A Child Out of Alcatraz

Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-child-out-of-alcatraz.html

A Child Out of Alcatraz is the story of Olivia and her family and a story of Alcatraz, the place and the prison. Olivia's father is a prison guard at Alcatraz. Her mother Vivien seems to be caught in a life that she feels captive in. Through flashbacks, we learn that she idealistically stepped into a marriage that did not lead to a life she envisioned. The promises and dreams differ greatly from the reality. The reality becomes a demanding husband, children, and an isolated life on Alcatraz. Told through Olivia's eyes, the story is one of Vivien's descent further and further into the despair of her life and the effects it has on show more Olivia.

This book tells two stories - one the fictional account of Olivia and one the true history of Alcatraz. The author provide many accounts of historical events seamlessly incorporating the characters through the story. It almost gives the book the tone and voice of a memoir.

Olivia's story is a heart wrenching one. A young child is forced to grow up too fast both because of where she lives and because her mother cannot "mother" her. My heart reaches out to her, wanting to protect and shelter her from the reality of her life. The character of Vivien is at times a sympathetic one because of the situation she finds herself in. However, because of some of her choices particularly towards her children, the sympathy wears thin after a while.

Overall, a beautiful debut novel which makes you care about the characters and what happens to them. I look forward to reading more from Tara Ison.

*** Reviewed for the LibraryThing Member Giveaway Program*** show less

This was certainly not the book I expected but in someways it was better. Thinking it would be more about the prison I found instead a heartfelt story about a family who lived on the island and how the isolation affected everyone. A young girl watches her mother slowly lose sight of who she is. This is a story that will stay with you for a long time. I won this from LibraryThing Members Giveaway and I recommend this book.

I was very fortunate to read this book. I found lots historical facts about Alcatraz and real life of people who lived side by side the prison, how little girl grown up in that isolated island.
It was mentioned in the story about Soviet era (former USSR) - I know what it means by heart…
I like the most from the book –the letter wrote mother to her daughter (a little girl, who spent her childhood on the island)

Review coming soon, or at least that's the intention.