Literary Fiction / Memoir
Release Date: October 1, 2022
Publisher: Mapleton Press
A young girl in a small southern town in the 80’s enlists the help of
an unlikely group of friends and family to help her survive an
unconventional, sometimes abusive childhood. Often left in the care of a
paranoid schizophrenic uncle who lives downstairs and a psychotic uncle
upstairs, the narrator stacks up a few heartbreaking observations. When her
mother abandons her in favor of her addictions, the girl goes to live with
her grandmother but finds happiness cut short when her grandmother dies. Her
uncle believes the voices in his head have trapped his mother in a basement
across town and as he slowly looses grip on reality, he also looses his
ability to take care of her. Taken to a Group Home to live until a case
worker can find her a place to go, her mom’s ex shows up and is forced
to make a choice.
Praise for Skinny Dipping in a Dirty Pond:
One child's vulnerability and resilience to forces beyond her control make
a raw and colorful splash in this tenderhearted memoir.
-RECOMMENDED by the US Review
"Skinny Dipping in a Dirty Pond is highly recommended for fiction
readers looking for coming-of-age and family narratives that are anything
but ordinary and predictable. Its lively tone packs a punch."
- D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review
... I have to tell you that as I enjoyed this great book, I realized no 9
year old could have the thoughts or quick comebacks that Cotton does. Any
kid that had to go through what Cotton did would become old way before their
time. But in truth, this is mostly a story of Cotton telling about her life
but living in the moment. Does that sound nuts? Well, whatever the
technique, it worked. It made a story so very poignant that it touched my
heart. Lis-Anna Langston created a character you will fall in love with and
a book you'll be sad is over when you turn the last page.
- Our Town Book Reviews
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