Announced January 24, 2002
About the Book
By turns dark and hilariously funny, this stunning fiction debut by an award-winning writer and actor takes readers on a mystically charged journey spanning five generations of one family's sin, guilt and redemption—a narrative feast of racial strife, miracles, terrible secrets and a passionate, enduring love.
Following the curves of history during the first half of the twentieth century, Fall on Your Knees takes us from haunted Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, through the battlefields of World War I, to the emerging jazz scene in New York City, and into the lives of four unforgettable sisters. The mythically charged family—James, a father of intelligence and immense ambition; Materia, his Lebanese child-bride; and their daughters. Kathleen is the eldest, a beautiful talent preparing for a career as an opera diva. Frances is an incorrigible liar and hell-bent bad girl. Mercedes, the obsessive Catholic is the protector of the flock. Lily, the adored invalid, takes us on a quest for truth and redemption.
Fall on Your Knees is a story of inescapable family bonds, of terrible secrets, of miracles, racial strife, attempted murder, birth and death, and forbidden love.
About the Author
Ann-Marie MacDonald is a writer and an actress. The international best-selling novel, Fall On Your Knees, has been translated into seventeen languages and received the Commonwealth Prize, the Canadian Author's Association Award and two Canadian Booksellers Association Libris Awards.
Her first play, Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), was premiered in 1988 by The Nightwood Theatre, and since has had over 100 productions in Canada, the U.S. and abroad. Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) was produced by Canadian Stage in Spring 2001 and ran to sold out audiences with MacDonald in the lead role. The play has been honored with the Governor General's Award, The Chalmers Award and the Canadian Author's Association Award. MacDonald's theatrical roots are in collective creations such as This is For Your Anna and collaborations such as Nancy Prew Clue in the Fast Lane. She co-created and performed in Theatre Columbus' The Attic, The Pearls, and 3 Fine Girls (Scirocco Press). Her other works for the theatre include the play The Arab's Mouth (Blizzard Press) and the libretto for the opera Nigredo Hotel. All have been produced numerous times in Canada and several have toured internationally.
MacDonald has performed in theatres across Canada, and continues to act in film, television and theatre. Screen credits include I've Heard the Mermaids Singing, Where the Spirit Lives (Gemini Award) and most recently the role of Frances in Better Than Chocolate. Her latest theatre production is the new musical comedy, Anything that Moves, with script by Ann-Marie MacDonald and Alisa Palmer, lyrics by MacDonald and music by Allen Cole. Anything That Moves won the Dora Award for Outstanding New Musical.
Ann-Marie MacDonald lives in Toronto and is working on a new novel.
Get more resources on Fall On Your Knees, an Oprah's Book Club selection.
View the Complete Oprah's Book Club List.
By turns dark and hilariously funny, this stunning fiction debut by an award-winning writer and actor takes readers on a mystically charged journey spanning five generations of one family's sin, guilt and redemption—a narrative feast of racial strife, miracles, terrible secrets and a passionate, enduring love.
Following the curves of history during the first half of the twentieth century, Fall on Your Knees takes us from haunted Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, through the battlefields of World War I, to the emerging jazz scene in New York City, and into the lives of four unforgettable sisters. The mythically charged family—James, a father of intelligence and immense ambition; Materia, his Lebanese child-bride; and their daughters. Kathleen is the eldest, a beautiful talent preparing for a career as an opera diva. Frances is an incorrigible liar and hell-bent bad girl. Mercedes, the obsessive Catholic is the protector of the flock. Lily, the adored invalid, takes us on a quest for truth and redemption.
Fall on Your Knees is a story of inescapable family bonds, of terrible secrets, of miracles, racial strife, attempted murder, birth and death, and forbidden love.
About the AuthorAnn-Marie MacDonald is a writer and an actress. The international best-selling novel, Fall On Your Knees, has been translated into seventeen languages and received the Commonwealth Prize, the Canadian Author's Association Award and two Canadian Booksellers Association Libris Awards.
Her first play, Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), was premiered in 1988 by The Nightwood Theatre, and since has had over 100 productions in Canada, the U.S. and abroad. Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) was produced by Canadian Stage in Spring 2001 and ran to sold out audiences with MacDonald in the lead role. The play has been honored with the Governor General's Award, The Chalmers Award and the Canadian Author's Association Award. MacDonald's theatrical roots are in collective creations such as This is For Your Anna and collaborations such as Nancy Prew Clue in the Fast Lane. She co-created and performed in Theatre Columbus' The Attic, The Pearls, and 3 Fine Girls (Scirocco Press). Her other works for the theatre include the play The Arab's Mouth (Blizzard Press) and the libretto for the opera Nigredo Hotel. All have been produced numerous times in Canada and several have toured internationally.
MacDonald has performed in theatres across Canada, and continues to act in film, television and theatre. Screen credits include I've Heard the Mermaids Singing, Where the Spirit Lives (Gemini Award) and most recently the role of Frances in Better Than Chocolate. Her latest theatre production is the new musical comedy, Anything that Moves, with script by Ann-Marie MacDonald and Alisa Palmer, lyrics by MacDonald and music by Allen Cole. Anything That Moves won the Dora Award for Outstanding New Musical.
Ann-Marie MacDonald lives in Toronto and is working on a new novel.
Get more resources on Fall On Your Knees, an Oprah's Book Club selection.View the Complete Oprah's Book Club List.
Published 01/24/2002
