The Handless Maiden by
Loranne Brown

Nominated by:

Peopled with extraordinary characters and propelled by a startling series of events, The Handless Maiden is an unforgettable novel of rare emotional power. Writing in the first-person, the author borrows from one of Grimms' darkest fairy tales for the novel's title. The Handless Maiden is the compelling story of Mariah Standhoffer, a young Canadian woman, who must come to terms with the tragedies and secrets of her life. Abused by her grandfather, launched onto a career path as a concert pianist, powerless under the force of her parents' personalities, "perfect child" Mariah is, at seventeen, depressed and anorexic. In an attempt to assert some control over her life, the bullet she intends for her grandfather effectively ends her career as a pianist. Music is a crucial theme throughout The Handless Maiden, as Mariah grows from pre-adolescent student into adult composer whose music frees her from introspection and empowers her to transcend victimhood. The narrative turns on a series of complex relationships Mariah has with others who have also suffered damage in their lives. These vividly realized characters, like Mariah, learn to make opportunity out of accident and ultimately find dignity in compassion. "Compelling .... The raw emotion of the story keeps the reader turning the pages .... It may just be the kind of novel that's been missing from the Canadian publishing scene." (Quill & Quire.)
Loranne Brown grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, took her B.A. at the University of Toronto, and then spent a decade in Bermuda. She currently lives in Langley, British Columbia.

REVIEWS

Well, I paced the floor of my local Chapters bookstore for almost an hour and a half in search of a good book before locating the Handless Maiden. My grand search truly paid off because the book was absolutely amazing. Mariah is an emotionally vibrant main character who shares with the reader the story of her life. The characters appear so real that by the end of the novel you feel as though you've experienced their lives thru their own eyes, thoughts, hearts, and, yes, souls. Its a deep, dark, and overall enlightening novel that moved me beyond words. Brown is a talented new novelist and i look forward to her future works (and future fame). I placed The Handless Maiden on my bookshelf of favorites right beside the all-time best: Gone With the Wind; two totally different novels and yet both largely share one thing.....Brilliance
Suzanne S. Thunder Bay, ON

Here's what the members of the Reading Group based at our Raheny branch library think of The Handless Maiden:

The book can best be described as a blockbuster. This is a first novel, well written and cleverly constructed. Mariah Standhoffer - a musician - narrates the story of her life and loves under four headings: Overture, Triple Concerto, Fuge and Requiem. I feel the author had ideas and storylines sufficient for at least two novels and consequently the result is an overworked canvas. Mariah as a child is sexually abused by her grandfather, becomes anorexic, attempts to shoot her abuser but only succeeds in damaging her own hand which results in amputation - a serious problem for a piano student. She becomes romantically involved with two men; Doug is bisexual and suffers from a congenital disease, which has left him with only one arm. Sully is perfect in every way and worships Mariah. They marry and a son is born, but it is immediately obvious that Doug is the father as the child is also missing an arm. In addition to all this melodrama Granddad dies rather suddenly helped along by Mariah's mother and the boy Gage at age ten has an accident with a gun and dies. I regret that a book that started so promisingly should have proved such a disappointment.
(Member of Raheny Library Reading Group)

"A Smashing Debut Novel" Loranne Brown has blazed onto the Candian literary scene with an emotional saga that triumphs. Honest, blunt, sometimes stark, sometimes soft as silk, this book will be hard to put down once you start. The author quickly draws the reader into the life and tale of Mariah Standhoffer. The book is an expose of the inner world of a young girl as she comes-of-age and moves beyond the foundation of abuse and disappointment. Compelling, intriguing, and at times disturbing, its an excellent foray in the psyche of the wounded heart. The main character is flawed, real, intelligent, and ultimately peaceable with herself. Excellent, excellent, excellent. Can't recommend this one highly enough. Way to go, Loranne!