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Gwyn Hyman Rubio

Author of Icy Sparks

3+ Works 2,734 Members 47 Reviews 2 Favorited

About the Author

Image credit: Photo by Hayward Wilkerson

Works by Gwyn Hyman Rubio

Icy Sparks (1998) 2,574 copies
The Woodsman's Daughter (2005) 138 copies
Love and Ordinary Creatures (2014) 22 copies

Associated Works

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Common Knowledge

Canonical name
Rubio, Gwyn Hyman
Birthdate
1949-08-07
Gender
female
Nationality
USA
Places of residence
Macon, Georgia, USA
Kentucky, USA
Education
Florida State University
Warren Wilson College
Occupations
Author
Relationships
Hyman, Mac (father)
Awards and honors
Cecil Hackney Award

Members

Reviews

Awful. Could not get through this. Gave up before page 80.
 
Flagged
robinmnz | 4 other reviews | Dec 17, 2023 |
Book on CD performed by Kate Miller

From the book jacket: Rural Kentucky in the 1950s is not an easy place to grow up, and it’s especially hard for ten-year-old Icy Sparks, an orphan who lives with her grandparents. Life becomes even more difficult for Icy when violent tics and uncontrollable cursing begin – symptoms brought on by a troubling affliction that goes undiagnosed until her adulthood.

My reactions
We know much more about Tourette’s Syndrome today than during the timeframe of this story, and I hope even the residents of rural Appalachia would be more compassionate about a young girl so afflicted.

Icy Sparks jumps off the pages of this book straight into the reader’s heart. This is a child who is curious, intelligent, kind, loving, and who learns to stand up to bullies and fight for herself. She shows empathy and compassion in her dealings with others even when they ostracize and belittle her. I loved her friendship with Miss Emily, an obese woman who knows a thing or two about being friendless and lonely. I wanted to throttle the teacher who so obviously hated this child. I was glad that the principal showed more genuine caring for Icy and that he made efforts to help and encourage her. And I can’t say enough bad things about the hospital worker who delighted in inflicting pain (physical and mental) on the vulnerable patients in her charge. As distressing as that episode was for Icy, it helped define the woman she would become.

Kate Miller does an excellent job narrating the audiobook. She brought these characters to life, and I really loved how she interpreted Icy.
… (more)
 
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BookConcierge | 30 other reviews | Dec 18, 2022 |
This one took me an inordinate amount of time to finish because I just couldn’t get into it. Being a counselor, I enjoy reading books about the ever changing world of psychology and the mental system in the US. This book explores the life of a young girl growing up with Tourette’s Syndrome in a rural community in the 1950s. Not much was known about Tourette’s at that time and, to be honest, not much has changed (except treatment methodology).

This book had some poignant moments, but overall it fell flat for me. I didn’t connect with any of the characters; I felt they were mostly underdeveloped and static. Due to the subject matter, I expected the language, so that didn’t bother me as it otherwise would. The ending, however, lacked closure and felt rushed. I wish there had been more exploration of music therapy as it’s proven to be highly (miraculously even) effective across the spectrum of mental disorders. There were some good points, but I was fairly disappointed and wouldn’t really recommend it nor do I think I’ll ever need to read it again.… (more)
 
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TrojaHousehold | 30 other reviews | Apr 14, 2022 |
Not any easy read due to slang type language.
 
Flagged
kshydog | 30 other reviews | Dec 13, 2020 |

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Statistics

Works
3
Also by
1
Members
2,734
Popularity
#9,397
Rating
½ 3.4
Reviews
47
ISBNs
40
Languages
2
Favorited
2

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