Review: The Love Ceiling by Jean Davies Okimoto

July 4, 2010 By 4 Comments
The Love Ceiling 
Author:  Jean Davies Okimoto
Genre:  Literary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
Publication Date:  April 1, 2009
Publisher:  Endicott & Hugh Books
ISBN:  978-0982316733
301 pages
Source:  I received this book from the publisher for my participation in a virtual book tour hosted by TLC Book Tours.  It, in no way, influenced my opinion of the book.

After the death of her Japanese American mother, sixty-four-year-old Anne Kuroda Duppstadt finds the courage to confront the toxic legacy of her father, a famous artist and cruel narcissist. When a former art professor invites her to his island art studio, she begins pursuing her lifelong dream to become an artist in her own right. But the needs of her family tug at her heart. Her thirty-two-year old daughter’s love life is falling apart, and Annie’s husband, facing retirement, struggles with depression, leading her to conclude, “There is a glass ceiling for women…and it s made out of the people we love.”

The Love Ceiling draws readers into the soul of a universal theme for women: the pull between family and creative self-expression. It is the story of a daughter, a wife, a mother and grandmother, and a journey into creativity.

My Thoughts: 
This book really hit a chord with me.  As a woman who is struggling to identify who I am and what I should be doing with my life, I really fell in love with the characters in this book.  It allowed me to reflect on my own life and come to the realization that it is never to late to follow your dreams.  No matter what struggles are put in your way, a person should always follow their heart and do what makes him or her happy.  I commend the author for creating such well-rounded characters who face the daily challenges that all of us do – job, husband, children – but still understands the need for each person to find their own self-identity – what makes someone truly happy, outside of family and friends.  This book has allowed me to reflect on my own creative endeavors and understand what is truly in MY heart and tell me that it is never too late to do what fulfills me.
The Love Ceiling is told from two perspectives – Annie, a 64-year-old wife, mother, grandmother, and daughter, who is coming to terms with her mother’s death – and Cass, Annie’s 32 year-old daughter who is struggling to define herself and her relationship with her significant other, Richard.  Both Annie and Cass face different challenges, but both are strong women, looking to find what fulfills them and makes them happy.  At times the story seemed to move very slowly and at times I was furiously turning the pages, anxious to see what would happen next.  I actually took the time to savor this book and read it over the course of a week.  
Annie’s story really struck me.  After being belittled and berated by her father over the course of her life, Annie had basically given up on painting.  But, as a promise to her dying mother, Annie begins to paint again, taking classes from Fred, a colleague of her father’s who shows Annie what she is capable of and begins to allow Annie to see and feel her true potential.  I think Annie’s story is a message to all of us that you should never deny your dreams, no matter what someone says to you.
Cass’s story is about a young woman whose life is turned upside down and how she manages to pick herself back up.  I could relate to Cass (being the same age as her!) and her uncertainty of life and what she should be doing. 
Overall, I loved this story and it really made me think and reflect on my own creative endeavors.  It’s never too late to follow your dreams!
I definitely recommend this book!  It is CRAZY FABULOUS!
ATTENTION BOOK BLOGGERS!
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Head on over to Crazy Book Tours and signup!  I’ll be sharing my copy of the book with other book bloggers!  Make sure to read the rules and join the fun!
 
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Comments

  1. Melissa says:
    January 15, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    This one sounds really good! Thanks for the review … it's going onto my list now.

    Reply
  2. Jenny says:
    January 15, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    Sounds like this book was therapeutic which is always good. =)

    Reply
  3. Emidy says:
    January 15, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    That's so, so true! It's truly never too late to follow your dreams. That reminds me of the lady I heard on the radio a while back. She was in her 70s and was going to university for the first time to study what she loved!

    Reply
  4. Rebecca Booth says:
    January 15, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    Annie's story really hit a cord with me. After being belittled and berated by my father over the course of teenage life, I had given up on reading and writing short stories. But, with help of my mother, I began to read and write again, when I met my husband who encouraged me ro do what I enjoyed doing. This gave me the chance to see and feel my true potential. I think Annie's story is a message to all of us that you should never deny your dreams, no matter what anyone does to discourage you. I lost my mother and father when I was a teenager and my husband nine years ago. My husbands belief in me gave mr the strength to become a strong women, looking to find my own self-identity – what me truly happy, outside of family and friends. I can relate to this book and would love to read it. Thanks for reviewing this book as I would not have known about The Love Ceiling without this blog.

    Reply

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