In chapter 16 of Denise Bjornson’s first novel, Vanessa dances with the wind and rain of a violent monsoon storm–a storm that brings life back to the parched desert plants of AvraValley in southern Arizona. This spontaneous dance  with the wind is a dramatization of a good portion of the odyssey of Vanessa and her family from the plains of North Dakotato the desert of Arizona and from the despair of abandonment to a new life and, finally, a “definition of gray.”

This is the tale of the struggle of the Averson family, individually and as a family unit, to come to terms with the unexplained departure of wife and mother Madeline. The reader takes this journey with each of the family members through mistakes and triumphs, despair and hope. The author skillfully interweaves the strands of each person’s struggle as she moves from one character to another and  one time frame to another. In the process, she makes the reader care about each of the characters and look forward to the next step in the journey.

This book is a great read and may keep the reader up half the night to finish the last chapter.  More importantly, it is a psychologically satisfying read. It touched me in the deeper parts of my being. I can give no greater compliment to a piece of writing.

Margaret Eckerstrom, Retired English teacher

 
Defining Gray is one of the finest novels I’ve ever read. After I picked it up again on Saturday, I didn’t put it down until I finished. The characters deepened and became real. I felt like I saw and knew each of them. The story was literally gripping. Powerful, moving, and with twists in the end I could not anticipate. To top it off, it was splendidly written.

I may be slightly biased because it had a Tucson familiarity, but I emphasize, slightly.

Kevin L. PhD

 

Just finished DG and enjoyed it very much. I loved the plot/story, with all it’s twists and turns, and the characters seem like real folks I’ve met. Besides that, we live on the west-side now (of  Tucson) and you’ve really captured the flavor and feel of the area. I’m not someone who critiques novels, but I just wanted you to know I think it’s a wonderful book. My eyes even got a bit ‘teary’ a couple times while reading.  We’re waiting for the sequel!

Bob L. and Sandy C.

 

I got your book for Christmas and I want to tell you how much I enjoyed it. Your storytelling ability made me picture the setting and the characters in my mind. I especially liked the ending in which the characters lives were so intertwined. I must confess that when I started reading the book I pretty much blasted away 2 days, as I couldn’t put it down, once I started reading.

Lynne B.

 

Great Book!

Denise C.

 

I could HARDLY put it DOWN! I finished it in about 2-1/2 days and I LOVED it! It was well written, the characters were all very interesting and their life stories were interwoven with great creativity. I think you’re Tucson’s newest ‘Barbara Kingsolver’!

Liz v.

 

I love it! It was a real page turner. It should be a movie. It was written in a way that keeps you wanting more! Wonderful, wonderful….

Tina F.

 

Defining Gray was wonderful! I really enjoyed it!

Sharon R.

 

I finally got some free time to sit down with Defining Gray and I could not put it down. It was awesome. I didn’t want it to end. I really enjoyed that book.

Jill C.

 

I finished your wonderful book! It was easy and pleasant reading… could hardly put it down in some places! Great character development, many emotions evoked, and wonderful images.

Laurie H.

 

I just finished your book and loved it. Once started I had a hard time putting it down… in fact when I was on the last chapter, I got grumpy when someone interrupted my reading.  Keep on writing, you have a real talent.

Janet S.

 

I really enjoyed it; I could hardly put it down!

Mavis W.

 

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