and Jan Stites.

I bought this book yesterday and finished it in early hours of this morning. It is a great book that I couldn't put down. I love the relationship that is built between Simone and Satch. It was a joy to read.The author of this book is my 8th grade English teacher and it was a honor to have been her student and to be able to share in her joy of this novel.

A true honest depiction of a women in emotional trouble, searching for love & lasting connections. A definite page turner, I highly recommend reading about these complex & rich characters, most especially Simone. I hope to read more from Jan Stites!