Carly's Sound by Author Ali Vali
A Heart Breaking Journey of Loving After Losing Someone to Cancer.
In Ali Vali's novel Carly's Sound, the reader goes on a romantic ride laced with sadness and triumph. Her witty prose makes the reader laugh, even through the tears.
Carly's Sound (2006, Bold Strokes Books- 2007 Lesbian Debut Author Goldie Award Finalist) is Ali Vali's book about living beyond the death of a loved one, and learning how to not only keep going, but to love and trust again.
The Story:
It is the story of Poppy Valente, who loses her cherished partner, Carly, to breast cancer. While trying to find herself, and a reason for living again, she meets Julia Johnson, a woman with a child who is running from a past in order to find a future.
Together, they begin to heal themselves and one another. Vali treats the reader to a view of new love, and all of the emotions that go along with it, including the uncertainty and the joy. She also captures the sense of desolation those left behind feel. Lizzie, Carly and Poppy's daughter, is central to Carly's healing, but Vali does not allow the reader to forget that Lizzie, too, has lost someone she cherished, and how difficult it is for her at times to see Carly move on. Death affects so many.
Humor In Carly's Sound
Perhaps the most surprising thing about this novel, is its humor. Carly is an important character, even after she has died. The reader almost feels bad for laughing at times, and just as soon dissolves into tears, only to be uplifted by laughter once again moments later. Issues of learning to trust again are just as important as issues of learning to love again, and the reader gets emotionally involved with the characters and story, desperately wanting to make everything better for all of them.
This is what makes this story special, and one that is unique in so many ways. Reading about cancer, even if it is fiction, can be scary. But Ali Vali does it with such a perfect blend of humor and sadness, of despair and triumph, that the reader is compelled to turn the pages. The story is told in a refreshingly direct way, allowing the reader to be intimately involved in the journey.
The Author:
Ali Vali is the author of The Casey Family Saga, a lesbian mob themed series: The Devil Inside, (2007 Mystery/Thriller/Adventure Award Finalist) The Devil Unleashed, and Deal With the Devil (April 2008). She also has Calling The Dead coming out in November 2008. Her novel Second Season takes on love after Hurricane Katrina, a subject near and dear to the New Orleans native.
Ali Vali has a distinct, unique style. She infuses humor in situations that otherwise might make a reader cringe, and creates a depth of tension in serious situations that keep the reader on edge and entertained. Some of her characters are villains we love, and some are the "good guys" we dislike the most. There is rarely any black and white in her writings, but there is always a fantastic story.
Further Resources:
Bold Strokes Books- Lesbian Publishing House
Ali Vali's Website
