Overview
The essays of One Grand Sweet Song begin in Joan Rudel’s childhood—a world in which her parents’ dedication to each other and their careers often leaves her with less-than-consistent guidance and mothering, and to care for her two younger siblings often more times than is safe.
The opera house where her father, baton in hand, inspires orchestra and singers to tell magical stories, is the one place where lonely young Joan feels safe. When the curtain rises, she is grateful for the dramatic company that shelters her with tragic tales she comes to regard as her private story time. There is strange comfort in the operas, as her life outside the theater is infused with music and more than a little drama and danger. An unbalanced relationship with her mother fuels her determination to cross-stitch the generations of her own family, literally and figuratively, with consistent love and support. Learning from all she witnesses on the stage, at home, and from a bevy of colorful members of an extended family, Joan is confident that she will be a mother quite unlike her own.
In these witty and poignant essays spanning a lifetime, Rudel embraces with humor and optimism the richness of her childhood and of her seventy-five years.
This book title, One Grand Sweet Song (A Memoir in Essays), ISBN: 9781647428112, by Joan Rudel, published by She Writes Press (January 28, 2025) is available in paperback. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
Unlike Amazon and other retailers who may also offer One Grand Sweet Song (A Memoir in Essays) books on their website, we specialize in large quantities and provide personal service, from trusted, experienced, friendly people in Portland, Oregon. We offer a Price Match Guarantee, and QuickQuote form, to make purchasing quick and easy.
Prefer to work with a human being when you order One Grand Sweet Song (A Memoir in Essays) books in bulk? Our Book Specialists are standing by Monday-Friday 8-5 PST, ready to help!