The Carolyne Letters - Softcover

Calkin, Abigail B.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0761000607 ISBN 13: 9780761000600

Publisher: Northwest Publishing, Incorporated, 1995

Synopsis

Amelia: young, naive, in love. Geoff: charming, narcissistic, intelligent. In a decidedly European affair, a young couple consummates a courtship destined for differences. The resultant pregnancy provides a haunting yet charming backdrop for the challenges of love and its often unwanted decisions. 1994 Benjamin Franklin Award Finalist Abigail B. Calkin has created such a rich and picturesque setting that The Carolyne Letters literally breathes life--life in all its splendor, simplicity and complexity.

About this title

About the Author:

Abigail B. Calkin is the author of novels and poems, and of educational books and numerous articles in which she writes about Precision Teaching and Standard Celeration Charting. She lives and writes in her cabin in bush Alaska.

Review:

Although I enjoyed Abigail Calkin's first novel, Nikolin, I almost set aside her second book, The Carolyne Letters, because it is written in one of my least favorite writing styles--journal entries. Had I not been preparing a review, I wouldn't have given this second novel the chance it deserves. So! If you feel the same way about this style--persevere! I'm glad I continued reading because The Carolyne Letters is very thought-provoking and well written.

The story revolves around a young college woman of the 60's who falls in love, enters into a relationship, and subsequently becomes pregnant, in spite of precautions. Because the father of the child disclaims all responsibility, the young woman must decide what to do. Facing three seemingly untenable choices, at least in her present circumstances, she must make a life choice for both herself and her unborn child.

Abigail Calkin has a unique way of dealing with the dilemma. Not only does this evolve into an intriguing story, but it is also a sensitive look at the options that many unmarried pregnant women must face. Not everyone is likely to feel the intensity of emotions that are portrayed by the novel's main character, but the agony of decision is very real to anyone who has been down this road. -- Capital City Weekly Alaska, Bonnie Elsensohn, 1995.

One sign of a field's coming of age is its appearance in literature. The Carolyne Letters by Abigail B Calkin, who is a behavior analyst, provides several such signals while following the decision making process of a young woman who in 1964 must decide whether to have her baby and keep it, put it up for adoption, or ungergo an abortion. After reading this well-paced book I felt a greater sense of empathy for women in that process.

Choice is the central element for the college student who is drawn to behavorism but suffers mis-teaching by professors and writers who have led her to conclude that Skinner's "views and research on rate and reinforcement will change he face of psychology(p.27)."

The book's central character, Amelia, feels misgivings about prevailing attitudes toward behaviorism. After reading one wrong critique she remarks, "He misrepresents behaviorism then proceeds to criticize his misrepresentation (p.14)."

While attempting to reconcile academic discussion with her real-world dilemma, Amelia asks, "What shall we have first? A solid science of psychology or of meteorology?" The answer may be meteorology but one doesn't need to be a weatherman to know that this introspective character has taken the reader on a journey about choices. In an exchange with her professor she fires a volley, "I think I have the freedom to choose what my thoughts arewhat my feelings are. Wolpe has developed a system for changing thoughts.(pp.105-106)." Amelia is, of course, coming to a choice of her own. What is that choice? I will not reveal the end here. In the end, "Choice has disappeared," but a touching novel has been born. -- Behavior Analysis Digest, Vol. 7, #4, Winter 1995, W. Joseph Wyatt

About this edition

• Publisher: Northwest Publishing, Incorporated
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0761000607
• ISBN 13: 9780761000600
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248