When the Crow Sings

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Three generations of women share a heritage entangled with secrets and unspoken sorrow. The unlikely parcel on Agnes’ lap is the fearless telling of their story that will finally bring redemption to this tragic legacy.

This semi-autobiographical novel looks at the effect of unwanted children on three generations of my family. A powerful read that will inspire you to take a look at your own family history.

Reviews from Amazon.com

An emotional and refreshingly honest read

This book is a page turner, a shocker, and a must read. An unadulterated account following three generations of Scottish women as they cycle through the destructive and painful annals of time, I felt myself tugged alongside of their struggles. A wonderfully cathartic novel for anyone seeking to face their own familial demons- this story is bound to stay with you for a long time. We should all be so fearless in the retelling of our own histories. Agnes is delivering a manuscript containing her niece’s recount from the point of view of the women in her family, starting with her own mother’s tragic love story that weaves itself through her own generation, and bleeding patterns into the next generation. The shock and pain of Agnes’ realization of events that happen alongside her life can be clearly felt. Despite all the irony that the sense of life’s inevitability themematically imparts, the story is surprisingly uplifting and hopeful. The women have strong spirits despite their flaws. The native dialogue will cause you to further immerse yourself in this book- a rare find that became an experience as well as an intriguing and emotional read. This one I can recommend with confidence.
—Christina Yen, New York, NY

Could not put it down

My favorite part of this book is how seamless and natural the language is. I got caught up in the story and lost in the wonderful dialect. The women in this book became very important to me and I lost a day of work reading because I could not put it down. It was a great read and left me feeling connected to the women in this family for days after.
—Amy Collins MacGregor “Book Girl 0930,” Troy, NY

A Stunner from Scotland

This is a powerful novel about three generations of women from Scotland, each one trying to carve out a life for herself, yet foiled and sometimes paralyzed by her family’s history. For those who wonder “what does this novel have to do with me?” pick it up and you won’t want to put it down. It is about the heartbreaking choices we make, about dreams that get cast away and then refound. The various plots are threaded together beautifully, and the pacing excellent. I am eagerly awaiting more writing from Jacqueline Wales. This one was on my top three for the year.
—Adele M. Barker, Tucson, AZ

Perfect storytelling

This is storytelling at it’s best. I read the whole book in two sessions. The beginning was compelling, the characters were like-able and the ending was beautiful!
—C. Ruenheck “she-reader,” Harvard, MA

Out of Darkness

This is a beautiful book! The author takes you back in time to tell the stories of several generations of Scottish women. The book rings true through the lyrical dialect of the place and period, as these women tell their stories of hardship, abuse, sacrifice and generational trauma. This book will resonate for anyone with a family history of abuse and poverty, but it’s not just about the pain. It’s about the resilience of the human spirit and the strength and power of love that transcends suffering and leaves you feeling uplifted and renewed.
—K. Andrews “eagle-watcher,” Burlington, WA

Loved this book

Jacqueline Wales has written a book worthy of a prize. She is, indeed, a master storyteller. I knew a little about her book before reading it (and loved the cover). At first I was concerned that the Scotish brogue would be difficult but I remained enthralled with the story of family hardships throughout. I am going to buy the CD when it becomes available so I can hear the brogue spoken. A well-written book and a fascinating work.
—Victoria Stephens “Gyllian,” San Francisco, CA

Heart wrenching and heart-touching—loved it

I just finished When the Crow Sings by Jacqueline Wales in two days, something I don’t do with fiction. I couldn’t get it out of my mind. It was not, however, until the last sentence that the tears came. No, gentle weeping is more accurate. Although it is very riling, it is also so riveting and cleverly written, that I was in awe at the end how it all came together. I also wanted more ( a sequel maybe?) Even though I have worked for years with women who have been abused and neglected by both parents and spouses, it was this novel that gave me a deep insight into the reality of the pain and consequences that others can inflict on us by their behaviors. So many feelings came up for me and I don’t have an abusive background at all. I recommend it for everyone whether you identify or not. It will touch your heart.
—Claudia Scott, Jacksonville, FL

Relating to When the Crow Sings

I enjoyed the book tremendously. I felt the angst between the mothers and daughters. It was like seeing a big chunk of my life with my mother. The inability to understand or make another understand was heartbreaking. It seems to be a common feeling between mothers and daughters. I felt for them all, the abandoned and the abandoners: the hopelessness.
Rosemary Calabretta “his girl”

Captivating!

WOW! I didn’t put this book down until I’d finished it. I found myself loving all the characters in spite of their flaws because of their deep and real humanity. The texture is rich with strength and weakness, courage and cowardice, all woven together seamlessly to create a depth of character that makes each individual compelling. The story itself is intense, heart-breaking, uplifting, poignant and completely unforgettable.
—repursell, New Jersey

“I loved the book. It was a gripping story of transformation and redemption, of hope and faith in oneself and the ability we have to transcend our past and find the healing spirit within us all. It truly was a beautifully written drama, and I quickly got used to the dialect and found it helped me imagine the characters as real people. I’d love for you to sell millions because it deserves to be read. Kol Hakavod to you on such a remarkable job Jacqueline—it blew me away.”
—Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Author ‘Raising Ethical Children’

“From the very first page to the last of this exceptional story by Jacqueline Wales, I entered a world unknown to me. Touched very deeply by the experience, it haunted me for days, long after I had read the last page and closed the book.”
—Renate Estiot