As the population of post-WWII Los
Angeles is exploding, overwhelming
the pueblo infrastructure, Isabella
finds herself caught between her
powerless, loving mother, and brilliant
father who is tortured by mental illness. As a child, she
relies upon her maternal grandmother for encouragement
and stability, is enthralled by the family lore and bolstered
by the wisdom. But Grandy is ill.
It is a tumultuous time for Isabella’s family, Los Angeles, and
for the Country. Shortly before the Watts riots in Los
Angeles, Isabella graduates from an ethnically diverse
school with peers who are headed for college, racial strife,
or Vietnam. She is edgy, angry, and believes she can take on
the world. But not everyone is what they appear to be and
she makes early mistakes. Love proves as dangerous as it
can be a comfort and always looming is the specter of her
father’s schizophrenia.
You will love the history! You will be captivated by the
characters! You will be engrossed in Isabella’s struggles and
delight in her accomplishments. Great descriptions that don’t crowd the story. Written lyrically, with much
poignancy, “Digger’s Izy” is a moving read!
I make it a point not to read a book's reviews or the synopsis on the back cover of a paperback. All too often these snippets tell too much of the story and give away the ending. So it's often the book's title and cover art that grab my attention and get me intrigued enough to choose it. DIGGER'S IZY is a title that made me want to read it just to find out what led to the unusual title. What a surprise unfolds. You will meet Izy as a child of the '50's and '60's and grow up with her in Los Angeles. You'll be shocked at what life deals her and applaud her survival. The author weaves in local and world historical events that anchor the story and take you down memory lane. You will feel like you know the characters personally and will be drawn into their lives whether you like them or not. You'll share their emotions of fear, sadness, anger, rage and loss. The book will beckon you back when you have to reluctantly put it down. I can tell already that this book will stay with me for a long time. I recommend you put this book on your reading list.
I have read Digger's Izy twice. the first time I read it fast, the story was so interesting, I wanted to know the ending. the second time I read it for more content. I was inspired by Izy's courage to overcome the extreme hardships she faced as a child living with a Father who was mentally ill. The book is filled with excitement and historical moments that were part of my life also, which made the book more relevant. One of my favorite parts were when her Grandmother (Grandy) gave Izy this advice. "Life isn't meant to be easy. That’s the thing of it. It's a struggle to find the moments when it is all so wonderful". Isabella completed the thought, “and we have a duty to look for them even when they are almost invisible, almost not there at all, we must find them." This is how Izy is living her life.
An inspirational read, Diggers Izy took me back through time. I felt like I knew the characters and was captivated by the storyline and writing style. Nancy Weston takes you deep into the mind of Izy as she faces life's struggles both relatable and out of this world. The imagery she creates is beautiful as I could see the ocean adventures and harrowing works of architecture. I loved how Izy is a take charge young woman who dominates a male world, speaks her mind, and problem solves. 5 stars for having a strong female lead and an amazing, entrancing storyline!
This is great story and very well written. I could not put it down! Nancy out did herself with this masterpiece!!
This is a great story at a fast pace. The characters are vivid and complex. Can't assume you know where it is going. Just stay on for a great ride. Touching, funny, inspirational. Must read!
An inspirational read, Diggers Izy took me back through time. I felt like I knew the characters and was captivated by the storyline and writing style. Nancy Weston takes you deep into the mind of Izy as she faces life's struggles both relatable and out of this world. The imagery she creates is beautiful as I could see the ocean adventures and harrowing works of architecture. I loved how Izy is a take charge young woman who dominates a male world, speaks her mind, and problem solves. 5 stars for having a strong female lead and an amazing, entrancing storyline!
This is great story and very well written. I could not put it down! Nancy out did herself with this masterpiece!!
This is a great story at a fast pace. The characters are vivid and complex. Can't assume you know where it is going. Just stay on for a great ride. Touching, funny, inspirational. Must read!
An important read! This was a nostalgic trip down memory lane as I read about the places Izy frequented. I recognized and remembered the colorful sights of Olvera Street, riding Angel’s Flight (the shortest railroad in the world), using the street cars in Los Angeles, partying on Catalina Island - and living during the time of the Watts Riots, Vietnam, up through Desert Storm. Izy went to Washington High School, where my father was the Boys Vice-Principal several years before Izy’s arrival. The depths of religion versus spirituality give us a better understanding of how Izy dealt with her father’s schizophrenia. We get a close look at what it must be like for someone in that situation, and the families who have to deal with it. Thank you Ms. Weston for allowing us to enter into the mind and psyche of your literary creation. Don’t let the cover photo put you off - it’s not a scary book. All in all, "Digger’s Izy" is an important read.
Love this book. Would highly recommend it. Izy is pure inspiration!
I make it a point not to read a book's reviews or the synopsis on the back cover of a paperback. All too often these snippets tell too much of the story and give away the ending. So it's often the book's title and cover art that grab my attention and get me intrigued enough to choose it. DIGGER'S IZY is a title that made me want to read it just to find out what led to the unusual title. What a surprise unfolds. You will meet Izy as a child of the '50's and '60's and grow up with her in Los Angeles. You'll be shocked at what life deals her and applaud her survival. The author weaves in local and world historical events that anchor the story and take you down memory lane. You will feel like you know the characters personally and will be drawn into their lives whether you like them or not. You'll share their emotions of fear, sadness, anger, rage and loss. The book will beckon you back when you have to reluctantly put it down. I can tell already that this book will stay with me for a long time. I recommend you put this book on your reading list.
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