Melba's Wash
by Reesa Steinman Brotherton
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Pub Date Sep 01 2019 | Archive Date Dec 10 2019
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Description
Melba's Wash is a rich telling of the archetypal search. In this fractured familial story, Esther Prat wraps her fingers with her diamond necklace and reflects on the secrets, lies, and pain that haunt her life, and makes her choice. Born on Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, as an infant she is unceremoniously taken to Montreal, Quebec, to spend the first ten years of her life brought up in an affluent Jewish family. At the age of ten, upon the death of her “daddy,” she is without explanation not allowed to attend his funeral and is taken on a train destined for New Brunswick, back to the poverty-stricken environment of her family of origin. The culture shock results in emotional and spiritual torment, undermining her self-esteem and sense of identity. On into life, marriage, children, divorce, a devastating flood, geographical moves, and a battle with pharmaceutical drugs, she struggles to maintain equilibrium and balance of past and present.
A Note From the Publisher
Steinman Brotherton was taken to Montreal, raised Jewish, then at age 10 sent back to her family of origin. A “dark horse” among Canadian authors, she received a certificate of creative writing from Humber college and is a graduate of writing from the University of Calgary.
Marketing Plan
• Advanced copies available on Netgalley.
• Launches in Toronto and in Calgary in September 2019.
• Advanced copies available on Netgalley.
• Launches in Toronto and in Calgary in September 2019.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781771834001 |
| PRICE | $20.00 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Cheryl S, Reviewer
When young Melba Girling, of Grand Manaan Island, New Brunswick, gave birth to her fourth child, a baby girl, she was so thoroughly exhausted, she could not even fathom choosing a name for the child. So, she called her big sister Flora and "brother in law" Sammy Weinstein, living in Montreal, to choose the baby's name. Sammy chose Esther, a beautiful heroine of the Jewish people. Six months later, Melba calls Flora again, asking her if she can do her a favour and watch Esther, just for six months. Russel, Melba's husband, was drinking too much, and Melba had to work in the fish cannery, (to try to make ends meet), and she just did not have the energy to look after baby Esther. She promised it would be only 6 months ... Well, 6 months turned into 10 years, and Esther Girling was raised as the Jewish "princess", Esther "Weinstein", (and NOT "Girling"), in Montreal. She was the apple of Sammy's eye. Esther believed Flora and Sammy were her true parents and no one told her otherwise. Then, due to an unfortunate circumstance, Esther, is returned to Melba, and to the poverty of Grand Manaan, New Brunswick, and to a family she does not know or understand, and that could be and were, downright cruel to Esther.
That is the background of the book Melba"s Wash. I was immediately attracted to the book on #netgalley, because of its tie in to Montreal. I always try to prioritize books that take place in Montreal, and this also tied in with Jewish Montreal, moving it even higher up in my priority list. Esther's story is such an unfortunate one, but it did make for a REALLY interesting read. The notion that these sisters flipped a child back and forth, is really shocking.
If this at all appeals to you I would suggest you pick up this book I give it 5 stars! Thank you #netgalley for the eARC and the opportunity to read #melbaswash. I loved it.
