Nickels

PRAISE FOR CHRISTINE STARK“…These brilliantly written pieces stimulated the board into a lively discussion of language, point of view, and politics, and resulted in a resounding ‘yes’ from everyone on the importance of using these two pieces together, as point-counterpoint on the themes of violence against women and the nuanced and challenging process of surviving that violence.” —Minnie Bruce Pratt Creative Writing Editor for the Feminist Studies Editorial Board “The judging panel believes Christine Stark’s work is both art and metaphor. She creates story and mood using a stream of consciousness style. The writing is rhythmic, and lyrical with conscious and authoritative use of various techniques such as repetition. In Christine’s story, the perpetrator behaves as if his act, an assault, is one of mundane evil. This story alludes to the reality of society’s marginalized—vulnerable to everyday evils—mundane for some, not so for others. The panel applauds Christine’s writing talents, her willingness to take a risk by composing a raw, provocative piece designed to invite us to consider the nature of mundane evil from several unexpected points of view.” —Sandra Lloyd, The Pearls Writing Group “Take a dark journey with Christine Stark, deep into the dungeon that is i****t. Follow crazy girl as she fights for her dignity and sense of self-worth. Then cheer when she finally finds the strength to say: ‘I know my name now and you do not frighten me.’” —Julian Sher, author of Somebody’s Daughter: The Hidden Story of America’s Prostituted Children and the Battle to Save Them “In Nickels, Christine Stark powerfully portrays the story of a***e and its impact on our lives. This beautifully written and compelling story leaves you wanting more. It’s riveting; a book that will capture you from the beginning and carry you through the end. Everyone should read this book.” —Olga Trujillo, author of The Sum of My Parts “To be taken into the mind of a child can be an enchanting adventure, but to be taken into the mind of a child who is abused, confused, and taken for granted is a lingering, livid journey. Stark’s poised yet cerebral writing style stays with you long after you have delved into the first chapter and regrettably finished the last. She has vividly exposed a world that unfortunately exists for many. I applaud her fortitude to bring an olden—too long ignored—truth out of the darkness with blazing, innovative light.” — MariJo Moore, author of The Diamond Doorknob “Christine Stark has crafted a language and a diction commensurate with the shredding of consciousness that is a consequence of childhood s****l a***e. She brings us a wholly original voice in a riveting novel of desperation and love. Nickels is narrated by Miss So And So, as her mother names her, from the ages of 4 to 26, a character so compelling I never wanted to stop hearing from her. She names herself crazy girl, but the reader sees a different truth: there’s humor and cunning and ferocious love alive in those who survive. Stark enables the reader to inhabit the intricacy and chaos of this potent inner landscape, and we have not seen this before. Every sentence vibrates with a terrible beauty. Every sentence brings the news.” —Patricia Weaver Francisco, author of Telling: A Memoir of r**e and Recovery